Finnish Lapland by Kaio-Expe
Gear(s) used
This summer, for their ninth expedition, Julien and his team set off once again for the Far North — destination: Finnish Lapland. A land where silence stretches as far as the eye can see, where light blends with water, and where every moment is lived to the fullest.
Kaio Expédition is a non-profit association bringing together enthusiasts of adventure, wild nature, and self-supported travel by canoe, kayak, or packraft. This summer, their ninth expedition once again took them deep into Finnish Lapland — more than 300 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle — across the majestic waters of Lake Inari.
A timeless escape, where nature sets the pace, where every action matters, and where the essentials take their rightful place again.
For three weeks, their small group lived a truly unique adventure — fully self-supported, with no outside assistance. A seaplane picked them up in the small town of Ivalo and dropped them off on a remote island at the far northern edge of the lake. Straight into it: alone, far from everything, surrounded by 3,318 islands, with thirteen days to reach the village of Inari powered only by their paddles.
Paddling on Lake Inari is no small feat. Despite conditions at times close to open-sea navigation, our JAWS® packrafts proved impressively reliable, allowing the team to move forward in complete safety. This year, the weather was on their side — plenty of sunshine, a few showers, and unusually mild temperatures for the season. Their days revolved around paddling, fishing to provide their meals, navigating by map and compass, and exploring the islands. They also dedicated time to wildlife observation and tracking, capturing authentic images of this still-pristine Arctic nature.
In the evenings, we gathered around the fire, sharing simple yet powerful moments, carried by friendship and the warmth of the group. The northern lights lit up several of our nights, adding a touch of magic to an already exceptional adventure. It was an expedition defined by camaraderie, solidarity, and a shared passion for wild roaming. A timeless pause, where nature sets the pace, where every action matters, where the essentials come back into focus. One thing’s for sure: Lake Inari never ceases to amaze us — and we’re far from done exploring it.
Equipments