This sparsely populated region is an ideal place to relax and enjoy the untouched nature. The week includes hiking, cycling and canoeing in the taiga forests and on the beautiful waterways. In evenings you get to enjoy traditional Finnish sauna and local food delicacies.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival.
Arrival to Kajaani airport and transfer (approx. 2.5 hours) to Tolosenvirta cottage in Hossa for accommodation and dinner.
Day 2: Hiking – Canyon lake Julma-Ölkky.
The week starts with a visit to Julma-Ölkky canyon lake where we will do a half an hour boat trip to look at the cliffs. Then we will hike 4 km to see the “Colour Rock” with ancient rock paintings dating back to 4000 years. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed by the fire and after that we will hike 8 or 14 km through the the beautiful pine and spurce forest back to our accommodation at Tolosenvirta. Hiking 12 km or 18 km.
Day 3: Canoeing - Hossa.
Today we take the paddles and make a canoeing trip on the lakes and rivers nearby our accommodation. We will use open Indian canoes and all the necessary equipment, such as paddles and life vests will be provided. The tour will be on water on a couple of lakes linked by small rivers. Reindeer are a common sight in Hossa and occasionally elks can also be seen. For those who prefer to stay on dry land there are plenty of well marked hiking trails to explore in the area. Accommodation, sauna and dinner at the Tolosenvirta cottage.
Day 4: Canoeing - Hossa.
The second day of canoeing. Starting from the cottage it is a couple of hour’s paddling to the Hossa Visitor Centre where we will enjoy lunch and have a look at the on the area’s history and present day. After the lunch break we paddle the last five kilometers to the Hotel Hossan Lomakeskus where we will accommodate. Canoeing 12 km, walking 2 km.
Day 5: Cycling – Through the forests.
After two canoeing days it is time to leap in to the saddle and cycle from Hossa to Arola.The route goes on an asphalt road in the forest through the village of Juntusranta where we can pop in a local grocery shop and enjoy the picnic lunch. In the afternoon we arrive at Arola which is a farm located very close to the Russian border. We get to enjoy a hot sauna and after that a tasty dinner made of local ingredients by our hearty hostess. Cycling 38 km.
Day 6: Hiking – Martinselkonen nature reserve.
After a hearty breakfast we carry on the tour by hiking through the Martinselkonen nature reserve towards Wilderness Centre. The nature reserve has been set up to protect Finnish wilderness, especially swamp areas. This area is important for many birds and insects as the normal Finnish forest industry does not reach these nature reserve areas. Martinselkonen has watery mires and small lakes, old growth forests and spruce trees draped in beard lichen. We accommodate in a former frontier guard station for the next two nights. Hiking 16 km.
Day 7: Hiking - Russian border.
On the last day of the tour we hike east along the Russian border. The close proximity of the Russian border adds something rather mysterious and exotic to the atmosphere of the area. The border guard towers, the border zone, and the view over the Russian side are an experience in itself. In the evening we enjoy the traditional Finnish smoke sauna and the final dinner. Hiking 12 km.
Day 8: Return. Breakfast and transfer to Kajaani airport.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Accommodation: in 2 - 4 person rooms on days 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7. There are no private facilities – showers and toilets are located in the corridor. On day 4 accommodation is in twin/double hotel rooms.
- Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner daily
- Transfers to and from Kajaani airport
- Luggage transportation during the tour
- English-speaking guide throughout
- Sauna every night
- Canoe rentals with safety equipment
- Bicycle rental
Price Excludes:
- Travel insurance.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Finland
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Multi-activity
Email it to a friend:
Click here to email this vacation to a friend
|
, ext: 18623
