This amazing wildlife and nature holiday is set in the magical world of Wild Taiga in Eastern Finland, a vast region of wilderness and your sanctuary and playground for a bear watching and wildlife adventure. The beautiful white summer nights bring tantalisingly long opportunities to witness the local wildlife – bears, wolves, lynx and wolverines, roaming in their natural habitat.
With a remote location, you are taken off the beaten track and into the depths of the forests and lakelands with the focus very much on the wonderful nature and wildlife found in this region, embarking on outdoor adventures and an overnight experience in a bear hide.
Get your camera at the ready, along with your hiking boots and appetite for adventure – taking part in guided walks, learning about the wild animals living in the forest; visiting a nature centre; joining an elk safari and time to enjoy optional activities to really appreciate the natural surroundings.
From £1,251 per person (excluding flights)
This is based on two people sharing a double/twin room at Hotel Kalevala for 5 nights on half-board basis, including return airport transfers from Kajaani, guided nature walk, visit to Petola Nature centre, overnight in a bear hide, elk safari and evening sauna.
This roughly converts to 1,489 EUR | 1,614 USD
Departures: This set 5-night tour has flexible arrival days from May to September.
Inspired by the image of an eagle spreading its wings to take flight, the Hotelli Kalevala is a unique place to spend your stay in Finland. Set on the shores of the vast Lake Lammasjarvi, surrounded by the tall trees of the Finnish wilderness, the hotel is the perfect place to explore and try some new activities, including bear watching in the summer and snowmobiling and cross country skiing in the winter. After a full day of adventures, head to the wellness centre and relax in the Finnish sauna, or bathe in the outdoor jacuzzi and enjoy the long summer days or the magnificent starry skies of a winter’s night. The hotel’s restaurant provides an international menu made from locally sourced ingredients, like fish, meat and berries.
After breakfast, put on your hiking boots and join a guided nature walk, taking 2-3 hours. You’ll learn the secrets of the Taiga forest and the tell-tale signs of wild animals. Keeping watch for tracks, droppings and markings of the European brown bear and other wildlife.
Once back at the hotel, enjoy the wonderful lakeside setting of the hotel and relax in the sauna and jacuzzi.
Inspired by the image of an eagle spreading its wings to take flight, the Hotelli Kalevala is a unique place to spend your stay in Finland. Set on the shores of the vast Lake Lammasjarvi, surrounded by the tall trees of the Finnish wilderness, the hotel is the perfect place to explore and try some new activities, including bear watching in the summer and snowmobiling and cross country skiing in the winter. After a full day of adventures, head to the wellness centre and relax in the Finnish sauna, or bathe in the outdoor jacuzzi and enjoy the long summer days or the magnificent starry skies of a winter’s night. The hotel’s restaurant provides an international menu made from locally sourced ingredients, like fish, meat and berries.
This morning is free, but we highly recommend you visit Petola nature centre situated 300m from the hotel. You have free entrance, where you have the chance to learn more about the brown bear, the wolf, lynx and wolverine with short films, exhibitions and a nature trail.
In the afternoon you will be transferred to the Wild Brown Bear centre close to the Russian border for a bear watching night. You will have an early dinner and find out information on the night ahead before walking the short distance to the hides. Get your camera and zoom lens ready and be patient for a special experience when you catch a glimpse of these amazing animals in the wild. The hides are basic but have all the necessary facilities for a comfortable evening. Please note, there are certain guidelines to follow and it is important to remember that the animals are wild.
Inspired by the image of an eagle spreading its wings to take flight, the Hotelli Kalevala is a unique place to spend your stay in Finland. Set on the shores of the vast Lake Lammasjarvi, surrounded by the tall trees of the Finnish wilderness, the hotel is the perfect place to explore and try some new activities, including bear watching in the summer and snowmobiling and cross country skiing in the winter. After a full day of adventures, head to the wellness centre and relax in the Finnish sauna, or bathe in the outdoor jacuzzi and enjoy the long summer days or the magnificent starry skies of a winter’s night. The hotel’s restaurant provides an international menu made from locally sourced ingredients, like fish, meat and berries.
After a busy night, hopefully! You will transfer back to the hotel for breakfast and have free time to rest. The sauna will be a welcoming sight to relax, perhaps even upgrading to one of the speciality saunas - a Peat sauna or Infrared sauna.
Have another early dinner at the hotel before joining an Elk Safari to look for the European Elk, the largest member of the deer family. The evening 3-4 hour trip at dusk is a lovely experience in the evergreen forest where you may also see the rare Wild Forest Reindeer.
Inspired by the image of an eagle spreading its wings to take flight, the Hotelli Kalevala is a unique place to spend your stay in Finland. Set on the shores of the vast Lake Lammasjarvi, surrounded by the tall trees of the Finnish wilderness, the hotel is the perfect place to explore and try some new activities, including bear watching in the summer and snowmobiling and cross country skiing in the winter. After a full day of adventures, head to the wellness centre and relax in the Finnish sauna, or bathe in the outdoor jacuzzi and enjoy the long summer days or the magnificent starry skies of a winter’s night. The hotel’s restaurant provides an international menu made from locally sourced ingredients, like fish, meat and berries.
Today is a free day for you to rest and relax after some evening adventures. If you prefer to make the most of the facilities there are optional activities available at an additional charge. It is possible to rent a canoe or bike or book a guided hiking, fat-bike and paddling tour. These tours are subject to availability, but are also possible to pre-book to ensure your place is reserved.
Inspired by the image of an eagle spreading its wings to take flight, the Hotelli Kalevala is a unique place to spend your stay in Finland. Set on the shores of the vast Lake Lammasjarvi, surrounded by the tall trees of the Finnish wilderness, the hotel is the perfect place to explore and try some new activities, including bear watching in the summer and snowmobiling and cross country skiing in the winter. After a full day of adventures, head to the wellness centre and relax in the Finnish sauna, or bathe in the outdoor jacuzzi and enjoy the long summer days or the magnificent starry skies of a winter’s night. The hotel’s restaurant provides an international menu made from locally sourced ingredients, like fish, meat and berries.
Inspired by the image of an eagle spreading its wings to take flight, the Hotelli Kalevala is a unique place to spend your stay in Finland. Set on the shores of the vast Lake Lammasjarvi, surrounded by the tall trees of the Finnish wilderness, the hotel is the perfect place to explore and try some new activities, including bear watching in the summer and snowmobiling and cross country skiing in the winter. After a full day of adventures, head to the wellness centre and relax in the Finnish sauna, or bathe in the outdoor jacuzzi and enjoy the long summer days or the magnificent starry skies of a winter’s night. The hotel’s restaurant provides an international menu made from locally sourced ingredients, like fish, meat and berries.