6-Night Summer Canoe & Bushcraft Skills Trip in Lemmenjoki

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.