We know...
Peace, quiet, silence and calm, Saija encapsulates them all. A sauna or a stroll along the banks of the snow covered lake are about as lively as it gets in the evenings. Take a few good books and unwind in the silence. Bliss! "Saija" (pronounced "Sigh-ya") translates from Lappish to English as "the quiet place" and rarely was anywhere better named. Situated on the shores of Lake Jokijarvi, this lodge is the ultimate getaway.
During your stay at Saija you will participate in a full range of Lappish activities in stunning surroundings. The activities are varied and include all the favourites such as dog sledding and snowmobiliing. This is an active week with a relaxed atmosphere.
You know...
The food was excellent, the staff were so friendly, our guide Jari was brilliant, the documents from Activities Abroad were comprehensive. We can't put into words the way we are feeling about the holiday at Saija but we would have been happy to have stayed there. The Whole holiday was the most enjoyable activity. Stephen Bowden – January 2011
Suitable for
Anybody aged 16 years or over.
Day 1: Flights, arrival and introduction
You will be greeted on arrival and transferred to Saija Lodge. After settling in, it's a short walk over to the main building for a welcome meal.
Day 2: Cross country skiing school
You will be taught the techniques required for cross country skiing before a short tour lasting approximately two hours. After lunch, we suggest hiring your own skis (10 Euros per day) and exploring the three well marked trails that start from the lodge. Trail maps are provided.
Day 3: Introductory husky safari
Saija really specialize in husky safaris and have their own much loved dogs. You will meet the huskies and receive full instruction on managing your team and sled before leaving on a circuit of around two hours exploring the winter surroundings. You will travel around 13km and get your first taste of how exciting dog sledding can be.
Day 4: Snowmobile safari
Snowmobiles are a way of life here in Finland and you will immediately understand why once you are speeding along the well managed trails, crossing frozen lakes and negotiating the forest routes. It’s great fun and allows you to get out into the wilds and really explore. You will be out for around 5 hours and have lunch out on the trail.
Day 5: Snowshoeing and smoke sauna
Snowshoeing is like walking through deep, deep snow on tennis racquets. The beauty is that you don't sink up to your waist. Your guide will tell you about the animals which dwell in the forest and point out their tracks. It is a very peaceful way to explore. You will break for coffee around a campfire and have the chance to take in your stunning surroundings.
Back at the lodge the smoke sauna is waiting and we strongly recommend that you take advantage of this traditional Finnish experience – they are great fun.
Day 6: Full day husky safari
Today you hone your skills during a husky safari lasting approximately five hours. The huskies love to run and their howls of excitement make it plain that they are anxious to be on the trail. There are few experiences to match the thrill of your sled's runners cutting through the snow as you traverse the crisp white landscape. You will enjoy a lunch break around a campfire before continuing with your adventure.
Day 7: Reindeer farm
Today you will visit a local reindeer farm and the owner will introduce you to the animals and tell you all about their lives and their role in the area. Reindeer are vital to the Lappish people and have been a part of the local culture for centuries. It is fascinating to hear tales from the herder and it really gives you an insight into a way of life that is unique to Lapland.
Day 8: Departure, transfer and flights
Available
Limited places
On request
Getting there
Flights
* Scheduled flights from London to Kuusamo (via Helsinki). All other dates are based on direct charter flights from Gatwick to Kuusamo.
Manchester departures available subject to availability and a supplement will apply).
Tourism in Finnish Lapland has become the main source of employment and income replacing traditional industries such as forestry. Development from a period of extractive industry to an industrial society has come about quickly. In 1950 the largest part of Lapland's inhabitants lived in rural areas and more than half the workforce worked in forestry and agriculture. Today 65 % of the workforce are in the service industry, 22% in processing and 10 % in primary production.
This huge growth in tourism and service provision has been developed in conjunction with a long-term sustainable tourism plan with one of the primary objectives being to maintain nature in its natural state while guaranteeing the traditional way of life. Much of this has been achieved along with membership of EU development programmes, aimed at diversifying sources of livelihood, effective usage of resources and to increase export.
Approximately a quarter of Lapland's 100 000 strong workforce was unemployed in 1997. Promoting entrepreneurship, ongoing re-education of the workforce and development of the educational system to suit the needs of enterprises is continuing. The target is to diversify the sources of livelihood, increase the value of refinement production and develop new enterprises particularly in the area of tourism. National measures as well as EU-programme measures support this objective.
We embrace this philosophy, employing local activity providers and using only locally owned hotels. In this manner we help to maintain jobs in an area where unemployment was, until recently, very high. Additionally, the use of local suppliers ensures that the tourism spend filters through to local economies via the tourism multiplier effect.
Saijia Lodge is absolutely no exception. It is one of the most peaceful destinations we offer and so the responsibility attached with that is great. The environment is pristine and the accommodation is locally owned and cherished. The food served is locally produced and their focus is on traditional regional dishes which give guests a great insight into the culture and traditions of the area.
Saija provides a vital source of employment to local people and is run by a delightful couple whose heart and soul has gone into their business. Their knowledge and passion of the area makes Saija all the more special and their passion for their 100 sled dogs is totally evident.
Saija is a small destination and the level of tourism is closely matched to the environment in which the activities take place. It is all very well managed and trails are all well maintained.
All the wooden accommodation is built from sustainable sourced timber. There is a strict recycling policy in place and a leave no trace principal is applied to all activities.