Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

I think just the scenery - I was worried about the short days and low light but it was actually quite magical. Soft snowy hazy days, everything coated in a thick layer of super soft powdery snow and sparkling ice

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eki was a great group leader - very cool, assured and capable.  He looked after everyone in a very easy-going way, he knows everything about the area and dealt with a large group seemingly effortlessly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Rest assured that all the equipment and absolutely everything but your thermal underwear can genuinely be provided there so don't bother loading up your bags with stuff that you can borrow there (and certainly don't bother buying anything specially). Stuff for evenings and travelling is really all you need. If you're keen on photography, a good camera and tripod are recommended to make the most of the beautiful light. Oh, and bring lots of heavy-duty moisturiser (yes, both girls and boys) as being outdoors all day in that weather is tough on your skin. 

Most Inspirational Moment

It has to be the Huskies, this was an unbelieveable experience, one I will never forget, especially as I have some fantastic photos of the dogs to keep as a reminder.  Sledging with the dogs to the top of the mountain was amazing and the views were spectacular.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hanna, Henrik and Teemu were absolutely fantastic and they went over and above to help in any way possible that they could.  Their knowledge and experiences was brilliant and you felt in very safe hands whilst in their company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes - Go for it.  If you are thinking of doing it, go on, do it, you will not be disappointed I can assure you.

Most Inspirational Moment

Huskie dog sledging was a real highlight for me, especially after seeing as how well cared for the dogs were, and the outdoor dinner round the campfire was unforgetable. The Northern Lights were also spectacular, but if you do see them, take all your pictures then - they came out on our first night, before we had dug our cameras out of our suitcases, and then they never reappeared!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was outstanding, as were all the BaseCamp staff. He was extremely competent but also made every effort to ensure that we had the maximum amount of fun - I haven't laughed so much in a long time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although I enjoyed the trip, I would have to say it was my least favourite of all my Exodus adventures. My two areas disappointment were the amount of free time in the itinerary and the cost of the optional activities. My overall impression was that the included activities were taster sessions, to promote the (rather expensive) extra activities. The cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing sessions never ventured more than several hundred metres from the Basecamp, and further snowshoe trips were self guided or paid for. The dog-sledding was fun, but not even half a day and the longer day trip was over £250. Even simple extras like on-site ice wall climbing and a trip to a reindeer farm were extremely expensive for what was offered. After the high price of the holiday to start with, I could not afford any extras, and as a solo traveller I ended up trying to fill a lot of free time alone. This was in contrast to the cohesive group holiday that I have come to enjoy normally with Exodus. My advice to solo travellers would therefore be to factor in some very expensive extras, or be prepared to make your own mini-adventures by yourself.

Most Inspirational Moment

The husky sledding for me was the absolute highlight but cross country skiing around the 'Basecamp' lake to the second lake and into a forest that was something straight out of Narnia and making it to the top off the ice-climbing tower... actually the entire week was full of inspirational moments!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eki was great, really knowledgable and friendly. The whole team was excellent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Basecamp do supply everything you need, although we found that our own thermals were welcome, it was so warm and the ones they provide are fleecy, ours actually helped keep us cool! We also had our own socks and gloves which I prefered but again these are provided if needed. End of March beginning of April was very sunny, so sunscreen and sunglasses are definitely needed.

Most Inspirational Moment

The main reason for booking the holiday was to see the Northern Nights and we did.  The first night we arrived there they were in all their glory - well at least in glory enough not to be disappointed.  Husky sleding was also amazing.  Having your own team of 6 dogs pulling you through a winter wonderland is quite something.

Thoughts on Group Leader

As we were a party of 20 we were split into tow groups for the activities.  Our group was led by Eki and the other by Teemu who also played host to the whole group.  Both of them were great, cannot praise them highly enough.  The same goes for all the staff at Base Camp.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Believe it when they say you do not need to bring any warm clothes.  They really do provide everything.  All you need are your clothes to travel in and a few changes for the evening.

Most Inspirational Moment

Dog-sledding.  Especially the sudden change from frenetic, howling excitement when stationary (the dogs, not me) to the calm serenity of silently sliding through unspoilt snow-covered wilderness.  So good, most of us signed up for an extra whole day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Olli was great (although so were all the other Basecamp staff).  He must take so many groups through the same week's routine each season, and yet at no point did we not feel special.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Basecamp provides all of the gear you'll need, although your own set of inner thermals may be a useful addition.  A bottle of scotch was good for the hot-tub and for flambeing pancakes outside on the last night.

Most Inspirational Moment

Harrisuvanto, on the Pieni Karhunkierros Trail - frozen river, suspension bridge setting it all off perfectly, under a foot of snow, all in white, freezing cold, but no-one around.  Complete solitude, gorgeous setting and a wonderful sense of peace.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Olli was good - he knew his stuff and did all he could to make sure the activities went as smoothly as possible.  Did not spend that much time getting to know us all, other than the usual "how did your day go" type stuff. However, always there when you needed him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Manage your expectations re Northern Lights.  When we went, all the activity was way too low down on the horizon to realy see anything, which was our only disappointment.  Clothes provided really are well provided for and plentiful.  All in good nick as well.  Take your own base layers, and if you have some special socks you like wearing in cold weather, take those as well.  However, you really can pack light.

Most Inspirational Moment

It was all good - even building quinzhees in a wind chill of -25C.  Both times with the huskies were great, as was the ice climbing, the hot tub and the endless supply of rye bread at breakfast.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Olli was a friendly, sociable and knowledgeable leader who looked after us well. As we were a big group we were also looked after at times by Teemu, Hanna, Sara and pretty much anyone else who was around at Basecamp - all keen on making sure we had as much fun as possible.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Another review I read recommended budgeting around £500 additional expenses which I'd say is about right, particularly if you're planning on doing the full day of husky driving.  Booze from the bar wasn't bad value at €21 for a bottle of wine and €3.50 for a shot of whichever dodgy Finnish spirit takes your fancy. The cold weather kit provided at Basecamp is more than enough for what you need, good boots and endless layers of thermals and waterproofs, you don't need to take anything of your own. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Teemu was excellent.  From the very start he wanted us to have fun and not take things too seriously.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Honestly, don't take many clothes with you.  I know that the trip notes state this but we took our own cold weather gear anyway because we just didn't know how good the kit supplied would be.  But the kit supplied - 3 layers top and bottom plus two pairs of gloves, a hat and boots - were excellent.  I would still take your own base layer and socks although they do supply the latter if you don't have them.  You can even use the gear (apart from the cross country skis and snow shoes) on other trips too.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the Aurora Borealis - how many people can see that in a lifetime? And the husky ride. It is a once in a lifetime experience! I highly recommend taking the additional day-long Husky trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lovely people. I really like how they encouraged us to try everything, but always allowed for people's different activity level. They were fun, extremely kind and knowledgeable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

March is an excellent time to go. There is plenty of sunlight, so you can participate in all the activities, and it is already warm enough (hovering just below a balmy 0 Celsius), so you can enjoy the outside for hours at a time. I also recommend a "snow roll", which basically goes like this: Go in the sauna for 10-15 minutes, and when you are just hot enough, run outside, take a roll in the snow, and return to the sauna! It's a Finnish favorite, and a practice that I thoroughly enjoyed during my visit. I would also recommend  bringing 2 - 3 pairs of thermal underwear of your own. Although the basecamp provides everything, it's good to have spares, as you will be active.