Finnish Wilderness: Active Winter Adventure Finland (Snowshoe Hike, Dogsled & Ski) 8D7N, Guided

In the regions close to the Arctic Circle, temperatures during the season range from -30C to 5C (-22F to 41F). Christmas will normally be the coldest (usually below -20C/-4), but the temperatures rise as the days lengthen, and early April can see temperatures around -10C to 5C (14F to 41F). Recent years have seen massive fluctuations in the space of a few weeks with lows of -40C (-40F) and highs of 7C (47F) just a few days apart. If the thought of such temperatures scares you, then think again. When dressed in the Arctic clothing provided, with insulated boots, woolly hat and large mittens, -20C (-4F) can feel very pleasant. The Arctic cold is a dry cold, there is usually no wind, and we will keep you active.

Daylight hours
At extreme latitudes, the days shorten and lengthen much faster. So while in mid-winter (December/January) the sun remains just below the horizon, by April there are more daylight hours than in the UK, and the midnight sun is only weeks away. Even in midwinter, it is not dark, as the sun is just above the horizon and there is plenty of light reflected off the snow.

Northern Lights
The Northern Lights (aurora borealis) are visible from September to late April on most clear nights at latitudes close to and above the Arctic Circle. They can be seen further south but will be less spectacular and less frequent. Solar activity is greater around the equinoxes (September and March), and at lower latitudes, this can be the best time to see them. At Basecamp, you need to have a clear window of weather with no clouds, and then your chances of seeing them are quite good as there is hardly any light pollution. With most Northern Lights tours starting from Arctic cities such as Tromeo and Reykjavik, you have to drive a bit of a distance to go and see the lights. The benefit of Basecamp is that if the conditions are good, all you need to do is go outside and look up.

The walking level on this trip is rated Level 3 Moderate.

Level 1 Leisurely: Experience is not necessary, anyone fit and healthy enough to complete a weekend walk will thrive. Walks are often optional. Trails are seldom flat, so expect a reasonable number of ascents and descents. You normally walk for two to five hours per day, daily sacents will likely be around 885ft to 1,840ft (300m to 500m), perhaps with the odd day around 1,870ft (800m).

Level 3 Moderate: Expect easy, medium-length walks or harder, shorter walks. Some experience is useful, but not essential. Good health and reasonable fitness are important. There will be walks at higher altitudes and some longer, harder days. Generally, though, the underfoot conditions will be fair. A walking day is
normally five to seven hours; daily ascents will likely be around 1,840ft to 2,825ft (500m to 800m), perhaps with the odd day around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (800m to 1,000m).

Level 5 Challenging: Fitness is vital with extended walking in mountainous terrain. You might also experience high altitude, challenging climates and remote locations. Trekking experience is desirable, but not vital if you are confident in your physical condition. Walking days are usually between six and eight hours, although they may be longer for passes or peska. Daily ascents can be around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (800m to 1,000m), perhaps with the odd day around 3,610ft to 3,840ft (1.100m to 1,200m).

Level 7 Tough: Trekking experience is essential and preferably at altitude. You need complete confidence in your ability to trek for many days over difficult terrain. You may encounter extreme sititude and weather conditions and may need to use ice axes and crampons. Stamina is essential as walking daye last six to nine hours (sometimes more on occasions). Daily ascents will likely be around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (800m to 1,000m), perhaps with the odd day around 3,810ft to 3,940ft (1,100m to 1,200m).

Split and optional grades: Where a trip falls between two grades, an intermediate or 'split' grade is used. For example, Level 2 (Leisurely/Moderate). Occasionally there are optional sacenta available; in this case, the grade will be highlighted.

Basecamp Oulanka is a superb self-sustaining wooden complex inspired by its wild, remote location. Twin rooms are in two separate buildings. The third building is a cosy restaurant and bar, with a log fire, asuna and outdoor hot tub. The heating system used throughout the complex relies totally on nature, using special wood pellets for fuel.

Please be aware, multiple tripe are running at Basecamp at the same time and you might share the room with a member of a different group. Please note, there are family groupe at Basecamp during the school holidays.

Single supplement from AUD $717

Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators. Payment Detail All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel. A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 100 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 100 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price. Single Supplement All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking. General Cancellation Policies - Outside of 100 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee - Within 100 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited - No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption - We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received. We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance. Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits You need to advise the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. The tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Liability The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour. Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted. Child Policy Please consult travel consultant on age limit. Changes to Itineraries Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance. Changes in Prices While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice. Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Cancellation by The Tour Operator The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum number requirement are unable to meet for a tour. Please confirm with travel consultant for the minimum number requirement. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel. Force Majeure 'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips. Evacuations In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer. For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation. Travel Insurance In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.