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Taiga Forests & Wildlife
Nature lovers' escape
Independent holiday with group experiences
Credit: Anna-Katri Hanninen
Dates
On request
August-September
Duration
6 days/5 nights
Suitable
For nature lovers wanting to learn more about local wildlife
Price
From AUD 1275 per person
the holidays in a unique family owned hotel amongst unspoiled nature, in eastern Finland.
The hotel building itself is protected by the Finnish Heritage Agency. It was designed by architect Ilpo Väisänen in a shape of a large bird spreading its wings to rise into air. This bird is the mythical bird, Kokko, from the national epic of Finland, the Kalevala. The Kokko is essentially a Finnish version of the Phoenix except that is is made of iron and fire instead of just fire.
This 3-star lakeshore hotel offers 47 rooms and a wellness department with saunas plus indoor and outdoor hot tubs. Their restaurant serves wholesome food using local produce like berries & mushrooms from the surrounding forests, vegetables grown in the region and fish from the local lakes.
Tour Highlights
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Unique accommodation in a cosy cabin on a floating raft accessible by a row boat
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Enjoy simple delicious meals where the fresh seasonal produce is the hero
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Enjoy Finnish sauna ritual - every night
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Visit prehistoric Astuvansalmi rock paintings on a guided hike
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Enjoy a picnic on a near-by island
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Chance to see the endangered Saimaa Ringed Seal
Tour Itinerary
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival
Transfer from Kajaani railway station to Hotel Kalevala ( arr. at 14.28hrs)
Dinner
Day 2:
Breakfast
Hiking tour on brown bear tracks
Bear watching night in the luxury cabin
Early dinner & overnight
Day 3:
Transfer back to hotel for breakfast
Free time for resting or optional activities
Lunch at the hotel
Visit Petola and/or Winter War Museum on your own
Dinner
Day 4:
Paddling on the lake
Lunch at the hotel
Early dinner at the hotel before elk safari
Day 5:
Free day for resting or optional activities
Dinner
Day 6: Departure
Transfer to Kajaani railway station - dep. 9.23hrs or 12.17hrs
Day 1: Arrival to lakeside Hotel Kalevala.
Accommodation, dinner
Day 2: After breakfast a nature walk of 2-3 hours in the
Finnish taiga, you will discover with a professional nature guide the secrets and tracks of European brown bear:
droppings, marks on the trees, a bear path. The guide will tell you the story of the Finnish bear, as well as stories of the other wild animals living in the forest. Back to the hotel, evening saunas and dinner.
Day 3: Free morning, chance to visit Petola nature centre
(free entrance, 300m walk from hotel).
In the afternoon transfer close to Russian borderline for bear watching night. Early dinner, info about the hides are animals possible to see (bear, wolf, wolverine), short walk (400m) to the hides. Night in a bear hide, including snacks.
Day 4:
After a exciting night transfer back to the hotel for breakfast. Free morning to rest. Evening saunas, early dinner
at the hotel before elk safari. You take at dawn or dusk a 2-3 hours guided safari to meet this impressive mammal - the sound of them in the dusk create a special atmosphere.
Day 5: Free day for resting or optional activities.
Try rapid swimming or you can rent a canoe or bike and visit Kuhmo town. Evening saunas and dinner.
Day 6: Breakfast, check out
Price
Tour price
From AUD 1275 per person when 2 adults sharing a cabin
What's included
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Accommodation at Hotel Kalevala with half board (breakfast, 3-course dinner), evening sauna with indoor and outdoor jacuzzis
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Guided activities: hiking on brown bear's tracks, bear watching night, elk safari
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Free use of outdoor games, Wi-Fi
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A donation on your behalf for protection of the endangered Saimaa Ringed Seal read more >
What's not included
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Meals other than described
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Alcoholic beverages during meals unless mentioned
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Tips or any other items of personal nature
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Flights
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Travel Insurance
Booking Conditions
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SAFETY & TRAVEL INSURANCE
All outdoor activities carry an element of risk and we strongly advice you to purchase a comprehensive travel insurance. You warrant that the information you provide regarding your health & fitness is accurate and there are no other medical issues (both physical/mental) that may impact your ability to enjoy this experience without the need for special assistance.
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WEATHER
If the organisers do not deem one of the activities safe, they reserve the right to change the order of the activities or the content of the program if necessary due to the weather. In extreme conditions they might have to reschedule or cancel.
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ALTERATIONS BY ORGANISER
Sometimes the organiser has to make changes, usually because of circumstances out of their control. If this happens, they reserve the right at any time to substitute accommodation or activities. If this means extra cost to you, we’ll let you know.
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ACCEPTANCE OF RISK
You acknowledge that travel involves personal risks which may be greater than those present in your everyday life. This could be as a result of the adventurous nature of your trip or the visiting of destinations which present geographical risks and dangers.
Our full terms & conditions (link).
Payment & cancellations
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20% deposit is required within 7 days after your holiday is confirmed
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Balance due 65 days prior to travel
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Cancellations:
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More than 66 days prior to departure - loss of deposit
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From 65 to 31 days prior to departure – loss of 50% of total cost
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Less than 30 days prior to departure - loss of 100% of total cost
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Please arrange a comprehensive travel insurance which covers all activities and any cancellation costs, should you not be able to travel
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Our full terms & conditions can be found here (link)
Please note
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If you want to enjoy this experience with a friend instead of your partner, we can arrange a separate bed (surcharge applies)
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If you wish to try your luck fishing, rods and bait can be provided
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If you wish to stay connected to the outside world, bring a power bank for your phone as there is no electricity in the cabin. Your phone can also be charged at the main house.
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If you wish to enjoy snacks and/or alcoholic beverages during your cabin stay, bring them with you. Alternatively we can offer some local suggestions that you can pre-order (surcharge applies).
Weather
Please note that weather conditions vary from year to year and it is advisable to check the weather conditions before your arrival. You can check the weather on weather service sites such as
Daylight
Check daylight hours for this region via this link
Typically in June the sun rises at 3am and sets around 11pm. Towards the end of July sun rises around 4am and sets around 10pm. At the end of August sunrise is around 6am and sunset around 8pm. In September days are getting shorter with sunrise between 6-7am and sunset between 8pm-6.30pm.
Ask us about
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Creating a tailor-made pre and/or post tours
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Quote for train travel from Helsinki
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Adding extra activities to your travel package
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Arrangements for special celebrations or milestones during this tour
Extend your holiday with this getaway!
