What our guests say

In June, I found Lily as my guide through Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book). At first I just wanted an easy day — bringing my mum along on a Nordic adventure, I felt a little unsure of myself. I never imagined it would become the most delightful memory of our whole trip. It made me realise that finding a guide who truly clicks with you in a foreign country is like meeting a kindred spirit: part fate, part sheer good luck.

Lily is a master's student in forestry and knows Finnish nature inside out. She took us to Nuuksio National Park and, as we walked, explained the habits and ecology of all the plants around us — details we would normally have hurried straight past came alive in her telling.

We picked wild blueberries as we hiked, then reached a barbecue spot deep in the forest. Lily taught us to chop wood and light a fire, preparing lunch the old-fashioned way. After half an hour of happy effort, food we had helped make ourselves tasted sweeter than anything a city restaurant could offer.

Even better, Lily took us foraging for wild mushrooms, carefully teaching us which were safe to eat and which were not — we even brought some home to add to our dinner. I did get stung by a wasp along the way, but Lily took me straight to the visitor centre to sort it out; it was nothing serious, just a special little episode — the forest's welcome gift, you might say.

For someone like me — an INFP who dislikes tick-the-box tourism and longs for immersive experiences — this day felt tailor-made. Strolling and chatting in the quiet forest, gathering the forest's fruits with our own hands, sitting around the fire for a simple barbecue... none of it felt like an "itinerary". It felt more like a healing ritual, a day spent in the company of nature.

We were so lucky to meet Lily. With her expertise and her warmth, she made the Finnish forest feel as easy and welcoming as walking with an old friend. I wholeheartedly recommend her — especially to those who, like me, long to slow down and find a little resonance in their travels.

— A guest who visited with their mother · June 2025

Why choose Sleepless Finland?

Sleepless Finland runs small-group forest, foraging and wild-mushroom-picking tours in the national parks near Helsinki. We hike gentle trails, gather mushrooms and berries the forest freely offers, and grill lunch by a quiet lake — guided by a friendly nature expert who speaks both English and Chinese.

Intimate

Only small groups for authentic quiet.

Close

National parks within easy reach of Helsinki.

Comfort

Gear and warm drinks included.

Weather-smart

Flexible plans for the best conditions.

Which tour is right for you?

Tell us how much time and comfort you're after, and we'll point you to the package that fits.

Short & simple

A 2–3 hour taster of hiking and foraging near Espoo. Best if you're short on time or on a budget.

See Package 3 →

A full morning

3–4 hours in the forest with a quick outdoor lunch. The classic day out for most visitors.

See Package 2 →

The full experience

4–5 hours with camp-site BBQ, wood-chopping, gear, a wooden souvenir and door-to-door pick-up anywhere in Helsinki.

See Package 1 →

Still not sure? Tell us what you're after and we'll help you choose.

Ask us for help

Meet your guide

Illustrated portrait of Lily, your guide, in a red jacket with forest and city sketches around her

Hi, I'm Lily — your guide, your fellow adventurer, and quite possibly your new favorite travel companion.

I've been in love with the outdoors since I was a kid, wandering forests and never wanting to come home. That feeling never left me. It turned into a life spent chasing horizons. I've lived in China, the United States, Japan, Estonia, India, Canada, and now Finland, and I've called each one home long enough to know its secrets, not just its postcards.

My very first job, back in 2002, was as a tour guide, and honestly it felt less like work and more like doing the thing I was made for: showing people somewhere beautiful and watching their faces light up. Twenty years and six countries later, I still get that same thrill every single time.

These days I'm a researcher at the University of Helsinki, where I focus on the circular economy, which is really just a way of saying I care deeply about forests, about biodiversity, and about keeping nature whole. That care shapes every trip I lead. I believe in sustainable tourism, and I don't just talk about it — I build my trips around it. We explore the Nordic forests: the trees, the trails, the quiet places most people walk right past. We forage for what the forest freely offers, and we do it gently, always leaving no trace, so the land stays just as wild for the next person who comes to love it.

Safety matters to me too. I'm trained in first aid and emergency response, and through my previous government work and ongoing training I've learned to handle risk and navigate difficult situations calmly — so when you're with me, you can relax, stay curious, and simply enjoy the adventure.

What I love most, though, is the people. Every traveler brings a story, and every trip becomes something we make together. So come wander with me. Let's find the paths worth taking, tread lightly on the earth, and make a few memories worth keeping.

Ready when you are.