Colorful Autumn Holiday
The Finnish autumn, the "Ruska time", is famous for its unique spectacle of colors: Here the deciduous trees compete to shine in red, yellow, green, orange and all colors in between!
This tour offers you the opportunity to spend a lot of time in nature and experience beautiful, colorful views. Minna, your Finnish host at the Pihlajapuu guesthouse, is also your tour guide for the entire stay. Minna lives here and knows her way around very well. And will enthusiastically introduce you to the beauty of this region, especially in the wild, mild, colorful autumn: Ruska in Karelia!
Date: 6-13.9.2025
Accommodation
In the middle of the forest, between hills and lakes, 20 km from the town of Nurmes, you will be accommodated in a lovingly converted former village school, with cozy single and double rooms, two large common rooms, dining room, veranda and balcony, several showers and toilets, a campfire area and - of course - a sauna.
Meals
Look forward to full Finnish-Karelian-Lappish board and delicacies made from fresh berries, mushrooms you've picked yourself and salmon grilled over the campfire. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or lactose-free: no problem here in Finland!
Price: 1070€/person
Services:
Group transfers to the airport, accommodation in a double room, full board (breakfast, packed lunch, hot dinner), excursions according to the daily program, all transfers on site, use of 2-person Canadian canoes (including paddling equipment) and bicycles with 7-speed gears (including saddlebags), sauna, Germanand/ English speaking tour guide.
Single room supplement: 140€
Number of participants: 3-10 women
Daily program:
Day 1
Flight to Kuopio, arrival around 6 p.m., transfer to the guesthouse (approx. 120 km), arrival in Pihlajapuu, dinner and getting to know each other.
Day 2
First paddling exercises on Lake Viemenjärvi, depending on the weather you can still swim here! In the afternoon we learn some Finnish. Sauna in the evening.
Day 3
Cycle tour to the Kuokkastenkoski bathing area, a total of 20 km. Sauna in the evening.
Day 4
Today you will get to know the town of Nurmes. Here you can stroll and shop. Sauna in the evening.
Day 5
Paddle tour to the Laitala guesthouse (approx. 12 km), past colorful shores. Sauna by the lake in the Laitala guesthouse and dinner there.
Day 6
Trip to Koli National Park. We take a taxi to the national park's tourist center. Hike to the summit with a wonderful, "colorful" view of the lake district. Afterwards we watch the award-winning film about the annual cycle of nature in the Pielinen Lake District in the tourist center. There are also nice souvenirs here!
Day 7
Tour to Raesärkät National Park: Hike through the moorland. The many birch trees characterize the yellow foliage. There are white and brown lakes and an inviting swimming spot.
To finish, we cycle (or paddle) to Minna's smoke sauna and then enjoy freshly prepared salmon by the campfire while we reflect on the eventful days.
Day 8
Time to say goodbye: hey, hey!
Transfer to Kuopio airport at 11am.
Notice:
- Not included in the price: Additional transportation: Arrival and departure.
- Travel insurance: Travel insurance is highly recommended for overseas travel. A comprehensive plan should include coverage for trip interruption, delay and cancellation, medical expenses, emergency medical transportation, loss and damage to baggage. Read more: Travel Insurance Info
- We reserve all the rights to change the order of the activities if necessary due to weather or other conditions.
