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Snowshoeing in forest

Arctic Adventure 5 days • Finland

Multi-Activity
Multi-Activity Communal
Communal Cold
Cold YELLOW 2
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About the Challenge

The perfect antidote to a cold, wet British winter is a cold, dry Arctic adventure! Away from the crowds, enjoy mesmerisingly peaceful scenes of frozen lakes and snow-covered pine and spruce forests as we explore the silent wilderness.

We’ll be snow-shoeing to a remote overnight cabin, pushing ourselves in this harsh but compelling environment, and we’ll also try cross-country skiing and husky-sledding. Staying in traditional log cabins in the woods, we can relax in Finnish saunas and enjoy the incredible night skies. If we’re lucky we’ll also see the captivating dance of the Northern Lights.


 

Dates & Prices

Hayley - December 2022

I honestly couldn’t fault this challenge. The whole trip was completely breathtaking - we don’t get much time to stop nowadays and on this trip you get to stop, take in beautiful scenery and enjoy complete silence. It’s an incredible thing to experience, along…
Read more + with some great laughs and working as a team too! Since I’ve got back I haven’t stopped talking about this trip. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done and I highly recommend it. I want to go back and experience it all again!
Read less -

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Itinerary

Arctic Adventure


OPEN • 5 DAYS

  • Fly to Finland (Kijaani or Kuusamo) and drive through the seemingly endless snow-covered landscapes to our comfortable cabin near Hossa in north-eastern Finland. After settling in, we will have an evening meal before heading off to bed. Night cabin.

    Drive approx. 1-2 hours

  • We have a full in-country briefing about the activities ahead and then kit up thoroughly. After an introduction to snowshoeing, where we quickly get the hang of this non-technical walking activity, we leave our cabin behind for our overnight adventure! Our route takes us through beautiful, silent woodland; the landscapes are magical, and the silence of our surroundings, broken only by the crunch of the snow and our laughter, adds to the atmosphere. We break for a picnic lunch around an open fire, then continue our invigorating journey to our cosy wilderness cabin, complete with traditional lake-side sauna. Staying here is a remote experience and you will feel like the early pioneers! Night cabin.

    Snowshoe approx. 5-6 hours

  • Returning by snowshoe, we explore the ridges and frozen lakes on our way back. Elk, wolves, lynxes and hares live in the woods, though are very seldom seen; we may be lucky enough to spot tracks in the snow.  Returning to our main log cabin, we have time to relax any aching muscles in the sauna and settle for an evening of watching out for the magical Northern Lights. Night cabin.

    Snowshoe approx. 5-6 hours

  • Husky-sledding is usually one of the highlights of the trip! We drive to our husky farm and meet our intelligent, enthusiastic and very photogenic teams of huskies! After learning a little about the dogs from our ‘musher,’ we have an introduction to sled-driving and set off! Pairing up, we take it in turns to drive while our sled-buddy enjoys the ride. The dogs will be excited when they sense a run, but when everybody is ready to go they suddenly go quiet as they set off through the frozen wilderness. The trail takes us through snow-white forests and frozen lakes; a truly memorable highlight of our adventure.

    After lunch we also have time for an introduction to cross-country skiing – one of the most popular winter hobbies in Finland. A relatively short tour through the flat pine forest and frozen lakes tests what we’ve learned; it’s not uncommon to see reindeer here, so keep your eyes peeled! Due to the number of husky teams available, we split the group so that half goes cross-country skiing while the other half goes sled-driving; the groups will then swap. Late afternoon we gather together to celebrate our Arctic achievements. Night cabin.

    Sledding/Skiing approx. 5-6 hours

    NB: The order of activities may change depending on local conditions and logistics.

  • Early start for the drive to the airport for our journey home.

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Dates & Prices

Prices may vary depending on date.

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WHAT'S INCLUDED 

  • All transport from London to Kuusamo return
  • All meals except where specified, and accommodation
  • Discover Adventure leader; doctor (group size dependent); local guides and drivers
  • Local support and back-up equipment
  • Any specialist equipment for activities (except clothing) and instruction
  • Entry to any sites included in the itinerary
  • Airline taxes

WHAT'S EXCLUDED

  • Any meals specified 'not included' in the itinerary
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal spending money, souvenirs and drinks
  • Tips for the local guides and support crew
  • Inbound airport departure tax (no tax applied at the time of writing)
  • Optional winter boot rental (approx. 40 euros)
  • Fees for any optional sites, attractions or activities
  • Any applicable surcharges as per Terms and Conditions

Detailed Information

  • Your trip will be led by experienced Discover Adventure leaders. Our leaders are selected for their experience in harsh wilderness environments, knowledge of travel in remote areas, friendliness and approachability, sense of humour and ability to safely and effectively deal with any situation that arises. They are also trained in expedition first aid. You are in very safe hands with a Discover Adventure leader. Usually leaders are based in the UK or other English-speaking countries and lead for us regularly throughout the year in many different countries. In some instances, trips are led by in-country guides with a wealth of knowledge about the region; they have been trained by us to provide the level of support expected on a Discover Adventure trip.

  • An expedition doctor or medic accompanies the group (dependent on group size.) Their role is to look after the well-being of the whole group and deal with any incidents. They help the leaders to ensure the trip runs smoothly, and encourage you when things get tough. The total number of crew looking after you will depend on the final size of your group, but at Discover Adventure we pride ourselves on our high leader: participant ratio and believe it leads to greater trip enjoyment as well as excellent trip safety.

  • Our local support crew is made up of local guides, assisted by drivers, porters, cooks and other support staff, depending on the type of trip. Local guides know the area well, and are a great source of knowledge about local lifestyles. The Discover Adventure crew work closely with the local crew to ensure your trip runs smoothly and safely. In some destinations we work together as a team with local guides to help set up or break camp, or prepare meals. Your leader will arrange a collection of tips for the local support crew at the end of your trek, and you will be provided with a guideline amount in advance. Tipping is not obligatory, but once you see how hard they work on your behalf you will be happy to donate something!

  • Your safety, and that of the rest of the group, is our highest priority. Our trips are designed and planned with safety in mind. Your crew will be equipped with communication devices (eg phones, radios and/or emergency satellite phones), medical kit and other safety apparatus appropriate to the destination. Our leaders always have access to our 24-hour emergency UK back-up. They are responsible for safety on the trip, and will make any changes to the itinerary they deem necessary, should local conditions dictate. Pre-trip administration - such as medical questionnaires and travel insurance as appropriate - is all done with your safety in mind.

  • For the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

  • Group flights usually leave from London Heathrow or Gatwick but may also depart from regional airports, and are booked through Discover Adventure Ltd under ATOL licence 5636. You will usually receive confirmed flight details several months before departure. We do not always use the same airline for each destination and low cost airlines may be used for short haul flights. If you wish to know the probable carrier and flight times, please call for details.


    By travelling with Discover Adventure you are protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).  Our itineraries are always based on current flight schedules and are therefore subject to change by the airline. If you prefer to book your own flights please ask us for a land-only cost.

  • We stay in traditional wooden cabins with good facilities including a sauna; accommodation is in bunk-beds, dorm-style, sharing with the rest of the group.

  • Some accommodation (in hotels or camp) will be twin-share. Please tell us if you know somebody else on the trip that you would like to share with and we will try our best to accommodate your request. If you don't know anyone else in the group don't worry, we always pair you up with someone of the same gender, and a similar age where possible. We do not charge a single supplement if you are a solo traveller in a shared room.

    On some nights we are likely to sleep in more communal accommodation such as dormitories/hostels, huts, local homestays or monasteries, depending on the trip, and you may be sharing with a larger number of participants or the whole group; this type of accommodation cannot always be single-sex.

  • Your booking is part of a group challenge, and the tour costs and fundraising targets listed on our website are based on a minimum number of participants which is shown on the challenge  Our typical groups run with approximately 20-30 participants; however you may find your group is smaller or larger than this.

    We will confirm at least 12 weeks prior to departure that your challenge is guaranteed to run. Occasionally it may be possible to still run the challenge with less than the minimum numbers, subject to a small group supplement.  If we think a small group supplement may be necessary, we will discuss this with you as soon as possible, usually 5 months before your departure date. 

    Minimum numbers and groups sizes may vary on Bespoke Charity challenges.  If you are booked onto a bespoke challenge please contact your charity for full details.

  • The food provided is plentiful, often local in style and freshly-cooked, and will give you plenty of energy. Sometimes we enjoy a buffet-style lunch-stop, other times we might have packed lunches. On some trips we stop at small local restaurants. Dinners are generally eaten in camp or at the hotel, depending on accommodation. In some regions there may be less variety than you are used to, and in others fresh meat or produce can be harder to come by. Any meals not included are listed in the itinerary and are generally on travel / free days, giving you the opportunity to explore and try other culinary experiences! There is always something to suit different budgets.

    Being vegetarian or having other dietary requirements is not usually a problem provided you let us know well in advance. Please do not expect as much variety as you would have access to at home – we may be in very rural or remote areas and among people of a different culture who may not understand your requirements, however willing they are to help. If you know there are plenty of foods you cannot eat we strongly recommend you bring extra snacks from home so you can top up your energy supply. Please feel free to ask us for advice.

  • Your luggage, food, water and equipment is transported for you from one night-stop to the next. If there is easy road access this is done by vehicle; if not porters, mules or even camels might carry your bags, depending on the destination and terrain.

    Space is limited and hard-sided luggage is not suitable, so it is essential that your kit is packed in a soft bag, rucksack or expedition kitbag. Ask us about our specially-designed low-cost kitbags if you don’t have one already. You should also bring a small daypack to carry for items needed during the day as you will not have access to your main luggage until the evening.

  • In the unfortunate circumstance that you need to cancel your booking, we would ask that you notify us in writing either by post or email.  Your cancellation will be considered effective from the date the notice is received. Registration fees, amendment fees and insurance premiums are non refundable and, depending on your payment option and how close it is to your challenge departure date, you may be liable for a cancellation charge.

    Full details of all cancellation charges may be found in the Terms and Conditions of booking.

Preparing for the Challenge

  • This is designed to be a challenge, and it is vital that you train sufficiently for it. We will supply you with a thorough training guide once you have registered. We expect all participants to train hard in advance, but we respect everyone’s limits and do not expect everyone to maintain the same pace. Inadequate training is likely to have an impact not just on your chances of completing the challenge, but enjoying it too - and we want you to have the time of your life!

    Our challenges attract people of all levels of experience, fitness and ability as well as all ages and backgrounds. We design our challenges so that everyone can go at their own pace: this is not a race. If you have concerns about your fitness or if you have reduced mobility please do contact us for a confidential chat about whether this challenge is appropriate for you.

    For logistical and safety reasons we sometimes need to re-group, so the front-runners may find themselves waiting for the slower ones. Please relax, and remember that this is a team effort that enables people to achieve their personal goals and earn sponsorship.

  • Entry requirements vary depending on your destination and nationality. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid, and any visas are obtained in good time. Check the FCO’s advice on entry requirements for your destination to be sure. To find out if you need a visa you can check your requirements using our partner, Visa Machine, website here; please ensure you allow plenty of time.

    Your routine UK schedule of vaccinations should be up-to-date (especially tetanus). We recommend you check Fit For Travel for further details. You should always check with a GP or travel clinic for up-to-date travel health advice as it does change.

  • We plan our trips around the optimal weather conditions, but could still be exposed to bad weather at any time. It is vital you are prepared for all conditions. We provide you with a detailed packing kit-list on registration, as well as details on useful discounts you are entitled to as a Discover Adventure customer. We are always available if you need advice.

    If you are still to buy some kit don’t forget that Cotswold Outdoor, Snow and Rock, Cycle Surgery and Runners Need offer all Discover Adventure participants 10% off any purchases you make with them. Please ask us for the code if you do not have this already.

  • Travel Insurance is compulsory on our challenges; we strongly suggest that you arrange insurance cover as soon as your booking with us is confirmed or at least 8 months prior to travel. Should you need to cancel on medical grounds, you will need insurance to cover the costs involved (registration fee and any trip costs depending on cancellation date). 

    You should also ensure that you have adequate cover for the type of challenge you are taking part in as well as medical emergencies, evacuation and repatriation.

    Once your travel insurance is arranged, just remember to let us know the policy number and 24hr medical emergency phone number which is provided by your insurers!

    For more information about travel insurance, please click here.

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