Finland snowshoeing vacation
Highlights
Oulanka National Park | Lake Jyravajarvi | Linnakallio 'Castle Rocks' | Jyrava Waterfall| Riisitunturi National Park | Five days of snowshoeing | Visit to reindeer farm
Travel Team
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Responsible tourism
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Accommodation and Meals:You will spend 7 nights at Basecamp Oulanka. This wilderness camp is a lovely complex of wooden buildings on the edge of Oulanka National Park and is renowned for its environmental and sustainability practices. They have won several awards including the VESTAS award as an ‘Outstanding Example of Accommodation’ and TripAdvisor GreenLeaders Gold Award. All energy used is renewable and all waste and water is recycled. The heating system used throughout the complex relies totally from nature using special wood pellets for fuel. Even the hot tub is run from an ingenious system that uses the excess heat generated from the sauna. Ingredients are sourced locally or at the very least produced in Finland, so guests can expect fresh elk, reindeer, salmon, vegetables and berries.
Activity:
This trip is spent snowshoeing in the Finnish wilderness, so there is a very minimal effect on the environment from our activity. If possible, man-power is used over motors to minimise carbon emissions and there is constant attention to a strong ‘leave no trace’ policy. We also visit a reindeer farm and museum where everyone will have the opportunity to ride a reindeer and try some lasso throwing. The farm is part of a co-operative and is dependent on tourist visits like this as it is in such a remote place. Optional activities like snowmobile tours are also run through local people, who really benefit from our business.
Conservation:
Part of the trip cost is a contribution which goes towards wilderness protection and conservation of Oulanka National Park. This donation is used partially for the restoration of Kärpäskelhä- which is an old meadow area used for cows, sheep and reindeer to graze in. The meadow has been out of use since the mid 50’s and has since been growing freely, slowly losing its usual customers and instead becoming overrun with plants and insects. Now, with Basecamp Oulanka, clients can volunteer in Kärpäskelhä if they like and participate in conservation activities. Together with our local operators we have donated more than 60,000 Euros over the past 6 years to wilderness protection work.
UK Office:
It all starts at home so we have first worked at reducing our carbon footprint in our UK Offices. Through energy conservation measures and recycling policies, we are proud to be actively reducing the waste produced and our impact on the environment. We support various projects all over the world to try and give something back to the places we visit.
The Impacts of this Trip
Local Craft and Culture:
Along with spending time with local people and visiting businesses (including the reindeer farm), we intend to share local culture by introducing clients to the varieties of handcrafts and local produce on offer here. Smoked elk is a traditional delicacy in these parts and can be purchased in the area, as well as traditional Lappish socks, hats, drums and Karhunkynsi tableware. By buying local crafts, we are contributing to the community and often encouraging customary craftsmanship which has lasted centuries. However, guides will remind clients not to purchase any products made with parts of endangered species whilst they are on the trip.
A Fair Deal:
All of our guides are local and live close to the camp, which has a positive effect on the very high unemployment levels in these rural areas. This also ensures that all generated income stays within the community and helps the village to function properly. Our staff work all year round and receive wages every month- despite our working season not covering the whole year. All staff is educated on responsible tourism issues and this should come across to clients in frequent briefings on current environmental and community issues. Their training extends to topics like flora and fauna, socioeconomic systems and sustainable tourism.
Group Size:
This small group tour has a maximum of 16 participants, meaning that we have a low impact on the environments and communities we visit and are able to ensure that we do not disrupt or lead to the displacement of local people. The small number also allows us to stay in unique, family-run hotels that cannot benefit from coach tours and other mass tourism due to their limited sizes.
Accommodation and Meals:You will spend 7 nights at Basecamp Oulanka. This wilderness camp is a lovely complex of wooden buildings on the edge of Oulanka National Park and is renowned for its environmental and sustainability practices. They have won several awards including the VESTAS award as an ‘Outstanding Example of Accommodation’ and TripAdvisor GreenLeaders Gold Award. All energy used is renewable and all waste and water is recycled. The heating system used throughout the complex relies totally from nature using special wood pellets for fuel. Even the hot tub is run from an ingenious system that uses the excess heat generated from the sauna. Ingredients are sourced locally or at the very least produced in Finland, so guests can expect fresh elk, reindeer, salmon, vegetables and berries.
Activity:
This trip is spent snowshoeing in the Finnish wilderness, so there is a very minimal effect on the environment from our activity. If possible, man-power is used over motors to minimise carbon emissions and there is constant attention to a strong ‘leave no trace’ policy. We also visit a reindeer farm and museum where everyone will have the opportunity to ride a reindeer and try some lasso throwing. The farm is part of a co-operative and is dependent on tourist visits like this as it is in such a remote place. Optional activities like snowmobile tours are also run through local people, who really benefit from our business.
Conservation:
Part of the trip cost is a contribution which goes towards wilderness protection and conservation of Oulanka National Park. This donation is used partially for the restoration of Kärpäskelhä- which is an old meadow area used for cows, sheep and reindeer to graze in. The meadow has been out of use since the mid 50’s and has since been growing freely, slowly losing its usual customers and instead becoming overrun with plants and insects. Now, with Basecamp Oulanka, clients can volunteer in Kärpäskelhä if they like and participate in conservation activities. Together with our local operators we have donated more than 60,000 Euros over the past 6 years to wilderness protection work.
UK Office:
It all starts at home so we have first worked at reducing our carbon footprint in our UK Offices. Through energy conservation measures and recycling policies, we are proud to be actively reducing the waste produced and our impact on the environment. We support various projects all over the world to try and give something back to the places we visit.
The Impacts of this Trip
Local Craft and Culture:
Along with spending time with local people and visiting businesses (including the reindeer farm), we intend to share local culture by introducing clients to the varieties of handcrafts and local produce on offer here. Smoked elk is a traditional delicacy in these parts and can be purchased in the area, as well as traditional Lappish socks, hats, drums and Karhunkynsi tableware. By buying local crafts, we are contributing to the community and often encouraging customary craftsmanship which has lasted centuries. However, guides will remind clients not to purchase any products made with parts of endangered species whilst they are on the trip.
A Fair Deal:
All of our guides are local and live close to the camp, which has a positive effect on the very high unemployment levels in these rural areas. This also ensures that all generated income stays within the community and helps the village to function properly. Our staff work all year round and receive wages every month- despite our working season not covering the whole year. All staff is educated on responsible tourism issues and this should come across to clients in frequent briefings on current environmental and community issues. Their training extends to topics like flora and fauna, socioeconomic systems and sustainable tourism.
Group Size:
This small group tour has a maximum of 16 participants, meaning that we have a low impact on the environments and communities we visit and are able to ensure that we do not disrupt or lead to the displacement of local people. The small number also allows us to stay in unique, family-run hotels that cannot benefit from coach tours and other mass tourism due to their limited sizes.
5 Reviews of Finland snowshoeing vacation
Reviewed on 02 Feb 2020 by Hilda Wright-Turner
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Hiking in the Gorges ( should have been our Snowshoeing days)
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
No guarantee of snow therefore no Snow Shoeing. Make sure and brong Yaks or Mirco Spikes.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes benefited some licals
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Okay
Reviewed on 13 Mar 2019 by Brian Crathorne
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
All of the snowshoeing in the area around Basecamp Oulanka was memorable and the dog-sledding was also a great experience
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
The boots/clothing/equipment etc provided by Basecamp are very good so you only need to take your own base layers.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes . We visited a local reindeer farm which was very interesting and informative.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
An excellent vacation and we are already thinking of returning at a different time of year to see and experience Oulanka during the Spring or Autumn.
Reviewed on 20 Mar 2017 by Alison Mitchell
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The whole vacation was excellent. Superb organisation, wonderful location and caring and efficient staff.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Don't worry about clothing. Basecamp provides everything you need to keep warm.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definitely. The whole vacation was orientated towards reducing environmental impacts etc.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent. Loved the whole experience.
Reviewed on 29 Feb 2016 by Jay Sivell
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The frozen trees at Riisitunturi; the ability to walk all day without meeting any other human beings; learning how to make a fire in a snow pit and cooking reindeer sausages in the open air; spotting fresh wolverine tracks and bear markings.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Really don't bother bringing cold weather gear. The clothing supplied includes comfortable boots - even in very small sizes; two good warm layers (thick and thin, top and bottom) plus a waterproof outer layer (top and bottom - and an extra one if you go dog sledding), excellent inner and outer gloves, rucksack, thermosflask and head torch. Evenings are spent around a roaring fire in the main lodge, or in the sauna. Airport transfers are in warm buses. They recommend your bring your own vest and longjohns - I'd add a decent warm hat, pull up neckscarf, sunglasses and thin gloves so you can operate your camera without your fingers falling off.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I hope so. I think most of us foreign visitors were keen to support the reindeer farm by buying a few souvenirs there. It was also very useful - I'd rather buy from a family business than at the airport, but perhaps they could stock some local jams? All those delicious berries...
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Fantastic! Great landscape, wonderful guiding, excellent food, top-notch equipment and accommodation. Just perfect.
Reviewed on 05 Feb 2014 by Pauline Hawes
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The whole vacation was amazing, the location, the walks, skiing & husky sledding, the accommodation, the food & the wonderful staff who did their utmost to ensure that it was an unforgettable experience for us
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
I thought that "winter equipment provided" meant snowshoes, skis & boots etc but all clothing (plus thermos, head torch, rucksack) was also available to borrow, no need to pack anything other than a few baselayers & something comfortable for the evening. Having said that, it was nice to wear my own ski gear but don't buy things if you don't already have them....except maybe a balaclava/buff for the minus 30 days!
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, the whole concept of Oulanka is based on this & I felt that all the staff believed in it.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
A fantastic experience. Almost 5 stars
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