The Finnish break in multi-activity
In summary
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Sports
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Duration8 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationFinland / Hossa
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions138.02 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
In a few words
Escape to the heart of wild Finland , to Hossa National Park, a pristine territory far from the hustle and bustle. Here, nature reigns supreme: boreal forests , crystal-clear lakes , and the endless light of the midnight sun create a soothing setting, ideal for a true escape.
Over the course of several days, enjoy an active and gentle immersion at your own pace: hiking , cani-hiking , canoeing , or discovering the trapper lifestyle . Each experience invites you to slow down and reconnect with what truly matters, in a pure and restorative environment.
After exertion, it's time to relax: a traditional sauna by the lake , a warm meal, and peaceful evenings in an ecolodge or a typical mökki . The simple comfort and authenticity of the surroundings extend this timeless interlude.
This stay is an invitation to breathe, to refocus and to savor a rare luxury: that of taking time for oneself, surrounded by nature.
The highlights
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A relaxing getaway in the heart of Hossa National Park
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Comfortable accommodation and star-shaped excursions
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The midnight sun that enhances the Finnish landscapes
Photos
Sport
Level
Summer multi-activity
Management
Based in Hossa National Park for many years, our local agency guarantees a successful active travel experience, thanks to the expertise of our guides and our logistical infrastructure. During your stay, you will be accompanied by French-speaking guides, fully dedicated to helping you discover unusual activities and places in the heart of nature.
The Hossa hostel is also run by a predominantly French-speaking team, ensuring a warm welcome tailored to your needs.
Program
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Heading towards Finland – Arrival in Hossa
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 85km
- Accommodation Hostel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Our Finnish adventure begins! We're heading north and landing in either Kuusamo or Oulu. Upon arrival, our local team will greet you at the airport and accompany you on your transfer to the hostel, located at the gateway to Hossa National Park (approximately 1 hour from Kuusamo, 3 hours from Oulu). Once settled in, enjoy your first dinner at the hostel, followed by the magic of your first night under the midnight sun.Day 1 -
Hiking in the Julma-Ölkky canyon
- Transportation Minibus - 00h50 - 40km
- Activity Hiking
- Accommodation Hostel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today, we're heading to one of the jewels of Hossa National Park: the Julma-Ölkky Canyon, the largest of Finland's three lake-canyons. A spectacular hike awaits us amidst a breathtaking landscape, where sheer cliffs are reflected in the lake's dark waters. A suspension bridge spans the canyon, offering a stunning view of this pristine wilderness. This unique setting is ideal for fully enjoying a day of discovery and immersion in the heart of the taiga. At midday, we'll share a convivial lunch by the campfire before continuing our walk between forests and cliffs. A day rich in emotion and natural beauty!Day 2 -
Dog hiking in Hossa National Park
- Activity Dog hiking
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
New activity today: cani-hiking! We're off for a day's walk in Hossa National Park, accompanied by sled dogs! This method of travel, once used by Nordic peoples during the summer, now offers a unique way to explore nature in tandem with a dog. Connected to them by a harness and a towline, we move forward together on the trails, carried by their energy and contagious enthusiasm—it's impossible not to fall in love with these furry friends! The walk, with no significant elevation gain, is accessible to everyone. Since there are fewer dogs than participants, a rotation system is in place: everyone will have the opportunity to walk at certain times without a dog on their belt, to rest. Generally, one dog accompanies two participants. This experience allows you to approach hiking differently: supported by the dog's pull, we progress more easily, with a feeling of lightness and connection. An original activity, combining nature, sharing, and authenticity.Day 3 -
Karhunkierros, the Bear Trail
- Transportation Minibus - 03h - 260km
- Activity Hiking
- Accommodation Hostel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
This morning, we depart for Oulanka National Park, one of the most beautiful national parks in Europe. We will spend the day hiking in this exceptional setting on a section of the Karhunkierros, the famous "Bear Trail." The river has shaped the taiga, sculpting magnificent canyons, and the varied route is punctuated by numerous suspension bridges that immerse us in the heart of wild and unspoiled nature. A day accessible to all, but one that gives the impression of walking through an adventure book, conquering the boreal forest.
Day 4 -
Introduction to the trapper lifestyle
- Activity Bushcraft
- Accommodation Hostel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today, still in the heart of Hossa National Park, we immerse ourselves in the trappers' way of life and learn to observe our environment with a naturalist's eye. It's the perfect opportunity to learn essential survival skills for any polar explorer. Accompanied by our guide, we discover how to track animals and master survival techniques, both ancient and modern. We try our hand at lighting a fire with a flint and steel, chopping wood, different cooking methods over a wood fire, observing wildlife, navigating with a map, picking berries (depending on the season), and even an introduction to fishing. Each guide shares their own methods and secrets, shaping the day according to their passions and our curiosity. An intense and enriching day of learning awaits, allowing us to become, for a day, true experts of the Finnish taiga!Day 5 -
Canoeing on the Hossanjoki River
- Activity Canoeing / Kayaking
- Accommodation Hostel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today, we set off into the heart of Hossa National Park. Tranquil lakes unfold one after another, connected by small, winding rivers, and each paddle stroke immerses us a little deeper in Finnish nature. This day is accessible to everyone: no need to be an expert, just the desire to enjoy ourselves and let go. As we paddle along, the guide shares stories of the park, anecdotes about the flora and fauna, and perhaps we'll even be lucky enough to spot a reindeer by the riverbank. Time adapts to our desires, alternating between exploration and contemplative pauses. At midday, a well-deserved break awaits us with a meal cooked over a campfire. Then, we hop back into our canoes to reach the lodge in the late afternoon. The evening is spent relaxing: a sauna, a quick dip in the lake, and well-deserved rest.Day 6 -
Visit to the kennel and observation of the brown bear
- Transportation Minibus - 00h30 - 30km
- Activity Autre
- Accommodation Hostel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A day dedicated to encounters with animals. We begin with a visit to the kennel at our activity base: nearly 250 dogs await us, always ready to show their enthusiasm. It's an opportunity to learn more about their daily lives, their training, and to share a special moment filled with cuddles and laughter. Summer is often the season for births, so with a bit of luck, we might be able to see puppies born a few weeks or months earlier, and also reconnect with the four-legged companions who joined us on our dog-hiking trip. At the end of the day, we head towards the boreal forest, very close to the Russian border, to try and catch a glimpse of the king of the taiga: the brown bear. After a presentation on its way of life and its essential role in the ecosystem, we reach a wooden hide, set up in the heart of a wild area where bears are plentiful. Silence falls, patience is key… and when the bear finally appears, it's a moment of pure emotion that you'll never forget. Return to the lodge late in the evening, heads full of images. Note: after mid-August, bear watching is no longer possible. The kennel visit is still available, and the rest of the day is free.Day 7 -
Back to France
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 85km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Last morning waking up overlooking Lake Hossa. Transfer to the airport and return flight. We leave Finland with hearts full of memories: the raw nature, the ever-changing light, the encounters, and that rare feeling of having experienced total immersion in the Far North. And why not return in winter? When hikes are done on snowshoes, when dogs race ahead of the sled, and when the Northern Lights set the sky ablaze, Finland reveals a completely different kind of magic.Day 8
Note
The itinerary provided is for guidance only. A detailed program will be given to you upon arrival. It may be adapted according to safety conditions, weather, or unforeseen circumstances to ensure the best possible experience.
Light and seasons:
From the end of May to the beginning of August: the midnight sun illuminates the region, the day hardly ever sets.
From mid-August: night gradually returns, sometimes revealing the first northern lights, if the sky and conditions are right.
Bear observation:
From mid-August, bear watching is no longer possible. The kennel visit will still be available, and the rest of the day will be free.
Accommodation
Hossa's Inn:
The hostel has a main building with a bar-restaurant, a large terrace and a games area including billiards, board games and a jukebox.
Wellness area open to all:
A large electric sauna is available every evening, with a view of the lake and the option to swim afterward. A wood-fired sauna and a Nordic bath are also open once or twice a week, offering moments of typical Finnish relaxation.
Accommodation is assigned at the time of registration, according to your preferences and availability on site.
Ecolodges:
The ecolodges are modern double rooms, with the possibility of triple rooms upon request. They offer a lake view, a private bathroom, a terrace and storage space.
Traditional chalets (“mökki”):
The small, traditional chalets offer an immersive experience in Finnish culture. They feature a kitchenette, a bedroom, a bathroom, and a small private sauna. The terrace offers a lovely, unobstructed view of the lake.
Bed linens, blankets, and bath towels are provided. It is advisable to bring a second set of towels for the sauna.
Access
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- Flights Paris / Kuusamo / Paris or via Oulu
- Air taxes
- Airport transfers (subject to correspondence with the reference flight plans)
- Travel and activities as described in the program
- The accommodation as described
- Full board, except for meals indicated as free.
- Loan of canoe equipment
- The tour is led by a French-speaking tour guide who is a specialist in the destination.
The price does not include
- Pre-delivery to Paris
- Meals indicated as free in the day-by-day
- Airport transfers, in cases where the arrival and departure times, airport, or dates do not correspond to those of the group and the program
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Meals listed as free, particularly during flights
Options
- Single room supplement during the nights of your stay : CHF329.33 / person
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- Canoeing equipment (canoe, life jacket, paddle, dry bag...
- Walking poles: They are a valuable aid in saving your knees on the descent (up to 30% of your weight and that of your bag are supported by the poles) and in supporting your effort on the ascent (the arms help in addition to the legs).
Equipment to bring
- A microfiber bath towel
- High-protection sunglasses
- A headlamp, with spare batteries (until May and from August onwards)
- A rain cover for your backpack
- Plastic bags to keep your belongings dry
- A water bottle of at least 1 liter
- A pair of binoculars
- A personal first aid kit
- Sunscreen (face and lips)
- A lip balm
- Mosquito repellent
- Head mosquito net
- Earplugs
- A knife (to be put in checked baggage)
- A camera
- A sleep mask (constant daylight can disrupt sleep)
Clothing to bring
- A pair of hiking boots. They must have three qualities: sturdiness, good foot and ankle support, and waterproofing, as the terrain is sometimes wet.
- A waterproof mountain jacket (Gore-Tex type). The most effective jackets against wind and rain are made of Gore-Tex or Micropore, a "breathable" material that allows for the rapid evaporation of perspiration.
- A down jacket, optional but very practical for midday picnic breaks.
- A fleece jacket. This has the advantage of being durable, warm, lightweight; it dries quickly and offers a soft feel.
- A rain cape (use is delicate and not recommended in strong winds)
- Trekking trousers
- Comfortable trousers for the evening
- Shorts or Bermuda shorts
- A thick wool sweater (to wear under the fleece in the evening, especially for camping trips)
- A long-sleeved undershirt or shirt
- Technical base layers, top and bottom. This is your first layer of insulation, so make it worthwhile. Choose synthetic or natural fibers. Avoid cotton, which takes a very long time to dry; opt instead for several short-sleeved and long-sleeved t-shirts, and a pair of tights (breathable material). Be prepared for all situations.
- Pairs of hiking socks (1 pair for 2 to 3 days of walking). Avoid "tennis" type socks (cotton), which take a very long time to dry and have a high risk of blisters.
- A pair of comfortable shoes for the evening and/or a pair of sandals.
- A pair of neoprene canoe booties (or an old pair of sneakers)
- A pair of slippers for use in accommodations
- A swimsuit and towel for the sauna
- Nightwear
- A cap
- A Buff-style neck warmer
- A pair of gloves
- A beanie
