Programme description

Finland is a winter wonderland and on this tour you will experience the best of it. The stage of this active week is Kylmäluoma hiking area where you can enjoy the extreme peace of nature and snow-covered landscape away from tourist crowds.
During the week you will try cross-country skiing and ice-fishing, build igloos and ride a husky sled. The overnight snowshoeing tour will take you into the wilderness hut. The night in the basic but cozy cabin without electricity will surely be memorable.
If you are lucky and conditions are right, you might even witness the spectacle of the Northern Lights. A myriad of colours dancing across the clear northern skies.

Tour highlights:

• Peaceful nature and pristine snow-covered landscape of east Finland
• Husky sledding, Nordic skiing, igloo building etc.
• Overnight snowshoeing expedition to the remote wilderness cabin
• Chance of a sauna at the end of each day

Detailed programme

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.

Included in this programme

• Accommodation in log cabins on days 1–2 and 4–7, on day 3 in the wilderness cabin in dormitory rooms
• Full board: 7 x breakfast, 4 x lunch, 2 x picnic lunch, 7 x dinner (on arrival night snack on late arrival)
• Activities and local transfers according to the program 
• Single-timed group airport transfers
• English speaking guide 
• Hire of cross-country skis, snowshoes or ice-fishing gear for day 6 
• Luggage transportation to wilderness cabin on day 3
• 6 x evening sauna with ice-swimming
• Bedlinen and bath towels
• Sleeping bag and mummy liner (1 night)

You will need

• 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.  

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 (1 male place on twin sharing basis available, please book by email)
09.02.–16.02.2025 (1 female place on twin sharing basis available, please book by email)
16.02.-23.02.2025 (NEW departure date)
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.

Additional arrival transfers with supplement 30 €/person:
On 22.12., 29.12., 19.01. and 09.02. and 16.02.
Transfer meeting TUI flights from UK and Eurowings from Düsseldorf (only in February), 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 8.55)
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 transfer with supplement 30 €/person:
On 29.12., 05.01., 26.01. and 16.02. and 23.02.
Drop off to TUI flights to UK and Eurowings to Düsseldorf (only in February), 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.

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