Experience Overview
Gather the family and prepare to experience the magic of Finland at wintertime on this epic 5 day adventure. You will be transported from Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland, to the spectacular Hossa National Park where you will spend four nights with your family in a beautiful eco-lodge. Along the way you will meet friendly reindeer, be whisked through snow-dusted woodlands by a team of incredible huskies and learn the traditional ways of life, and survival, in the remote Finnish wilderness from a local guide. Whether you’re building igloos, enjoying a campfire under the night sky waiting for the northern lights to appear, or trying snowshoeing on for size, there’s unforgettable fun to be had for travellers of all ages.
Highlights
- Unplug and fully immerse in the natural beauty of your unique eco-lodge stay in the heart of Hossa National Park, more than 60 miles (+100kms) away from the nearest village
- Be pulled across the landscape at high speed on the back of a dog sled. These incredible huskies are doing what they love most – making a lot of noise before rushing along sprawling trails.
- Visit a local Reindeer Farm where you will get to meet these beautiful animals up close and learn the art of reindeer herding and life on the farm.
- Learn how to make an igloo along with other survival skills from a local guide on a day of adventure in the Finnish wilderness.
- The northern lights (aurora borealis) are the best lightshow on Earth and each night you will have an opportunity to look up at the night sky and hopefully witness the magic for yourself (subject to weather conditions)
Trip Details
Product Code: 1632
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Private vehicle
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles: Family
Tour Operator: Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: BMFF
Starts: Hossa National Park , Finland
Finishes: Rovaniemi, Finland
Duration: 5 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating: Average
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (4), Lunch (3), Dinner (4)Accommodation: Eco-lodge (4 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $3,790 ($758 /day)
Itinerary
Tervetuloa! Welcome to Rovaniemi, Finland – the capital of Lapland and the joining point for your winter family adventure. At 1pm your Intrepid leader will greet you in the lobby of Hotel Aakenus to conduct a short welcome meeting. It is very important to be on time for this meeting and to have eaten lunch prior to the meeting as you will begin the drive to your lodge at Hossa National Park immediately after. On the way to Hossa you will stop at a local reindeer farm to meet these amazing creatures and learn a little about life in Lapland from a local family. In the late afternoon you will arrive to your accommodation tucked away in the wintery woodland landscape and settle into your rooms. Dinner is included this evening and you will be able to toast to the magical adventure that lies ahead.
Included Activities:
- Rovaniemi - Reindeer farm
Accommodation:
- Camp Norwide (Number of Nights: 1)
Wake up to breakfast this morning and take in the beautful surroundings of Hossa National Park, located in the Kainuu region of Finland. Hossa translates to 'a distant place' in the Sami language (Huossa), and with its many lakes, rivers and canyons, this truly is a place like no other. Hossa will be your home for the next few days, so you will plenty of time to sit back, soak in the scenery and if you're lucky, witness the northern lights dancing above in the night sky. If your kids are the more adventurous type there will be optional activities on offer where they can try out snowshoeing or test their balance with some Nordic skiing. The adventure is yours to make your own.
Optional Activities:
- Hossa National Park - Snowshoeing (85 EUR)
- Hossa National Park - Nordic skiing (85 EUR)
Accommodation:
- Camp Norwide (Number of Nights: 1)
Make sure you rug up for today’s adventure, as you head into the wild taiga on dog sleds! In the morning, meet your guides and dogs for an introduction to basic mushing techniques. Then, two per sled, you’ll head off across beautiful white lakes and into the forest. These incredible huskies are doing what they love most – making a lot of noise before rushing along sprawling trails. After, the young ones might get to give the dogs a pet and a cuddle – just be sure to ask the sledmaster first! Return to your accommodation in time for lunch, then the rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you like.
Included Activities:
- Hossa National Park - Half day husky dog sledding
Accommodation:
- Camp Norwide (Number of Nights: 1)
Get a taste of the Lapland lifestyle today as the family spends time with a local trapper. You’ll learn the art of the trapper lifestyle and the essential skills the local people need to know in order to survive and move around this pristine and remote region. The kids will feel like true adventurers as they follow tracks in the snow, identify flora and fauna and even build an igloo! Return to your accommodation in the evening, making sure to keep an eye out for any hint of the Northern Lights.
Included Activities:
- Hossa National Park - Trapper Day
Accommodation:
- Camp Norwide (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, it’s time to say goodbye to your home in the Finnish wilderness and make the journey back to Rovaniemi where you will arrive around midday (12pm). Rovaniemi is full of culture, museums, stunning landscapes and of course the home of Santa Claus himself. If you and your family would like to spend time exploring the town, speak to your booking agent who can assist with helping you to extend your stay.
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
David - Traveled, June 2023
The Baltic Experience tour was a lot of fun! Our Tour Leader, Agata, was superb! The small tour size (we had six participants) meant we got to know each other well. The tour had a perfect mix of planned group activities and time to explore the sites on our own. The on-line tour description was accurate and extensive. Three cautions: Travel insurance is MANDATORY, somewhat expensive, and not included in the tour price. Many, like me, will commit to the tour not knowing this additional cost will be tacked on. Second, the tour sometimes involves significant walking (up to 30 minutes) from transportation facilities to hotels while carrying your own bags (two weeks of baggage), as well as walking tours that sometimes involve climbing as many as 800 steps. This is a tour for fairly young and fit participants. Finally, European hotels and home-stay facilities generally don't have air conditioning or screened windows, meaning sometimes in the summer you will have to choose between sleeping in hot, stuffy rooms or opening the windows for mosquitoes to enter. All that said, this was a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable experience and I would highly recommend it for fit, adventurous people with positive attitudes who can tolerate occasional less-than-luxurious accommodations.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/25/2023
Monika - Traveled, February 2024
Excellent trip in the wonderful outdoors!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/12/2024
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