6-Night Summer Canoe & Bushcraft Skills Trip in Lemmenjoki

Q: Can I rent equipment if I don’t have everything on the kit list?

Yes, we offer a Summer Rental Kit that includes essential items such as a sleeping bag (3-season), sleeping bag liner, sleeping mat, tarp, knife, saw, and fire steel. If you need additional gear, let us know in advance so we can ensure availability. A full kit list will be provided upon registration, along with details on how to rent equipment if needed.

Learn essential canoeing and outdoor survival skills on this week-long expedition in Finnish Lapland. Based at a Sami homestead before heading into the wilderness, this course teaches you the fundamentals of paddling, navigation, and bushcraft. You’ll spend the first part of the week developing key skills in a structured environment, before putting them to the test on a two-night canoe journey through Lemmenjoki National Park. Whether you're new to canoeing or looking to gain confidence in expedition travel, this course offers practical experience in a remote and beautiful setting.

Key Details

Duration: 7 days, 6 nights
Group Size: 4-7 people
Location: Lemmenjoki National Park, Finnish Lapland
Skill Level: Suitable for beginners, no prior canoeing experience required
Accommodation: 4 nights at a Sami homestead, 2 nights wild camping during the expedition

Key Skills

Master fundamental paddling techniques for efficient and controlled canoe travel
Learn to plan and navigate a canoe expedition using maps, landmarks, and river conditions
Develop essential bushcraft skills, including fire-making, shelter-building, and campcraft
Gain confidence in water safety, self-rescue techniques, and trip preparation
Understand the principles of foraging, sustainable travel, and living in the wilderness

Itinerary

The course begins at a traditional Sami homestead, where you’ll settle in and receive an introduction to the week ahead. The first day is focused on essential canoeing skills, covering paddling techniques, steering, and controlling a canoe in different water conditions. Water safety and self-rescue exercises are also covered to ensure everyone is confident before heading into the expedition phase.

Navigation training follows, teaching you how to use maps, natural landmarks, and river conditions to plan a journey. Alongside this, you’ll practise vital bushcraft skills, including fire-starting, shelter-building, and cooking over an open fire. Evenings are spent sharing meals and discussing the day's learning, with time to refine techniques before heading into the wild.

The expedition phase takes you deep into Lemmenjoki National Park. You’ll paddle through remote waterways, setting up wild camps each evening and managing supplies as a group. Each day presents new challenges, from navigating river bends to dealing with changing weather. Participants take turns leading sections of the journey, applying everything learned during the training phase. Nights are spent in tents by the water, with evenings dedicated to reviewing skills and preparing for the following day’s travel.

On the final day, the group paddles back towards the homestead for a debrief and final skill refinement before transport back to Ivalo.

Location

The course is based in Finnish Lapland, with training taking place at a Sami homestead before venturing into Lemmenjoki National Park for the expedition. The homestead provides easy access to calm waters for skill-building, while the national park offers an ideal environment for self-sufficient canoe travel.

By Air: The nearest airport is Ivalo Airport, approximately 1.5 hours from the homestead. A shuttle service is available for those flying in. Rovaniemi Airport is the second closest, with additional transport options to Ivalo.
By Train: Night trains from Helsinki connect to Rovaniemi, with onward buses to Ivalo and Inari. A shuttle service can be arranged from these locations.
By Car: Free parking is available at the homestead for those driving.

Accommodation

The first four nights are spent at a Sami homestead, where you’ll stay in shared accommodation with access to a communal kitchen, bathroom facilities, and a sauna. Meals are home-cooked, with traditional Sami dishes often included.

The final two nights take place in the wilderness, where you'll camp by the river as part of the expedition. Each night, you’ll set up tents, cook meals over an open fire, and practise the skills learned during the training phase. Campsites are chosen based on the day’s travel progress, offering a true back-to-nature experience.

Prerequisites

No prior canoeing or bushcraft experience is needed, but a reasonable level of fitness is required. Participants should be comfortable with moderate physical activity, including paddling, hiking, and carrying equipment over short distances.

The course is designed to be accessible, with plenty of guidance provided throughout.

Why Choose Us?

The centre focuses on teaching practical expedition skills, helping participants build confidence in outdoor travel. Whether learning to paddle, navigate, or live in the wild, every aspect of the course is designed to be hands-on and informative.

Phil, the lead guide, has years of experience in bushcraft, Arctic travel, and canoe expeditions. His approach ensures that participants leave with real, practical skills they can use on future adventures. With expert instruction and a supportive learning environment, this course provides a solid foundation for anyone interested in wilderness travel.

Use of canoes, paddles, and safety gear for all water-based activities
All meals during the course, including fresh and lightweight expedition meals
Transport from Ivalo to the training location and back
Emergency support and communication devices for safety
Camp cookware and eating utensils, including pots, pans, kettles, spork, and bowl
Instruction from experienced wilderness guides and canoeing instructors
Accommodation for 4 nights at a Sami homestead and 2 nights of wild camping
Detailed kit list and pre-course guidance

Travel to and from Ivalo, Finland
Personal travel insurance (strongly recommended)
Personal clothing, footwear, and sleeping system (available to rent if needed)
Additional snacks, drinks, or speciality dietary items
Any extra accommodation before or after the course
Transport to and from the meeting point

This course is designed for both beginners and those looking to refine their canoeing and bushcraft skills. No prior experience is required, as the training covers fundamental techniques in paddling, navigation, and campcraft.

The instructors will guide you through each skill at a comfortable pace, ensuring you gain confidence on the water and in the wilderness.

Participants must be 18 or older. Minors may be accepted on a case-by-case basis if accompanied by a parent or guardian.

If you're considering attending with a younger participant, please contact us in advance to discuss suitability and any additional requirements.

A moderate level of fitness is recommended. Participants should be comfortable paddling for extended periods, hiking short distances while carrying gear, and setting up camp.

While the course is not highly strenuous, it does require basic mobility and endurance. If you have any concerns about physical requirements, feel free to reach out for advice.

The course includes 4 nights at a Sami homestead, where you’ll stay in shared, comfortable lodging and learn key skills in a supportive environment. The final 2 nights will be spent wild camping, giving you the chance to apply the skills you’ve learned in a real expedition setting.

Tents and basic sleeping arrangements are provided for the camping portion, but you’ll need to bring your own sleeping bag and mat or hire a kit from us.

Yes, all meals are included during the course, featuring a mix of fresh and lightweight expedition-style food. We can accommodate most dietary needs with advance notice.

However, vegetarians should bring their own meals for the wild camping portion, as specific vegetarian camping meals are not provided. If you have allergies or special dietary restrictions, please inform us when booking so we can discuss suitable options.

Yes, we offer a Summer Rental Kit that includes essential items such as a sleeping bag (3-season), sleeping bag liner, sleeping mat, tarp, knife, saw, and fire steel.

If you need additional gear, let us know in advance so we can ensure availability. A full kit list will be provided upon registration, along with details on how to rent equipment if needed.

Yes, you can book individually—you don’t need to come with a group. However, a minimum of 4 participants is required for the trip to go ahead.

If fewer than 4 people book, we will inform you in advance and offer alternative dates, the option to transfer to a different course, or a full refund. If you're unsure about availability, feel free to reach out before booking.

This expedition company is rooted in a deep respect for the natural world and a belief in the value of traditional wilderness skills. Founded by Philip, the organisation reflects his lifelong passion for bushcraft, self-reliance, and sustainable travel. Philip’s journey began in the English countryside and continued through formative experiences at a summer camp in Tuscany, where he first learned knife handling, shelter building, and fire making. Over the years, this early interest grew into a way of life, shaped further by training with Ray Mears, working in tourism, and eventually guiding in Lapland. Now based permanently in the forests of northern Scandinavia, Philip leads immersive experiences that help people connect with nature in a meaningful and responsible way. His approach is about more than teaching skills - it’s about cultivating understanding, appreciation, and resilience. Whether you’re learning to travel silently through snow-covered landscapes or building a shelter under the midnight sun, every expedition is designed to be a shared learning experience that respects the environment and honours the knowledge passed down through generations. Through this work, Philip combines his expertise, love of the outdoors, and commitment to ethical guiding to offer something more than just a trip - it’s an invitation to slow down, observe, and learn how to live more consciously in nature.