Overview
A centre-based natural adventure packed with traditional winter activities in Finland, all on the doorstep of where you are staying. Your base for this winter week is a small, lakeside hotel, just 3km from Kuhmo, in the east of Finland, and gateway to Finland’s Wild Taiga region, the vast subarctic forests of the north. Although you have daily guided activities, such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, husky sledding and a snowmobile safari, this is an independent holiday, with plenty of time to yourself to enjoy the hot tub, Finnish sauna and other non-guided winter walking. Breakfast and a three-course dinner are included each day.
- Cross-country ski school
- Husky sledding
- Snowshoeing
- Lentiira
- Wild Taiga and wildlife watching
- Option for Northern Lights tour
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kuhmo
After a transfer from Kajaani Airport to Hotel Kalevala, spend the evening relaxing in the hotel’s indoor or outdoor hot tub or settle into the Finnish way of life by taking a sauna. If you’re feeling more adventurous, grab one of the hotel’s sledges and head to one of the two nearby tobogganing areas.
- Accommodation: Hotel Kalevala
- Meals included: dinner
Day 2: Cross-country ski school
Spend today learning cross-country skiing from the experts and head into snowy woodland, testing your new skills with a guide. The afternoon offers plenty of free time to relax in the hot tubs or sauna, or alternatively, book an additional activity.
- Accommodation: Hotel Kalevala
- Activity length: 2h
- Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Day 3: Husky sledding
Another day, another adventure, dashing through the snow on a sledge harnessed to a team of huskies. Discover the vast snowy wilderness while taking in the serenity of the landscape, accompanied only by the rhythmic patter of paws. After an adventure-filled morning, the afternoon offers a chance to relax in the hotel or book an additional activity.
- Accommodation: Hotel Kalevala
- Activity length: 2h
- Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Day 4: Snowshoeing in the taiga
Snowshoe across a frozen lake and head through the taiga, the name given to coniferous forests unique to the regions between the tundra and the more southerly temperate forests. Snowshoeing is a low-impact activity that helps to distribute your weight equally across the snow, offering enhanced stability, making it ideal for navigating snowy winter environments while allowing you to enjoy the surrounding landscapes. Your afternoon is free, leaving you plenty of time to just rest or book an additional activity.
- Accommodation: Hotel Kalevala
- Activity length: 2h
- Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Day 5: Snowshoeing and wildlife watching
Begin the morning with a transfer to Lentiira to test your new skills on today’s snowshoeing expedition. Accompanied by a wilderness guide, follow the tracks of wolverine, elk and hares before reaching a private wilderness hut. Hidden in the depths of the forest, the hut provides the perfect location to observe the native animals of the taiga before returning to the hotel.
- Accommodation: Hotel Kalevala
- Activity length: 5-6h
- Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Day 6: Snowmobile safari
Today’s activity goes up a gear as you embark on an exhilarating snowmobile safari. Head off into the snowy terrain on a snowmobile that holds two riders per vehicle or upgrade to one each.
- Accommodation: Hotel Kalevala
- Activity length: 2h
- Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Day 7: Departure
Complimentary transfer to Kajaani Airport after breakfast.
- Meals included: breakfast
Additional activities
Additional activities are available to book each afternoon or evening at an extra fee and should be booked at least two weeks advance. These activities include:
- Taiga Northern Lights tour: Accompanied by a wilderness guide, walk through the forest to a perfect spot for observing the aurora borealis or Northern Lights. Learn about the Northern Lights from your guide whilst waiting around the campfire for the phenomenon to, hopefully, begin
- Rapids swimming: Layered up in specialist gear, brave the Pajakkakoski Rapids, beginning by floating gently along the river before heading down the rapids one by one
- Snowshoeing tour with photographer: Set off on a leisurely snowshoeing tour through the taiga, accompanied by a professional photographer to capture the experience
- Fat bike tour: Accompanied by an experienced guide, jump on a fat bike and adventure across the snow on two wheels
- Skin ski tour: Skin skiing is like a combination of snowshoeing and skiing. With tuition from an experienced guide, try out this sport on a tour through the taiga
- Ice fishing: Choose to either walk, ski or snowshoe across an ice-covered lake before drilling a hole in the ice to try your hand at ice fishing
- Peat sauna: A traditional, therapeutic treatment, which is thought to improve metabolism and clear the skin
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation is in a hotel in Kuhmo for the duration of the tour. It has been is carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including location, warm hospitality, fine local food and commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms.
Meals
Breakfast and a three-course dinner are included each day. Lunches and snacks can be bought from the cafe or restaurant at the hotel, there is also the option to upgrade to full board.
Difficulty and terrain
This tour is graded easy and suitable for anyone able to participate in the activities listed in the itinerary (read more about difficulty grades).
Please be prepared for the extremely cold temperatures in the region and ensure you dress appropriately. It may be necessary for the activities to be offered in a different order than shown in the itinerary due to weather conditions. Thermal clothing rental (suit, hat, gloves, boots, socks) can be organised, at an additional cost.
When to go
This trip is available from the beginning of January until the end of March. You can start your trip on any date during the season.
Generally, temperatures are low, averaging between -5C and -10C from January to March, with lows as cold as -24C.
For more information see our blog, Best time to go to Finland.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Kajaani Airport.
By train or bus
If you are able to travel to Finland without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail, with Kajaani railway station offering connections to many other Nordic countries and beyond. For more details, see the national rail operator VR. Transfers can be arranged from Kajaani railway station instead of the airport.
Inclusions
Included
- 6 nights accommodation
- 6 breakfasts
- 6 three course dinners
- Packed lunch on day five
- Transfer to and from Lentiira
- Airport transfers (Kajaani Airport)
- 2-hour cross-country ski school (guided)
- 2-hour snowshoe walking tour (guided)
- 2-hour snowmobile safari (guided)
- 5-6 hour snowshoe tracking to wolverine hut (guided)
- 2-hour husky safari (guided)
- Skiing equipment for your stay
- 24/7 phone support by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Entry fees (payable locally)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- We regret that this tour is not open to solo travellers
- Parking
- Upgraded rooms
- Additional activities
- Thermal clothing rental (suit, hat, gloves, boots, socks)
