Vätsäri Wilderness area, the following extract is taken from the Parks & wildlife service of Finland description of this area.
"In Vätsäri you can experience the Astonishing silence of a Wilderness in its natural state. The eastern parts of Lake Inarijärvi with their rugged shores and numerous islands belong to Vätsäri Wilderness Area, as well as the large forests with water areas between the Norwegian and the Russian borders. Vätsäri Wilderness Area is part of the Finnish-Norwegian-Russian protected area entity called Pasvik-Inari Trilateral Park. The remote location of Vätsäri, south of the Koltta Sámi village of Sevettijärvi, behind the large Lake Inarijärvi, near the Norwegian and the Russian borders, in roadless backwoods, means that mass tourism would never disturb the peace of the area.”
We will paddle through a Labyrinth of small lakes, Occasionally portaging between them. Vätsäri Wilderness Area is a long unique trip, one of the big classic Canoe journeys of the Scandinavian Arctic.
We provide high quality tents, all food, group equipment, dry bags, and good high quality canoes outfitted for solo or tandem paddling. All you need is your personal paddling gear, sleeping bag and camping mat.
Ivalo Airport where we meet you on day one is easy to reach via Helsinki. You can either fly directly from Helsinki to Ivalo in 1h 30 min, or Moln's trips in the Nordic countries are easily accessible by train or bus.
Travel to the nearest train or bus station where we will pick you up. By train and bus you will also see more of the destination country. This trip is conveniently accessible by train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi and then by bus to Ivalo, where we will meet you.
Programme:
Day 1. Arrival by air or land to Ivalo where we meet you. Transfer to a hotel in Inari. We visit Siida, the National Museum of Sámi history and culture.
Siida is a central meeting place in Inari, the heart of the Sámi Area in Finland. The museum provides a unique window on Sámi culture and the diverse nature of Northern Lapland. Dinner in the evening and packing for the trip.
Day 2. Transfer to Sevettijärvi (2.5 h), loading the canoes and starting the journey.
Day 3. Vätsäri Wilderness Area.
Day 4. Vätsäri Wilderness Area.
Day 5. Vätsäri Wilderness Area.
Day 6. Vätsäri Wilderness Area. Finish trip and return to Ivalo. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 7. Travel home.
Date. 2025
Duration. 8 days. 6 days of canoeing.
Participants. Min 4 - Max 7.
Price: 1300€
Difficulty: Moderate
Accommodation. Tent and two nights in a hotel.
Transportation. Participants will make their own way to Ivalo in Finland which has good flight and train / bus connections to Helsinki. We will meet participants in Ivalo.
Guide. Roope Roine and a second guide.
Insurance. Participants are responsible for their own insurance. Travel insurance is recommended.
Included. Two guides (BCU 4* or 5* leader), High quality canoe fitted for Solo paddling, all food during trip from dinner first night to breakfast last morning, tent, transfers, hotel nights, visit to Sami museum.
Not included: Travel to Ivalo, Insurance.