Finnish Winter Adventure Family Holiday

8 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
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Small Group Tour
For a winter trip with a difference, Oulanka is always a popular destination for families. On this fun-filled trip, 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...
26%
$4,961
From$3,675
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Snowshoeing
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Dogsledding
    • Beautifully remote wilderness location
    • Chance to see the Northern Lights

What's this trip about?

    For a winter trip with a difference, Oulanka is always a popular destination for families. On this fun-filled trip, 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.Enjoy winter activities for all the family in a beautiful, wild landscape

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 18 people
Age range9 to 16 years
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityOulanka
End CityOulanka

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Family Friendly
  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Finland

Activities

  • Adventure & Adrenaline
  • Culture
  • Educational/ learning
  • Kid-friendly activities
  • Aurora Borealis
  • Skiing, Snowboarding & Snow Sports

Trip includes

    • All breakfasts, five lunches and seven dinners
    • All accommodation (see below)
    • All transport and listed activities
    • Tour leader throughout
    • Arrival and departure transfers

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Start Basecamp Oulanka

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

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 ...

Day 3 Dogsledding instruction and tour in Riisitunturi National Park

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 eagerl...

Day 4 Morning cross-country ski lesson

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 confi...

Day 5 Morning visit to a reindeer farm and short ride on a reindeer-pulled sleigh; free afternoon in Ruka for optional activities

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 car...

Day 6 Free morning; afternoon children’s snow games: sledging, building snow forts and snowmen

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 ...

Day 7 Free day. Optional activities including dog sledding, unguided cross-country skiing or snowmobile tours

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: downhil...

Day 8 End Basecamp Oulanka

The trip ends after breakfast. Say goodbye to Basecamp Oulanka, which may feel like a second home by now, before your return journey home.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,675
Price per day$459
Last Updated: 5/22/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Shared Room
Single Room
Availability
22 Dec 2024
29 Dec 2024
$3,825
$4,425
29 Dec 2024
05 Jan 2025
$3,675
$4,275
16 Feb 2025
23 Feb 2025
$3,675
$4,320
23 Feb 2025
02 Mar 2025
$3,675
$4,320
06 Apr 2025
13 Apr 2025
$3,675
$4,320

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Exodus Travels Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
Excellent
13,151
Great
3,276
Average
615
Disappointing
145
Terrible
186
A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Perfect winter trip for February half term.

A beautiful location in the middle of the Finnish wilderness. Lots of activity in the outdoors. Healthy food with unexpectedly excellent vegetarian options. Great ...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Beautiful Finnish wilderness holiday

We had a really good time with a family of 5. The setting is beautiful - a low-key lodge in the forest, on the edge of a frozen lake. There are lovely walks from t...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

A wonderful winter adventure...!

An awesome holiday that found the balance between being a holiday and an adventure. There was enough inclusive activities, both guide-lead and self-lead, to keep u...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Winter Wonderland

Expectations were high for this trip and I have to say they were met and exceeded. Never been away at Christmas before or done the skiing this - so we were nervou...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Fabulous Finland

We had a great time on our Finnish adventure and felt like we were well looked after and entertained the entire time. The scenery and activities were amazing and w...

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Other Exodus Travels Reviews

R

Ruth Long

Aug 2024

Written on

great activities perfectly planned

great activities perfectly planned, good support and guiding.

C

Catherine Newbold

Aug 2024

Written on

Very easy process.

Very easy process.

A

Annabel Church Smith

Aug 2024

Written on

Helpful alternative choice

We had to cancel our trip to Jordon due to the troubles in the Middle East. The person at Exodus was very helpful in suggesting an alternative holiday for us. Howeve...

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Tour Operator

Exodus Travels

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It is all about adventure. That is what Exodus was founded upon and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on.

At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved.

This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday.

Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments.

All our office staff have a passion for travel and adventure, and between us we’ve notched up experience that spans 171 different countries. That’s not all. In their former lives, our team members have been professional archaeologists, wildlife guides, overland drivers, mountain leaders, diving and ski specialists and mountain bike gurus – so no-one is better placed to create tours that appeal to a wide range of specialist interests.

Their care in putting all the details in place really shines through too. Extensive planning, research, fact-finding and training are a sign of our commitment to providing a holiday where your enjoyment, value for money and safety come first. It’s a telling reason why we remain one of the leading worldwide adventure tour companies. It is no exaggeration to say that our tour leaders can make a world of difference to the enjoyment of your holiday – so we choose them carefully. The result is that, in 2013, 93% of our clients stated that their leader exceeded their expectations. Where possible, we train and employ local leaders because they can provide invaluable insights that enrich the trip. What’s more, this investment in local staff really helps us benefit both them and their community.

Why we love this operator
With a wide range of trip styles, Exodus caters to every type of traveler out there- even those with specific interests from cycling to winter hiking.
What they’re known for
Global trips to a wide array of destinations with a focus on themed adventures, exciting physical activities and learning about local cultures.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Travel insurance
    • Single accommodation (available on request)
    • Visas or vaccinations

Accommodation

7 nights at Basecamp Oulanka Our 'wilderness camp' is a lovely complex of wooden buildings providing comfortable and cosy accommodation in a stunning location overlooking a lake and backing on to the Oulanka National Park All accommodation is in family- Flights from Heathrow to Kuusamo via Helsinki with Finnair Transport 45 mins by minibus/taxi,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’. While we do our very best to ensure families are roomed close together, we can’t guarantee this. 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. 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). Worth knowing Multiple Exodus trips run at Basecamp Oulanka concurrently and you might share the room with a member of a different group. There are Exodus family groups at Basecamp during school holidays
Cancellation policy

The cancellation policies of this trip when booked through Travelstride are determined by the stated policies of the tour operator - Exodus Travels.

If you or any other member of your party decides to cancel a confirmed booking you must notify Travelstride in writing. Your notice of cancellation will only take effect when it is received in writing by Travelstride and will be effective from the date on which we receive it.

If You Cancel Your Holiday
You, or any member of your party, may cancel your travel arrangements at any time. Written notification from the lead name or your travel agent must be received at our offices. 

Since we incur costs in canceling your travel arrangements, you will have to pay cancellation charges as follows (see also the exceptions below): 

  • More than 42 days - No cancellation fee. Deposit can be transferred to a new booking departing within 2 years of date of travel of original booking. Any remaining balance will be refundedThis excludes all non-refundable costs as set out in clause 4 above (for example international and domestic flights and local services).
  • Between 41 and 21 days (inclusive) - No cancellation fee. Balance and deposit can be transferred to a new booking departing within 2 years of date of travel of original bookingThis excludes all non-refundable costs as further explained in clause 4 above (for example international and domestic flights and local services).
  • Between 20 and 15 days (inclusive) - 80% of the holiday cost
  • 14 days or less; or failure to join the holiday (inclusive) - 100% of the holiday cost

Certain trips may involve different cancellation charges; you will be advised if this is applicable to your holiday during the booking process.For Polar holidays, the following cancellation charges will be made for all Polar holidays. Period before departure in which you notify us: 

Cancelation charge

  • More than 133 days - Deposit only
  • 133 days or less (or failure to join the holiday) (inclusive) - 100% of the holiday cost

Notes (i) Your deposit is non-refundable, even if the cancellation charge calculated is lower than the deposit amount paid; (ii) If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges; (iii) certain travel arrangements may be subject to higher cancellation charges and could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements from the moment the booking is confirmed.

If You Change Your Booking

If, after our Booking Confirmation has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, for example your chosen departure date or accommodation, we will do our utmost to make these changes but it may not always be possible. Any request for changes to be made must be in writing from the lead name or your travel agent. You will be asked to pay an administration charge of $60, and any further cost we incur in making this alteration (including those charged by third party suppliers who provide the component parts of your booking).  You should be aware that these costs could increase the closer to the departure date that changes are made and you should contact us as soon as possible. Note: Certain travel arrangements may not be changeable after a reservation has been made and any alteration request could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.

You can transfer your booking to another person, who satisfies all the conditions that apply to this booking, by giving us notice in writing at least 7 days before departure provided that the new lead passenger accepts the transfer and these Terms and Conditions. Both you and the new traveler are responsible for paying all costs we incur in making the transfer. Please bear in mind that certain airlines and other transport providers treat changes as a cancellation and charge accordingly, up to 100% of the cost for that part of the arrangement. Where applicable these charges will be passed on to you.

If We Cancel Your Booking

Exodus reserves the right to cancel an itinerary before departure for any reason whatsoever, including too few participants ,logistical problems, a Force Majeure Event (as defined in Section 8), or any other circumstances that may make operation of the trip inadvisable. All trip payments received will be promptly refunded, and this refund will be the limit of Exodus’s liability without any further obligation on Exodus’s part. Exodus is not responsible for any expenses incurred by trip members in preparing for the trip, including non-refundable or penalty-carrying airline tickets, special clothing, visa or passport fees, or other trip-related expenses.

If We Change Your Booking

  1. Changes to the price. We can change your holiday price after you’ve booked, only in certain circumstances. Changes in the price of the carriage of passengers resulting from changes to the cost of fuel or other power sources, the level of taxes or fees imposed by third parties including tourist taxes, landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports, or exchange rates mean that the price of your travel arrangements may change after you have booked.

  2. Changes other than the price. It is a term of your booking that we are able to make changes to any aspect of your booking. If the change is insignificant, we will ensure that you are notified about it. Examples of insignificant changes include alteration of your accommodation to another of the same or higher standard. If we are forced by circumstances beyond our control to alter significantly any of the main characteristics of the travel services that make up your package you will have the rights set out below.

    2.1 - We will contact you and you will have the choice of accepting the change or having a refund of all monies paid. You can also accept an alternative holiday, where we offer one (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value). We will tell you the procedure for making your choice. Please read any notification of changes carefully and respond promptly as if you do not respond to us within the timescale given your booking may be canceled.

    2.2 - If you choose to accept a refund then that is the only liability we have and we will not be liable for any further sums, compensation or otherwise and you are advised to adequately insure yourselves against cancellation for any reason

Please note that insurance premiums and amendments charges are not refundable in any circumstances. 

Once you have put down a deposit for a tour, you are unable to cancel and re-book within a promotional period and we reserve the right to amend the pricing on any new booking you make within that time. If you cancel a tour and book the same tour under a promotional code, we reserve the right to decline the booking.

Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended after they have been confirmed and any alteration or cancellation could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements in addition to the charge above.

If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges.

Where possible, we will deduct the cancellation charge(s) from any monies you have already paid to us.

For more additional details, see the booking conditions of TruTravels at the following web address: https://www.exodustravels.com/us/about-exodus/exodus-booking-conditions.

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
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.
Age Requirements
9 to 16 years
Additional Information
  • Seven nights at Basecamp Oulanka
  • Five days of mixed activities
  • Group normally 6 to 18, plus leaders
  • All Arctic winter equipment and clothing provided
Trip ID
exodus-FVB

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