Explore the Wonders of Kuhmo – A Unique Experience in Finnish Nature and Culture
Group size: min 6
Day 1: Thursday, September 4
Welcome to Kuhmo!
Arrive at Kajaani Airport, where we’ll greet you and transport you to Hotel Kalevala.
The flight from Helsinki arrives at Kajaani airport at 18.55
Your guide Kerttu Komulainen will be waiting for you.
Driving time 1 t 39 min (112 km)
Relax and get settled at Hotel Kalevala
Enjoy a delicious dinner while learning about the exciting week ahead.
End your day unwinding in the sauna and jacuzzi.
Overnight stay at Hotel Kalevala
Day 2: Friday, September 5
City Discovery:
Breakfast
10:00 Transfer to Kuhmo. Driving time 10 min.
Guided tour with Kerttu at Kuhmo, a charming town rich in history and nature.
Cultural Gems:
Visit Juminkeko, a folkloristic archive preserving the rich traditions of Karelia, and tour the Kuhmo Arts
Centre, a stunning blend of architecture and world-class acoustics.
Taste Local Delights: Indulge in local flavors at Kaesa's Café
Exploring the town’s shops
Relax:
Relax in the sauna and jacuzzi before a cozy dinner and a restful night at Hotel Kalevala.
19:00 dinner
Overnight stay at Hotel Kalevala
Day 3: Saturday, September 6
Breakfast
Leisurely Morning:
Enjoy breakfast and optional treatments before lunch.
Relaxing Massages (50 min €70 / 60 min €85)
Finnish Bone Setting (50 min €60 / 90 min €79)
Aromatherapy Baths (20 min €30 for 1-2 people)
Herbal or Peat Treatments in Lentiira (1-1.5h €70-85)
Lunch at hotel
An Evening with Wildlife
15:00 Driving time: 49 min (60,1 km) leaving from hotel 15:00.
16:00 – 21:00 Wildlife watching
Experience the thrill of observing wild brown bears at the Bear Centre, one of the best locations in the
world for safe bear watching. With a 90-99% chance of spotting bears, this is a memory you won’t forget!
Bear Watching in Bear Cabin
As you sit in our cabins, listening to the sounds of the wildlife outside, you can witness the giants of the
forest just meters from your feet, breathing and jaw-popping. The sight of these majestic creatures near our
cabins is simply indescribable, and the audio experience within is nothing short of magical. Our Bear Cabin
is widely considered to be one of the best places in the world to observe wild bears. With a high probability
of sighting a bear, ranging from 80-95% depending on the month. In addition to bears, the hide area is
regularly visited by 1-4 different wolverines, foxes and 1-2 times per week by the local wolf pack.
22:00 Late evening dinner at hotel
Overnight stay at Hotel Kalevala.
Day 4: Sunday, September 7
Drive to Lentiira Resort to spend the day:
10:00 Guided Forest Walk and Foraging – Discover Nature's Bounty
After breakfast embark on a serene forest walk and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature while foraging
for wild berries and mushrooms. Guided by a knowledgeable local expert, you'll learn to identify edible
treasures and uncover the secrets of the forest's seasonal offerings for dinner later in the evening.
Experience the harmony of nature and its healing power in this immersive activity. We continue on an
intuitive journey into the forest to gather plants for a herbal whisk (vasta). Carefully selecting up to four
plants renowned for their beneficial properties, such as aspen, alder, fireweed, nettle, meadowsweet, lady’s
mantle, yarrow, spruce, pine, birch, juniper, rose, blueberry, or lingonberry.
The session includes: Creating a Sauna Whisk: Learn the art of crafting a vasta to enhance your sauna
experience with its soothing aromas and therapeutic effects.
Herbal Skin Scrub: Prepare a natural, rejuvenating scrub using two carefully selected herbs, tailored to your
skin's needs, for a deeply nourishing treatment in the sauna.
This unique activity connects you with the nature while nurturing both body and soul—a perfect blend of
tradition, mindfulness, and gastronomy.
13:00 Lunch - Forest picnic the Finnish Way: Savour the flavours of the forest with fresh berries, traditional
rye bread, smoked fish and barbecue sausage. Pair your meal with a cup of steaming tea, coffee or
refreshing berry juice.
14:00 Solar Flare Observation through Solar Scope (weather depend)
Experience the power and beauty of the sun like never before with a solar flare observation through a
specialised solar scope. This unique experience allows you to safely view the sun's dynamic surface,
including stunning solar flares, sunspots, and coronal activity, all magnified in extraordinary detail.
Guided by an expert in solar astronomy, you will learn about the fascinating science behind these solar
phenomena and the profound impact they have on our planet. The solar scope provides a safe and
immersive way to observe the sun’s raw energy up close, an experience rarely offered to the public.
16:00 Enjoy the nature/forest for a leisurely walk or use one of Lentiira’s bicycles free at your disposal.
One of the Sauna Experiences:
18.00 Sauna: Experience the ultimate combination of relaxation and rejuvenation with a traditional sauna
session followed by a refreshing plunge into a pristine lake. The soothing warmth of the sauna prepares
your body, opening pores and easing tension, while the invigorating dip in the cool lake water revitalises
your senses and boosts circulation.
17:00 Guided Traditional Smoke Sauna Ritual with Herbal Whisks and Healing Treatments Reflecting the
State of Your Body
This age-old Finnish ritual not only cleanses the body but also rejuvenates the mind, leaving you feeling
balanced and energised. In the sauna, we engage in the timeless practice of whisking (vasta) under the
guidance of a traditional therapist and taking a As we embrace the sauna's purifying warmth, we savour
refreshing berry juice and apply a handcrafted herbal scrub to rejuvenate the skin.
At the end of the session, we assess the condition of the whisk and interpret how it reflects the state of our
body—revealing the strength and vitality gifted to us by nature and its plants.
The ritual concludes with cleansing the body using peat soap made from locally sourced therapeutic peat.
Harvested locally from a pristine sphagnum moss bog 1.5 meters underground, this peat is approximately
3,000 years old and rich in skin-nurturing properties. The gentle peat soap is suitable for everyone, from
babies to elders.
Finally, we unwind with a cup of aromatic herbal tea, taking a moment to listen to and connect with our
body, appreciating the harmony brought by nature and the sauna ritual.
19:00 Dinner - Together, we will create a delicious dinner over an open fire, using the earlier picked forest
bounty, combining the vibrant flavours of nature with the joy of outdoor cooking.
20:00 Stargazing Under the Northern Lights (weather depended)
Experience an unforgettable celestial journey as you gaze at the wonders of the night sky through a
powerful 12-inch telescope. Witness the brilliance of distant stars, planets, and galaxies. If we are lucky, the
awe-inspiring northern lights might dance across the heavens while we stargaze.
Set in a remote location far from city lights, this magical experience offers a front-row seat to the cosmos.
An expert astronomer will share insights about the constellations, the aurora borealis, and the universe's
mysteries, adding depth to your stargazing adventure. Bundle up in warm clothing, sip on hot beverages,
and let the beauty of the Arctic Taiga sky leave you in awe.
The stargazing tour includes:
* A guided naked eye introduction to the night sky.
* Use of our 12inch telescope
* A maximum group size of 10 people.
* Free use of our winter down jackets.
* Hot drinks under the stars
Return to Hotel Kalevala
Day 5: Monday, September 8
Healing Through Nature at Tulijärvi with Kerttu
10:00 Join a local guide for a forest walk to gather resin and learn about Finland’s natural wonders. At her
home, craft your own resin cream to take home as a special souvenir.
Guide Kerttu Komulainen: Tulijärvi is a goverment owned forest area on the south side of Kuhmo center, 15min drive from Hotel Kalevala. This area has a forest consisting mostly of pinewood, a lake, fireplace and hiking trail. https://maps.app.goo.gl/KV1hQtLkXyy1wzJ1A
Kerttu is a local guide that has lived most of her life in Kuhmo. She has 9 years of experience of guiding
people on nature trips. Kerttu is very interested and excited about the nature and local history and she has a skill of transmitting this excitement to her clients, too!
Lunch somewhere, then transfer to Kajaani Airport
Need to look at timing, group needs to be at the airport for 17.20 (flight at 19.20.
