CANOEING HOLIDAY - LET'S MAKE SUMMER MEMORIES
North Karelia is a heaven for canoeing and kayaking. A large number of lakes and waterways offer endless possibilities for paddlers, from day trips to multi week expeditions. The crown jewel of the area is Kolovesi National Park, which is the home of the extremely rare, Saimaa Ringed Seal. North Karelia offers beautiful nature, with a vast variety of wildlife including moose, wolf, lynx, wolverine and the king of the forest, the brown bear. During your one week trip you will explore the area together with your seasoned guide and discover some hidden gems of the area. You will also learn the basics of canoeing and navigation on the water as well as have an opportunity to fish.
The program for the week has been built so that you have enough time to enjoy the area and nature as well as just relax. Your guide will pick you up at the morning from your accommodation and return when the day is over. Normal days start at 09:00 am and end between 4pm and 6pm. During the day you will enjoy snacks and also lunch in the outdoors. All our guides are professional, certified paddlers and experts on living from the land. They all speak fluent English. Overnight stay in Vaara Sport outdoor active centre.
Highlights:
Kolovesi National Park
Suomujärvi
Beaver lake
Saimaa archipelago system, home of the famously rare Saimaa Ringed Seal
Joensuu River
Program:
Day 1
Arrival at the accommodation.
Quick check at the weeks program and gear check. This is were you will meet your guide(s)
Accommodation in Vaara Sport is a full-service training center for athletes, outdoor enthusiasts and sports clubs, located in Kontiolahti. Vaara Sport offers accommodation in a serene and inspiring setting. Get ready to fall in love with Vaara Sport!
Dinner
Day 2
First day on the water.
Small warm up for the canoeing, where we go thru the basics and after that do a few hours trip to beautiful section of the Pielisjoki river.
Day starts at 09:00am and ends 4pm.
During the day you will enjoy small snacks and lunch as well as coffee or tea. Pielisjoki has a long, rich history and it is one of the biggest rivers in the area. The river flows through the middle of the city of Joensuu.
Dinner
Sauna
Overnight stay in Vaara Sport
Day 3
Canoeing at lake Suomujärvi
Suomujärvi is a beautiful lake destination in the heart of Patvinsuo National Park. The area is know for its wild life and birds. The lake is crystal clear and the shores are beautiful sand beaches that invite hikers and paddlers to swim. The national park has several public campsites where you can camp or just relax and have a cup of coffee. Park fees are included in your trip so you don’t have to worry about them. During the day, you also have time for fishing. What you catch, we cook on the open fire and enjoy with coffee and bread.
Day starts at 09:00am and ends 5pm. During the day you will enjoy small snacks and lunch as well as coffee or tea. Driving time to Suomujärvi is 90 minutes from Joensuu.
Dinner
Overnight stay in Vaara Sport
Day 4
Beaver lake
Beaver is a highly appreciated game animal in Finland. It is also an extremely capable builder. This trip takes you to the home lake of the beaver, where we learn about its life as well as the eco system that it creates for itself and other animals. We will visit near its nest and dam and if we are lucky we might even catch a glimpse of the animal itself. During the trip we will move by canoe and foot. There is a small chance that your feet will get wet so make sure that you bring extra socks with you.
The day starts at 09:00am and ends 4pm. During the day you will enjoy small snacks and lunch as well as coffee or tea.
Dinner
Overnight stay in Vaara Sport
Day 5
Kolovesi National Park
Kolovesi National park is one of the premier paddling destinations in Finland and also in Europe. It offers breathtaking landscapes and beautiful nature with rich birdlife. Motor boats are forbidden in the park area which makes it unique for canoeing. Kolovesi National Park is a part of the Saimaa archipelago system that is home of the famously rare Saimaa Ringed Seal. If we are lucky, we might see the seal sun bathing.
Day starts at 09:00am and ends 6pm. During the day you will enjoy small snacks and lunch as well as coffee or tea. Driving time to National Park is 75 minutes from Joensuu.
Dinner
Overnight stay in Vaara Sport
Day 6
City from the water
River Pielisjoki is one of the biggest and most important rivers of the area. If flows in the middle of city of Joensuu and has always been very significant part local history and economy. This trips takes you to the up stream of the river were we start our journey and go down stream all the way to the city. During the day we will stop to the cafeterias near the river and enjoy the local hospitality. Joensuu city was build around the river and because of that, it is only appropriate to explore it also from the river.
Dinner
Sauna
Overnight stay in Vaara Sport
Day 7
Back home. Time to say hei, hei.
Guarantee departure
3.-9.6.2023
8.-14.7.2023
29.7-4.8.2023
9.-15.9.2023
Dates: 1st of May -30th of September. Ask offer.
Time: 6 nights, 7 days
Group size: 2-8 pax (for bigger groups ask for an offer)
Level: Normal
Canoeing distance: from 4 - 15 km/ Depending on the group
Water: Lake and river, no strong currents
Price: 2500€/person
Includes:
• Guiding and basic training
• Light lunch, coffee or tea + traditional salty and sweet snack
• Transportation for 8 person
• All the needed gear
• Accommodation / dubble room, breakfast, dinner
