7 days, 6 nights
Wild Swimming Holiday in Northern Finland
Available: 15 June to 15 September
Northern Finland (Lapland area, Kuusamo & Posio Regions)
Group size: 12-16 participants
This one-week guided swimming tour takes you to the pure wild lakes and clean waters of Northern Finland and Lapland in the Kuusamo and Posio regions. Swim along sandy ridges in wild landscapes and in stunning fell sceneries and experience pure Finnish nature complete with relaxing saunas and meals by the fire.
Available tour: 3-9 August 2026
Tour Highlights
Various Open Waters
Ice Age Gulch
Kettle Hole Lakes
Europe's Largest Spring
Downriver Swim
Weather
Summers in Finland are mild and not too hot.Â
The air temperature is typically around 18-25 degrees Celsius and the water temperature is around 17-24 degrees Celsius depending on the lake or river where we are swimming.
Adventure Details
We are simple and straightforward: This adventure is priced per person including VAT and does not include flight, train or bus tickets.
Availability: 15 June to 15 September
This is a summer activity and available on open water season.
Professional Guides
The adventure is led by a private professional guide team.
Language
This adventure is available in English, Finnish or Swedish
Foods & drinks
All food is included as shown in program.
Activities
All of the activities as shown in the program are included in tour price.
Accommodation
Accommodation as indicated in the program is included in tour price.
Liability Insurance
Adventure Apes has an ongoing liability insurance for this tour.
Tour does not include following:
Hotels before or after the start of the tour. Airfare or other transportation before or after the start of the tour. Personal outdoor clothing and swim gear (a complete list will be provided before arrival). Single room accommodation. Meals, snacks or drinks other than those listed in tour program. Personal travel insurance (required).
Modifications to the program
Please note that modifications to the program and activities are possible due to weather and/or safety reasons. In case of a forest or grass fire warning we will not be allowed to make an open fire and will cook only with cooking stoves. We are following the leave no trace policy and require all participants to follow our example.
Wild Swim Tour
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Group: 12-16 participants
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Transfers from Kuusamo Airport
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Professional Guides
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Meals & Activities
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Accommodation
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Liability Insurance
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Personal Travel Insurance is recommended for participating.
Pre-Meeting Online
Adventure Apes think it is important to meet your guides and fellow swimmers in advance and this is why we will organise online meeting prior your adventure. This is your chance to ask any questions you may have and start bonding with your team. The online meeting will take place about a month prior to the trip. You will receive a meeting invitation link by email in advance.
Adventure Programme
Swimming Tour at the border of Lapland
Day 1: ARRIVAL AT ADVENTURE APES LODGE AND ACCLIMATIZATION SWIM
The tour begins with welcome lunch followed by a tour briefing and swim gear check. After a short walk to the village beach, we’ll take a short acclimatization swim in Europe’s largest spring; Lake Kitkajärvi. We will do a short water safety briefing including rescuing on the rescue board or canoe and the protocol for gathering together and swimming to shore in case of an emergency. After the swim, we will have a traditional Finnish sauna ready followed by dinner back at the Lodge.
Meals included: Lunch, Snack, Dinner
Day 2: HIKING AND SWIMMING IN A WILDERNESS LAKE
After a short drive, we will take a walk through the beautiful forested hill of Ruoppivaara to view down to the ice age formed gulch lake Ruoppijärvi. After taking in the magnificent views of the cliff and rocks, we’ll hike down to the gulch lake and start exploring it up close with a 1.5 to 5 kilometer swim. Camp lunch will be enjoyed in the pristine nature. After the day on the waters it is time to relax in the traditional wood heated sauna back at the Adventure Apes Lodge.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Dinner
Day 3: SWIMMING ADVENTURE IN EUROPE’S LARGEST SPRING, LAKE KITKAJÄRVI
Today we will get to know our home Lake Kitka by swimming in different parts of this vast sea-like lake and exploring the bays, points and islands. Swimming distances will be customized depending on the weather conditions and energy levels of the group. This may be the perfect day for picking wild herbs for your foot bath in the sauna in the evening.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch , Snack, Dinner
Day 4: OVERNIGHT TRIP TO THE SANDY BEACHES OF LAKE LIVOJĂ„RVI, SWIMMING UNDER THE MIDNIGHT SUN AND WILD CAMPING IN TENTS BY THE LAKE
On our drive to Lake Livojärvi (45 km), we’ll get to know about the local history and way of life. We will visit the Akanlahti log transfer facility, which is the only remaining old log facility in Finland. Soon we will hike 1.5 kilometres to a beautiful sandy beach where we will start our swim trek of approximately 3 kilometres in shorter sections around the sandy cape.
Lake Livojärvi has crystal clear drinkable water and beautiful scenery to surrounding fells. On the Säikänsalmi beach, “the Riviera of Lapland”, we’ll have a lunch break before continuing our swim to another beach where we will wild camp in tents overnight. Tonight we will cook our campfire dinner together and swim under the midnight sun - something you will remember for the rest of your life.
Meals included: Breakfast, Camp lunch on the beach, Snack, Campfire dinner
Day 5: WILD SWIMMING AND SNORKELLING IN KETTLE HOLE LAKES OF HIRSINIEMI
After breakfast, we will walk a beautiful hiking route along the Hirsiniemi cape in lake Livojärvi and snorkel and swim in kettle hole lakes along the walking route. These clear, green groundwater lakes are marvellous sites for underwater photography so we will take a few underwater portraits together. We’ll rest and have snacks by a lean-to shelter along the route. After hiking and wild swimming we’ll return to the Lodge where we will have time to relax.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Dinner
Day 6: SWIMMING DOWNRIVER IN OULANKA RIVER IN OULANKA NATIONAL PARK
After a lazy morning and sauna, we will head to Oulanka National Park where we will stop by the visitor’s centre to learn about the Arctic flora and fauna before doing a short hike to see Kiutaköngäs rapids along the River Oulanka. After admiring the rapids it is time to go down from the esker to the shore of the river and continue our adventure by downriver swimming. The river will carry us fast and we can mostly enjoy the ride. Late lunch will be enjoyed on a sandy beach along the river.
In the evening at the Lodge we’ll have a farewell party with a sauna and barbeque in the traditional Lappish Kota (BBQ hut).
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Farewell Barbeque
Day 7: TIME TO SAY GOODBYE, TRANSFER BACK TO THE AIRPORT
We like to say a great adventure never ends; it merely changes form to become part of who you are. After today your Finnish swimming tour will transform into some of your best memories as you continue your travels back home.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation at Adventure Apes Lodge
Well rested for a day of adventure ahead!
The site of the village school for more than 100 years, the lodge now welcomes travellers to Northern Finland to stop in and share a traditional Finnish meal with locals, have a relaxing sauna and enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep.
Located in the small village of Vasaraperä surrounded by lakes, forests and fields in the beautiful countryside and a 30-minute drive to the town of Kuusamo and Ruka Ski Center.
We offer cosy accommodations in traditional Finnish style for individuals and groups. The lodge also serves as the home base for Adventure Apes tours.
