WINTER WILDLIFE IN WILD TAIGA
Wild Taiga area has a great expanse of untouched wilderness, which offers exceptional chance for wildlife watching and photographing. It is one of the best areas in Europe to see and photograph the rare animals in their natural habitat. Winter wildlife watching season is perfect to observe also Northern lights!
Itinerary:
Day 1 | Arrival Welcome!
- Arrival and check in to lakeside Hotel Kalevala
- Evening saunas with indoor and outdoor jacuzzis
- Dinner
Day 2 | Snowhoeing to wolverine hut
- After breakfast it's time for guided snowshoe tour to wolverine hut. Follow the tracks of wolverine, elk and hare by snowshoes with your professional wilderness guide. You’ll reach the private wilderness hut where you’ll stay 1,5-2 hours in middle of silence to get a chance to observe the wolverine or other animals of the taiga forest.Incl.transfers, hot drinks and picnic. Transfer back to the hotel.
- Evening saunas with indoor and outdoor jacuzzis, dinner.
Day 3 | Wildlife watching night
- Breakfast
- Morning for leisure or optional activities.
- In the afternoon pack what you need for two nights, rest of your belongings you can leave in your room. Transfer closer to Russian border, where you'll spend the next two nights in Luxury Cabins. On the arrival information about the cabin and animals possible to see like wolverine, wolf, several birds (and also Northern lights if you are lucky).
- Early dinner before going to the cabins.
Day 4 | More wildlife watching
- Breakfast at the main building or at your cabin.
- Day to spend for resting or discovering the area.
- Early dinner.
- In the afternoon back in to your cabin for the night.
Day 5 | Day for leisure
- Breakfast at the main building or at your cabin.
- Transfer back to hotel. You can rest or book optional activities. We recommend husky safari, ice fishing or rapid swimming.
- Evening saunas, dinner
Day 6 | Day Kuhmo
- Breakfast
- Getting to know city of Kuhmo
- Shopping
- Story time: The bear in Finnish mythology
The storyteller is Giulia Santelli, translator and author of the Giulia in Finlandia blog and ambassador of Finnish culture to Italians. She has studied Finnish literature and Finno-Ugric philology at the University of Bologna (Italy).
- Evening saunas, dinner
Day 7 | Bye bye Finland
- Breakfast, check-out, transfer back to Kajaani airport.
Valid: 3.1.-31.3.2024
Group size: Min. 2 persons
Price/person:
Double/twin room 2850 €
Superior room (for 2) 2950 €
Suite (for 2) 3200 €
Including:
- 3 night accommodation at Hotel Kalevala
- 2 night wildlife watching at luxury watching cabin
- Snowshoe tracking to wolverine hut (5-6 hours)
- Half board (3 course dinner at hotel, early dinners before wildlife watching night)
- Evening saunas with indoor and outdoor jacuzzis daily at hotel
- Free Wi-Fi
With extra charge | Optional activities
Prices are per person. Thermal overall (suit, hat, gloves, boots, socks) 120 €/week or 35 €/day
- SNOWSHOE TOUR 2h 70€
Guided tour for along taiga forest and on frozen lake forbeginners, incl. hot juice
- SKIN SKI TOUR 2h 90 €
Skin skis are mix of snowshoes and skis, so they are easy to use in any kind of ground. Incl. hot drink and small snack
- SNOWSHOE + PHOTOGRAPHING TOUR 2h 120 €
Leisure snowshoe tour with professional photographer. Price includes 3 pictures and guide gives you tips to take better pictures if you have your camera with you. Extra photos +10 €/picture.
- CROSS COUNTRY SKI- SCHOOL OR TOUR 2h 70€
Guided ski school for beginners at the Kalevala ski-centre or guided tour to the forests and on frozen lake. Incl. hot juice.
- ICE FISHING 2-3h 59 €
Drill a hole in ice and try some fishing with jig. Group goes fishing with snowshoes, skis or by walk. Incl. hot drink and sausages by open fire, equipment for rest of the day.
- FAT BIKE TOUR 2h 82 €
Fat bike tour to destination planned together with a guide. Price includes guide, helmet, bike and refreshments.
- HUSKY SAFARI 2h 240 €
Husky safari starts right from the hotel shore and goes along the snowy forests. Min. 4 persons.
- TAIGA AURORA TOUR 4h 166 €
Feel the magic of the polar sky and the northern lights. Professional wilderness guide will take you through the forests get to the spot to observe northern lights. Guide will tell you stories about the sky and northern lights and a fire will keep you warm while waiting the magic moment to happen. Price includes snacks, transfers, using sleeping bags. Duration 4 hours, about 9pm to 1am (depending on month).
MUST TRY
- EXCITING RAPID SWIMMING 2-3h 168 €
The exciting swim takes place in the Pajakkakoski rapid in the centre of Kuhmo. The preparations for the swim include dressing in thermal underwear and a rescue suit. The first step is to get used to floating in the river and then the safety procedure and matters related to swimming down the rapid are explained. The participants swim down the rapid one by one. The experience is completed by having a hot chocolate and diploma in a teepee.
- PEAT SAUNA 45 €
This treatment improves your metabolism, helps fluid to go off your body and cleans your skin. After the gentle heat of the sauna, skin is softer and body relaxed. Peat saunas are not recommended for pregnant women or people with heart or vascular disease.
