Karelian Winter Wonderland
Welcome to the countryside in the Finnish winter. This is a private holiday destination where visitors can enjoy true peace and relaxation without a large number of other visitors. Here, time stands still and you can truly experience the beauty and peace of Finnish winter without the hustle and bustle. The owners of the holiday home serve their guests personally. Accommodation in a lovely log house, holiday apartment or rooms. The program includes a Finnish sauna every day, snowshoeing, hunting for the Northern Lights, walking under the stars and preparing Finnish delicacies. Meals include modern Karelian cuisine made from local ingredients. Welcome to experience the Finnish midwinter.
Valid: 1.1. - 30.3.2026 on request
Group size: 6-10
Dates 2026:
10.-17.1.2026
17.-24.1.2026
24.-31.1.2026
7.-14.2.2026
14.-21.3.2026
Day 1 | Welcome to Guesthouse Laitalan Lomat
- Transportation from Kuopio Airport. Driving time from Joensuu, Kuopio and Kajaani airports is approximately 1.5 hours.
Welcome dinner
Evening sauna
Day 2 | Snowshoes & Forests
Breakfast
Snowshoeing in the nearby forest. A nice and peaceful trip, observing animal footprints in the snow and getting to know Finnish nature.
Lunch
Free time to relax
Evening sauna and hot tub
Dinner with a delicious local dinner showcasing the best flavors of the region.
Day 3 | Walking & baking
Breakfast
Try walking/running in the snow with wool socks or Nordic walking to the village.
Lunch
Workshop: baking Karelian pastries together for dinner.
Karelian pastries, a quintessential Karelian dish, consist of a thin rye dough with rice porridge, barley porridge, mashed potatoes or vegetables. The European Union has granted Karelian pastry the status of a genuine traditional product (ATG).
Dinner: Taste of Karelia menu.
Evening sauna
Day 4 | Husky Farm adventure
After breakfast, a one-hour transfer takes you from the guesthouse to the husky farm. Enjoy a husky safari and visit the kennel.
Lunch at the farm
Evening sauna
Day 5 | Karelian village and Northern Lights hunting
Breakfast
Free time for relaxation or winter activities at the guesthouse.
Lunch
Visit the town of Nurmes and Bomba Karelian-style spa.
Dinner
Late evening walk on the lake under the starry sky. Enjoy the stars and, if we are lucky, the Northern Lights.
Day 6 | Koli National Park
Breakfast
Visit Koli
Guided snowshoeing or hiking tour through a winter forest with snowy trees and the highest scenic spots in Koli National Park. The tour begins with a short demonstration of snowshoeing techniques – no previous experience is necessary! During the tour, the guide will tell you about Koli, its history and culture, as well as nature. You will also have time to enjoy nature, take photos and have fun with snowshoes. On the trip you will experience a magical winter forest, peaceful nature and fresh, clean air. During the tour we will enjoy hot juice from Kupilka cups. Welcome to explore Koli National Park on snowshoes!
Lunch
Visit the Ukko Nature Center.
Return to the guesthouse.
Dinner
Evening sauna
Day 7 | Skishoe trip
Breakfast
Let's try a Skishoe and have a trip into nature. Ski shoes are literally a hybrid of skis and snowshoes. That's why moving around on them is fun.
Lunch
Free time for shopping in the city.
Farewell: Finnish menu – Taste of Finland.
Evening sauna
Day 8 | Time to say goodbye.
Price: 1690€/person/ 7 nights, 8 days
Single room supplement: 280€
Incl.: accommodation in double rooms, full board, guided programs and on-site transportation. Group transfer from/to Kuopio Airport.
By order and additional fee:
- Horse riding
- Visit to The Alpakka farm
- Ice-fishing
- Winter biking
Travel info
Arrival by plane:
- On the arrival day one group transfer from Kuopio airport (flight at around 17:00 in Kuopio) or Siilinjärvi railway station (train at around 16:00 in Siilinjärvi).
- On the return day one group transfer to Kuopio airport (flight at around 14:00) or Siilinjärvi railway station (train at around 13:00). Departure from the guesthouse at 11:00 AM.
- All extra transfers from/to Kuopio airport or Siilinjärvi railway station 420€.
Arrival by train:
- Pickup from the Nurmes railway station at 14:00 or 20:00.
- On the day of departure, trains leave at 6:35 in the morning or 15:40 in the afternoon. Check the timetable from your tour operator.
We use Northern light observation application that tells us when there is a chance to see the Northern light in the area, so the Northern light tour may change to another evening when it is possible to see the Northern light.
As this tour is highly dependent on the weather and snow conditions, there may be changes to the itinerary at short notice. Changes do not affect the nature and content of the tour.
Guesthouse
www.laitalanlomat.com
