Winter Fun in Finland

Detailed program

Day 1 Arrival

Arrival at Kuusamo airport and a 45 minutes’ group transfer to Kylmäluoma hiking area where you will be met by your guide. Check into cabins and dinner.

Day 2 Cross-country skiing

After breakfast an introduction about the area and week’s program. Then you step on skis and learn cross-country skiing which is one of the most popular hobbies in Finland. You will be taught the basics of technique and then you will have the opportunity to test your ski-skills on a short tour through the flat pine forest and on the lake near the cabins. Reindeer are a common sight in the area and during skiing we may spot them as well as their tracks. 

Day 3 Snowshoeing

Today you set off on an overnight snowshoeing tour to the wilderness hut. After a short introduction you will follow the trail through beautiful snow covered pine, spruce and birch forest and halfway you will stop for a picnic lunch around an open fire. In the afternoon you will arrive at the Hukantupa wilderness cabin where you spend the night. There’s no electricity in the cabin but it is heated by a wood-burning stove and the candle light will guarantee a nice atmosphere. It is said that there’s nothing more Finnish than sauna and at night you can relax in the steaming hot, traditional Finnish sauna.

Day 4 Snowshoeing

After breakfast you will go on snowshoeing along the ridges and on the lakes. The surrounding forests are home to many animals such as elks, lynxes and hares but unfortunately they are seldom seen. Bears also inhabit the area but will be hibernating. The lunch will be taken again outdoors around an fire and your snowshoeing excursion will be completed on arrival at the cabins.   

Day 5 Igloo building

Today you build igloos. By shovels and spades you make a big pile of snow which will be hollowed out afterwards. If you want, you can also sleep in the igloo. Wrapped in warm sleeping bags on thick mattresses you stay warm in your cool “hotel”, no matter how freezing it is outside.

Day 6 Optional activities

Today is a free day to enjoy optional activities. It is possible to do some more cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or try ice-fishing, equipment for these activities is available free of cost. You could also rent skishoes (“Altai skis”) or fatbikes, mountain bikes with wide tyres, and do a cycling excursion on snowy roads and trails. Snowmobile safaris are available as well, departing straight from your base camp.
Prices: Snowmobile safaris (3 h) 140 €/person/2 persons per snowmobile or 180 €/person/driving solo. Fatbike hire 3 h / 25 €, 1 day 50 €. Skishoe hire from 25 €. Bookings and payments locally.

Day 7 Husky sledding

Today's activity is one of the week’s highlights – a husky safari. After breakfast there will be a 1 hour transfer to the husky kennel. On arrival at the kennel you will be greeted by the owner who will explain about the life and training of the huskies and give you a sled driving lesson, then it’s off into the wilderness! You’ll drive through snow-white forests and frozen lakes, enjoying the pure nature and tranquility. Two people share a sledge with 4-6 dogs and can take turns to drive the sledge or simply sit back and enjoy the scenery. During the safari you will stop to have lunch outdoors. (Duration of the activity 4–5 hours, driving 20-30 km). In the evening the last chance to enjoy the sauna and then a farewell dinner will be served. 

Day 8 Return

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to airport for a flight to Helsinki.

Good to know

DURATION
8 days / 7 nights

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES
22.12.–29.12.2024
29.12.2024–05.01.2025
19.01.–26.01.2025
09.02.–16.02.2025
09.03.–16.03.2025
Other departures for groups on request. Season 20.12.-05.04.

PRICES
1380 € p/p on twin sharing basis
1280 € p/p in cabin for 3 persons (Price requires 3 persons per booking.)
1230 € p/p in cabin for 4 persons (Price requires 4 persons per booking.)
1650 € p/p in single cabin (Note: Single room not available on day 3.)

Extras:
Hire of winter clothes (overall, boots, mittens) 50 €
Hire of winter boots 20 €

GROUP SIZE
Guaranteed departure without minimum number of participants. Max. 16 persons.

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY
All activities are suitable for beginners and no previous experience is needed. A moderate physical condition is required to cope well especially the overnight snowshoeing trek. Minimum age 14 years.

ACCOMMODATION
On days 1–2 and 4–7 accommodation is in log cabins. Solo travellers will be matched with one fellow traveller of the same gender. If you prefer the privacy of your own cabin, you can opt for a single cabin option. Friends/families of 3 or 4 persons can book a cabin for a special group rate. On day 3 accommodation is in a wilderness cabin in dormitory rooms with shared facilities (no single rooms available). In the wilderness cabin there is no electricity. Sauna in the separate building (no showers) and compost toilet.

TRAVEL
Flights are not included in the tour price. If you have anything unclear regarding flights or transfers, please do check with us before booking flights.

Notes for arrival
The joining point for this trip is Kuusamo airport.
Single-timed group transfers are organized to meet the following Finnair flight from Helsinki:
HEL-KAO AY487 (arrival at 21.45)
Transfer time from Kuusamo airport to Kylmäluoma is approx. 45 min.
Note! On 22.12. arrival transfer is organized from Oulu airport from the flight HEL-OUL AY455 16.20-17.20.

Additional arrival transfers with supplement 30 €/person:
On 22.12., 29.12., 19.01. and 09.02.
Transfer meeting TUI flights from UK and Eurowings from Düsseldorf (only on 09.02.), pick up once Manchester flight at 13.00 has landed.

Notes for return
Group transfers are organized back to Kuusamo airport to the following Finnair flight to Helsinki:
KAO-HEL AY482 (departure at approx. 9.00)
If you take a later flight or stay extra nights in Kuusamo, the drop off at Kuusamo town centre is available on prior request.  

Additional departure transfers with supplement 30 €/person:
On 29.12., 05.01., 26.01. and 16.02.
Drop off to direct TUI flights to UK and Eurowings to Düsseldorf (only 16.02.), departing between 12.35-14.10. 

Travel by bus/train
It is possible take a train from Helsinki to Oulu and then a bus from Oulu to Kuusamo. The schedule must coincide with above mentioned transfer schedules.

PAYMENT
Deposit: 15 % of total amount will be charged at the time of booking.
Full payment: Due 14 days before the departure. The invoice for full payment will be sent by email. 

NOTES
It is essential that a passenger is covered by adequate travel insurance.
The tour is not suitable for persons with reduced mobility.    
We reserve all the rights to change the order of the activities or the content of the programme if necessary due to weather or snow conditions or organizational reasons.
Forced singles are not charged the single supplement.

What do I need to bring?

• warm jacket and pants
• leisure time clothing
• winter boots
• rucksack (15-20 l)
• thermos flask
• head lamp / torch

The full gear list will be sent after booking.  

Reviews

2024
A totally brilliant week. All activities, hospitality and leadership were excellent.

We had a fantastic holiday with Ruben as our guide. Every activity was well explained and really fun. The food was always very tasty and varied and the local staff were welcoming and friendly. Would highly recommend this to anyone who wants to get a taste of the Finnish wilderness life!

Fantastic trip and experience. Great variety of activities to try in a wonderful location. The food and the people were amazing and enhanced the whole holiday. Highly recommended!

This holiday was an experience I will never forget. I loved Scandinavia already but now I love it even more. What a fantastic way to get to know the country.

Excellent holiday to get a taste of Finland. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Pat, UK

2023
Having now returned back home, I wanted to give some feedback about the trip, because it was simply too amazing not to. First of all: A great ‘kiitos’ to you all! It may have been the best trip I’ve been on. I really appreciate all the effort you put into the communication before the trip. From the kind and thoughtful emails and preparation documents on what to expect and how to prepare, to the organisation of the arrival.
The week itself was simply perfect. Of course there are some things that were pure good luck this week as they are out of your control (weather, aurora activity, personality of the other guests). But those things that were in your control were perfect, too! I have been on multiple group holidays before and I was very impressed by the planning of everything. Everything seemed to be running like a well-oiled machine and everyone made me feel welcome. Even the huskies seemed well treated and so happy to be there!
Ruben and Anna-Maria were fantastic guides with so much positive energy, knowledge and consideration for everybody! It was truly a delight. I also loved how everything was both well planned, but at the same time did not feel like a military schedule. Ruben was always very precise in his communication so it was very easy to understand what to expect in the next hours/days. It was also nice to have all the activities either on site or starting from there so there was no excessive driving involved. Female, Germany

2019
A great vacation in a wonderful landscape and very good accommodation! Staff is very friendly, helpful and qualified! We especially enjoyed the great organization of the activities and very tasty food! The program was a good mix of exciting activities and free time to relax. Anna, Germany

2016
This has been our first experience of this type of holiday and it has been amazing from start to finish. The staff are very friendly and very knowledgeable at what they do. We were very well instructed in everything we did and there was no pressure placed upon us to do if we did not want to. A very enjoyable time was had by all. Thank you very much. Niall, Ireland

For someone who has never done any winter sports + activities before this trip this is a great way to try different sports, even though I now know that I cannot ski. However, thoroughly enjoyed the company, good guide with expertise and knowledge of the local area. Would recommend to anyone looking for something different, and given me the chance to try something new. Robyn, England

A very enjoyable week in Finland. Great for those new to winter sports / activities. A mixture of nationalities, friendly and knowledgeable staff and comfortable accommodation. I would recommend this to anyone between the ages 10 and 65. John, UK

2015
Wonderful experience from start to end. Our tour guide was helpful and very knowledgeable about wild life. Food was fabulous! Well done to all.

I have had an amazing week. I canÂ’t say enough good things about Pirjo (guide). She went beyond what possible to make our week perfect. Thank you! Female, Australia

-> 2014
Un programme trés varié et passionnant. Bloumentzweig, France

The multiactivity week was very varied and interesting. For me 2 days snowshoeing plus 2 days cross-country skiing was just enough. The other activities were interesting, ice fishing, igloo building, dog sledding and reindeer farm all made the activities very memorable. Overall a good week in winter wonderland. Mary, Ireland