Snowshoeing & Northern Lights
Snowshoeing & Northern Lights
Snowshoeing & Northern Lights
Visiting: Finland
Tour operator:
Tour code:
CFR
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 12
Physical rating:
Leisurely / Moderate
Age range:
16 to 99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Escape to the Finnish wilderness. Spend the week snowshoeing through the Oulanka National Park. Your local guide will lead you through this beautiful landscape allowing you to explore the amazing Finnish Taiga. For the most part, you will stay in a traditional old logging lodge in the middle of nowhere next to the Oulanka River. Away from the hustle and bustle and with no light pollution it is the perfect spot to look out for the Aurora Borealis in the evenings. Two of the nights will be spent near the Russian Border in a remote former hunting cabin. In the evenings you will enjoy authentic local cuisine and will have time to relax in the sauna, a must when visiting Finland!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Basecamp Oulanka.
Meals Included: dinner
Start at Basecamp Oulanka, our main base in Oulanka National Park, for the
first briefing and to visit the kit room to collect all the clothing needed
for a week of snowshoeing in arctic conditions. Depending on the arrival time
we may have dinner or a light snack here or later when we arrive at the
Logging Lodge in Oulanka National Park.
Lunch is included for clients booked on the group flights on weeks where the
inbound flight time is later.
Day 2 : Morning Introduction To Snowshoeing. Afternoon Wilderness Skills Session
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Our first morning is spent with an introduction to snowshoeing. You will be
taught the technique of snowshoeing and how to use the poles appropriately.
We spend the day not far from the Logging Lodge and the River Oulanka as we
get a feel for snowshoeing. Lunch today is taken back at the Logging Lodge.
In the afternoon we get an introduction from the leader about bushcraft
skills and an insight into the skills needed to survive the arctic
wilderness. This is an interesting look at the knowledge the locals take for
granted. We will also learn how to heat the sauna where we will be able to
relax in each evening. This evening, we are given dry sacks to fill with the
belongings we’ll need for the next two nights. These are then packed onto
the trailer and taken by snowscooter to our destination in the morning. After
preparing for the next day we will venture out for a short snowshoe walk in
search of the Northern Lights.
Day 3 : Snowshoe East Towards The Russian Border.
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Today we set off east towards the Russian border zone. The goal is to reach
the log cabin known as the ‘Russian End’, on the banks of the Oulanka
River, close to the border. After the morning briefing, we head into the
forest of the Oulanka National Park, on many occasions following the tracks
left by the Reindeer. After a snack and hot drink around an open fire we
continue along the boundary of the forest where our guide explains the
different tracks left in the snow, taking time to observe the woodpeckers,
Siberian jays and if we are lucky capercaillie before heading on to our cosy
home for the next two nights. The total distance is around 11km and we aim to
arrive by mid-afternoon depending on conditions. Those that wish can
accompany our leader down to the river to collect some ice which we’ll use
for a well-deserved sauna or undertake further snowshoeing if there is time.
This location has no light pollution so there is a fantastic chance in the
evening of seeing the Northern Lights in all their glory if the conditions
are right
Day 4 : Return Trip To A Wonderful Viewpoint At Saunavaara, Reach A Viewpoint For Spectacular Views Over Lake Paanajarvi.
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
After a night in splendid isolation, we awake to a warm breakfast and prepare
for our day tour. Snowshoeing south the route takes us first across the river
and uses some forest roads. Skirting the border the trail leads us to the
beautiful viewpoint which overlooks Lake Paanajärvi on the Russian side, a
wonderful spot from which to admire the natural surroundings. The forested
area is inhabited by Elk so there is a high chance of seeing one. In the
evening we can relax in the traditional Finnish sauna and head out to the
frozen river for an amazing view of the night sky.
Day 5 : Snowshoe Back Through The Forest To The Logging Lodge.
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Today we pack up our kit for the return journey to the Logging Lodge then
head out on our snowshoes. We pass a reindeer herder's pen where we will stop
and look for the reindeer which wander freely in the area before following
forested trails close to the Oulanka river stopping for a hot drink and snack
break. Once back at the Logging Lodge there is a free afternoon for relaxing
in the sauna. Extra snowshoeing opportunities may be available if we arrive
ahead of schedule. The total time this route takes can vary greatly according
to conditions and group proficiency.
Day 6 : Final Day Snowshoeing Along River Oulanka.
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Today is our last day of snowshoeing as we head north along the Oulanka
River. As we go we will admire this beautiful landscape where we can see
landforms created during the Glacial Period, 10,000 years ago. We have lunch
along the way as we spend the day exploring the Finnish Taiga.
Day 7 : Free Day For Optional Activities. Farewell Dinner By Open Fire.
Meals Included: breakfast, dinner
Free day. There are a variety of optional activities on offer today (subject
to minimum numbers and availability) including the new and increasingly
popular winter activity – fat biking; explore the winter wonderland with
specially made bicycles with ultrawide tires that can run easily on the snow
at very low pressure. Alternatively, we can transfer to Basecamp Oulanka and
pick from a number of activities (listed further down the trip notes). From
Basecamp a day trip to Ruka can be organised if you wish to try your hand at
snowmobiling or downhill skiing. We then head back to the Logging Lodge in
time for a final sauna. Dinner tonight is taken outside around an open fire.
Day 8 : End Logging Lodge
Meals Included: breakfast
The trip will end at the Logging Lodge.
What's Included
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All Arctic winter clothing and equipment
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Meals
7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners.
What's Not Included
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Single Accommodation
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Visas or vaccinations
Food
All breakfasts, 6 lunches (depending on flight times) and 7 dinners included. The food provided covers a variety of traditional Finnish dishes going back 50 years using recipes from forestry camps. Breakfast will be continental, with bread, cheese, cold meats, porridge, muesli and yoghurt available. Lunch will consist of warm soup, bread, cheeses, sausages, hot tea and biscuits. In the evening dinner will consist of traditional meat and fish dishes with vegetables and dessert. A vegetarian option also available, though there may be less variety.
Accommodation
Check out our Q&As
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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