Bear Watching Holiday in Finland

Bear Watching and Wildlife Holiday in Finland

The borderlands of Eastern Finland are home to an estimated 1500 brown bears that roam in the dense forests. This vast region of wilderness will be your sanctuary and playground for a week-long bear watching and wildlife adventure. The magical white summer nights bring tantalisingly long opportunities to witness the local wildlife – bears, wolves, lynx and wolverines – roaming in their natural habitat. This multi-activity holiday includes two nights in the forest – one night in a tent and the other in a bear hide to give you the best chance possible to see the wildlife and to feel connected to the natural landscapes. You’ll also walk with huskies, canoe across crystal clear lakes and cycle through tranquil countryside. The small group tour has two summer departures and can be tailored for groups on request.

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Bear-watching in Finland

Bear watching and wildlife holiday vacation in Finland

Bear watching and wildlife holiday vacation in Finland Husky Trekking

Bear watching and wildlife holiday vacation in Finland

Bear hide

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

WHAT, WHERE & WHEN

DAY 1:

Arrival at Kajaani airport and transfer to your accommodation at Hotel Kalevala in Kuhmo, just over an hour’s drive through Finnish countryside.

Settle in and enjoy the hotel's lakeside location and the nearby beach. Perhaps take an evening swim in the fresh waters of Lammasjärvi lake after dinner.

DAY 2:

After breakfast your guides will introduce you to a friendly pack of husky dogs who will be ready for a walk. You’ll have your own dog and harness and enjoy a 3-hour trek in the surrounding wilderness. Enjoy the fresh air and the company or your guide and your new four-legged friends as you learn about their life in the North.

After returning to the farm you’ll have a chance to try out husky scooters and help the huskies carry out their summertime training routine.

Overnight at your hotel.

DAY 3:

After breakfast get ready to explore the Finnish taiga forests and rivers. You’ll camp overnight in one of the islands surrounded by a fresh water lake. Your day will begin with a guided 12 km cycling trip before you reach the lake where you’ll find your canoes. You’ll follow the waters for about 8 km before landing at your basecamp on one of the islands.

Your guides will show you how to light a fire without matches and how to catch fish for supper. You’ll prepare dinner together with your guides around the campfire.

After an exciting day, spend the night in the traditional Lappish style kota (reindeer herdsman’s tepee) or in a tent snug in your sleeping bag.

DAY 4:

You’ll enjoy a wilderness breakfast at the camp and, for brave souls, a chance to take a refreshing morning dip in the lake. Afterwards you’ll pack your gear in the canoes and make your way back to the bikes and to your hotel.

Enjoy a rewarding dinner at the hotel in the evening as you recount your experience in the wilderness.

DAY 5:

Spend the morning at your own pace exploring the surroundings or perhaps hire some of the equipment from the hotel such as bicycles, rowing boats or canoes. You can also choose to visit the Petola Visitor Centre which offers an insight to large carnivores roaming in Finnish forests – knowledge that will be useful for your evening ahead.

In the late afternoon you’ll head to the wilderness and spend a night in a bear hide purpose-built for observing large carnivores such as brown bears. Occasionally observers also witness wolves, wolverines and lynx, all elusive wildlife that skilfully avoid humans in the forest. The hide is also built for the purpose of photographing the animals in their natural habitat, so don’t forget your camera!

DAY 6:

After a night in the hide, you can choose to join one of our activities today including cycling, hiking, rowing and fishing. You’ll also have a chance to put your new skills to the test during a fun Wilderness Game before enjoying your final sauna and farewell dinner.

DAY 7:

After breakfast transfer to Kajaani airport and begin your journey home.

BUDGET

From £1280 per person excluding flights

This roughly converts to: 1,472 EUR | 1,677 USD

Remember that each trip we craft is unique, and you'll receive a personalised trip proposal based on your travel dates and preferences, and in the currency of your choice (GBP, USD, or EUR).

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Additional Info

DATES

This trip has fixed departure dates

Many of trips can be tailored to your requirements and departure dates. Please get in touch with us for a tailored quotation and details of availability for your preferred travel dates. All trips and departures are subject to availability.

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IDEAL TRIP LENGTH:

6 nights

Reviews

Bear Watching and Wildlife Holiday in Finland

5/5

The tour was fabulous. We have never done a bike tour before, and we loved it. This was a custom tour as we had a very limited time frame. The tour was well designed. Matti had the trip all programed into the GPS and he ran the route shortly before we got there to make sure it was still valid. We road on bile trails, cross country ski trails and through the country side. There is no way we could have found these routes on our own. The accommodation was top notch too. I will do this again!

by Beth Wilkinson /Lew Herman, CHARLOTTE on Aug 15 .

5/5

The team at Magnetic North did a fantastic job of putting together our trip to Finland. We were able to view bears, wolves and wolverines from our hide in the remote wilderness. We have used other travel organizations in the past, but none compares to Magnetic North! Thank you so much.

by Dennis Sponer, Las Vegas on Sep 08 .

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Bear Watching Holiday in Finland

Bear Watching and Wildlife Holiday in Finland

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

WHAT, WHERE & WHEN

DAY 1:

DAY 2:

DAY 3:

DAY 4:

DAY 5:

DAY 6:

DAY 7:

BUDGET

Additional Info

DATES

This trip has fixed departure dates

IDEAL TRIP LENGTH:

Reviews

Bear Watching and Wildlife Holiday in Finland

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