Wilderness Experience in Finland

The Nordic Wilderness Adventure aims to give an introduction to the wildlife and environment of one of Europe’s last remnants of wilderness through traditional activities and involvement in the on-going conservation work. You will explore Kaniuu, a region of Finland that is on the border of Russia, beautifully framed by the surrounding hills, forests, mires, lakes and rivers. This has enabled the area to become the home to pure, wild habitat such as wild forest reindeer, moose, and in particular, large carnivores which are either very rare or extinct elsewhere in Europe.

The project will give you a taster of living in Finland’s remote taiga forest, a region famed for its rich tradition and strong culture – the region’s settlement history is among the oldest in Finland – as well as its wildlife. Activities will include giving a helping hand at the huskies base, trekking into the wild with the dogs, canoeing to beaver damns and learning how to track bears before spending a night in a wildlife hide trying to spot bears, wolverines and wolves. There will also be the chance to help wildlife through the installation of bird and flying squirrels boxes with local conservation groups such as the local branch of the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation.

By taking part in this project you are supporting local conservation initiatives and tourism activities which are sustainable both environmentally and culturally. You will promote wildlife simply by participating as well as by getting hands on involvement in helping to install tree boxes for small animals and birds, and in the construction of wildlife hides which will help the Lentua Society (the local branch of Finnish Association for Nature Conservation) monitor the game in one of the last truly wild place in Europe. This group are working towards educating people about the importance of large carnivores and reducing fear which leads to their unnecessary persecution.

Activities such as canoeing to see the beavers and husky trekking are traditional and have a negligible carbon footprint and the accommodation is also small scale with a focus on locally sourced ingredients, giving the food a low environmental impact.

Highlights will include:

• Spending a night in a wildlife hide to try and spot bears, wolverines, lynx and other wildlife such as wolves
• Learn how to track bears and their behaviour
• General care, grooming and husbandry for the huskies at the farm
• Assist in promoting local wildlife conservation by creating and maintaining enrichment for birds and flying squirrels
• See the local beaver population on a day long canoe tour of a nearby river
• A husky-led trek into the forest
• Help to build a wildlife hide in the forest
• Enjoy a taster of Finnish life with authentic Nordic cuisine with locally sourced ingredients and saunas

English