Finland : Wild Taiga Fly and Drive
Go hiking and wildlife watching in Finland. See bears, beavers and flying squirrels in the Tiaga
An extraordinary fly drive holiday which takes you through the sparsely populated and breathtakingly beautiful taiga forests of Finland. This fly drive route starts in eastern Finland and travels up to Lapland at the Arctic Circle. There are four majestic national parks to visit in Wild Taiga, one picturesque national hiking area and a stunning nature reserve. All of these areas are easily accessible from the fly drive route providing you with an ample supply of hiking, canoeing and fishing possibilities.
There are a variety of wildlife observation tours near to the Russian border which will give you a unique chance to watch and photograph wild animals such as bears, lynxes and wolverines up close. At the Ranua Wildlife Park you’ll meet a wide selection of Finland's northern and arctic animals.
The accommodation varies from hotel rooms, to apartments and cosy cabins, every night you will get to enjoy local food delicacies and a genuine Finnish sauna is also available most of the nights.
Itinerary
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Day 1 -
Arrival in Kuopio
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Kuopio – Metsäkartano aprox. 130 km Arrival at Kuopio airport where you will collect your hire car. If you arrive by an early flight you can visit the city of Kuopio which is full of life especially in summer. The city in the centre of Savo region is famous for its Marketplace, harbour and cheerful people. On the market you can taste a local speciality “kalakukko”, a Finnish fish pie. About 20 cruises depart daily from the harbour of Kuopio to the Lake Kallavesi. The symbol of the city is Puijo tower from where you can admire the beautiful views over the Lake Kallavesi. For the first night you will drive to Metsäkartano Mansion situated in a tranquil spot in the heart of nature. Dinner and a possibility to have sauna.
Meals included:
Dinner
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Day 2 -
Explore a national park
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Today you can choose between two national parks that are both within an easy reach from Metsäkartano. Tiilikkajärvi National park offers quite easy routes, some beautiful lake sceneries and beaches whereas Hiidenportti National Park’s sceneries are pretty rugged and trails include more hills and are a bit more demanding. The heart of the Hiidenportti National Park is the majestic Hiidenportti Gorge with its vertical rock walls. Both national parks have some good hiking trails for a few hours’ day tour. Remember to carry the picnic lunch with you because there is not that kind of services available in the parks. Dinner and accommodation at Metsäkartano Mansion.
Meals included:
Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 3 -
Observe beavers or flying squirrels
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Metsäkartano – Kuhmo aprox. 105 km It’s time to say goodbye to Metsäkartano and head via Nurmes in Karelia to the village of Kalevala, Kuhmo. In Nurmes you can visit a Karelian Bomba House and the Karelian village around it. Bomba House might be a good place to enjoy lunch as well. Midway, in the middle of the wild taiga, is situated a company organizing wildlife watching tours. In these tours it’s possible to observe some interesting animals of Finnish nature like beaver and flying squirrel. You can participate in a safari (extra charge) but please book the tour before the departure. By the end of the day you’ll arrive at Kuhmo which is a small village where you can see the Finnish national epic Kalevala reflected in the architecture, events, research, museums and in the food. You can learn more about Kalevala and Karelian culture at Kalevala Information Centre Juminkeko and at Kalevala Spirit Experience Park situated in close proximity to your accommodation. If you’ll visit Kuhmo during the last two weeks of July – you won’t be alone! Kuhmo is then full of guests enjoyning the annual Chamber Music Festival which is famous and appreciated throughout the world.
Meals included:
Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 4 -
Meet the brown bears
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Kuhmo – Juntusranta aprox. 170 km In the morning you will have an oportunity to visit Petola Visitor Centre which is an information center on Finland’s large carnivors – bear, wolf, lynx and wolverine. From Kuhmo the route goes toward north through some very sparcely populated areas following the Russian border. You’ll pass through a beautiful village of Lentiira and right after that you’ll cross the road leading to Kostamus and to the international frontier crossing point of Vartius. Some 25 km south from Suomussalmi, is situated the historical area of Raate which was a stage for some heavy battles during the Second World War. In Raate it is possible to visit a Winter War exhibition and the Raate Frontier Guard Museum. Your accommodatin for the next night will be in the tiny village of Juntusranta just beside the Russian border. Arola, Helena’s and Eero´s former dairy farm is well-known for its delicious local food. The farm is surrounded by remote woodland inhabited by European brown bears. In the evening you can take part in a bear safari (extra charge) and observe these majestic animals from the purpose-built log cabins.
Meals included:
Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 5 -
Hiking in Hossa
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Juntusranta - Kuusamo aprox. 135 km Heading north again you will first arrive at Hossa which is a national hiking area known for its crystal-clear lakes and handsome pine heathlands. The area offers great circumstances for hiking, canoeing and fishing. One good destination for a day hiking trip might be Värikalliot, the oldest rock paintings in northern Finland dating back some 4000 years. Hossa Visitor Centre offers information on trails and there is also an exhibition which tells about the area's history and present day.
In Hossa you can also visit a reindeer park and get to know better the semi-wild animal inhabiting the northern area of Finland. You can try your skills in lassooing the reindeer or just pet and feed them. Your final destination today is Kuusamo which is one of the most important tourist destinations in Finland, thanks to its magnificent nature, and there are plenty of activities available throughout the year. Before accommodating at the cosy Ollila Holiday Cottages you can eg. pop in the Tourist and Nature Centre Karhuntassu and visit a nature photograhy centre there.
Meals included:
Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 6 -
Kuusamo – nature’s own amusement park
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This morning you don´t need to pack your luggage because you will stay another night at the same place. You can head today to Oulanka National Park or to Ruka which is maybe the most popular skiing resort in Finland. Oulanka National Park’s landscape is made up of pine forests, river valleys with sandy banks and rapids, and in the north of vast mires. The area is rich in animal and plant species. Hikers can get a general picture of the park’s nature even on day-trips. There are several routes available but one very nice and also very demanding is the Small Bear’s Trail starting from the village of Juuma. Starting from Oulanka Visitor centre you can visit the Kiutaköngäs rapids which are one of the biggest rapids in Finland. Many safari companies organize river rafting in Oulanka National Park varying from easy family tours to speedy tours making your heart to beat! In Ruka you can climb up to some of the hills and admire the beautiful sceneries over the forests and lakes. An easier way to get high is the Ruka Lookout Lift that takes you up to the hill and if you are brave enough, you can descend back by a speedy summer sled! The safari companies of the area offer also many other activities like canoe trips, quad safaris, mountain biking and Nordic walking tours.
Meals included:
Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 7 -
Reach the Arctic Circle
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Kuusamo - Rovaniemi aprox. 210 km This will be your last and longest day of travelling which ends up to Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle. If you are still willing to do some hiking you can easily visit weather Riisitunturi National Park or Korouoma Nature Reserve which both offer some nice chances for daytrips eventhough there are no circular routes available. Both destinations have their characteristics and especially the 30-km-long fracture valley in Korouoma is very special. Park situated in Ranua. There are about 50 species of arctic and northern wild animals at Ranua Zoo, including the bear, the only polar bears in Finland, lynx, wolf, wolverine, moose and many more. If you take a bit longer, the souther route from Posio to Rovaniemi you will have a chance to visit a Wildlife The city of Santa Claus, Rovaniemi, offers you a plenty to do. Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle takes you to the atmosphere of Christmas, no matter evenif it is summer. You can visit Santa Claus in his office, send postcard from Santa Claus’ Post Office and visit Christmas Exhibition presenting Christmas traditions around the world. The Arktikum, a science centre and a museum is also worth of a visit. The exhibitions of the Arktikum lead you through Arctic areas’ and Finnish Lapland’s history and modern day providing a unique insight into the way of life, culture and history of the North. For the last night of the tour you will accommodate at Ounasvaaran Pirtit, in a well-appointed cabin with a genuine Finnish sauna where you can refresh yourself after a week full of activities. Exceptionally the dinner is not included in the price today but there are several good restaurants to choose between in Rovaniemi
Meals included:
Breakfast
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Day 8 -
Departure
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Rovaniemi – Airport aprox. 7 km Breakfast and drive to the airport of Rovaniemi where you will leave your hire car.
Meals included:
Breakfast
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Prices
| Dates |
From |
| Adult |
01/05/2009 - 30/09/2009
| £1,679 |
| Notes |
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Prices are per person, based on two adults sharing.
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What's Included?
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- Accommodation on days 1, 2 and 4 in double rooms of hotel standard and on days 3, 5, 6 and 7 in cabins for 2 – 4 persons
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- Breakfast and dinner daily (except the dinner on day 7 is not included)
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- Sauna every night except on day 3
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- Exclusive travel documentation package including personalised maps, itinerary and driving directions
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Fights from London Heathrow to Kuopio and Return from Rovaniemi to London Heathrow
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Car Hire Pick up from Kuopio Airport and return to Rovaniemi Airport
What's NOT Included?
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- Lunches and drinks on meals
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- Dinner on day 7
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- Entrance fees
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- No activities are included in the price
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