1. Self-drive wildlife watching adventure in Eastern Finland on the Russian border
2. Experience pure nature and wildlife
3. Enjoy the Finnish wilderness with hills, forests, lakes, rivers and mires, which are home to many wild animals
4. During this five-night tour, you have the opportunity to safely observe and photograph bears, wolves and wolverines in their natural surroundings
5. Spend your nights in the middle of nature in small wilderness lodges and hides
2. Experience pure nature and wildlife
3. Enjoy the Finnish wilderness with hills, forests, lakes, rivers and mires, which are home to many wild animals
4. During this five-night tour, you have the opportunity to safely observe and photograph bears, wolves and wolverines in their natural surroundings
5. Spend your nights in the middle of nature in small wilderness lodges and hides
The Wild Taiga area, situated in Eastern Finland on the Russian border, is a land of pure nature and wildlife. Its geography is dominated by hills, forests, lakes, rivers and mires, which are home to many wild animals, including large carnivores, which are either very rare or extinct elsewhere in Europe. This tour includes five overnight excursions which offer the opportunity to safely observe and photograph; bears, wolves and wolverines, in their natural habitat.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival, wolverines
Arrive independently at Erä-Eero in Lieksa by 2 pm (distance from Joensuu airport approx. 85 km, from Kuopio airport approx. 185 km). In the afternoon, you set off for your first night in the wilderness, watching and photographing the wildlife. The night will be spent in a small lodge which provides comfortable chairs and bunk beds, should you wish to lie down for a while during the night. Wolverine are the most observed animal and they can appear year-round. The possibility of seeing wolverines in this area are the best in Finland.
Day 2: Wolves
Return from the hide in the morning. Breakfast and drive to Kuikka lodge in Kuhmo (150 km). On the way, you can call into the Petola Information Centre which provides information on Finland’s large carnivores. Base camp Kuikka is a former forest workers' residence situated close to the Russian border in Kuhmo. It is surrounded by boreal forest and Lake Kuikka. On arrival at Kuikka you are given information about the exciting nights you will spend in the middle of the wilderness. Early dinner is served at the lodge and then you depart to the hide. The Grey Wolf (Canis Lupus) is a mammal living in packs mostly in the eastern forests, though it is found all around Finland. Wolves are not that common a sighting, but the probability to see them is best in the Kuhmo border zone area. Not only wolves but also bears, wolverines and various species of birds can be seen on a regular basis.
Day 3: Wolves
Return from the hide in the morning. After breakfast, there is time for rest and talk about wildlife programmes. A room will be available for rest during the day. After an early dinner, there is another night in the hide wildlife watching and photographing what you see.
Day 4: Bears
Return to Kuikka lodge in the morning. After breakfast, we get some rest then drive to Martinselkonen Wilderness Centre in Suomussalmi (214 km). The wildlife centre operates in the old ‘Pirttivaara’ border guard station, which was closed in 1990 and renovated into a guest house. The company has organised wildlife watching tours for over 20 years and concentrates specifically on bears which visit the feeding places nearly every night during the season. Again, early dinner and departure to the hide which is situated near the border zone area of Finland and Russia. During the night you have a good chance to see bears but also other animals and birds.
Day 5: Bears
Return to Martinselkonen in the morning. Breakfast and time for some rest. In the afternoon departure for the last wilderness night.
Day 6: End of tour
Breakfast and check-out from Martinselkonen. End of services. Distance to Kajaani airport approx. 170 km.
Accommodation:
You will spend your nights in small wilderness lodges and hides, which provide comfortable chairs and bunk beds, if you wish to lie down or sleep for a while during the night. On days 2-6 there is also accommodation available in shared double rooms in hostel type lodgings, so you can get some rest during the day time. The rooms have either their own bathroom or there is shared bathroom in the hallway.
Food:
Enjoy traditional Finnish home cooking and taste some delicious Finnish specialities.
Additional information:
Day 1: Arrival, wolverines
Arrive independently at Erä-Eero in Lieksa by 2 pm (distance from Joensuu airport approx. 85 km, from Kuopio airport approx. 185 km). In the afternoon, you set off for your first night in the wilderness, watching and photographing the wildlife. The night will be spent in a small lodge which provides comfortable chairs and bunk beds, should you wish to lie down for a while during the night. Wolverine are the most observed animal and they can appear year-round. The possibility of seeing wolverines in this area are the best in Finland.
Day 2: Wolves
Return from the hide in the morning. Breakfast and drive to Kuikka lodge in Kuhmo (150 km). On the way, you can call into the Petola Information Centre which provides information on Finland’s large carnivores. Base camp Kuikka is a former forest workers' residence situated close to the Russian border in Kuhmo. It is surrounded by boreal forest and Lake Kuikka. On arrival at Kuikka you are given information about the exciting nights you will spend in the middle of the wilderness. Early dinner is served at the lodge and then you depart to the hide. The Grey Wolf (Canis Lupus) is a mammal living in packs mostly in the eastern forests, though it is found all around Finland. Wolves are not that common a sighting, but the probability to see them is best in the Kuhmo border zone area. Not only wolves but also bears, wolverines and various species of birds can be seen on a regular basis.
Day 3: Wolves
Return from the hide in the morning. After breakfast, there is time for rest and talk about wildlife programmes. A room will be available for rest during the day. After an early dinner, there is another night in the hide wildlife watching and photographing what you see.
Day 4: Bears
Return to Kuikka lodge in the morning. After breakfast, we get some rest then drive to Martinselkonen Wilderness Centre in Suomussalmi (214 km). The wildlife centre operates in the old ‘Pirttivaara’ border guard station, which was closed in 1990 and renovated into a guest house. The company has organised wildlife watching tours for over 20 years and concentrates specifically on bears which visit the feeding places nearly every night during the season. Again, early dinner and departure to the hide which is situated near the border zone area of Finland and Russia. During the night you have a good chance to see bears but also other animals and birds.
Day 5: Bears
Return to Martinselkonen in the morning. Breakfast and time for some rest. In the afternoon departure for the last wilderness night.
Day 6: End of tour
Breakfast and check-out from Martinselkonen. End of services. Distance to Kajaani airport approx. 170 km.
Accommodation:
You will spend your nights in small wilderness lodges and hides, which provide comfortable chairs and bunk beds, if you wish to lie down or sleep for a while during the night. On days 2-6 there is also accommodation available in shared double rooms in hostel type lodgings, so you can get some rest during the day time. The rooms have either their own bathroom or there is shared bathroom in the hallway.
Food:
Enjoy traditional Finnish home cooking and taste some delicious Finnish specialities.
Additional information:
- Duration: 6 days / 5 nights
- Group site: min. 2 persons
- Map: http://goo.gl/maps/OabES
Price, departures, general information and bookings:
Includes:
Season for 2019:
Upitrek
Kiviniementie 59, 87850 Paltaniemi, Finland
Tel +358 40 733 9262
sales@upitrek.com
Homepage: www.upitrek.com
We hold the right to make adjustments and ask that you confirm specific itinerary and pricing directly with the tour provider.
Includes:
- 5 wildlife and photography nights in wilderness hides
- Room at the base camp on days 2-5
- Dinner / late lunch daily (days 1–5)
- Breakfast daily (days 2-6)
- Flights
- Car hire (see e.g. www.rentalcars.com)
- Transfers (car hire recommended) 2 pax 900 €/group, 3-7 pax 950 €/group
- Room for rest at Erä-Eero (day 1): double room 35 €/person, single room 45 €/ person
- 1265 € gross/ person
- Group prices available for groups of min. 8 pax.
Season for 2019:
- Season: 01.05. –05.08.2019
- Departures: on request
Upitrek
Kiviniementie 59, 87850 Paltaniemi, Finland
Tel +358 40 733 9262
sales@upitrek.com
Homepage: www.upitrek.com
We hold the right to make adjustments and ask that you confirm specific itinerary and pricing directly with the tour provider.
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Getting there:
Recommended airports for arrival from Helsinki are Kuopio (KUO) and Joensuu (JOE) and for return Kajaani (KAJ). The best way to get to Helsinki is by air, and it is easily accessible, no matter where you are travelling from. There are various rental car companies to choose from at the airport. If you want to travel with your own car, you can reach Helsinki via ferry from Tallinn, Stockholm, Travemünde and Rostock. Distance from Helsinki to Erä-Eero is approx. 530 km and from Martinselkonen to Helsinki approx. 710 km. Links Text & Pictures in Dropbox Upitrek in Facebook |
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