Programme description

On this snowshoeing tour, you will have the chance to explore the wild taiga of eastern Finland. This remote area is the perfect place to experience the peace of nature. Our route is mostly in Hossa national park, through the snow-white forests, along ridges and over frozen lakes. Each night, you will stay in wooden cabins - some without modern facilities, but all offering a cozy atmosphere. At night have a look at the sky turning into an explosion of stars and maybe the dance of the Northern Lights will top off your day!

Each day, we will snowshoe for approximately six hours, navigating terrain with many short ascents and descents. Beginners are welcome, but a reasonable level of fitness is required.

Tour highlights:
• Beautiful winter landscapes
• Overnights in wilderness huts
• Picnics around an open fire
• Evening saunas with ice-swimming
• Pristine wilderness and remoteness

Detailed programme

Day 1. Arrival

Arrival at Kuusamo airport and transfer (approx. 1 hour) to Hossa where we will stay in Jatkonsalmi cabin for the first three nights. The cabin is located on the shore of Lake Jatkonjärvi, in a secluded spot at the heart of Hossa National Park.

Day 2. Lounatkoski rapids

Breakfast and an introduction to the week’s program. After a brief session on snowshoeing techniques, we set off on our first day trip to the Lounatkoski rapids. In the past, these were the fastest-flowing rapids in Hossa and provided hydropower. You can visit an old mill once used for grinding grain, as well as structures related to timber floating. We’ll enjoy a picnic around an open fire next to the rapids before snowshoeing back to the cabin via Jatkonvaara hill. In the evening, it's lovely to unwind and warm up in the lakeside sauna. Those who wish can also try ice-swimming –  breath slowly out and dip yourself into the hole in the ice!
Snowshoeing 7 km, 6 hours 

Day 3. Rock paintings

Today, it's time to take a glimpse into history. We will start with a short car transfer, followed by a snowshoeing trip to the Colour Rock, where we will see rock paintings dating back 4000 years. These are the largest prehistoric paintings in Finland, portraying life in a time when spirits and natural forces were present everywhere. We’ll have a picnic lunch near the painting site around an open fire - hot soup and sandwiches and coffee brewed in a large pot over the fire. In the afternoon, we will return to the cabin for one more night before our “wilderness expedition”.
Snowshoeing 7 km, 6 hours 

Day 4. Snow white forests, Jatkonsalmi – Huosiusjärvi/Iikoski

This morning, we leave our base camp and head to the wilderness cabins, where we will spend the next two nights. The route goes along the top of a ridge between two frozen lakes and through the beautiful snow covered pine, spruce and birch forests. Following the ridges, we will reach the Hossa Visitor Centre, where we’ll have lunch and have the opportunity to visit a small souvenir shop. In the afternoon, we will arrive at the Huosiusjärvi and Iikoski cabins, located 200 meters apart near the river Iikoski The rustic cabins, without electricity or modern comforts, offer an authentic back-to-nature experience. A wood-burning stove provides warmth, while candlelight adds to the cozy atmosphere. Snowshoeing 5 km, 5 hours 

Day 5. Ridges and lakes, Huosiusjärvi/Iikoski – Peurapirtti/Hirvastupa

After breakfast, we will snowshoe along the ridges and across frozen lakes. Reindeer are a common sight in the area, so keep an eye out for them and their tracks along the way! Halfway through our journey, we will enjoy a picnic lunch around an open fire at a lean-to shelter near a rapid. After covering 8 km on snowshoes, we will reach the northern shore of Lake Iso-Valkeinen and the cabins where we will spend the night. Snowshoeing 8 km, 7 hours

Day 6. Back to the basecamp, Peurapirtti/Hirvastupa – Jatkonsalmi

The final day of snowshoeing takes us back to our starting point, where our tour will come to an end at the base camp. Here, we can enjoy a final sauna - perhaps with one last ice swim - before celebrating our last night together with a farewell dinner. Snowshoeing 7 km, 6 hours.

Day 7. Return

Breakfast and transfer to Kuusamo airport.

Included in this programme

• Accommodation: Days 1-3 and 6 in a log cabin in rooms for 2–4 persons, showers and toilets on the corridor. Days 4 and 5 in wilderness huts without electricity (mostly dormitory-style)
• 6 x breakfast, 4 x outdoor lunch, 1 x lunch, 6 x dinner (on arrival night evening snack on late arrival)
• English speaking guiding
• Single-timed airport transfers 
• Luggage transportation between the accommodations
• 5 x evening sauna, 3 x possibility for ice-swimming
• Bed linen and bath towels
• Sleeping bags and mummy liners (2 nights)

You will need

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

The full packing list will be provided after booking. 

Good to know

DURATION
7 days / 6 nights

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES
11.01.–17.01.2026
25.01.–31.01.2026
01.02.–07.02.2026
08.02.–14.02.2026
15.02.–21.02.2026
22.02.–28.02.2026
01.03.–07.03.2026
08.03.–14.03.2026
22.03.–28.03.2026

PRICE 1090 €

Extras:
Hire of snowshoes and poles 40 €
Hire of winter boots 20 €

GROUP SIZE
Guaranteed departures without minimum number of participants. Max. 12 persons.

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY
On this tour, the daily treks take approximately 5–6 hours, with an average speed of about 1 km per hour. From late January to late March, the snow depth is typically 50–100 cm, and you will usually walk on soft snow, which makes the walking slow and strenuous. If the track is firmer, it is possible to cover 3–4 km per hour. In such cases, extra kilometers can be added to extend the duration. The total duration includes a lunch break of 1–1.5 hours.

The terrain is quite varied, with many short uphill and downhill sections, but there are no long climbs. The route passes through forests, along ridges, and across lakes. The difficulty of the tour is easy to moderate, depending largely on the snow conditions. No previous experience with snowshoeing is required, but a moderate level of physical fitness is necessary, as walking in soft snow can be demanding.
See rough route map here.

ACCOMMODATION
Days 1–3 and 6: Accommodation in a log cabin mostly on twin and triple sharing basis. Solo travellers will be paired with a fellow traveller of the same gender. For couples a private twin room is booked. Single rooms cannot be booked. Toilets and showers are located on the corridor.
Days 4 and 5: Accommodation in wilderness cabins without electricity. Mostly dormitory-style accommodation is available. Sauna (no shower) and compost toilet outdoors. 

TRAVEL
Flights are not included in the tour price. If you have any questions regarding flights or transfers, please contact us before booking your flights!

Notes for arrival
The joining point for this trip is Kuusamo airport.
Single-timed group transfers from Kuusamo airport are organized to meet the following Finnair flights from Helsinki:
11.01., 25.01. and 01.02.: HEL-KAO AY497 (arrival at 17.30)
08.02., 15.02., 22.02., 01.03., 08.03. and 22.03.: HEL-KAO AY491 (arrival at 20.45)

Notes for return
At the end of the tour, a scheduled group transfer is organized back to Kuusamo Airport to connect with the following Finnair flight to Helsinki:
KAO-HEL AY486 (departure at approx. 13.30)

Travel by bus/train
Upon arrival it is possible take a train (or bus) from Helsinki to Oulu, followed by a bus from Oulu to Kuusamo. The same applies for the return trip to Helsinki. Please ensure that the schedule aligns with the transfer times mentioned above. Note: Pick-up is not available from the bus station.

PAYMENT
Deposit: 20 % of total amount will be charged at the time of booking.
Full payment: The full tour price is due 14 days prior to departure. An invoice or a link to pay online by credit card 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 the right to change the itinerary if necessary due to snow or ice conditions or organizational reasons.

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