DAY 1: Arrival in Kuusamo & preparations 

You will be picked up from Kuusamo (KAO) airport according to your flight arrival time in the evening. After a half an hour drive you will arrive at Adventure Apes Lodge where your guide team will welcome you with a homemade dinner and a tour briefing.

Together with your guides you will review the route plan and get familiar with all the personal and common gear, ensuring you have everything you need to stay warm, dry and happy during your adventure and know how to use any equipment that may be new to you.

• Meals included: Dinner

• Total driving time: 30 min

• Hiking distance: none 

• Difficulty level of the route: -

• Accommodation: at Adventure Apes Lodge in bunk beds

DAY 2: Preparations for your expedition

Today is all about practice and right after a healthy breakfast you will start your gear preparations with your guides. You will learn how to ski with skin based skis and how to use snowshoes. You will practice using a fuel cooker and cook your lunch outdoors. You will pack your sledge and test how it feels to pull all your gear in deep snow behind you. 

Finally you will learn how to set up your camp in the snow and test how you will manage to sleep in your four season sleeping bag outdoors. 

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Dinner

• Total driving time: none 

• Hiking distance: 2-3 km (1.2-1.8 miles)

• Difficulty level of the route: 2/5

• Accommodation: in tents at the yard of Adventure Apes Lodge 

DAY 3: Time to start your expedition

After spending one night in your tent right next to the Lodge it is easy to do the needed fine tuning for your gear. After a big healthy breakfast you will still have some time to finish your gear preparations. Soon it is time to check out and after lunch you will head your compasses to North and kick off your expedition. 

You will use both skis and snowshoes and learn different techniques to move in different terrain. Later in the afternoon you will arrive at your first night's camp. You will set up your tent in the wild and your guides will show you how to give maintenance for your gear. Later on you will cook your dinner together in the wild with your fuel cookers. 

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Dinner

• Total driving time: none 

• Hiking distance: 9 km (5.6 miles)

• Difficulty level of the route: 2/5

• Accommodation: in tents in the wild (2 people sharing) 

DAY 4: Getting deeper into the wild 

After a camp breakfast you will continue your hike towards the North. You will be skiing surrounded by the biggest fells of the area. Around midday you will have a longer break to enjoy your camp lunch together with hot drinks. 

It is important to get a lot of energy as you will finish the hike of the day by summiting a small fell. The top of the fell will be your home tonight. 

Those who are looking for an extra challenge will have a chance to do another skiing trek in the dark. If you are lucky you might even see some Aurora Borealis dancing in the Northern sky.

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Total driving time: none

• Hiking distance: 5 km plus optional 5 km / 3.1 miles 

• Difficulty level of the route: 3/5

• Accommodation: in tents in the wild (2 people sharing) 

DAY 5:Last stretch of your expedition 

Today you will wake up in stunning 360 degree views over Lapland. After a big outdoor breakfast it is time to take your camp down with the leave no trace policy and start heading back to Adventure Apes Lodge. 

In the afternoon you will experience how it is to ski on a frozen lake and what kind of safety procedures you have to follow when skiing on ice. After enjoying your “running lunch” it is time to take a real challenge as you will summit the steepest hill along the route. Now you will have your chance to show what kind of team player you are as this challenge needs all the possible team spirit to take everyone up there. 

When you have returned to Adventure Apes Lodge it is time to relax your tired muscles in the warmth of the traditional wood heated Sauna. 

After some gear maintenance it is time to enjoy a delicious farewell dinner in the dining room. 

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Dinner

• Total driving time: none

• Hiking distance: 11 km / 6.8 miles 

• Difficulty level of the route: 4/5

• Accommodation: at Adventure Apes Lodge in bunk beds

DAY 6: Time to say goodbye and airport transfer 

We like to say a great adventure never ends, it merely changes form to become part of who you are. On day six your skiing expedition in the Finnish Lapland will transform into some of your best memories as you will be transported to Kuusamo (KAO) airport to catch your return flight in the morning. 

• Meals included: Breakfast 

• Total driving time: 30 min 

• Hiking distance: none 

• Difficulty level of the route: -

Details 

Price: 1399 euros including local VAT per person 

Single supplement: is not possible at Adventure Apes Lodge due to limited number of rooms. Single tent is possible for an additional 50 euros per person, please confirm availability from your guide 

Taxes: according to marginal taxation system 

Availability:  1 January to 30 April 2024 

Dates available: 

Monday - Saturday 26 February - 2 March 2024

Sunday - Friday 3-8 March 2024

Duration: 6 days, 5 nights 

Group size: 10-14 people 

Activity level: Challenging 

Suitability: This adventure is best suited for people in good physical condition and who will be comfortable with six to eight hours of physical activity per day. Experience in winter conditions is not required. 

Minimum Age: This tour is for adults only. We have similar skiing expeditions tailored also for educational school camps. 

Gear needed: Rental of all special winter expedition equipment included. Recommended personal gear list will be provided. Optional winter clothing rental set available at an additional cost. 

Transportation: All local transfers included as per tour program. Only one airport transfer is possible per group. Flights are not included. 

Language: English, Finnish (Other languages available on request)

Route planning: Your guide team is responsible for route planning but you will participate in navigating

Booking: Pre-booking is required, please contact us for availability

Payment terms: to be negotiated

Online course before the expedition 

Each participant will need to participate in an online winter hiking course before the expedition. The course fee is included in the tour price. The course takes place on an online study platform and includes various topics for self study. You can start studying at any time convenient to you up to 3 months before your departure date. 

Pre meeting online 

Adventure Apes think it is important to meet your guides and fellow travelers before the adventure and this is why one hour online meeting prior to your adventure is included in your price. This is your chance to ask any questions you may have and start bonding with your team. For spring 2024 skiing expeditions all the pre meetings will take place in December 2023. 

Professional guide team available 24/7

All our guides are professional instructors with experience in similar and more demanding conditions. They are also trained and certified in first aid and hygiene.

Safety

This expedition takes place in demanding winter conditions and you need to follow the safety instructions given by your guides at all times. 

Your guides are trained to guide you safely through this expedition and you will be using high quality equipment designed for this purpose in demanding conditions. 

You will discuss the safety plan with your expedition team and learn to use all the safety gear at hand. 

Weather 

The winter weather in the area can vary a lot day by day. Typical temperature is around 10-25 Celsius degrees below zero but the weather can be also colder or warmer. The amount of daylight is limited meaning that the days are short. Due to extreme weather conditions you need to be equipped with proper wind and waterproof clothing. Please see the personal gear list provided for further information. Also an optional winter clothing rental set is available at extra cost. 

Accommodation

Accommodation for nights 1 & 5 takes place at Adventure Apes Lodge in the countryside of Kuusamo. Once a public primary school, the guesthouse has been newly renovated to provide clean and cozy, standard-level accommodations. The dorm-style rooms have bunk beds with a maximum occupancy of six people per room with private bathrooms. Bed linen, towels and access to the traditional wood-heated sauna are included. See video and pictures here:

www.adventureapes.fi/lodge

Accommodation for nights 2-4 takes place in high quality Vaude tents shared by two people. High quality sleeping bags and sleeping mattresses are included. You will have plenty of space in the main entrance for your dry sacks and gear. In case you would like to have a private tent it is possible with a small extra fee (see single supplement option).

Food & drinks 

The meals are included as follows

Day 1: Dinner

Day 2: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Breakfast

When you are staying at Adventure Apes Lodge all the meals will be served in the cozy dining room. While camping you will be cooking your meals as a team under the supervision of your guides by fuel cookers or by open fire.  We ask you to point out that whenever cooking you need to have the fire blanket and water bottle available at all times. Cooking inside the tent is not allowed. 

All food is included as outlined in the programme. The menu typically consists of typical Finnish foods which are sourced as locally as possible. The food is plentiful, generally local in style, and will give you lots of energy. There will be some variation at the camp meals every day.  Some trekking meals have been dried earlier by your guides, sometimes it is commercially sold adventure food and sometimes it is fresh. 

Specific dietary requirements can be accommodated. Please note we require special dietary requirements 45 days before the start of the tour.

The participants will take care of their own snacks (such as fruits, nuts & raisins, chocolate, energy bars & drinks etc.)

Drinking water: Finland has the cleanest drinking water in the world and tap water is safe to drink. We do not sell bottled water for sustainability reasons. On winter expeditions your guide will teach you how to melt snow and use it as drinking water. Sports drinks recommended in case your stomach is used to them. 

Flights

Flights are the responsibility of the buyer. Please check with the airline directly to ensure arrival and departure times. The organizers cannot be responsible for changes to the schedule because of flights, however, we will work with you whenever possible to adjust the programme to provide the best possible experience. 

This program includes transfer from Kuusamo (KAO) airport to Adventure Apes Lodge on arrival day and transfer from Adventure Apes Lodge to Kuusamo (KAO) airport on departure day. Only one airport transfer per group is possible. The flight schedule meeting this tour program is as following:

Arrival flight from Helsinki (HEL) to Kuusamo (KAO): 

Flight number: Finnair AY487

Take off time: 20:00 HEL

Landing time: 21:45 KAO

Departure flight from Kuusamo (KAO) to Helsinki (HEL): 

Flight number: Finnair AY482

Take off time: 09:10/ 09:30 (02.03.23/ 08.03.24) KAO

Landing time: 10:55/ 11:15 (02.03.23/ 08.03.24) HEL

Arctic conditions and gear

All the special gear (like skin based skis, snowshoes, sledges, outdoor cooking gear, tents, sleeping bags etc.) will be provided; however, adventurers will be expected to come prepared for a variety of weather conditions. 

Personal gear list

Personal gear list will be sent to you after you have confirmed your booking well in advance. 

Adventurers who do not own suitable outdoor clothing (such as boots, thermal base layer, etc.) are advised to budget an additional fee for the add-on gear package rental which should be reserved together with the booking. 

Personal winter gear rental package *

Some adventurers prefer not to buy personal outdoor winter clothing. If you are traveling light or just prefer not to add to your closet, we are happy to offer a winter clothing gear rental package that will help to keep you warm and dry in Arctic conditions.

Preliminary booking is required to ensure appropriate sizes are available. 

The rental gear package includes:

One set of thermal underlayer (trousers and shirt)

Fleece

Wind and waterproof jacket and trousers

Down jacket for breaks 

Winter boots (suitable for snowshoes & skin based skis)

Beanie plus furry hat for cold weather 

Light plus thick gloves

Thin Buff

Thick Balaclava for sleeping 

Woolen socks for sleeping 

Head torch

Personal winter gear rental package: 100 euros per person including local VAT

This is how the winter gear rental package looks like:

Packing of your gear 

Please note that the amount of gear is limited as you will be transporting everything in the sledge you will share with your pair. Your guides will help you to pack all your gear in the morning of day 2. It is important that everything is packed as compact as possible in waterproof dry sacks of  5-12 liters each. 

Please do not take any unnecessary valuables with you as you do not need them on this tour. Your extra luggage as well as small valuables (passport, keys, money etc.) will be stored in a secure room at Adventure Apes Lodge. Your guide will give your luggage to you when you return to Adventure Apes Lodge after your adventure. 

Wildlife

There are wild animals in the area and most probably you will see a lot of their tracks in the snow. Unfortunately the animals are afraid of people and they are masters in hiding from people. You have to be lucky to spot some wild animals along your route but there is a chance to see some birds such as Siberian Jay, Capercaillie or different owls. 

Insects 

There are not any insects in winter time in this area. 

What’s in the price?

Adventure Apes’ commitment to fair pay and supporting the local economy: 

Adventure Apes is a responsible travel provider. We are committed to supporting both travelers and our local economy in a way that respects the best interest of all parties. This means our tours may not always come in at the lowest price, but you can rest assured the money goes where it should go: to the local guides, bakers, fishermen and women and other small producers and local partners that make you feel part of the community. Our price includes: 

Tour includes:

• Online course fee (details)

• Availability of a professional guide team 24/7 

• Complete tour planning 

• Accommodation as indicated above

• Meals and activities as shown in the program 

• Transfers - Travel to and from Kuusamo airport (KAO) and all local travel indicated in the adventure program. Only one airport transfer per group is possible. 

• Rental of all activity based special gear 

• Group safety gear: full safety plan with risk analysis, first aid bags, space blankets, emergency shelters, gps, whistles etc. 

• Liability insurance of Adventure Apes

Tour does not include:

• Flights or transportation not mentioned in the program 

• Single supplement (see additional fee for a single tent) 

• Personal outdoor clothing/apparel (a complete recommended gear list will be provided before the tour)

• Optional add-ons 

• Meals and drinks other than those listed, and alcoholic drinks

• Snacks which every participant will take care of themselves

• Travel insurance (Travel insurance is required and should cover possible evacuation from the wilderness by helicopter)

Other details

Please note that modifications to the route, program or activities are possible due to weather and/or safety reasons. We follow the leave no trace policy and require all participants to follow our example.

Seeing the Northern Lights is a natural phenomenon which can never be guaranteed. In case there is a chance to see them your guides will change the evening program accordingly.

Nice to know 

• Small souvenir and snack shop at Adventure Apes Lodge 

• Laundry service available at extra cost 

Organizers

This tour is provided by Adventure Apes. We are a partnering company with Parks & Wildlife Finland and pay a fee to support the funding of the facilities of the outdoors we are adventuring in.