Finland Family Winter Adventure
8 Days Starting and ending in Oulanka
Visiting: Finland
Tour operator:
Tour code:
FVB
Specialist Group:
Family/Kids
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 18
Age range:
9-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
For a winter trip with a difference, Oulanka is always a popular destination for families. On this fun-filled trip in Finland, the whole clan will enjoy a host of exciting activities and wholesome home-cooked food. We set out to explore the beautiful wilderness on snowshoes, cross-country skis, dogsled and reindeer sleigh. Better yet, our ecofriendly base is at the edge of Oulanka National Park in a truly spectacular setting with the very best conditions for seeing the Northern Lights, nature’s most spectacular light show.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Basecamp Oulanka
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to the wintery wilds of Finland. We typically have our welcome briefing during dinner, discussing the week ahead and getting an introduction to Basecamp Oulanka and the area we will soon explore.
Day 2 : Gentle Half-Day Snowshoe Walk; Free Use Of Snowshoes In The Afternoon
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After sorting out your equipment for a week in Arctic conditions, we explore Oulanka National Park with a gentle half-day snowshoe walk past frozen rapids and following the Kitkajoki River. The afternoon is free for further snowshoeing or enjoying a warm sauna or hot tub. Alternatively, you might wish to try kick sledging, a metal-frame sled you can use on your own or with your children and venture around Basecamp.
Day 3 : Dogsledding Instruction And Tour In Riisitunturi National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, we head to a husky farm on the edge of the neighbouring Riisitunturi National Park. We start with tuition on how to ride and drive the sled and the importance of caring for the huskies correctly. We then continue into the woods where our dog teams eagerly await our arrival, ready to take us on our 6mi (10km) mushing adventure. With the adults driving and the children sitting in the sled, we appreciate the serenity of this snow-laden landscape.
Day 4 : Morning Cross-Country Ski Lesson
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Experience the Scandinavian-born sport of cross-country skiing. Heading down to the nearby Juuma Lake, we learn the basics of cross-country skiing from our instructor. There may be a few tumbles in the soft snow to start, but this is half the fun. After building confidence on the skis, we head onto the lake, gliding through the fresh powder. Keep hold of your skis because we have further opportunities to test out our skills in the afternoon.
Day 5 : Morning Visit To A Reindeer Farm And Short Ride On A Reindeer-Pulled Sleigh; Free Afternoon In Ruka For Optional Activities
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
In the morning, we visit a reindeer farm and museum where everyone can ride a reindeer-pulled sleigh. The visit finishes with hot drinks and reindeer sausages around an open fire. We spend the rest of the day at the popular ski resort of Ruka. Your guide will take care of transfers and can book activities for you. Group transfers are included only to the designated areas and are scheduled at specific times; it is advisable to check at reception before making your activities booking. Downhill skiing and snowmobile safaris are available.
Please note, the bookings for activities in Ruka need to be made by Tuesday due to operational reasons.
Day 6 : Free Morning; Afternoon Children’S Snow Games: Sledging, Building Snow Forts And Snowmen
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, we can sleep in and start the day at a more relaxed pace. To kick off the afternoon, we see about making a fire and cooking our own pancakes for lunch.
The afternoon is spent in the children's snow park, which is supervised by the Basecamp guides. Here children can learn how to build a snow fort followed by hot chocolate and doughnuts. Families can also have a go at making a snow sculpture, among other activities.
Day 7 : Free Day. Optional Activities Including Dog Sledding, Unguided Cross-Country Skiing Or Snowmobile Tours
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is left free to spend as you like. Options include unguided cross-country skiing and snowshoeing with all the Basecamp facilities at your disposal and many accessible roads to explore. Otherwise, enrol in one of the several optional activities available: downhill skiing at nearby Ruka (transport and skiing not included) or further dogsledding and snowmobile safaris. Alternatively, kick sledging can keep you entertained. We then have our farewell dinner at Basecamp.
Day 8 : End Basecamp Oulanka
Meals Included: Breakfast
The trip ends after breakfast. Say goodbye to Basecamp Oulanka, which may feel like a second home by now, before your return journey home.
What's Included
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All breakfasts, five lunches and seven dinners
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All accommodation (see below)
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All transport and listed activities
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Tour leader throughout
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Arrival and departure transfers
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request)
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Visas or vaccinations
Food
All breakfasts, five lunches and seven evening meals are included.
The food at Basecamp is a delicious range of local produce prepared by the in-house chef. Starters consist of a salad buffet with three to four choices. The main courses consist of wild game such as elk, chicken and salmon. There is also vegetarian food. Dessert consists of lingonberries, blueberries and cloudberries, often picked by the chef. It is refreshing to know that what is viewed as superfoods in our supermarkets grows locally to Basecamp. These are served with a selection of quark curd, cream, ice cream, cakes and pancakes. Lunch normally consists of hot soup with elk, salmon or a vegetarian option.
Accommodation
Overlooking Lake Juuma and the national park after which it was named, Basecamp Oulanka is our welcoming home in the remote Finnish wilderness. The magical complex comprises a series of wooden structures: the twin rooms are split across two separate buildings, while a third building houses a restaurant and bar with a log fire, plus a sauna and outdoor hot tub.
Built in 1998 with sustainability in mind, the complex is heated using special wood pellets for fuel. It is also a member of The Long Run Foundation, which comes with a commitment to building a ‘sustainable future through a balance of conservation, community, culture and commerce’.
Worth knowing
Multiple Exodus trips run at Basecamp Oulanka concurrently and you might share the room with a member of a different group.
A family of four will be allocated a large room at the time of booking; please let your sales representative know at the time of booking if you want to upgrade to one double room and one twin room (subject to availability).
Most family trips occur during peak season and we sometimes have little control over where you are put. You need to come prepared for this.
While we do our very best to ensure families are roomed close together, we can’t guarantee this.
Check out our Q&As
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
No visa required for UK passport holders visiting Finland.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes
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Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
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What is the maximum group size?
12
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
There are no specific health risks.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
13-16 passenger can also go on this tour
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Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
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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.
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