Summer Wilderness Experience

Typical itinerary

1. Day 1: Fly to Kuusamo & transfer to Hossa

   Arriving into Kuusamo Airport, you will be met and transferred to Hossa National Park. You will be staying at a traditional log cabin by Lake Jatkonjarvii for the next few nights.

2. Day 2: Wilderness skills

   To prepare for the adventure ahead, today you will learn some important wilderness skills which you will need for the days ahead, such as fire making, orienteering and fishing. You may also spend some time familiarising yourselves with the boats you will be using later in your trip.

3. Day 3: Hiking

   The morning starts with a good Finnish breakfast, followed by a hike to the Hossa Visitor Centre where there is an interesting exhibition all about the nature and history of the area. After lunch take a different route back to the cabin.

   While you are hiking, your guide will be able to tell you all about the nature, animals and seasons in Finland, and in the evening there is a chance to relax in a genuine Finnish sauna and swim in the lake straight from the sauna!

4. Day 4: Canyon lake & boat trip

   Today the group will visit Julma-Olkky canyon lake and view some ancient rock paintings. Starting with a short road transfer, this is followed by a quick boat trip to look at the cliffs, then you will hike to the rock paintings which date back 4,000 years. After a picnic lunch eaten around an open fire, continu hiking to your first camping spot, set up the tents and enjoy the evening around the campfire.

5. Day 5: Hiking

   Enjoy an outdoor breakfast around the open fire this morning and, for those who are brave, a morning swim! Today's hike takes you along some of Hossa's many trails, and in the afternoon you will set up camp in a beautiful spot on the lake shore.

6. Day 6: Hiking

   Setting off on the last hiking day, today sees you head back towards Jatkonsalmi cabin, with the route taking you along the top of a ridge with lakes on both sides - one of the most beautiful areas in the Hossa hiking area. In the afternoon you will reach your cabin where you can rest up before setting off again in the morning on the next phase of your trip.

7. Day 7: Canoeing

   Today it is time to take your paddles and set off on a great canoeing trip on some of Hossa's small lakes and rivers. Once your rucksacks are packed for the three-day journey, you start with a short transfer to the eastern tip of Lake Iso-Kukkuri. After a safety and technique session, it's time to start canoeing on the still waters. After finding a suitable camping spot, you can set up camp before cooking dinner together and spending an evening around the campfire, enjoying the extreme tranquillity of the area.

8. Day 8: Canoeing

   Setting off on your second canoeing day, the route crosses various lakes and passes some easy rapids. There are several fire places along the shores that you can choose for a lunch stop and perhaps fry some sausages in the traditional Finnish way over an open fire! In the afternoon, set up camp for your last camping night in Finland.

9. Day 9: Canoeing

   After breakfast you will pack up your gear and canoe back to Jatkonsalmi. Upon returning to the cabin, you will be able to shower, sauna and have some rest, before a delicious farewell dinner is served in the evening.

10. Day 10: Transfer to Kuusamo airport & fly back to the UK

    This morning you will transfer back to Kuusamo airport for the flight home. If time allows, you can visit the Large Carnivore Centre of Kuusamo en route to see European brown bear, lynx and wolverine (optional).