So glad I signed up for this trip. It was very smooth from start to finish, including using the recommended travel agency to find/coordinate my multi-city flights. Great group and guides, fun activities, nice lodge and sauna, smooth logistics, good food – really one of the best trips I’ve had. I usually travel solo and take care of everything myself, but this tour was much smoother and more enjoyable than anything I could have put together. Hassle-free adventure and travel with fun guides and group! James W.
It would have been impossible for us to pack in all the activities, culinary experiences and cultural knowledge exposure had we tried to do this trip on our own. It was very well-planned and more fun to share the experience with a small group. The lodge was perfect because it allowed both privacy as well as a comfortable and spacious common area. Having access to a kitchen was also very nice and the option to walk to and from the village was a plus. I enjoyed having access to the guides for so much of the day and they were extremely conscientious and attentive. The dog sledding and reindeer farm were a favorite because they were truly unique experiences. Meeting new people to share the experience with was also a treat. Caroline N.
Our wilderness guides, Hannu & Sara, were the best. They were personable, informative, patient and fun. The lodge was great because it forced us to spend time together. I loved getting to know everyone. Much better than a hotel! It was also great to go somewhere without making the plans myself. I enjoyed time with my husband, friends and new friends made on this trip! Margaret B.
The tour was great all around. There was a good variety of activities and seeing the snowy landscape was a very meaningful experience! Karen G.
It was a complete package, and all parts were well done – the food at the lodge and restaurants, the selection of activities, Hannu and Sara (guides). We loved all the activities, the rest breaks and the snacks!! The lodge was perfect…cozy. We felt like we were getting a taste of Finnish life during the winter. The town and shopping were accessible if we desired. My favorite activity was the lumberjack cabin/polar plunge and experiencing authentic Finnish saunas followed by a delicious meal. I enjoyed Anna’s talk about the history of the cabin and the saunas. Jim’s favorites were the sauna/plunge, Anna’s talk and seeing the northern lights. We were so happy to have the opportunity to downhill ski on our free day and having Sara & Hannu with us was a bonus! Marcia & Jim K.
Wonderful group of people; flexible and so very interesting. Terrific guides – knowledgeable and patient. Great food with many choices. So many fun activities, most at varied levels to allow all to participate at their pace. Loved the sauna, especially the lumber lodge experience. Truly gave a sense of how the locals use saunas, especially in the winter. The dips in the lake were exhilarating! Marcia K.
I really loved getting to know people before the trip with the on-line bios, etc. Also really enjoyed how Beth, Ritta and Hannu tailored activities so that the most people from the group could be involved (or choose not to) each day. It was obviously a lot of work, but helped each person get the most out of the experiences. Spinning fast down the snow track on a fat tire bike after struggling quite a bit on the way out/up was really satisfying–gaining some skill in a new experience. Similarly, the dog sledding activity was completely new to me and very challenging. Louise S.
This tour was worth it because it would have been difficult to have curated the same trip myself. You need local knowledge, which we had on the tour. Riitta and Hannu (local tour guides) are amazing and a great asset! I recommend WanderTours for their small groups and because they are responsible, knowledgeable, they have people on the ground, and they are well organized. Tom M.
WanderTours are well planned. I am confident fellow travelers (on the tour) will be pleasant and interesting. All details seem thoroughly researched and put together smoothly. Beth is enthusiastic. She and her guides have a very welcoming disposition. On this tour, I enjoyed learning about the culture at the reindeer farm, the lumberjack sauna and the cow barn restaurant. Julie E.
Activities, accommodation, transportation and local guides were exceptional. The lodge was excellent. The rooms were cozy but comfortable and the sauna was really nice. Breakfast was always excellent and the restaurants were beyond my expectations. I really enjoyed the dogsledding. I also really enjoyed the private dinner experience in the restaurant with all of the really creative art. Great tour! Well planned out and a great vibe was created by Beth. Jim C.
I loved the optional trip to visit the reindeer. I enjoyed feeding them, learning about their biology and how operations like this fit into the livelihood of so many in that area. This was a small operation (husband and wife) and tremendous fun. Marcia K.
The guides (Riitta and Hannu) were excellent. The trip was unique. The cabin where we all stayed was wonderful. Hard to say what was most enjoyable for me: dog sledding, snowshoeing on the fell, the lumberjack cabin & sauna. Jon I.