We booked white water rafting along the Kitkajoki. The guides were friendly professionals. It was... read more
We booked white water rafting along the Kitkajoki. The guides were friendly professionals. It was... read more
Basecamp Oulanka offered a nice break on karhunkierros and freshly baked munkki. Clean location and... read more
We were part of an 8 day fat biking ( in the early spring snow) which was based out of the Basecamp Oulanka complex of camps and touring activities.
While we had a couple of meals at the main Basecamp, we didn't stay at that location although the rooms spread across several cabin blocks looked quite comfortable in what is a quite remote part of Finland ( particularly in the eArly deep spring snows).
We stayed 4 nights in the logging lodge which has about 8 double rooms with shared facilities and a very nice sauna. There are two rooms that have ensuites. It's comfortable although the rooms are fairly small but this is a wilderness experience.
Also spent two nights at the " Russian end" camp which is much more basic with one bunk room ( plus a smaller double rooms) with outdoor facilities. There is a great sauna and it wasn't quite as basic as we expected. Incredible rides through the national forest and views over the border region into Russia.
One of the highlights was a day visit to the "husky centre" at the Karhunkerros visitor centre right on the Artic circle. The dogs are very well looked after and the sled rode which took about 45 minutes was just stunning...one of the best outdoor experiences we have ever had. After a 15 minute briefing on how to control the 6 dog team, you are off at a rapid pace around a long groomed trail...And don't the dogs just love to run!
The owner of the centre is hugely environmentally conscious and had done fabulous work over some decades to protect the park and the wilderness areas around Kuusamo.
Just a brilliant 8 days and the experience in summer with some breathtaking hikes offers a totally different feel to visiting during the snow seasons.
Basecamp Oulanka offered a nice break on karhunkierros and freshly baked munkki. Clean location and plenty of parking places.