SUP, E-Bike and Wild Swim in Finland

Your local host will aim to follow the planned itinerary, but adjustments may be needed for your safety and enjoyment due to weather conditions. While the weather in Finland is generally mild from May to September, strong winds can affect activities like stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and kayaking. Your host will keep an eye on the weather and if conditions look unfavourable, your host will suggest sheltered areas for SUP or swap kayaking for hiking, which is not impacted by wind. In the rare case of extended bad weather, your host may adjust routes or arrange a visit to the town of Lappeenranta.

Classic sea kayaks are used on this trip, which are suited to the open water conditions on the expansive lake. If you are taller than 195cm in height, please let your host know in advance so that they can arrange for a larger kayak with adequate leg room for you.

You’ll be riding a high-performance, aluminium-framed e-bike (Helkama or similar), designed for a variety of terrains, from smooth roads to trails. These bikes are equipped with a powerful mid-drive motor (25km/h) for excellent support on climbs and descents, paired with a high-capacity integrated battery for long-lasting rides. Each bike comes with a mounted LCD display for easy tracking of speed, distance, and battery status. Before your trip, your host will ask for your height to ensure the correct frame size is provided. Each bike is equipped with standard flat pedals, and male/standard saddles. If you prefer to use your own saddle and pedals (including SPDs), feel free to bring them, and they’ll be fitted for you.

Will the brakes be set up the way I'm used to? Brake set-up varies by country, in Portugal your bike's brakes may may be on the opposite side to what you're used to at home (your rear brake lever will be on the right rather than the left. Your guide will cover this during your bike fitting and warm-up ride – just let them know if this is unfamiliar to you so they can help you get comfortable with it before you set off.

Can I bring my own bike? Bringing your own bike is discouraged. This is due to a lack of storage for bike boxes/bags, and also, the support trailers are tailored to fit the bikes the host provides, which means safe carriage of your personal bike cannot be guaranteed. In addition, your own bike may require special parts for maintenance which may not be locally available, nor possible for the support vehicle mechanics to repair, so the use of the bikes provided by your host is recommended.

Your e-bike will assist with about 25% of the effort on an average ride, meaning you'll provide about 75% of the effort. There will be moments when you'll need to switch to Boost mode for short bursts of power, especially on challenging terrain or steep sections. However, most of your ride will be in Eco and Trail modes, with Eco mode often being your go-to on climbs to conserve battery life throughout the day. This balance ensures a smooth, enjoyable ride while still giving you the thrill of exploration on two wheels.

In terms of speed, the power assistance on e-bikes is typically capped at around 25kph (15mph). If you want to go faster, you'll need to pedal harder! You can adjust the power levels to match your pace and terrain. Your cycling guide will brief you on how to use the different modes to optimise your ride and make the battery last:

Eco Mode: Low power for energy efficiency, giving you longer battery life on flat terrain.
Auto Mode: Automatically adjusts the power based on terrain and your pedalling effort for a more balanced ride.
Sport Mode: Provides mid-range power, ideal for moderate hills and faster cruising.
Turbo Mode: Delivers maximum power, perfect for steep hills or when you want to ride fast.

When it comes to battery power, the e-bike batteries are typically charged overnight, usually at your accommodation. There will be a couple of spare batteries in the support vehicle just in case. However, if you manage your battery usage throughout the day (for example, by avoiding using turbo mode all the time), you’ll find that the battery lasts long enough for most rides without any issues.

Please check that e-biking is covered under your travel insurance. Our e-bikes are pedal-assist and comply with UK/EU regulations on power limits (unless stated otherwise for specific destinations).

At Much Better Adventures, we work hard to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies so your trip is safe, inclusive and enjoyable. That said, options can vary by country, location and accommodation, and in some places options may be limited or unavailable. The information below has been provided by your host so you’re fully informed about what will be possible on your trip depending on your individual requirements. This information should be read carefully prior to your trip to ensure that you are adequately prepared for the situation ‘on the ground’.

Once you have booked on your trip, please fill out your passenger information form asap with any dietary requirements. Once you complete your passenger information, your dietary needs and any allergies are automatically shared with your host and, in turn, your guide. Please submit this as early as possible so they can plan accordingly and deliver the best experience. Please also remind your guide about your dietary requirements upon arrival, as mentioning these in person allows your guide to comprehend individual preferences and limitations as soon as you arrive.

BACKGROUND

In Finland’s Arctic Circle, food traditions are shaped by long winters and forest foraging, resulting in simple, seasonal meals centred freshwater fish, preserved foods, root vegetables and wild berries. Dietary needs can be accommodated in many cases, but options may be limited in remote areas, particularly for vegans or those avoiding animal products. Travellers should expect a narrower range of ingredients and it helps to plan ahead, with a guide able to coordinate meals and communicate requirements where choice is constrained.

SPECIAL DIETS

Vegetarian Vegetarian diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.

Vegan Vegetarian diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.

Kosher Fully certified Kosher kitchens and supervision are rare and usually cannot be guaranteed unless expressly confirmed in advance by your host. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

Halal Certified Halal supply varies by destination and may not always be possible. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

INTOLERANCES

Gluten Free (for Coeliac, please see Allergies section below) Gluten-free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.

Lactose-free Lactose-free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.

ALLERGIES

Our host has confirmed that they are able to accommodate mild allergies to the 14 allergens (opens in new tab) identified by the UK Food Standards Agency, where these are disclosed in advance. However, if you have a severe or life-threatening food allergy, please get in touch with our Customer Experience team prior to booking to discuss whether your requirements can be accommodated safely on this trip. This will allow us to carefully consider the sensitivity and severity of your allergy, the available provision on the trip and the accessibility of medical care should a reaction occur. Your safety is always our top priority.

Please note that when travelling overseas, local ingredients, food preparation methods and labelling standards may vary, particularly in remote areas. It is also worth noting that any allergies may result in more limited options and repetitive provision in some areas. Whilst your guide will help communicate dietary requirements where possible, customers remain responsible for managing their own allergies during the trip.

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 (opens in new tab). 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 (opens in new tab), 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 (opens in new tab) 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 as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

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. Check out our Community Values (opens in new tab) – a shared code to make sure that everyone's experience is safe, inclusive and brilliantly unforgettable.

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 (opens in new tab) for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

From May to June, the weather in Finland is mild and gradually warms up, with daytime temperatures ranging from 10°C to 20°C. This is the perfect time to witness nature awakening, with blooming wildflowers and lush greenery. Nights will be cooler, dropping to around 5°C to 10°C, so bringing layers is essential. As summer peaks in July and August, temperatures rise to between 15°C to 25°C and evenings cool down to about 10°C to 15°C, making it a great time to enjoy a cosy campfire under the stars. By September, the air starts to crisp, with temperatures falling by 5°C. Rain becomes more frequent, and the forest undergrowth can be damp, so packing waterproof shoes or boots is crucial for keeping your feet warm and dry.