Hiking tour along the Finnish-Russian border
Hiking in the scenic Eastern Finland
Prices from £1359 per person
Full board guided 9 day tour
Departures in May and August
Programme
Day 1 – Arrival
You will arrive at Kajaani airport where you’ll meet your local guide. Transfer to a hotel in Kajaani.
Day 2 – 11.5 miles
Breakfast and transfer (about 2 hrs) to Särkkä cottage where we start our hiking tour towards Martinselkonen Wilderness Centre. The largest part of the route follows the long smooth top of a ridge. At the halfway point we come to the frontier zone and also reach the “blue path” which we will be following for the majority of the following days. Accommodation and sauna in a former frontier guard station.
Day 3 – 10 miles
After a hearty breakfast we carry on the tour, hiking through the Martinselkonen nature reserve towards Arola farm where we will be welcomed by friendly hosts. The nature reserve has been set up to protect Finnish wilderness, especially swamp areas. This area is important for many birds and insects as the normal Finnish forest industry does not reach these nature reserve areas. Martinselkonen has watery mires and small lakes, old forests with spruce trees draped in beard lichen. A special dinner made from local ingredients will be served after a sauna bath.
Day 4 – 12 miles
Today we head northwards along the Russian border. The close proximity of the Russian border adds something rather exciting and exotic to the atmosphere of the area. The border guard towers, the border zone, and the view over the Russian side is an experience in itself. We stop for a picnic at one of the wilderness huts operated by the Finnish Forest and Park Service. An open fire will be burning, and hot coffee brewed. Accommodation is in tents on the shore of Lake Kovajärvi.
Day 5 – 15 miles
Today’s wild landscape is home to a healthy wolverine population, and although these secretive predators are seldom seen, we may come across their tracks. Swans and cranes can be spotted on the lakes and mires as we pass by. There are many swamp areas, but they are easily crossed, using wooden planks. The surrounding forest has an abundance of vegetation such as blueberries, lingonberries and mushrooms. The blueberry season is at its best in August and can provide fresh snacks for hikers. Accommodation is provided in the twin rooms of Hotel Hossan Lomakeskus.
Day 6 – 8 miles
After the longest hiking day we take it easy today and receive a wake-up call rather later than usual. The trek continues along the paths of the Hossa recreational area. Hossa is known for its crystal-clear lakes and handsome pine heath lands. It is also known locally as a “fisherman’s paradise”. We will stop for the lunch at the visitor centre and have a look at the exhibition which tells about the nature and history of the surrounding area. Accommodation for the remaining three nights is at Tolosenvirta cabin where the lakeside sauna will be heated every night.
Day 7
For a change, we make a canoeing trip on the lakes and rivers nearby our accommodation. We will use open Indian canoes and all the necessary equipment, including life vests, will be provided. The tour will be on still water on a couple of lakes linked by small rivers. Reindeer are a common sight in Hossa and occasionally elks can also be seen. For those ones who prefer to stay on land there are plenty of well-marked hiking trails to explore in the area.
Day 8
On the last day of our tour we will visit Julma-Ölkky canyon lake and take a 30 minute boat trip to look at the cliffs. From here it is a 4km hike to the “Colour Rock” with rock paintings dating back 4,000 years. After picnic lunch we take a final hike of between 4 and 14 km. A sauna and farewell dinner will be given at the Tolosenvirta cabin.
Day 9
After breakfast we transfer to Kuusamo airport (100 km).
Package prices
From Heathrow, starting from: £1359 /per person when two sharing a room
From Manchester, starting from: £1399 /per person when two sharing a room
Guaranteed departure dates during summer 2010:
27.5.2010
14.8.2010
21.8.2010
What is included in the price?
- Finnair scheduled flights from London Heathrow or Manchester to Kajaani and from Kuusamo to London Heathrow
- Accommodation: in 2-4 person rooms on days 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8. There are no private facilities – showers and toilets are located in the corridor. On days 1 and 5, the accommodation is in twin/double hotel rooms, and on day 4 in tents.
- Full-board (breakfast, lunch as a picnic, dinner)
- Transfers from Kajaani airport and to Kuusamo airport
- English speaking guide
- Canoe rental on day 7
- Mattresses and sleeping bags on day 4
- Bed linen on every day
Additional nights in Helsinki and/or Kajaani or Kuusamo available on request.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included in your holiday cost. It is strongly recommended that insurance be taken out to protect you and your group against unforeseen insurable events.
