Day 1 • Sunday, 25 August 

Arrival in Helsinki

Your AdventureWeek starts in the Finnish capital city Helsinki. You will be welcomed by Adventure Apes' host at the airport and guided to Helsinki downtown by train. In the late afternoon, all the participants will get together for a welcome dinner in downtown Helsinki. After dinner you will hop on a night train to Lapland where you will be sleeping comfortably in cabins on twin sharing basis. 

Ruka-Kuusamo 

Ruka-Kuusamo is a year-round outdoor destination encircled by five national parks, offering unmatched Nordic wilderness access. It features extensive hiking, cycling, and canoe routes, alongside rich wildlife and nature photography opportunities. Local culture shines with reindeer herding, UNESCO heritage sauna culture, and wild food. Experience the midnight sun, northern lights, and long winter with top-notch skiing and other winter activities. Our destination, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and families, values sustainable travel, ensuring the preservation of our pristine environment for future generations.

Day 2 • Monday, 26 August

Day of traditions at a reindeer farm 

Wake up in the Finnish Lapland, enjoy breakfast onboard the train. After about a 2 hour bus drive, you will be welcomed by the CEO of Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association with a traditional Finnish lunch at one of the area's picturesque country estates. During lunch we get to enjoy the wild and authentic flavours of local wild food and hear stories behind the local cuisine. After lunch, you will be transferred to Ruka Village to check into your accommodations for the coming days.

After some private time for refreshments, you will continue the journey of traditions at the Kujala Reindeer Farm. Kujala Reindeer Farm is a genuine reindeer farm that dates from 1860. The farm is run by the 5th generation of reindeer herders. You will spend the day doing handicrafts from reindeer antlers and leather while listening to authentic stories of reindeer herding. Nature has always been a place of peace and well-being for people of Finland. Now you can experience the same, in an outdoor yoga studio where the walls are the reindeer around you and sky is your ceiling. A tasty dinner will be enjoyed together at the end of the day.

© Ruka-Kuusamo | Kesa Palosaaren Porotila | Harri Tarvainen 

Day 3 • Tuesday, 27 August

Adventure and relax like a Finn

Today the participants will be divided in three groups and you may choose your own adventure - hike the iconic Little Bear Trail, canoe in Oulanka river or go cycling in the Finnish country-side. 

After the day of adventure you will be transferred to the picturesque location at the foot of a hill and by the sacred lake Pyhäjärvi to relax like a Finn. During the Sauna Tour the local sauna experts lead you into this Unesco heritage living culture, learn the meaning of Sauna in Finnish history and also its role in the modern lifestyle of everyday life and on special occasions. Enjoy Finnish saunas at its best and the brave ones can also take a swim in the refreshing waters of lake Pyhäjärvi. 

You will finish the day with a site inspection of Ruka Salonki Chalets, a private resort in the middle of Lappish nature and indulging in a wild food dinner before being transferred back to your accommodations.

© Ruka-Kuusamo | Oulanka River canoeing, Kuusamo Safaris summer| Harri Tarvainen 

DAY 4 • Wednesday, 28 August

Meet the locals

Today the tour operators will visit several accommodations and get familiar with the local service providers while media representatives will do something good for their travel destination and local community.

DAY 5 • Thursday, 29 August

Welcome to Oulu: European Capital of Culture 2026

Welcome to Oulu, that quirky northern city by the sea and European Capital of Culture 2026!

Oulu is a city located in the northern part of Finland, next to the Arctic Archipelago of the Gulf of Bothnia. It’s a home of people who like to choose their own path and do things differently. We are the ones who created the modern mobile technology and are forerunners in 6G. The ones who made up the peculiar Air Guitar World Championship to promote the message of world peace and are now nominated as the European Capital of Culture 2026. In Oulu, life is an adventure, filled with rich tones of creativity and the magic of pure northern nature. We welcome everyone like an old friend, so please come and enjoy the laid-back, creative atmosphere of our beautiful seaside city.

This is your day around the Finnish coastal city, which is gearing up towards being the European Capital of Culture in 2026. You will get to soak in the vibrant city of Oulu during your guided city tour with the final highlight of enjoying the city silhouette from the sea while you cruise along the estuary of Oulu. Welcome dinner will be hosted by the CEO of Visit Oulu at Restaurant Oula, where the chef’s magic brings nature to your plates.

© Visit Oulu

DAYS 6 & 7 • Friday, 30 August & Saturday, 31 August

Water Adventures & Arctic Archipelago

Next two days, the participants will be divided into two groups and you may choose your own adventure. For the nature leisure lovers, we recommend Kayaking Safari to the Oulu River Delta and for adrenaline seekers we recommend White Water Swimming at Koiteli Rapids. 

Depending on the group you choose, one day, you will be spending the day at your chosen water adventure and the other day, you will be experiencing the wonders of the Arctic Archipelago. Finally at the end of both days, you get to relax like a Finn. Feel how “Löyly”, the soft heat of Sauna, releases all the tensions from your body and mind. Try out our unique sauna experiences, including traditional sauna on the island and cruising sauna boat. 

© Visit Oulu

DAY 8 • Sunday, 1 September

Marketplace/Networking day

Today is your chance to meet the local suppliers once more and participate in one-to-one meetings in Market Place. In the evening it is time to enjoy an unforgettable farewell dinner and party hosted by Oulu2026 before your night train departs to Helsinki. 

DAY 9 • Monday, 2 September

Departures

Arrival in Helsinki main railway station, time to say goodbye. 

Departure transfers to Helsinki airport (HEL) will be dependent on each participant's flight schedule.

Please note that the two regions reserve the right for changes in the program. Activities will be done according to the weather conditions. A detailed itinerary will be shared with accepted participants.