Opinions TAIGA TIMES Helsinki

This hike was really the highlight of our visit to Finland. Jeff was super approachable, flexible (we didn't have proper shoes for hiking through some snowy patches, but he had some we could borrow and adjusted the terrain based on that!), and so fun to learn from.

The hike is probably 2-3 miles, and brisk while not super challenging. Jeff prepared salmon soup, rye bread, and dessert for us to enjoy at the cooking site. It was a magical environment, delicious food, and a learning experience at the same time. We wanted to go again right away!

Thank you Jeff and Kiia for such a wonderful day hiking to the archipelago, it feels like freedom to roam, plus a natural history lesson and the best nature Finland has to offer, you are the best always!!!

Perfectly organized daytrip to a lovely place in a national park. Jeff is a great guide, drawing our attention on the animals in the forest, you can easily oversee. The lunch was delicious and original Finnish. We were happy to make such a wonderful experience.

We booked the National Park Hike & Finnish Smoke Sauna Experience with Campfire Lunch. I cannot recommend it enough. Our guide was awesome! He was friendly and knowledgeable and was a joy the whole time. The views of the park in winter were breathtaking, just as breathtaking as jumping in the freezing cold water after the sauna!

We joined 2 tours and they ended up being highlights of our Great Finnish Escape!

We had a short ride to Porkkalanniemi, which was absolutely stunning and peaceful. Hiking immersed in understated beauty of the Finnish wilderness on a crisp Saturday morning, basked in the beautiful winter's sun haze! ☺️Perfection!
We were part of a small group along with guides Jeff and Christian. I've never hiked in snow and ice but they were on hand with shoe spikes and hike sticks.
Jeff was enthusiastic about the local flora and fauna????. I'm sometimes a shy, quiet person but Jeff was really easy to chat to. We were looking out for deer and moose. Jeff gave us fun facts about the trees and little quizzes, we had time to wander before tasty salmon soup next to the fire on the water's edge, listening to stories about Finland. Seeing the Archipelago was fantastic, what a beautiful part of the world. ❤️

Our last day in Finland, we headed into foggy, mysterious Sipoonkorpi National Park. It ended up as a private tour as there was a no show.
Jeff is a great guide, very friendly and informative. I felt safe and comfortable in the middle of the wilderness. We shared stories whilst taking in the sheer beauty of the misty Bisajärvi frozen lake ???? The surrounding fog made it dreamlike????????. A missed Curling or Ice Hockey opportunity (although I think we would lose the pebble / puck in the thick fog ???? oops).
We learnt about mushrooms and picked blueberries. Jeff prepped veggie sausages and potatoes and he gave me two gluten free chocolate cakes (I ate the other at work to help with holiday blues!).
The best way to end the day was in the dark smoke sauna????????‍♀️. I was having so much fun I totally forgot about the cold. Jeff was really patient and positive, I even managed to take the ice water plunge as the ducks watched????????????.

I'm pleasantly surprised how much I adored Finland, it's now a cherished trip in our Nordic adventures! Nordic life seems to suit me well!

Thank you Jeff for being an absolute ???? gem, we really enjoyed spending time with you. We hope to see you in a warmer season; maybe on a trip where I also make my way to Lake Saimaa, obviously the ???? trolls and ???? seals are awaiting me. God knows I'll miss the berries, smoke saunas, mustard and the smell of pine soon enough. (I still have the piece of pine you gave us, I'm sorry if I wasn't allowed to take it, too late, it's here with me.)

Start and end with ???? Taiga Times???? and you can't go wrong!

Love Saima and David xx

I highly recommend their Helsinki excursion. It was great opportunity to get out of the city for some fun in nature. It is a very well planned and professional tour. Jeff provides boots and other winter clothing if you need it, which I did! The hike was beautiful and educational, with stories about the plants and wildlife. Lunch was very charming, hearty and tasty, served in a traditional camp style. Hot blueberry juice was our drink, a nice surprise. Jeff was happy to accommodate my requests for a gluten-free and beef-free lunch.
The grand finale was the sauna and dip in the lake, also an unforgettable Finnish experience.

Jeff and Chris were incredible. They were so knowledgeable and friendly. The food was really good, as was the blueberry juice. I feel so grateful to have had such a wonderful experience of nature in Finland, and it would not have been possible without their help!

Thank you!

We had an absolutely fantastic experience with Taiga Times! Our guide, Jeff, made our day truly memorable as he expertly led us through the breathtaking national park. The day was filled with awe-inspiring landscapes, and we thoroughly enjoyed every moment of our leisurely walk. The beauty of the surroundings was beyond words, and Jeff's knowledge and enthusiasm added an extra layer to our exploration. If we find ourselves back in Helsinki, there's no doubt we'll be booking another tour with Taiga Times to create more wonderful memories.

An absolutely lovely experience! Jeff was a friendly and knowledgable guide. The autumn Mushroom Hunting excursion was an excellent way to get out of Helsinki and explore Finnish nature. The food was delicious and I appreciated that they provided gluten-free options. Overall, this was a pleasant and informative experience...the perfect way to end my trip to Finland!

Toller Ausflug, es wurde für alles gesorgt. Von wetterfesten Klamotten für alle bis hin zu leckerem Essen alles prima - sehr empfehlenswert ????

The tour was a brilliant day out.

The Tour guide was very friendly and professional.

A must do if visiting the region!

Superbe expérience, guides au top, repas délicieux pris et préparés dans un tipi finlandais par les guides !! A faire et à refaire !!! Courrez découvrir la taïga Finlandaise avec eux!!!

My partner and I booked both the National Park and Smoke Sauna Experience and the Winter Wonderland Hike, which we undertook earlier this month, based on great reviews we had seen and even then the tours completely exceeded our expectations. Jeff was the perfect guide and had such an impressive wealth of knowledge. He generously prepared two different lunches for us for the two tours we took (both delicious!) and always had time to answer our questions. These experiences were the highlight of our trip to Finland and we highly recommend Taiga Times.

My boyfriend and I had the pleasure of embarking on a Winter Wonderland Hike tour with Taiga Times, and it was nothing short of enchanting. The pristine landscapes and serene beauty of the winter forest left us awe-inspired, and the tour guide's expertise added an extra layer of magic to the experience.

From the moment we entered the forest, a hushed tranquility enveloped us as the snow-laden branches of tall evergreens sparkled in the soft light. The crisp air carried the tantalizing scent of pine, creating an atmosphere that felt like a scene from a fairytale. The snowy path beneath our feet crunched with each step, creating a soothing rhythm that echoed the peacefulness of the winter wonderland around us.

One of the highlights of the tour was the guide's deep knowledge of the local flora and fauna. Jeff shared fascinating facts about the unique adaptations of the forest's inhabitants to the harsh winter conditions.

As we ventured deeper into the woods, the guide skillfully led us to hidden gems. The interplay of light and shadow on the snow-covered landscape created a mesmerizing spectacle, and the guide's thoughtful explanations added depth to our appreciation of the natural beauty surrounding us.

The tour also featured a traditional Finnish kota, a cozy wooden hut where we took a break and indulged in hot beverages and local delicacies. The crackling fire and warm hospitality of the guide made the stop a delightful interlude, allowing us to savor the winter wonderland with all our senses.

This tour was a truly magical experience, and credit is due to the exceptional guide who turned a walk in the woods into an educational and awe-inspiring journey through Finland's winter wonderland. I highly recommend this tour to anyone seeking a blend of natural beauty, cultural insights, and the warmth of genuine hospitality.

Hanno cancellato il tour il giorno prima,evitate !

We thoroughly enjoyed our Archipelago Excursion to Porkkalanniemi with Taiga Times, and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a relaxing day out in nature nearby Helsinki. Jeff was very knowledgeable, and put in a lot of care to ensure everyone was safe and comfortable throughout the tour. The handmade lunch was probably the best meal we had during our stay in Finland! I look forward to joining his other tours on our next visit - thank you!

I participated in a custom private tour with Taiga Times including Smoke Sauna Experience. The tour exceeded my expectations. The tour guide was professional and friendly, and the trip was of high quality. Highly recommended.

I did the Archipelago Excursion in November 2022 and it was awesome! Jeff is a great guide, is really interesting, knowledgeable about the nature that we go through and super nice. The meal was also delicious! Highly recommended.

We booked the Magical Taiga Forest Hike.

This was such an incredible experience with Jeff at Taiga Times! Jeff was wonderful!! We were educated on so many varieties of mushrooms, picked blueberries the whole way, took some time to do a forest sound bath, got to eat the chanterelle mushrooms we picked (cooked over a fire), and had a delicious warm meal! They were even able to cater to my dietary preferences (vegan) and my husband's food allergy of fish.

Whenever I make my way back to Helsinki, I will 100% be booking another experience with them. Highly recommend!

Highly recommended!

Thank you Jeff and Kia for offering such a service. We had a great time in the national park hunting mushrooms, hiking, eating great food, learning a lot about finish nature and much more. We would do it again! Thanks Jeff for being such a good guide and thanks Kia for such a good organisation. Wish you all the best :-)

Super balade ! Le guide est à la hauteur des paysages !
Arbres, champignons, animaux, cuisine, il est incollable et très pédagogue, le tout avec humour.

Attended Finnish Smoke Sauna experience last week and cannot recommend it enough. Despite being really unlucky with the weather I had a great time on the tour. The tour guide/owner is really friendly and did a great job at keeping the group entertained. The swim in the lake after the sauna was beautiful.

Wonderful experience! I spend the day with Helena in the Finnish nature and it was absolutely fantastic. She’s very knowledgeable and passionate about nature. The traditional meal she prepared was delicious in a breathtaking setting. Thanks!!

We were on the smoking sauna experience and we had so much fun with Jeff. Highly recommend if you wanna experience the nature side of Helsinki.