Autumn adventure in Kuusamo
Autumn adventure in Kuusamo
Length: 7 days
Location: Kuusamo, Finland
This autumn adventure offers a real challenge for those students who want to put not only their bushcraft skills but also their leadership skills into a test.
Fast facts
Fully guided autumn adventure
Full day excursion to Riisitunturi National Park
All meals and ground transportation included
All hiking gear included, accommodation in lodge
Programme
DAY 1: Arrival in Kuusamo
You will be picked up from Kuusamo airport according to your flight arrival time in the afternoon or evening. After a half an hour drive you will arrive at Adventure Apes Lodge where your guide team will welcome you with a homemade dinner and a tour briefing.
Soon it is time to settle in your rooms and have a good sleep before your adventure begins.
Meals included: Dinner
Total driving time: 30 min
Accommodation: at Adventure Apes Lodge in bunk beds
DAY 2: Bushcraft skills
After a big healthy breakfast your guide will teach you some basics in orienteering and map reading skills in the Adventure Apes lodge surroundings. Next you will learn how to use a gas stove and cook your lunch with your pair outdoors.
After lunch you will deepen your map reading skills and also learn how to navigate with a compass. After a traditional Finnish snack, you will get an introduction to Finnish sauna culture. After dinner you will play some team building games.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Dinner
Accommodation: at Adventure Apes Lodge in bunk beds
DAY 3:Leadership skills and expedition preparations
After breakfast your guide will give you an educational session on leadership skills and you will think about what makes a good leader. Soon it is time to learn how to make a fire and cook your lunch on open fire together with your team.
In the afternoon you will talk about 'Leave no trace' policy and later on start planning and preparing the expedition in the following day. After snack you will have chance to enjoy sauna again or play some board games in the dining room.
After dinner you will put your head torches on as you will head for a night hike to Kotivaara hill. You will learn interesting facts about the night sky and if you are lucky you might even see some Northern Lights.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Dinner
Accommodation: at Adventure Apes Lodge in bunk beds
DAY 4:Expedition to Riisitunturi National Park
Today is a real adventure day as after breakfast you will be transferred to Riisitunturi National Park where you will test what you have learnt the previous days. The students will take turns leading others and navigating through the 12 km route along one of the most beautiful National Parks in Finland. You will stop by a fireplace where you will cook your own expedition meal by gas cooker. You will learn interesting facts about Finnish nature and also admire the beauty of nature.
At the end of your hike you will navigate in the dark which gives you extra challenge. Dinner will be enjoyed by the campfire. After returning to the lodge in the evening, it is time to soothen your tired muscles in the sauna again.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Dinner
Total driving time: 30 + 30 minutes
Accommodation: at Adventure Apes Lodge in bunk beds
DAY 5: Outdoor and indoor games
After breakfast its time to go outdoors again and play some educative games. Lunch will be enjoyed in the dining room after which you will have some fun indoor sports session in the sports hall.
Before snack it is time to do some gear maintenance and return your rental kits. After sauna and free time in the sports hall, it is time to gather together for a farewell dinner and give some recognition for your team members. Afterwards its time to pack your luggage and get ready for your return flight back home.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Dinner
Accommodation: at Adventure Apes Lodge in bunk beds
DAY 6:Time to say goodbye and airport transfer
We like to say a great adventure never ends, it merely changes form to become part of who you are. On day six your hiking adventure in the Finnish Lapland will transform into some of your best memories as you will be transported to Kuusamo airport (KAO) to catch your return flight in the morning.
Meals included: Breakfast
Total driving time: 30 min
“This tour is great, with instructors who make sure that you are having a great time while being safe. The staff are really patient, and have a great attitude, which keeps you going if you feel tired, the bedrooms were clean and the kitchen staff cooked great food, highly recommend.”
“It allows you to connect with the nature of the area, and gives you an unparalleled sense of serenity.”
lets plan your autumn adventure
Details:
Dates: To be agreed
Price: 16-20 students 995 € per student
Adults: 2-3 adults travel for free
Taxes: According to marginal taxation system
Availability: 1 June - 15 October
Duration: 6 days, 5 nights
Group size: 16-20 students, 2-3 adults
Activity level: Fit people with some previous camping experience
Suitability: This adventure is best suited for people in good physical condition and who will be comfortable with five to seven hours of physical activity per day.
Minimum Age: This tour is planned for students minimum age of 15
Gear needed: Rental of all special camping equipment included. Recommended personal gear list will be provided.
Transportation: Airport transfers and local transfers according to the tour program are included. Flights are not included.
Language: English, Finnish (Other languages available on request)
Route planning: Your will participate in route planning and navigation
Booking: Pre-booking is required, please contact us for availability
Payment terms: Negotiable
Professional guide team available 24/7
All our guides are certified wilderness instructors with experience in similar and more demanding conditions. They are also trained and certified in first aid and hygiene.
Safety and weather
Your guides have adequate first aid skills and know the area very well. This tour takes place in moderate terrain but the weather might change rapidly. It is possible to even have some snow in October or November. In that case the gear will be adjusted accordingly. In case there is a lot of snow you will be provided either with snowshoes or skinbased skis. The sleeping bags will be changed into winter sleeping bags if needed.
The autumn weather in the area can vary a lot day by day. Typical temperature is around plus 7 to minus 5 degrees Celsius but the weather can be also colder or warmer. The days are short and the amount of sunlight is only around 3-6 hours.
Accommodation
Accommodation takes place at Adventure Apes Lodge in the countryside of Kuusamo. Once a public primary school, the guesthouse has been newly renovated to provide clean and cozy, standard-level accommodations. The dorm-style rooms have bunk beds with a maximum occupancy of six people per room with private bathrooms. Bed linen, towels and access to the traditional wood-heated sauna are included. See video and pictures here:
See video and pictures here: www.adventureapes.fi/lodge
Food & drinks
When you are staying at Adventure Apes Lodge you will eat at the dining room. While camping you will take care of your own cooking with the gas cookers provided by Adventure Apes. In case there is no forest fire warning you can also make a fire and cook on open fire. In case of forest fire warning, fire making is strictly forbidden. We ask you to point out that whenever cooking you need to have the fire blanket and water bottle available at all times.
All food is included as outlined in the programme. The menu typically consists of typical Finnish foods which are sourced as locally as possible. The food is plentiful, generally local in style, and will give you lots of energy.
Specific dietary requirements can be accommodated. Please note we require special dietary requirements 60 days before the start of the tour.
Drinking water: Finland has the cleanest drinking water in the world and tap water is safe to drink. We do not sell bottled water for sustainability reasons.
Flights
Flights are the responsibility of the buyer. Please check with the airline directly to ensure arrival and departure times. The organizers cannot be responsible for changes to the schedule because of flights, however, we will work with you whenever possible to adjust the programme to provide the best possible experience. This program includes transfer from Kuusamo (KAO) airport to Adventure Apes Lodge on arrival day and transfer from Adventure Apes Lodge to Kuusamo (KAO) airport on departure day. Only one airport transfer per group is possible. Please discuss your flight schedule with your guide before making any bookings.
Arctic conditions and gear
All the special gear (like tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mattress, outdoor cooking gear etc.) will be provided; however, adventurers will be expected to come prepared for a variety of weather conditions. You will receive a recommended personal gear list well in advance.
Please do not take any unnecessary valuables with you as you do not need them on this tour. Your extra luggage as well as small valuables (passport, keys, money etc.) will be stored in a secure room at Adventure Apes Lodge. Your guide will give your luggage to you when you return to Adventure Apes Lodge.
What’s in the price?
Adventure Apes’ commitment to fair pay and supporting the local economy:
Adventure Apes is a responsible travel provider. We are committed to supporting both travelers and our local economy in a way that respects the best interest of all parties. This means our tours may not always come in at the lowest price, but you can rest assured the money goes where it should go: to the local guides, bakers, fishermen and women and other small producers and local partners that make you feel part of the community. Our price includes:
Tour includes:
Airport transfers as described in the program and all local travel indicated in the adventure program. Only one airport transfer per group is possible.
Route & meal planning
Basic level of accommodation as indicated above
Meals and activities as shown in the program
Rental of all activity based special gear
Group safety gear: full safety plan with risk analysis, first aid bag, space blanket, whistle etc.
Liability insurance of Adventure Apes
Tour does not include:
Flights or transportation before or after the start of the tour
Single supplement
Personal outdoor clothing/apparel (a complete recommended gear list will be provided before the tour)
Optional add-ons
Meals and drinks other than those listed, and alcoholic drinks
Travel insurance (Travel insurance is required and should cover possible evacuation from the wilderness by helicopter)
Other details
Please note that modifications to the route, program or activities are possible due to weather and/or safety reasons. We follow the leave no trace policy and require all participants to follow our example.
Nice to know
Small souvenir and snack shop at the first and last night’s of accommodation
Laundry service available at extra cost
Organizers
This tour is provided by Adventure Apes. We are a partnering company with Parks & Wildlife Finland and pay a fee to support the funding of the facilities of the area we are hiking.