Day 1: Welcome to Finland! We will arrange a single-timed transfer from Kuusamo airport to our log house basecamp in Ruka. We’ll connect you up with those on the trip in advance, so you’ll have someone to travel with. Group meeting and introduction to the week’s programme. Dinner and accommodation at basecamp.
Day 2: Today we head out into the snowy landscape on skis. After a wholesome breakfast we drive to our starting point and have an introduction to the skis we are using, which act differently to downhill skis. The skis are more like gliding snowshoes and can be worn with your own winter boots. You do not need to have previous skiing experience. It is very easy to pick it up without much practice. We’ll ski over a frozen lake into the magical forest and have delicious lunch over an open fire and then find our way back. Enjoy a relaxed evening in the cabin with a sauna and home cooked dinner. During the evening, we will go over our next adventure, a mini ski expedition to a wilderness cabin where we’ll be spending the next two nights.
Skiing 6.5km, 5-6hours
Day 3: This day will start with breakfast and last arrangements for our exciting skiing adventure and a 45min drive to our starting point. It will be a long day of skiing (same skis we have used the day before) and time spent outside, but the stunning scenery of Riisitunturi National Park, a warm lunch heated on the open fire and all the other impressions will make up for it so effortlessly. Look forward to a cozy woodfire-heated cabin as our base and waking up to spectacular surroundings by a frozen lake. It is truly a simple, but magical get-away. Dinner at the cabin.
Skiing 12.5km, 7-8hrs
Day 4: Let’s spend a relaxed day at the cabin. After breakfast you have the option to just be at the cabin, enjoy the peacefulness or join a couple of hours exploring the surroundings on skis. We will also put your fire making skills to the next level. The day wouldn’t feel complete without a traditional Finnish sauna in the afternoon. Who will be brave enough to try ice-dipping in the lake? Clean yourself like in the old days with heated lake water as there are no showers or running water available. Dinner is prepared together in the cabin. Wind down from another beautiful day, while you listen to the crackling of the wood stove and share stories with the others. But don’t forget to peek outside the cabin to see if the Northern Lights are dancing in the sky. The lake offers a great open place! Night in the wilderness cabin.
Optional skiing 2-5km, 2-3hrs
Day 5: Good Morning or Hyvää Huomenta in Finnish from the cabin. After breakfast it is time for another exciting highlight: A full day husky tour at a small, local husky farm. An experience that can’t be left out while being in the North. You’ll be riding your own husky sled while someone else sits in the front and about halfway you will swap around. Plenty of opportunities for photos and videos. Lunch is served during the tour. After an eventful day we will drive back to our basecamp (~1hr), have dinner and simply round off the night together or for yourself. Night at the log house.
Skiing 2.5km, 1hr
Day 6: Today is your day off. Today is the time to do what YOU need and feel most to do. Sleep in, take a long walk, go downhill skiing, eat out, go souvenir shopping or maybe you feel like an adrenaline activity like river floating or ice climbing (advanced bookings recommended). We are more than happy to assist you with additional booking arrangements and other tips. Lunch and dinner at your own expense. A perfect opportunity to try out one of the local restaurants and bars in Ruka. Night at the basecamp.
Day 7: After breakfast we embark on another amazing excursion. This time on snowshoes. The route takes us down to fast flowing rapids, over a suspension bridge and through the snowy forest. We’ll enjoy a picnic around an open fire and take in the fresh, crisp air as much as we can on this last day.
A 30min car ride back will take us back to the cabin. For our last evening, we will visit a local farm restaurant on the Finnish countryside. Here we will first enjoy a traditional private sauna in an over 100-year-old cabin and a hot tub bath under the stars (or with a bit of luck the dancing Northern Lights :). Following that we’ll indulge into the local cuisine and devour a delicious Lappish dinner while reflecting on the past week.
Transport back to the cabin. Night at the basecamp.
Snowshoeing 3-5km, 4-5hrs
Day 8: Our time together ends after breakfast. Airport transfer from Ruka available by bus. If you wish to extend your stay let us know and we can help with booking arrangements.
Note: Adjustments might be made to our itinerary depending on the weather and other unforeseen changing conditions. Our goal is to provide you with the best experience, so some adaptability is essential! Please make sure you familiarise yourself with our Terms & Conditions.