Canoeing Trip to Oulanka National Park

After the introduction at the Reindeer Park, you will drive (all participants in their own cars) to the parking area of Savilampi, ca. 45 km (27 miles) from the Reindeer Park. The guide will show you the way. The trip then continues on foot to Savilampi pond (ca. 1.2 km (0.7 miles) from the parking area).

At Savilampi pond, it is time to launch the canoes already waiting for you on the shore. The guide helps you to embark in the canoes in pairs and shows you how to paddle. You will begin the trip slowly, practising your paddling skills, from Savilampi pond towards Oulankajoki river. The peacefully flowing river is easy to paddle along, with only one small, short passage of rapids (which you can also pass by walking on the riverbank, as the guide takes care of the canoes, if necessary). As you drift down the river, you can enjoy the scenic landscape of the Oulanka national park, with its awesome stone banks, high slopes and verdant meadows on the riverside.

Halfway the trip you will stop at the Taivalköngäs falls and cross over them on a suspension bridge. The walk will take ca. half an hour.

From the Taivalköngäs falls, you will go on paddling for 0.5 kilometres until a beautiful natural meadow, where the guide prepares a picnic lunch over a campfire. You will have warm reindeer burgers (rye bread, cheese , salami and a reindeer beef burger), coffee, juice and pastries for lunch. The guide will also give you sausages to cook over the fire by yourself. Should you follow a special diet, please let our staff know, and we will plan the meal according to your wishes.

After lunch, you will paddle back to Savilampi. At the end of the tour, the guide will lead you to the parking area, from where you can drive back to the Reindeer Park. The trip consists of a total of 3 km (1.9 miles) of walking and 8 km (5 miles) of paddling.

The guide carries a supply of safety gear: a rescue rope, rescue vest (which keeps afloat one other person besides the guide himself), a first aid kit, spare clothes and a mobile phone.