Customer Stories

Nature Photography Course

I attended Timo's nature photography course at Kiilopää, Lapland over a weekend. There were five of us in the group. We weren't exactly the easiest bunch to teach: our camera experience ranged from zero to quite experienced, and our ages varied from thirteen to seventy-six. Somehow, Timo managed to bring us together as a team – he really knows how to work with a group!

Timo has a gift for making every participant feel important. He listens, shows genuine interest in whoever is speaking, and engages fully with every question. He also has the ability to involve the whole group in reflecting on an issue, which makes the work meaningful for everyone. It's easy to turn to Timo – no question is too small or basic, and none is too complex!

Timo had planned the course meticulously. Theory sessions at the table were combined with taking photos in various natural environments – by the stream, along forest paths, at a lean-to with birds, and at the summit of Kiilopää – in different natural lighting conditions: in the morning, at midday, and in the evening as dusk set in. 

Reviewing the photos on a computer screen and discussing alternative settings as a group made for a well-rounded and rewarding experience.
There was only one flaw in the course: it could have lasted longer.

– Tytti Solantaus

Canoe Trek

A dark morning.

Departure from Arabia at 8:00 a.m. There are four of us. We've packed snacks, spare clothes, and rain gear. A two-hour drive from Helsinki to Liesjärvi. Drowsy morning chatter and gazing at the passing scenery from the car. A quiet, grey morning.

Tandem canoes are waiting by the shore of Lake Liesjärvi. A light rain is falling. Rain gear on, and we launch the canoes. Timo gives us instructions on how to use the paddle. There's no one else on the lake but us. It's calming to paddle in the light rain and autumn grey. Water and sky blend into one. It feels like your heart could burst, time slows down – stops. This is love.

A couple of hours of paddling. We change into dry clothes.
We decide to drive a short distance to a nearby cooking shelter, since the rain continues. Timo cooks lentil soup on a camp stove. The hot soup tastes absolutely heavenly.

We take a walk to the Korteniemi Heritage Farm. The most beautiful shingle roof I've ever seen. A few kilometers of leisurely walking along a nature trail. We marvel at the mosses. Beautiful old forest. So many different shades of green.
Softness underfoot. The ground yields. You could sink into it.

On the way back, we stop at the Högfors ironworks area in Karkkila.
Nature and culture – a great combination.
In the evening, the body feels deliciously tired and oxygenated.
A pretty perfect day.

– Paula Tella

Nature Yoga and Hiking

I got to know Timo Junttila through my interest in yoga. I've been attending the yoga classes he has led for about 6–7 years. Timo is an excellent yoga teacher – precise, calm, determined, skilled in communication, and considerate of every participant.

I took part in a "Forest Mind Yoga" course held in Saarijärvi. Alongside Timo, the other yoga instructor was Antti.

Both course leaders are outstanding and experienced outdoorsmen as well as wilderness guides.

A key part of the autumn yoga course was hiking in the breathtakingly beautiful nature sites around Saarijärvi. I hadn't visited them before, but they left a lasting impression on me.

On the second day of the course, we explored the magically beautiful and rugged terrain of Julmat Lammit, with its steep and dramatic rock formations. The terrain was rocky and at times a bit difficult to traverse.

Antti and Timo were constantly attentive, making sure that none of us stumbled or injured ourselves in this rather challenging environment.

Our second hike took us to Pyhä-Häkki National Park. It, too, was stunningly majestic, but perhaps a bit softer in nature, making walking easier than the previous day. This area was also in its original natural state, and it was a pleasure to walk, sit, reflect, and enjoy the pure, unspoiled Finnish wilderness at its finest.

Each of the nature days also included yoga. The sessions consisted of long-held stretches, meditative breathing exercises, and simply quieting the mind in an extraordinarily beautiful and pristine natural setting.

I've also participated in two hiking trips organized by Timo. The first took us to Montenegro, and the second to the Romanian/Transylvanian countryside and mountain region. Both were week-long, physically demanding, highly interesting, and full of enriching and enjoyable experiences.

Timo planned our week-long trips so that on several days, we undertook fairly long (4–5 hour) hikes through the rugged mountain landscapes. These hikes were quite demanding for an older body like mine, but I managed them quite well. At least there was no risk of getting lazy during the trip! Hiking in the mountains is also beneficial simply because of the fresh, oxygen-rich air, which is wonderfully invigorating.

Our trip to Romania also included a few interesting cultural experiences. Most memorable was our visit to Bran Castle. Another highlight was a visit to the Prince Charles Foundation center in Viscri.

– Timo Ylönen