Beautiful eastern Lakeland Finland
The route goes around Pielinen and gets to know the city of Joensuu and Kuopio and the Valamo and Lintula monasteries. Main sights include small villages and towns on the forested hills of Karelia, and magnificent sights, including one of our national landscapes, Koli. Meet locals and learn about Karelian culture and the way of life. Welcome to Eastern part of Finland.
Route: Nurmes/Bomba - Lieksa/Koli - Joensuu - Heinävesi
Program:
1. Day Nurmes
Arrival in the Break Sokos Hotel Spa Bomba at Nurmes.Bomba is a unique resort on the beach of Pielinen. Break Sokos Hotel Spa Bomba should be experienced for yourself. Bombatalo and Karjala village are popular attractions in Finland.
- Spa and sauna.
• Accommodation at Bomba Spa Hotel.
2. Day Nurmes
A visit to the House Museum of Murtovaara
The House Museum of Murtovaara is an attraction in Valtimo’s Halmejärvi. Murtovaara is the only museum in Finland focused on inhabitation on tree-covered hills. The site is located in the wilderness far away from main roads and 22 kilometres away from the Valtimo parish village. The yard of the museum is not accessible by car: the rest of the way must be walked on an old cartway. The house museum is a nationally valuable culture historical destination. The museum consists of 16 log houses built in different centuries. The oldest house marked with a year, ”Ikäpirtti” (”Old Cottage”), dates back to the 18th century. The museum presents a clear picture of the development of the peasant house from the 18th century to modern day. Here the different developmental stages of the farmhouse living-room and oven can be clearly seen in one place.
Karelian lunch at Guesthouse
Guesthouse offer authentic local food made from pure ingredients in the Karelian way. The delicacies are eaten slowly and together while enjoying around a large refectory table.
- Back to Break Sokos Hotel Bomba.
- Accommodation Break Sokos Hotel Spa Bomba
3. Day Lieksa - Koli
After breakfast a visit famous sculpture Eva Ryynänen`s atelier and unique timber church. Paateri – The Atelier of Artist Eva Ryynänen. Paateri is the atelier and home of artist and sculptor Eva Ryynänen (1915-2001) situated in the village of Vuonisjärvi. It is located about 27 km from the town centre of Lieksa. Paateri was Ryynänen’s home even before her career as a sculptor. There she farmed and raised cattle with her husband Paavo Ryynänen. The museum, located in beautiful surroundings on a lake shore, consists of Ryynänen’s unique and personal house, completed in 1953, as well as her roomy atelier, a round gallery cafe and a church made of sturdy timbers. All of the buildings were designed by Eva and inside them one can marvel at her handiwork: sculptures, reliefs and other unique works.
Lunch at Kestikievari Herranniemi (Guesthouse)
Driving to National Park Koli.
Guided tour at the top of Koli - the best of Koli
Welcome to discover the spectacular scenery and nature of Koli National Park! This scenic tour includes Koli’s most famous panoramic views and the highest points in the Koli National Park: Ukko-Koli, Akka-Koli and Paha-Koli. From the Koli hills you can admire the vast Lake Pielinen 250 metres below you, the old-growth forests, Kolinuuro gorge and the Lake Herajärvi valley formed by the last glacier.
During the tour, your guide tells you interesting facts and stories about Koli, its history, nature and culture, as well as artists who have found inspiration in the Koli hills. You see spectacular views throughout the tour, and you have plenty of time to enjoy them and take photos. Welcome to experience the essence of Koli National Park and discover why Koli is one of the best-loved national landscapes of Finland!
- Accommodation at Hotel Koli.
4. Day
After breakfast. Visit The Koli Sculpture Garden
Koli Sculpture Park is a unique art attraction in Finland, which fills a park area of almost a hectare with its works. The varied area according to the seasons is crowned by the magnificent sculptures made by Lasse Martikainen, a garden entrepreneur and self-student in Koli. In the park you can see dozens of works of art of different sizes inspired by mythology and the nature of Koli. The materials of the sculptures are versatile and weatherproof, such as metals, stone, fiberglass and recycled materials. Both old greenhouse gutters and heating pipes have given the park new life.
Driving to city of Joensuu
- Accommodation at Hotel Lietsu, in the centre of Joensuu
5. Day
Gettting to know city of Joensuu.
Tips: Taitokortteli, Marcet place and Art Museo.
A half day for shopping and sightseeing in Joensuu.
Time 17:00 driving to Valamo Monastery. Driving time is about 50 min.
- Accommodation and dinner at Monastery.
6. Day
After freakfast
Guided tour in the Monastery
Lunch
In the afternoon, a visit to the Lintula monastery and a guided tour at the monastery.
Driving to the city of Kuopio.
- Accommodation and dinner in the Lapland Hotel
7. Day
Time to for the trip home and say hei, hei.
Price: from 1550€/person/6 nights, 7 days
Incl.
Nurmes: Accommodation in Break Sokos Hotel Spa Bomba two nights in doubleroom, breakfast, spa. Entrance fee to Murtovaara museo. Dinner at Guesthouse.
Lieksa: Entrance fee to Paateri – The Atelier of Artist Eva Ryynänen. Lunch Kestikievari Herranniemi.
Koli: Accommodation at Hotel Koli. Breakfast. Guided tour at the top of Koli. Entrance fee to The Koli Sculpture Garden.
Joensuu: Accommodation at Hotel Lietsu, doublle room, breakfast
Valamo monastery: Guided tours of the monastery, dinner and accommodation in a double room, breakfast.
Lintula monastery: Guided tour
Kuopio: Accommodation in Hotel Lapland doubleroom, breakfast.
Available: 1.5. - 15.9.2025
Groups for: 2 -30 person
For additional price and by order:
Additional nights from 90€/person/nigths/ double room incl. breakfasta.
