Packrafting and Wild Camping in Finland
Explore the ‘Land of a Thousand Lakes’ and camp among beautiful boreal forest over a wild long weekend
What's Included?
Small Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 8 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
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What's it like?
Journey through the rugged Helvetinjärvi National Park in lightweight packrafts, wild camping on remote lake shores
Paddle the length of Helvetinkolu Crevasse, an ancient rift that cuts through the forest, to Lake Haukkajärvi
Enjoy a crackling campfire at the unique Haukanhieta dune beach, and relax in a traditional lakeside sauna
Key Information
Day 1
The 'Land of a Thousand Lakes'
Travel deep into the aptly named 'Land of a Thousand Lakes'. Set up camp by Lake Kovero, review the plan for the weekend and enjoy a delicious dinner around a flickering campfire.
Day 2
Get to grips with packrafting
Packrafting
Hiking
After a safety briefing, spend the day paddling the scenic Lake Kovero – surrounded by dense forests and pale rock formations. At one point you'll deflate your craft and portage it across a narrow isthmus to the adjacent Lake Luoma. Set up camp on the shoreline and enjoy a peaceful evening exploring the area, before lighting the fire and settling in for a well-earned meal.
Day 3
Lake Haukkajärvi
Packrafting
Hiking
Wake up in the heart of the Finnish wilderness, then paddle and hike along a chain of small lakes to Helvetinkolu – an ancient crevasse that splits open the forest. Cook up lunch around the campfire before paddlng the length of that water-filled crevasse, ending on the shores of serene Lake Haukkajärvi. Enjoy a final campfire on a dune beach, then watch the sun set over one of the best views in the park.
Day 4
Lake shore sauna
Start the day with a traditional Finnish sauna right on the lake shore. Relax, take a refreshing dip in the clear water, clean up and then enjoy lunch in the adjacent restaurant, before heading back to Tampere Airport in time for your flight home.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Tampere Railway Station or Tampere-Pirkkala Airport (TMP)
15:30 at the railway station, or 16:30 at the airport, on Day 1
Ends
Tampere Railway Station or Tampere-Pirkkala Airport (TMP)
16:00 at the railway station, or 16:30 at the airport, on Day 4
Transfers
A shared group arrival transfer will firstly collect anyone waiting at Tampere Railway Station at approximately 15:30 on Day 1 and will then continue to Tampere-Pirkkala Airport to collect anyone waiting there at approximately 16:30.
A shared group departure transfer will drop off those with onward travel arrangements by train at Tampere Railway Station at approximately 16:00 on Day 4 and will then continue on to Tampere-Pirkkala Airport for approximately 16:30 for anyone who is flying out.
Travel options
It is possible to fly into Tampere-Pirkkala Airport (usually via Helsinki - HEL) and this is a good option if the flight times are okay, however they are often at unsociable hours or don't maximise your time. If this is the case from your departure point, we recommend getting a flight to Helsinki and catching a train from Helsinki Airport to Tampere Railway Station (via Tikkurila Railway Station). Whether flying or arriving by train, please ensure that your arrival and departure times coincide with the shared group transfers as private transfers are not available. Please see the FAQs for further information on taking the train.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Finnish cuisine blends traditional and modern continental foods to create delicious and varied dining opportunities. Dishes commonly include fish, pork, beef or reindeer, as well as lots of vegetables and mushrooms. Typical meals include cabbage rolls, hearty stews, meatballs, and fish prepared in a number of ways. While camping, the food will be simple, hearty, healthy and fresh.
Vegetarian, vegan and other dietary requirements can all be catered for: just let your host know before arrival.
What is the accommodation like?
The wilderness
You'll wild camp in twin-person tents in remote and serene locations. High-quality tents, sleeping bags and sleeping mats are provided. If the weather is nice you can also choose to forego the tent and sleep under the stars!
Upgrades
If you are a solo traveller, you can get a guaranteed solo tent for greater privacy on request. See Optional Extras for pricing.
thus is a great trip for enjoying the splendour of the Finnish lakes and forests.... just magical carrying a featherweight pack raft through the forestsurrounded by birdsong and the scent of forest plants. we enjoyed clear blue skies and all water. Perfect
Beautiful scenery and true Finnish camping and sauna experience. Man or woman Vs bog then trees whilst carrying the raft!
I went with my husband packrafting and camping for 4 days and it was amazing. The guides (Joose and Chris) were really knowledgeable and we learnt so much about Finland, it's flora and fauna, its culture and food. On top of that we had a great time paddling and camping seeing some absolutely amazing views!
This trip completely surpassed my already high expectations - I couldn't recommend it enough! Joose & Chris were exceptional hosts and I learnt so much about Finnish culture, the environment we were in, and of course new skills from the activities involved! The group were all lovely and I had a great time getting to know everyone. I'm already looking into further MBA trips I can line up and look forward to :)
Excellent experience for a group keen to dip their toe into wild camping. The scenery is some of the best you can see and after a few days of vigorous activity you leave surprisingly rested.
The last trip of the year, on the first weekend of October, was quite something. No matter it was -4 degrees; no matter it snowed - the autumnal (for that, read Finnish summer) colours were a stunning array of reds, golden yellows, browns and greens. This land of boreal forests and mirror-glass lakes provided a backdrop like no other to a brilliant few days packrafting and camping. And the silence was something else! Joose was an excellent guide, with heaps of wilderness and paddling experience to pass on. The food was simple, but hearty, and the crackle of the open fires (and possibly just a drop of whiskey) kept us warm well into the night. Really impressed with the quality of the kit - the packrafts were so good I think I'll be getting one myself next year! And the sauna and lake dip on the final morning was a fun little insight into Finnish culture. If ever I was going to do a MBA adventure twice (and I've done a few), this'd be it.
The location and experience were great.
The level of preparation from the host, Joose, was great. Great logistics, carefully selected equipment, a challenging but achievable plan and a well-organised trip.
Finland is a beautiful country, our guide Joose was great everything planned well for the pack rafting and camping sites. He was extremely well knowledgeable of the area we explored and of the country itself. He wanted to show off his country and history and was proud of Finland. This was shown throughout our time with him. The last he planned out for the sauna and a restaurant meal was a great way to finish off the trip.
Joose was a knowledgeable, friendly host - fantastic guy. All the equipment was in great condition, so no problems there either.
The host was brilliant, knowledgable, fun and helpful. Beautiful scenery and well-maintained kit and clean and tidy campsites. Would certainly recommend this trip!
All of it was great. Awesome from start to finish. The perfect balance of activities & introduction to Finnish life.
Best tour I've ever been on, top to bottom.
Friendly, knowledgeable, happy to go at whatever pace the group wanted to. Just very well planned.
Campsites and scenery were great, overall good balance of being challenging and enjoyable.
The countryside and the campsites were amazing.
The rafting and the overall planning were great.
The experience was great. Our guide Joose was very knowledgeable and was very experienced in packrafting and setting up camps etc. The forests were very spectacular and relaxing.
Tranquility was great.
Joose was a brilliant guide, so interesting and informative and took excellent care of us in really challenging conditions! The scenery was gorgeous, even if it was freezing cold the snow made it really magical!
Joose was a great guide! Fantastic trip - really well planned. Great mix of hiking, pack rafting and being in the wilderness.
This was a wonderful few days of escapism in the Finnish forest. Joose was a great host and the itinerary was a great balance of rafting, hiking, fires and sauna. It was the perfect mini-adventure :)