Winter Oasis Retreat: 8 Days of Tranquil Adventure at Wilderness Resort Metsäkartano
Winter 2024 – 2025
Welcome to Metsäkartano, your gateway to the wilderness of Finland's Lakeland district!
Situated in the heart of Rautavaara, our Wilderness Resort offers a unique opportunity to
escape into the tranquil beauty of Finnish nature, right at the doorstep of Tiilikkajärvi
National Park. Immerse yourself in the serenity of our ancient forests and clean waters,
where the air is pure, and the silence speaks volumes. Here, amidst the rustling trees and
vast horizons, you'll find a profound sense of peace and connection to nature unlike
anywhere else. Our commitment to sustainability ensures that your stay harmonizes with
the environment, allowing you to experience the wilderness with care.
Discover the perfect blend of tranquillity, local flavors, and adventure at Metsäkartano.
Whether you seek serene relaxation or exhilarating experiences, our retreat offers it all.
Engage in self-discovery or bond with loved ones amidst nature's embrace. Venture
through the sparkling terrain on cross-country skis, savor the Finnish Karelian pie baking
tradition, and immerse yourself in the enchanting world of jewellery making and Finnish
light art and painting. Experience the timeless ritual of traditional sauna ceremonies, where
flickering flames and fragrant steam offer a moment of pure bliss. For a refreshing thrill,
plunge into the invigorating rush of ice swimming, where the icy waters awaken your
senses and reveal nature's awe-inspiring wonders.
Join us at Metsäkartano and let the spirit of our Wilderness Resort guide you on an
unforgettable journey into the heart of Finnish nature. Discover the best of wintery
Metsäkartano and make one incredible memory after another.
Day 1
Arrival and Introduction to Metsäkartano
- Arrival and Welcome Greeting
- Accommodation Check-in: Settle into accommodation at Metsäkartano.Explore the facilities, common areas, and serene surroundings at your leisure.
- Welcome Dinner at Lodge Restaurant
- Orientation: Brief overview of the week’s schedule and activities. Light hike around the area to get familiar with the surroundings.
- Sauna: Enjoy complimentary sauna access in your accommodation to unwind after your journey.
Day 2
Light Art, Sauna & Ice Swimming
- Breakfast: Energizing breakfast to start the day.
- Free Time for Optional Activities: Experience the thrill of sledding down a hill, indulge in the fun of kick sledding, or unleash your creativity with snow art.
- Lunch
- Ice Swimming and Lakeside Sauna: Experience the cozy embrace of our Lakeside sauna, then take an exhilarating dip in the icy waters or craft snow angelsin the powder snow! Feel the rush as your senses awaken, then return to the sauna´s comforting warmth, leaving you feeling refreshed and invigorated. This revitalizing experience is complemented by a sauna basket with a curated selection of local sauna delicacies, adding a touch of indulgence to your retreat. The sauna basket includes Metsäkartano’s Elderflower Mead, 1 piece of Alder Smoked Autumn Night Griller Sausage (Savo-Karjala Meat) / Vegan option available upon request, Grandmother's Spicy Mustard, Rye Chips from Rautavaara Bakery with Nettle Pesto Spread.
- Free Time: Take a moment to relax and enjoy the adrenaline rush.
- Finnish Light Art and Painting: Learn the basics and transform into a Nordic light artist. Illuminate the darkening landscape by designing your own unique light artwork in the enchanting forest. Paint mesmerizing shapes with light into the air, capturing these precious moments.
- Dinner
Day 3
Embracing Finnish Traditions
- Breakfast: Energizing breakfast to start the day.
- Cross-country Skiing: Experience the traditional Finnish way of exploring the snow-covered landscape. Embrace the tranquillity as you glide on your skis, immersing yourself in the serene beauty of nature. Let the crisp air awaken your senses, and with each stride, feel a deeper connection with the pristine wilderness, becoming one with nature.
- Lunch
- Artisan Craft Workshop: After lunch, unleash your creativity in an artisan craft workshop. Select between soapstone or bone as your material of choice. Learn traditional Finnish crafting techniques of jewellery making and create your own unique souvenir to take home.
- Free Time
- Dinner
Day 4
Husky Sledding and Snowshoe Adventure
- Breakfast: Energizing breakfast to start the day.
- Optional Activity - Husky Sledding: Enjoy a thrilling 6 km husky sled ride through the beautiful winter landscape. This unforgettable experience combines the thrill of speed with the serene beauty of the wilderness, offering a perfect blend of adventure and tranquillity. Let the huskies guide you on this magical journey.
- Snowshoe Adventure: With the help of our trained guides, you can discover all the flora and fauna, and even wildlife, that makes the forests come alive. Follow the footprints left in the snow by critters big and small - count how many you can find!
- Lunch
- Free Time: Relax or explore the surroundings at your leisure.
- Local Menu Dinner: Enjoy a culinary journey through the region’s finest flavors, showcasing the freshest ingredients and traditional recipes. Each dish is meticulously prepared to provide an authentic and memorable dining experience.
- Sauna: Enjoy complimentary sauna access in your accommodation.
Day 5
Altai Skiing and Peat Hut Lunch
- Breakfast: Energizing breakfast to start the day.
- Altai Skiing Excursion: Roam through the terrain wherever your heart takes you - up hills, down valleys, and even over frozen lakes towards the horizon. Create your own path with only the sound of your sliding altai skis crunching through the fresh powdery snow.
- Peat Hut Snack Lunch: Gather around an open fire at the Peat Hut for a memorable snack lunch.
- Free Time: Delight in an extended period of leisure, offering a moment to reflect on the journey so far and simply relax.
- Dinner
- Sauna: Enjoy complimentary sauna access in your accommodation.
Day 6
Wellness Day & Traditional Baking
- Breakfast
- Optional Activity – Massage & Yoga: Enhance your relaxation with a soothing 1-hour massage, a nature-themed yoga session, or both. Each option is designed to melt away tension and rejuvenate your spirit. Sessions can also be booked before breakfast for an energizing start to your day.
- Finnish Karelian Pie Baking: Dive into Finnish tradition with our Karelian pie-baking workshop. Learn the secrets of this beloved Finnish delicacy as we guide you through making the dough, baking the pies, frying them to perfection, and preparing delicious egg butter.
- Lunch: Enjoy a lunch together, featuring the delicious Karelian pies you've baked.
- Sauna and the Healing World of Herbs: Immerse yourself in the ancient healing tradition of our sauna, enhanced with an herbal foot bath and guided relaxation. Learn about the therapeutic benefits of herbs while you relax in the comforting warmth of our Lakeside sauna.
- Free Time Before Dinner: Take a moment to relax and prepare for the evening meal.
- Dinner
Day 7
Archery and Sensory Forest Hike
- Breakfast: Energizing breakfast to start the day.
- Sensory Forest Hike: Embark on a captivating journey through the heart of the forest with our expert guide, who will lead you on a sensory exploration - a full immersion of all four senses. Engage your senses as you explore vibrant flora and fauna, listen to melodies of nature, breathe in the earthy scents, and feel the textures of the wilderness. Let our guide unveil the hidden secrets and wildlife encounters along the way, making every step an unforgettable adventure.
- Lunch
- Archery: Experience the harmony of mind and body with archery. Whether indoors or out, feel the thrill as you aim and release.
- Free Time Before Dinner: Take a moment to relax and prepare for the evening meal.
- Finnish Menu Dinner with Hölökynkölökyn: A traditional Finnish menu will be served. Raise your glass and join us in a spirited toast to good times with the infectious cheer of "hölökynkölökyn!" And let's not forget to capture the moment with a group photo to cherish.
- Sauna: Enjoy complimentary sauna access in your accommodation.
Day 8
Departure
- Breakfast
- Free Time: Relax and prepare for departure.
- Check-Out: Fond farewells and departure.
Price starting from: 1118€ per person for a minimum group size of 6 people.
Included Services: Accommodation, meals, a glass of sparkling wine, sauna basket,
2 x Lakeland sauna sessions with access to an ice swimming hole, and guided sessions
(karelian pie baking, sauna & healing world of herbs, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing,
altai skiing, light art & painting, archery, sensory forest hike).
Single room supplement: 30.00 EUR per person per night.
Additional Services (bookings in advance, payment at location): Subject to availability.
- Husky Sledding (6km): price 225 EUR / person
- 1-Hour Massage: 55 EUR per person (minimum of 3 participants required)
- 1-Hour Yoga: 60 EUR per person (minimum of 3 participants required)
- 1-Hour Group Yoga: 50 EUR per person (minimum group size of 3 people)
- 1-Hour Group Yoga: 40 EUR per person (minimum group size of 5 people)
Service Languages:
English and Finnish
Other:
Minimum group size: 6 people. Maximum group size: 18.
Please note: All activities are subject to weather conditions.
