Arctic Wolves and Northern Lights

Your stay at Kuikka Base Camp offers you the perfect backdrop for exciting activities and impressive nature experiences. From guided hikes and ice fishing to nighttime photo tours focussing on the Northern Lights, this trip is full of unique experiences. You also have the opportunity to spend the night in a photography hide to observe the wildlife up close. Enjoy the clear, cold air and the tranquillity of the snow-covered landscape of Eastern Finland and immerse yourself in the world of the Arctic wilderness.
Arctic Wolves and Northern Lights: the itinerary

Day 1: Arrival
After your arrival at Oulu Airport, you will be met by your guide and taken to the village of Lentiira, near Kuhmo. The journey takes about four hours, with coffee breaks in between. At your destination, you will be amazed by the fascinating world of astronomy and the Northern Lights. Rob Johnstone, a professional astronomer and recognized astronomy aducator worldwide, will guide you through an interesting workshop that will give you an understanding of the Northern Lights. In good conditions, you can even take your own photos! After a delicious dinner, you will continue to the Kalevala Hotel in Kuhmo, where you will spend the night in comfortable hotel rooms.

Day 2: Welcome to the wilderness
Your day begins with a hearty breakfast at the Kalevala Hotel before you discuss the programme together so that everyone is well-prepared for the adventures ahead. You will learn all about the right clothing, accommodation and get safety instructions for the week. You will then go on a hike on the frozen lake near the hotel. Later, after a short shopping trip in Kuhmo, you will travel to Kuikka Base Camp, a cosy old log cabin that will serve as your home for the next few days. In the evening, dinner is served in the dining room, followed by an overnight stay in bunk bedrooms. If you want to relax first, a sauna session is a good way to do so. How about a refreshing dip in the ice hole in the frozen lake afterwards? If that's too cold for you, you can use the hot tub on the shore instead.

All pictures of this partner
Day 3: Ice fishing and photography
After a hearty breakfast and an introduction to the surroundings, you set off on a snowshoe tour. You will hike to a wild lake - the perfect location for ice fishing! In the peaceful atmosphere of nature, you will soon leave the stress of everyday life behind you. You then continue your hike, stopping en route for a picnic lunch by the campfire. Back at the base camp, you can sit back with a hot drink until it's time for the next adventure. Meet the famous nature photographer Lassi Rautiainen and listen to his exciting stories. You will then head outside to take pictures of the mystical Northern Lights that are hopefully waiting for you in the night sky. Dinner and sauna round off this eventful day. Alternatively, for an extra charge, you can spend the night in a photography hide for once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities of wolves and wolverines in the morning light.

Day 4: Adventure in the Elimyssalo Natur Reserve
Strap on your wide backcountry skis after breakfast and set off in a tour to the Elimyssalo Nature Reserve, the largest and most remote wilderness area in the Wild Taiga. Finland's four largest carnivores live here. You will look for tracks of wolves, wild reindeer, moose and wolverines and may be lucky enough to spot the rare tracks of a lynx. Skiing through ancient forests and over frozen moors is an impressive experience. You eat lunch by an open fire in a shelter before returning to Kuikka Base Camp. In the evening, you go on a photo tour to observe the Northern Lights on the frozen lake. The day ends in a cosy atmosphere with dinner and sauna.

Day 5 & 6: Wildlife viewing and photo moments
As usual, you start the day with breakfast. Today, you will prepare a picnic, which you will take with you on your excursion. You will be transferred to the photography hide where you can observe and photograph wild animals. Maybe wolves, wolverines or eagles will walk (or fly) in front of your camera lens. Tonight, you will sleep in the photography hide. Snuggle up in your winter sleeping bag and look forward to great wildlife moments the next morning.

Day 7: Presentation of the photos
Today, you get to present your best shots of the week! Share the wonderful memories together, edit the pictures on the computer and create a presentation of them. During the day, you will have a light lunch before ending the evening with a farewell dinner and a final sauna. You will spend the night in your room at base camp.

Day 8: Departure
On the last day of your trip, you will enjoy breakfast and then join the transfer back to Oulu Airport. It's sadly time to say goodbye to Finland. The special moments of this week are sure to stay with you for a long time.

Accommodation:
Kuikka Base Camp is a small log cabin located in the middle of unspoilt nature and right next to a lake - the ideal place for observing and photographing wild animals. It has nine simple but comfortable bedrooms with shared facilities including four showers, three toilets and a sauna. Each bedroom sleeps two to six guests in bunk or twin beds. You will also find free Wi-Fi, a washing machine and a tumble dryer there. In the neighboothood are several hides (some of them heated with gas), where you will spend a night in winter sleeping bags. These are small and simple cabins without running water or electricity. The toilets are behind the hides under a covered area.
On the first night you will be accommodated in a hotel room at the Kalevala Hotel in Kuhmo.

Would you like to stay one more night in Oulu or arrive a day earlier? An extra night is possible for an additional charge. Please feel free to contact us!
Northern Lights enthusiasts can also add a Northern Lights hunt by car to their stay (for an extra charge).

Important information:
A good level of fitness is required for this trip. No previous skiing or trekking experience is required.
Winter clothing for low temperatures can be rented for a fee (see "Equipment"). Please let us know if you are interested.
All participants should take out their own insurance for skiing and other outdoor activities in Finland and in arctic weather conditions.
Show all dates