Private Nature Guide in Ruka-Kuusamo & Finnish Lapland
Private hiking, snowshoeing and tailor-made nature tours with a local guide in Ruka-Kuusamo and Finnish Lapland.
Explore Riisitunturi, Oulanka, Hossa, Salla, Korouoma, Syöte or the forests and fells around Ruka with your own private guide. Experiences are available year-round for solo travellers, couples, families and private groups of up to 8 guests.
Choose the destination yourself or let your guide recommend where to go based on your interests, fitness level, the season and current weather and trail conditions.
Private experiences from €390 / group (1–2 persons).
What's Included?
Depending on the length and type of experience, your private tour can include:
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Private local nature guide
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Private experience for 1–8 guests
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Private transportation from your accommodation in Ruka area or Kuusamo center
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Flexible itinerary, route and starting time
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Route and difficulty tailored to your group and pace
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Snowshoes, poles or light traction equipment when needed in winter
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Trail snacks or a campfire meal on selected longer experiences
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Available year-round
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Only your own group
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Available in Ruka, Oulanka, Riisitunturi, Korouoma, Hossa, Salla and Syöte
How to find your price
Our prices depend on group size, so the price per person is lower the more of you are travelling. To see your price:
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Choose the destination/lenght you’d like to book.
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Select the number of participants.
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Check the calendar for availability and you'll get the exact price for your group.
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Pick your preferred departure time.
Can’t find a suitable date? We’re happy to arrange a flexible departure time for you. Just send us a message and we’ll find something that works.
Choose the Length of Your Private Experience
Private Nature Guide – 2–3 Hours
Best for: Ruka, Valtavaara and short local nature experiences. Also night tour nearby Ruka
A good choice when you want to spend a few hours outdoors without dedicating the whole day to an excursion. The 3-hour option can also be used for a short visit to Riisitunturi National Park when conditions allow.
Explore the 2–3 hour Private Guide →
Private Nature Guide – 4–6 Hours
Best for: Riisitunturi, Oulanka and exploring the wider Ruka-Kuusamo area.
Our most versatile option. There is enough time to travel further from Ruka, enjoy a proper hike or snowshoeing tour and stop for photography or a campfire without turning the day into a full-day excursion.
Explore the 4–6 hour Private Guide →
Private Nature Guide – 7–9 Hours
Best for: Hossa, Salla, Korouoma, Syöte and longer hikes in Oulanka or Riisitunturi.
Choose a full day when the destination is further from Ruka or when you simply want more time on the trail.
Explore the 7–9 hour Private Guide →
The booked duration includes transportation from and back to Ruka/Kuusamo, so the right duration depends partly on where you would like to go.
Travelling solo? You are very welcome.
Our private experiences are also available for one person. With your own local guide, you don't need to wait for a group to form – and the day can be planned entirely around your interests and pace.
Optional Extras
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Special Wilderness menus
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Additional transfers for multi-destination adventures
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Rental clothing
Why Explore with a Local Private Guide?
A private guide gives you flexibility that a scheduled group tour cannot always offer.
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Travel at your own pace
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Choose a route suitable for your fitness level
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Stop for photography whenever you like
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Learn about local nature, wildlife, history and life in the North. Hear local stories and find hidden places
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Flexible itinerary and start time
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Change the route according to weather and trail conditions
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Spend more time in places that interest you
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No strangers in your group
Where Can You Go with a Private Guide?
The right destination depends on how much time you have, the season, weather and current trail conditions. You can choose where you would like to go or ask your guide for a recommendation.
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Oulanka National Park: Explore river valleys, rapids, old-growth forests and some of Finland's best-known hiking trails. Depending on the time available, we can visit Kiutaköngäs Rapids, hike sections of the Little Bear's Trail, explore Oulanka Canyon or plan a longer hiking day. Recommended duration from Ruka: 4–9 hours.
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Riisitunturi National Park: Riisitunturi is one of our most popular private destinations throughout the year. In winter, the national park is known for its snow-covered spruce trees and open fell landscapes. In summer and autumn, quiet forests, wetlands and open views make it a peaceful hiking destination. You don't necessarily need a full day. A short visit can be arranged for families, photographers and travellers who mainly want to experience the scenery, while a longer tour gives us more time to explore the national park. Recommended duration from Ruka: 3–6 hours.
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Hossa National Park: Clear lakes, quiet forests, the prehistoric Värikallio rock paintings and the impressive Julma-Ölkky canyon lake make Hossa particularly suitable for a full-day excursion. Recommended duration from Ruka: 7–9 hours.
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Korouoma Canyon: A deep geological fracture valley known especially for its frozen waterfalls in winter. Korouoma is also a beautiful hiking destination outside the winter season. Recommended duration from Ruka: 6–9 hours.
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Iivaara Nature Reserve - peaceful hiking destination south of Kuusamo with views across the surrounding forests and lakes.
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Valtavaara Nature Reserve: Fell landscapes and hiking trails close to Ruka. Valtavaara is a good choice when you want to spend more of your time outdoors and less time driving. Recommended duration from Ruka: 2–6 hours.
Not sure where to go? Ask your guide. Weather, snow, trail and road conditions can vary considerably in the North. We can recommend the destination that works best on the day of your experience.
Private Winter Experiences
In winter private tours can include snowshoeing, winter hiking, nature photography, campfire stops and exploring snow-covered forests and fells.
Snowshoes, poles and light traction equipment are provided when required for the selected experience.
We choose the equipment according to the snow and trail conditions. Sometimes a winter trail is packed enough for normal winter boots; after fresh snowfall, snowshoes may be the best way to travel.
Winter Clothing Rental
You don't need to own Arctic winter clothing to join us. Warm winter clothing can be rented from Winterent for private winter experiences. Winter clothing rental is an optional extra and is not automatically included in the private guide price.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Private Nature Guide experience?
A Private Nature Guide experience is a tailor-made hiking, snowshoeing or nature tour for your own group. There is no fixed route or standard programme. We plan the experience according to your interests, fitness level, the season and current weather and trail conditions.
Where can we go with a private guide from Ruka?
Depending on the time available, possible destinations include Ruka and Valtavaara, Riisitunturi National Park, Oulanka National Park, Hossa National Park, Salla National Park, Korouoma Canyon and Syöte National Park.
For nearby Ruka destinations, 2–3 hours may be enough. For Riisitunturi and Oulanka, we generally recommend 4–6 hours. For Hossa, Salla, Korouoma and Syöte, choose the 7–9 hour option.
How do I choose between 2–3, 4–6 and 7–9 hours?
Time mentioned includes transfwers. Choose 2–3 hours for a shorter experience close to Ruka, 4–6 hours for exploring Riisitunturi, Oulanka and the wider Ruka-Kuusamo area, and 7–9 hours for a full day or destinations further from Ruka.
Remember that the booked duration includes transportation from and back to Ruka or Kuusamo.
Do we need hiking or snowshoeing experience?
No. Your guide chooses the route, pace and equipment according to your group. The experience can be an easy nature walk, a relaxed photography tour or a more active hiking or snowshoeing day.
Is the tour suitable for families with children?
Yes. A private tour works particularly well for families because the route and pace can be adapted to the children and the conditions of the day. Let us know the children's ages when booking so we can suggest a suitable experience.
Are private tours available in winter or summer?
Yes. Private Nature Guide experiences are available year-round. In winter we may use snowshoes, poles or traction equipment depending on snow and trail conditions.
Is transportation included?
Yes. Pickup and return from accommodation in the Ruka area or Kuusamo centre are included. The booked duration includes transportation, so for destinations further from Ruka we recommend choosing a longer experience.
What should I wear?
Winter clothing and winter boots are not included. Please dress for the weather of the day, which in winter usually means proper cold.
Think layers: warm base layers, a fleece or wool mid-layer, a windproof outer layer, a warm hat, mittens and winter boots.
If you'd like to rent winter clothing, even for your whole holiday, you can do it here: Winterent.
Not sure what to wear? Read our winter clothing guide or ask us.
How many people can join?
Private Nature Guide experiences are available for 1–8 guests. The experience is private for your group.
Can we choose the destination ourselves?
Yes. If there is somewhere you particularly want to visit, let us know when booking. You can also leave the choice to your guide. We can recommend a destination based on your interests, the season and current conditions.