DAY 1:Arrival in Kittilä & beginning of your expedition

You will be picked up from Kittilä airport according to your flight arrival time in the morning. Your guide will take you to a local restaurant for a welcoming lunch and tour briefing in the Ski resort of Levi. Afterwards you will have a chance to go to a supermarket to do your final shopping for expedition snacks. 

After an hour drive you will arrive at the expedition starting point where you will start your gear preparation and packing of the sledges. Soon you will kick off your expedition and start skiing into the wild. After a while you will arrive at a cozy teepee surrounded by fjells and enjoy some hot drinks and snacks. 

Later in the afternoon you will arrive at your first night's camp down in the valley. Your guide will show you how to give maintenance for your gear and you will cook your dinner together in a basic cabin. There are twelve beds in this cabin in bunk beds. 

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

• Meals included: Lunch, Snack, Dinner

• Total driving time: 1 h 15 min 

• Hiking distance: minimum 6 km (3,7 miles) plus optional 2km (1,2 miles) 

• Difficulty level of the route: 3/5

• Accommodation: in a shared cabin in bunk beds (12 ppl sharing) 

DAY 2:Snowshoeing day tour around the fjells  

Today you will have an early morning to see the sunrise over the National Park and after fueling up with an expedition breakfast it is time to go for an optional day tour with snowshoes. No need for sledges today and you can just admire the beauty of the wilderness. Your guide will lead you to the summit of the nearby fjell where you will have a 360 degree view of the National Park. 

In case you want to take it easy you can just enjoy the cabin life. We will return back to the cabin by lunch time. In the afternoon your guide will teach you how to build a real wilderness kitchen in the snow. Dinner will be enjoyed in our million star restaurant outside and if you are lucky you might even see some Northern Lights. 

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Total driving time: none

• Hiking distance: 2-4  km (1,2-2,5 miles) 

• Difficulty level of the route: 2/5

• Accommodation: in a small shared cabin in bunk beds (12 ppl sharing) 

DAY 3:Getting deeper into the wild 

Today will be the longest hike of the expedition so it is important to have a big breakfast with plenty of energy. You will start your hike early in the morning and cross a reindeer fence by midday. Later on you will arrive at another teepee where you will make a fire and enjoy your camp lunch together with hot drinks. 

You will arrive at your next camp late in the evening. Dinner will be cooked together with your guide as always. Night will be spent in another basic wilderness cabin with 12 beds in bunk beds. 

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Total driving time: none

• Hiking distance: 13 km (8 miles) 

• Difficulty level of the route: 3/5

• Accommodation: in a shared cabin in bunk beds (12 ppl sharing) 

DAY 4:Optional Day 

Today is full of possibilities. Maybe you would like to refuel your batteries and just relax at the accommodation? Or perhaps you would like to explore the surroundings of the cabin on your own? A third option is to join your guide on a day tour. It is such a joy to ski at a relaxed speed just with a backpack and stop every now and then to admire nature. Remember to take your camera with you! 

In the evening you can reward yourself by relaxing in the real wood heated wilderness sauna where you can sit quietly or connect with other like minded hikers and wash your worries away. After enjoying your dinner you will sleep like a baby in the warmth of your sleeping bag in your bunk bed. 

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Total driving time: none

• Hiking distance: optional, to be discussed with the group 

• Difficulty level of the route: 1/5

• Accommodation: in a shared cabin in bunk beds (12 ppl sharing) 

DAY 5:Final expedition day 

Your final expedition day starts after a big breakfast and will take you to another part of the National Park. You will be enjoying a long downhill and after you have reached the valley you will soon enter another teepee to enjoy your final camp lunch by open fire. 

In the afternoon you will return to the starting point where it all started and do some gear maintenance. Soon you will be transported to Levi village where you will have farewell dinner together with your guides. 

Later in the evening you will have a chance to explore this admiring little village on your own. You can do some souvenir shopping if you like or maybe you would like to have a drink in one of the cozy bars in the village. 

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

• Total driving time: 1 hour 

• Hiking distance: 12,5 km (7,5 miles) 

• Difficulty level of the route: 2/5

• Accommodation: in a hotel in Levi Ski resort 

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 Kittilä airport to catch your return flight. 

• Meals included: Breakfast 

• Total driving time: 20 min 

Details 

Availability:  15 January to 15 April 2024 

Tour dates in 2024 

Group 1: 15-20 January 2024

Group 2: 22-27 January 2024 SOLD OUT!

Group 3: 28 January - 2 February 2024 SOLD OUT!

Group 4: 3-8 April 2024

Group 5: 10-15 April 2024 

Price: 

Group size 8-12 people: 1899 € per person  

Taxes: according to marginal taxation system 

Duration: 6 days, 5 nights 

Group size: 8-12 people 

Activity level: Fit people with previous hiking experience

Suitability: This adventure is best suited for adults in good physical condition with some previous hiking experience and who will be comfortable with six to ten hours of physical activity per day. Experience in winter conditions is not required. 

Minimum Age: 16 years with an adult guardian or 18 years 

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

Transportation: Transfers to and from Kittilä airport (KTT) and local travel are included; flights are not included 

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

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

Payment terms: Negotiable 

Accommodation

Accommodation for nights 1-4 will take place in basic wilderness cabins without electricity, running water or modern toilets in the wilderness without any modern facilities. Eco toilets are available outside the cabins. Traditional wood heated sauna available for one night. Washing water will be carried from nearby lakes. 

Accommodation for night 5 takes place in a standard level hotel in twin rooms or family rooms depending on your preference. 

While on expedition your extra luggage will be stored in a locked trailer at the expedition starting point so you can take only the gear needed to the expedition. Please do not take any valuables with you as you do not need them on this expedition. 

Food & drinks 

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 lunches offered on hikes. 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. 

Online course before the expedition 

Each participant will need to participate in an online winter hiking course before the expedition. The course includes everything you need to know about winter hiking in Finland. Online course fee included in the tour price. Discuss your study schedule with your guide. 

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. 

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 transfers from/to Kittilä (KTT) airport. Only one airport transfer per group is possible. The flight schedule meeting this tour program is as following: 

Arctic conditions and gear

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

• One set of thermal underlayer (trousers and shirt)

• Woolen socks

• Fleece

• Wind and waterproof jacket and trousers

• Down jacket

• Winter boots (suitable for snowshoes & skin based skis)

• Small hat + big hat for extra cold weather

• Gloves + mittens

• Buff

• Balaclava

• Head torch

Personal winter gear rental package: €100

This is how the winter gear rental package looks like:

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 

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

• Basic level of accommodation as indicated above

• Meals and activities as shown in the program 

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

• Guide services - private, professional wilderness and outdoor sports guides

• Liability insurance of Adventure Apes

• Main guide available 24/7

Tour does not include:

• Flights or transportation before or after the start of the tour

• 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.

Organizers

This tour is provided in cooperation with Adventure Apes and ETR Adventures.