Snow and Saunas in Estonia
Stomp, sled and fat bike through snow-blanketed forests, stopping off for steamy saunas and ice dips on this Baltic winter adventure
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with expert, local, English-speaking guideHotel & Spa Hotel
2 nights in central Tallinn hotel, and 2 nights in luxury manor house with a spaMeals
All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 1 dinnerTransfers
All transfers between the activities (transfers to and from the airport are not included)Equipment
All equipment for the included winter activitiesSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 14 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
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What's it like?
Explore fairytale Tallinn and hike through the winter wonderland of Lahemaa National Park by night with lanterns
Experience the best of Estonian winter fun – ploughing through snowy forest trails on fat bikes and kicksleds
Let off steam as you hop between hot tubs, ice holes and traditional smoke saunas – a UNESCO-listed experience
Bed down in a cosy 16th-century manor, one of the most characterful historic hotels in Europe on the icy banks of the Mustoja River
Key Information
Day 1
Tallinn winter magic
Touch down in Tallinn Airport, then make your way to your central hotel. If you arrive on an early flight, your guide will meet you in the afternoon to guide you around the UNESCO-listed Old Town and show you the best panoramic spots. Tallinn is always a magical place, but it is in the winter that the city looks even more like it was plucked from the pages of a fairytale. Exploring it on foot is unbelievably picturesque and if you feel a bit cold, a traditional glühwein will warm you up and help you get into the winter mood. If you arrive on an evening flight, you can head straight to bed and meet your group on Day 2. Your adventure in the snow starts tomorrow!
Day 2
Fat biking, igloo sauna and ice dipping
Cycling
Hiking
Sauna
Wave goodbye to the city lights and head out to Lahemaa National Park, one of the biggest and most important forest reserves in Europe. You'll make a couple of stops en route including a visit to the striking Jägala Waterfall. At approximately eight metres high and more than 50 metres wide, this is the widest natural waterfall in Estonia – and it's a true spectacle in winter, when the fall partially freezes and forms huge icy stalactites. You'll also stop at the Põhja-Kõrvemaa Nature Reserve for an exhilarating fat bike ride through snowy forest trails. The tracks are relatively flat and well-marked, making it ideal even if you've never fat-biked before. You'll then enjoy a unique igloo-sauna experience on the lake – followed by an icy dip for those who are feeling brave! The next two nights will be spent in a cosy, luxurious manor house with spa, nestled between frosty fields and slow-clad trees. Get a taster of this winter wonderland tonight as you head out on a short lantern-lit walk through the forest.
Day 3
Winter hiking with snowshoes
Snowshoeing
Don your snowshoes and head deep into the wilderness of Lahemaa National Park. Snowshoe through silent, snow-blanketed forests – eyes peeled for elk, wolf and moose tracks. Stop in a pristine, scenic spot and warm up with a hot meal and drinks cooked on a campfire. Have a restful afternoon with an optional reinvigorating hot sauna or spa treatment at the hotel.
Day 4
Frozen meadows, kicksledding and a smoke sauna
Hiking
Sauna
Bogs and marshes are the true treasures of Estonia, being the oldest organic landscape in the country – some of which are up to 10,000 years old. This unique environment is remarkable throughout the year, but exploring them in the wintertime makes it eerily beautiful. Spot wildlife tracks left in the snow with the help of your experienced guide and if you are lucky, you may even come across elusive moose, lynx and foxes. This morning, you'll experience two other favourite Estonian winter pastimes: plough silently through the snow on kicksleds, then hit the rejuvenating, UNESCO-listed experience of the smoke sauna, covering yourself in honey and 'whisking' your skin with birch branches. Top off this authentic wellness experience with a relaxing dip in the hot tub.
This afternoon, you'll head back to the city where you'll have time to freshen up before heading out for a final celebratory farewell dinner and night in Tallinn – locals say the vodka tasting is a must!
Day 5
Goodbye Estonia!
After four days of adventure and relaxation, it’s time to head home refreshed and revitalised. If you depart later today and you missed the visit to Tallinn Old Town on Day 1, your guide will be on hand to show you around. Alternatively, you can also opt to hit one of the great city saunas, such as the Iglupark, Kalma Sauna or Tallinn Sauna (the oldest in the city). If you leave today, it's time to say nägemiseni (see you soon!) and make your way to the airport, just a short tram journey away.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Tallinn City Centre
16:00 on Day 1
Ends
Tallinn City Centre
Any time on Day 5
Transfers
Airport transfers are not included in the trip, but it's easy to make your way to/from Tallinn city centre by public transport. Tram no. 4 takes you directly from the airport to the city centre in approximately 20-25 minutes. It runs daily from 05:30 until 00:45. The tram stop (Lennujaam) is located right next to the terminal and tickets can be bought with a contactless payment card on board (€2) or the ticket machine at the airport (€2). The stop is only a 2-minute walk from the St Barbara Hotel.
You can arrive any time on Day 1, but if you wish to join the walking tour with your guide we recommend checking in at the hotel by 15:30 at the latest.
On Day 5, you can depart at any time. If you prefer to arrange a pick-up or drop-off at the airport by private transfer, or to extend your stay in Tallinn, your host can arrange this for a fee – please check the Optional Extras for more info.
Travel options
There are usually direct flights connecting London to Tallinn on Tuesdays and Saturdays, when this trip runs. These are operated by Wizzair and Air Baltic. Indirect flights are available from the rest of the UK and on days of the week.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Traditional Estonian food and drinks are linked to the history of the Baltic States and many dishes can be traced back to medieval times. As a result, Estonian food is hearty, wholesome and packed with seasonal flavours. In winter, warming stews, roasts and soups are always on the menu. There is no food quite as quintessentially Estonian as rye bread: rye has been cultivated in Estonia for more than a thousand years and is a central part of the nation's traditional agriculture. The other national dish, verivorst, is typically a winter meal and comprises barley, onions, allspice, marjoram and blood sausage, often alongside roasted pork and potatoes and served with sour cream, sauerkraut or seasonal berries. We are talking serious comfort food! Mulled wine, vodka and craft beer are especially popular in winter, to help bear the cold.
Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for, but please note that options may be limited – please just request on your passenger info form.
What is the accommodation like?
Tallinn
The first and last nights of the trip will be spent in Tallinn – usually at the Hotel St Barbara, which is located in a quiet street within walking distance of the Old Town and the city's main sights. The hotel was designed in the early 1900s and today, it is considered to be one of the most beautiful limestone buildings in Estonia's capital. Accommodation will be on a twin-share basis in cosy rooms, equipped with a flat-screen TV, personal safe, complimentary Wifi and private bathrooms with underfloor heating. The hotel also includes a charming old German-style cellar restaurant, with a great selection of a la carte meals and beer.
Lahemaa National Park
You'll spend two nights at the exclusive, 4-star Vihula Manor Country Club & Spa – the first full-service manor resort in the Baltic countries. The manor, which is undoubtedly one of the most amazing places to stay in Estonia, was also awarded the title of Historic Hotel of Europe 2020. Set alongside the Mustoja River in the Lahemaa National Park, the property comprises a charming 16th-century estate with two main manor house buildings, 25 other historical buildings where rooms are allocated, and 50 hectares of beautiful parkland. Guests can enjoy free access to the impressive swimming pool and eco-sauna, featuring a 15-metre pool with massage seats, four types of saunas, a jacuzzi and an outdoor hot tub.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).
This trip has been rated as Easy
This trip is suitable for anyone with basic fitness levels. None of the activities are hugely demanding and no previous experience or technical skills are required. You won't be exerting yourself for more than two or three hours at a time, and there is also plenty of relaxation and wellness time built into the trip. With two hours of private group sauna booked on Days 2 and 3, plus free access to the wellness centre at Vihula Manor, you'll balance the active time in the cold with plenty of pampering in the heat. To get the most out of the trip you should enjoy being out in the cold during the winter, and also come prepared with adequate warm clothing – see the kit list for guidance. The trip includes snowshoeing, fat biking and kicksledding. All activities will be suitable for first-timers and conducted at a leisurely pace.
Fat bikes have extra fat, knobbly tyres that are designed for riding on soft surfaces like sand and snow, and they have little or no suspension. The super-fat tyres distribute the rider’s mass across a larger area, so you don’t sink in and do gain more traction than you would with a standard tyre size. You can ride easily and with stability, even over firm snow and ice. You won't be riding very far, so anyone who can ride a bike at a basic level will enjoy fat biking though the picturesque forest tracks.
Snowshoeing is a type of hiking that uses a special type of footwear – a snowshoe – to spread your weight over a larger area, allowing you to move easily across powdery, snow-covered terrain. Snowshoeing is incredibly easy, comfortable and safe. You simply clip the snowshoe to the outside of your hiking boot and off you go. You'll be in the hands of local, experienced, and trained guides who know the area intimately and will guide you safely throughout the hike.
Kicksledding is an extremely fun winter activity that every Estonian loves. Originating from the Scandinavian countries, the kicksled includes a chair (for an optional carried passenger) mounted on a pair of flexible metal runners that extend backwards to about twice the chair's length. The sled is propelled by kicking and it works best on icy snow conditions and marked tracks.
What will I need to carry?
You'll need to have a larger bag suitable for all your belongings which will be transported for you, and then a small daysack to carry personal items during each day of the activities.
Winter in Estonia lasts from late November until late March, with temperatures ranging from mild (above freezing) to as low as -30°C, although temperatures just below 0°C are far more common. Snow usually falls as early as late November but it is most common in the months of December to March, when this trip runs.
Mother Nature is unpredictable so snow can never be 100% guaranteed on every departure. However, recent reports show a very high chance of snow between the months of December and March. Winter hiking and fat biking without snow will be equally spectacular and enjoyable, and your hosts will do their best to suggest the best alternative activities according to the local weather conditions in this situation.
Nice Winter Getaway
Estonia was a lovely winter getaway with nice snowfall and a relaxed atmosphere. The Cycle was tougher then expected! Our tour guides Jane and Tonis were exceptional and made the trip even more fantastic! Getting into the ice cold plunges were so tough but very rewarding after doing it!
Epic trip
What a fun trip. Our guides Tonis and June really looked after us and shared lots of history about Estonia, including the sauna song! Great activities, wonderful saunas, loved it.
Beautiful and fun
We loved our snow and sauna trip. The ice dips were especially great. A nice mix of active and social. The nature and landscapes are beautiful. Our guides Tõnis and Jane were very knowledgable, flexible and fun. Recommend!
Great fun and great company
Fabulous trip with great guides and fellow travellers. Our group was a 50/50 mix of friends / couples and solo travellers, and we all got on great, bonding in the activities. Being the forst trip of the season, there wasn't enough snow to do kick sledding, but we did a husky walking trip instead. The fat biking was brilliant fun, but dod require a certain fitness level as there were lots of hills! Loved the snow shoeing and saunas too. Tonis and Jane dod i fantastic job of guiding us and even taught us a traditional Estonian dance!
Nice introduction to Estonia
This trip had a great balance of active and down time. The weather meant the itinerary had to change but every effort was made by our guides to ensure we didn't miss out and fun was had regardless. It's a great opportunity to try new things and see new places. I loved the saunas and the ice dipping. Kick sledding was great fun although it was a shame the weather didn't allow for the fatbiking (which has, apparently, yet to run on any trip). Cross-country skiing around the forest's track was the replacement option.
Accommodation was good (nice and clean in both places). The spa hotel was lovely and it was a great place to rest and get to know the rest of the group.
Estonia is definitely worth another visit.
Exciting and relaxing winter trip
I really recommend this trip to anyone who is looking for the perfect mix of fun snow activities and time to relax. Stan and Keidi were brilliant guides, they were very knowledgeable about the area and made sure everything ran smoothly throughout the week. The sauna experiences were so unique, and the chance to do snowshoeing, kick sledding, and cross country skiing in such a beautiful environment was exactly what I was looking for when I booked this tour! The hotels and food were really high standard as well, so it felt worth the money. Tallinn is also a gorgeous city to visit, so I would highly recommend adding an extra day or two to your holiday to spend some more time there.
Great trip - watch the changeable itinerary!
The itinerary was well put together and Stan and Keidi were excellent guides. One note I would make is that due to the weather conditions the activities may not be the same as the itinerary, we and the last few groups have done cross country skiing instead of fat biking. The hotels were lovely and the spa hotel was such a lovely place to relax. The dips and saunas were better than I expected - I’m not really a sauna person but I think the packing list could be reviewed and refreshed, no need to take a torch and things like water shoes or flip flops could be useful!
Incredible few days
Had a brilliant time in Estonia. Stan and Keidi were full of energy and went above and beyond to make sure everyone was having a good time. It’s worth arriving early to join the tour of the city on the first day and to have dinner with the group. We did kick sledding, snow shoeing and cross country skiing on our trip. Conditions were very icy so Stan and Keidi made sure we were doing the safest activities. We were able to spend a relaxing afternoon enjoying the hotel spa and other facilities. Would recommend to anyone considering this trip.
Amazing trip in very chilly
Amazing trip in very chilly weather! Stan & Mart were exceptional - energy, knowledge, passion, patience. Every aspect was incredible, however, there was not nearly enough time at the manor. To stay at a place so lovely warrants time to enjoy it. Our group talked a lot about that - we wondered if there is a way to have the middle day at the manor - can snowshoe or hike from there. And then do the smoke sauna and boiling pot at Suitsutare en route back to Tallinn the before the final night. Driving all the way to the sports facility two days in a row made for a lot of time in the vans for a rather short trip. I wonder if there is a way to only have one day at the sport facility (which has the ice dipping and lovely saunas) We liked the cross country skiing more than the stand up sleds. Again, overall excellent trip!
Hi Joyce,
We are super happy to hear you had an amazing time in Estonia! Thanks for your honest feedback - we will discuss your suggestion to change around the accommodation & itinerary with the local host.
We hope to see you out on another Much Better Adventure soon!
Excellent trip, with a hood
Excellent trip, with a hood flexible itinary to match the weather.
Would have loved to stay for a night in the Lodge (wood sauna location) rather than the Luxury Hotel
This was a great fun
This was a great fun trip with the perfect mix of relaxing and more active activities. The guide made sure that everything we did was suitable for the weather conditions on the day and allowed us to make the most of our time in Estonia. Both hotels were perfect, with comfortable rooms and hearty breakfasts.
Marillin was an excellent guide.
Marillin was an excellent guide. All the activities were conducted in a safe, fun manner, I recommend.
Excellent guide and introduction to Estonia
A great tour few days in Estonia. The trip is very flexible depending on weather and you may do things in a different order to what is described. I think the trip would however benefit from cheaper accommodation as the fancy hotels were not needed for this sort of trip although it did have a nice spa. We would rather have stayed in the place with the smoke sauna for example. Of note most of the activities take place around Kõrvemaa Hiking and Ski Resort. Both the main saunas were only with the trip group so everyone wore swim costumes. Even the spa in the hotel was clothed. We had lots of snow so far biking was minimal and we were given the option of swapping to crosscountry skiing but instead we only 30 mins biking and two snow shoe walks. We had lots of extra unexpected excursions including meeting the dogs and a trip to the sea. We asked for a longer walk and she did a long one on the last day all very flexible. We learnt a lot about Estonia and it's culture. I would recommend visiting Riga before the trip, we did husky sledding and the Olympic bobsleigh! Coach to Tallinn is easy. Helsinki is also close.
The trip was great, Stan
The trip was great, Stan is an excellent guide and was perfect for showing us around Estonia! Everyone was super welcoming and it was a perfect trip for winter that was a bit different than the norm, with varied activities and some nice relaxing ones too
Amazing!
Stan and Mart were excellent and had to re-work the trip slightly due to extreme conditions (almost -30 degrees with wind chill factor!), but they did a great job.
Overall I had an amazing time and would like to thank Stan, Mart and MBA for a brilliant trip!
A really cool trip to Estonia
A fantastic fun few days in Estonia. This trip was a great way to enjoy a winter break especially for someone like me who isn’t likely to go on a ski holiday. It felt like a longer trip than the actual days we spent there because every day was a flurry of activity, without being overly busy. The guides were great and really passionate about their country and the culture, it was so interesting to learn more about Estonia, it exceeded my expectations. The sauna experiences and the time spent outside enjoying the snow and nature were perfect even if there was a bit of a drift from the original itinerary to accommodate the weather conditions. Tallinn is also a fantastic chilled city and I would encourage anyone booking this to get at least one extra day there if possible. As always the group were also a great bunch of like minded people, no need for ice breakers we all just got on well which made the time there even better.
One of the best trips we've ever had!
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our holiday in Estonia, which started with a few days in Tallinn for New Years Eve. We then joined the Much Better group and our experience only got better! Our guides, Stanislav and Mart, were extremely attentive, knowledgeable and passionate about Estonia and showed us so much while we were on the trip. The advertised itinerary did change slightly due to weather constraints but overall the package delivered its promise of 'Snow and Saunas' and one of the most fun things that we did was take a very icy cold dip in the lake. The 16th Century Manor was beautiful and food was delicious. Overall a great holiday and we'll definitely be back in Estonia in the future.
This has a little bit
This has a little bit of everything! A good deep dive into Estonian winter, I loved it!
Great trip. Not very touristy
Great trip. Not very touristy outside Tallinn which is great. It did mean that somethings things weren’t perfect but that added to the adventure. Trip leader was great, added additional activities and catered for everyone’s needs. Highly recommended.
Fun few days in the
Fun few days in the snow in the Estonian forests with a great group! We got to try lots of different snow activities and the itinerary was adjusted based on the weather conditions to make sure we could fit in as much as possible. The forests and bogs are beautiful to explore in the snow, and the saunas were an experience in themselves. Marilin was an excellent guide who was very knowledgeable about the local area and best activities available.
Lots of fun in the snow!
A fantastic trip with a great guide. Lots of unique activities and experiences!
Good fun
Great fun, itinerary was flexible due to the weather but guide was very knowledgeable about nature and local area
A great break, felt like we were away for ages
I really enjoyed this trip. Our guide Marilin was really kind and so passionate about Estonia and nature. The itinerary was more flexible than the description indicated and varied according to weather, the guide’s recommendations and the group-preferences; and we were able to do extra fun activities in the snow with sledges and skis, although the snow-conditions meant we couldn’t do the fat-biking. My highlights were the snow-shoes in the bog-area, the tube-sledging and the smoke-sauna hot tub with wonderful host Erica. The food was really good, although vegetarian options were very limited, a strict vegetarian or vegan may find it hard to get protein and a balanced diet.
I would highly recommend this
I would highly recommend this trip. Estonia is a beautiful country, our guide Stan was excellent, the itinerary was a great mixture of snow activities and saunas.
Such an excellent trip, Talinn
Such an excellent trip, Talinn is so beautiful and the traditional sauna is such a unique experience.
Itinerary Activities
- Guided tour of Tallinn Old Town
- Guided fat bike ride through the Põhja-Kõrvemaa Nature Reserve
- Experience an igloo-sauna and an icy dip
- Guided lantern-lit evening walk in Lahemaa National Park
- Guided winter hike in the Estonian bogs
- Kicksledding through the snowy landscapes
- Experience a traditional Estonian smoke sauna
- Guided snowshoe hike in the forests of Lahemaa National Park
- Visit Jägala Waterfall
Guides
- Expert, local, English-speaking guide
Accommodation
- 2 nights in a historic hotel in Tallinn's Old Town
- 2 nights in luxury manor house with a spa and sauna
Meals
- 4 tasty breakfasts
- 3 quintessentially Estonian lunches
- 1 comforting dinner
Transfers
- Group arrival transfer from Tallinn City Centre on Day 1
- Departure transfer to Tallinn City Centre any time on Day 5
- Transfers during the trip
Equipment
- All equipment for the included winter activities
Our trips are hassle-free by design. We include all the activities and equipment, as well as many of the meals, so you can simply rock up with your rucksack and share the adventure with your new pals.
Travel to and from the trip
Our trips do not include flights, trains or other travel to the start point and back from the end point.
Airport transfers
This trip begins and end in central Tallinn, so you'll need to make your own way to and from the airport – see the 'Getting There' section for more information.
Tips
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. The amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality – a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Personal Expenses
You know your own spending habits best, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals and drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness. Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine, as their insurance offers all of the above.
Visas
Visa requirements often change, and you are responsible for obtaining any required visas for this trip. Please check with your nearest embassy or consulate for up-to-date advice.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What's included?
All the snowshoeing, fat biking and kick-sledding equipment you'll need
What do I need to bring?
BAGS
- Soft overnight duffel bag or luggage
- Daypack (20-30 litres)
- Waterproof liner for rucksack, or drybags
CLOTHES
- Waterproof and windproof top and bottom
- Down jacket
- Warm fleece or sweater
- Thermal tops and bottoms
- Snow gloves (you may wish to bring two pairs in case one gets wet)
- Warm hat and/or balaclava (you may wish to bring two in case one gets wet)
- Neck gaiter or scarf
- Multiple pairs of wool or synthetic socks
- Warm, waterproof boots
- Swimsuit (for the sauna)
OTHER
- Universal travel plug adapter
- Power bank or solar charger
- Passports (and visas)
- Travel insurance documents
- Ear plugs
- Suncream
- Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
- Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
- Alcohol hand-gel
- Headtorch or torch
- Reusable water bottle x1 litre (or x2)
- Energy bars and snacks - read our article on Best Hiking Snacks
Additional Night in Tallinn Twin/Double/Single Room (Winter 24/25)
Payable Before Departure
Additional Night in Tallinn Twin/Double/Single Room (Winter 24/25)
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Optional Private Rooom Upgrade (Winter 24/25)
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Rooom Upgrade (Winter 24/25)
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Private Arrival Transfer Tallinn Airport - City Centre (Winter 24/25)
Payable Before Departure
Private Arrival Transfer Tallinn Airport - City Centre (Winter 24/25)
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Private Departure Transfer City Centre -Tallinn Airport (Winter 24/25)
Payable Before Departure
Private Departure Transfer City Centre -Tallinn Airport (Winter 24/25)
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We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 189kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
Marta Marinelli, raised in Italy’s serene Prosecco Hills, dreamt of global adventures, inspired by her father's travel stories. Her passion evolved into a career, backed by a decade of studies including degrees in international tourism and destination management. She’s worked in the adventure travel sector since 2012, living in Italy, the UK, and now sunny Portugal.
Over twenty years, Marta has explored over 55 countries, visiting remote areas like Ghana, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Haiti and Nepal’s Upper Mustang region. As a Senior Adventure Expansion Manager at Much Better Adventures, she focuses on creating life-changing experiences, ranging from multi-activity adventures, challenging treks to ultimate adventures in iconic places. She loves the challenge of finding the best local adventure hosts around the world, collaborating on adventures that offer genuine immersion, pushing beyond the beaten path and working on exclusive itineraries that challenge your comfort zone.
What makes her tick? Enabling people to live adventure-rich lives while positively impacting and empowering local communities around the world, generating sustainable opportunities for both the host, guides, community, and the environment.
The sauna tradition is an important part of the country's identity – in many ways, life in Estonia revolves around the sauna. Although sauna may seem like a winter activity, Estonians actually go all year round – family gatherings and birthdays are often celebrated with sauna.
The steam generated by pouring water onto hot rocks in a sauna is believed to have many benefits: it cleanses the skin and increases heart rate, and the heat does its magic by expanding your bronchi and relaxing the joints. The ritual also includes light 'whisking' with birch branches, which acts like a massage.
After you heat up, it's time to cool down. Saunas are often built next to the sea, a river, a lake, or a pond so that during winter, brave sauna-goers will cut a hole in the ice before taking a dip or even rolling around in the snow. The rapid temperature change stimulates blood flow and strengthens the immune system. If that sounds too bracing, you can stand in the cold air outside the sauna while enjoying a cool drink.
Two private group sauna sessions are booked on Days 2 and 4 of the trip. The first will take place in the igloo saunas of Sportland Kõrvemaa, which are 100% hand- crafted and covered with spruce chips from the outside, and aspen chips from the inside. The heat is equally distributed, which makes the sauna nicely humid. The sauna comes with a steam room, a spacious anteroom, and a toilet and shower room so you can alternate time in the heat with socialising in the common room and even an ice dip outside.
On Day 4 you'll get the chance to try an authentic smoke sauna. Like a traditional sauna, the Estonian smoke sauna usually consists of a small house heated with wood in a brick oven. However, the smoke sauna has no chimney through which the smoke can escape. Instead, it circulates inside the room while the sauna is heating. In 2014, UNESCO included the smoke sauna phenomenon in its Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The smoke sauna ritual consists of many stages which must be followed carefully. You'll enter the sacred hot room, where you are met by the heady aroma of burning wood. You'll then rub yourself with ground plants and salt, followed by the 'whisking', gently beating your body with birch branches to exfoliate skin and stimulate circulation. Then, you'll plunge into the icy waters nearby to cool down, rinse off and feel new again!
Other sauna sessions can be booked for free at the luxurious sauna centre of the Vihula Manor Hotel & Spa.
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. The amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality – a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
The tap water in Estonia is safe to drink. Please bring along your own reusable water bottle to fill up at the hotels to avoid buying single use plastic bottles.
Yes, you can leave your luggage in Tallinn or with your host on Day 1, as you'll be returning there for the last night of your trip.
Overall, the choice of the route, distance and activity duration is always decided by your local guide taking into consideration group's fitness and weather conditions, so small alterations may take place with your safety in mind. In case the snow conditions on a certain day are not ideal for the scheduled activity (i.e. terrain is too icy for fat biking, snow too soft for kicksledding, etc), your host will offer alternative suitable activities locally, whenever possible, or may suggest to carry these out in alternative areas nearby. One of the alternatives may be cross country skiing so you are advised to ensure your travel insurance covers this activity.
This trip visits locations where daytime temperatures can be extremely cold and consistently below freezing (0C/32F) during the times of year when this trip operates. Temperatures at night will likely be even colder. Personal care should be taken to keep warm as best possible in the conditions, such as wearing appropriate clothing and proper hydration and nutrition. Very cold temperatures can impair an individual’s physical abilities to perform an activity that they may otherwise be able to do competently at warmer temperatures. In severe cold conditions people may experience symptoms associated with Exposure, Frostbite and Hypothermia. Your guide(s) are trained to mitigate the risks associated with cold temperatures, by carefully managing the intensity of the activity, and to provide the appropriate support response should someone feel ill during the trip. Should you experience health issues during your trip you should inform your guide immediately so the proper care can be provided.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.
Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).
For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.
We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
- 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
- 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
- 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.
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You'll be invited to join a WhatsApp group to get to know each other before your big adventure together. Full details
DEPARTURE DATES
Tuesday 31st December 2024
to Saturday 4th January 2025
Fully Booked
