Arrival at Kuopio airport where you will collect your rental car. If you arrive on an early flight you can visit the city of Kuopio which is full of life, especially in summer. The city, in the center of the Savo region, is famous for its marketplace, harbor and cheerful people. At the market, you can taste the local specialty, “kalakukko”, a Finnish fish pie. About 20 cruises depart daily from the harbor of Kuopio to Lake Kallavesi. The symbol of the city is the Puijo tower from where you can admire beautiful views over Lake Kallavesi.
For the first night, you will drive to Metsäkartano mansion situated in a tranquil spot in the heart of nature. Enjoy your dinner and sauna. Overnight stay in Metsäkartano.Today you can choose between two national parks that are both within easy reach of Metsäkartano. Tiilikkajärvi National Park offers quite easy routes, beautiful lakeside scenery, and beaches. By contrast, the scenery at Hiidenportti National Park is quite rugged; trails include more hills and are a bit more demanding. The heart of Hiidenportti National Park is the majestic Hiidenportti Gorge with its vertical rock walls. Both national parks have some good hiking trails for a few hours’ day tours. Remember to carry the picnic lunch with you because there are no opportunities to purchase food in the parks.
Recommended walks: Hiidenkierros 3-5 km, Kitulankierros 10,5 km, Uiton kierto 7 km Overnight stay in Metsäkartano. Optional Overnight wolverine observation excursion in Lieksa 120km from Metsäkartano including dinner, snack and breakfast Program: By 2 pm - arrival at Keljänpuro lodge (no room available, possible to book at extra cost 345 NOK/person) By 4 pm - departure to the wilderness hide The night will be spent in a wilderness hut, opportunity to observe and photograph wolverines and also other animals like brown bears, wolves, lynxes, beavers, goshawks, golden eagles, white-tailed eagles depending on the night. By 6 am - return to the basecamp By 7-8 am - breakfast. After breakfast, the tour goes on according to the itinerary towards Kuhmo. If you have booked the room, check-out by 12 am. Please note: If you book this excursion, you will skip the second night in Metsäkartano.It’s time to say goodbye to Metsäkartano and head via Nurmes in Karelia to Kuhmo. In Nurmes you can visit the Karelian Bomba House and the Karelian village around it. Bomba House might be a good place to enjoy lunch as well.
Midway, in the middle of the wild taiga, is a company organizing wildlife watching tours. During these tours, you can observe some interesting native Finnish animals such as beavers. You can also participate in a safari but this must be booked before departure. By the end of the day, you’ll arrive at Kuhmo which is a small village where you can see the Finnish national epic Kalevala reflected in the architecture, events, research, museums and the food. You can learn more about Kalevala and Karelian culture at the Kalevala Information Centre Juminkeko. If you visit Kuhmo during the last two weeks of July you won’t be alone! At that time of year, Kuhmo is full of guests enjoying the annual Chamber Music Festival which is famous and appreciated throughout the world. Overnights stay in Kuhmo.In the morning you will have the opportunity to visit Petola Visitor Centre which is an information center on Finland’s large carnivores – bear, wolf, lynx, and Wolverine. From Kuhmo the route goes toward north through some very sparsely populated areas following the Russian border. You’ll pass through the beautiful village of Lentiira and cross the road leading to Kostamus and to the international frontier crossing point of Vartius.
Some 25 km south of Suomussalmi is the historical area of Raate which was the stage of some heavy battles during the Second World War. In Raate it is possible to visit the Winter War exhibition and the Raate Frontier Guard Museum. Your accommodation for the next night will be in the tiny village of Juntusranta just beside the Russian border. Arola, Helena and Eero’s former dairy farm is well-known for its delicious local food. The farm is surrounded by remote woodland inhabited by European brown bears. In the evening you can take part in a bear safari (extra charge) and observe these majestic animals from the purpose-built log cabins. Recommended walks: Petola nature trail 0.5 km Overnight stay in Suomussalmi. Optional Bear watching Season May 1–August 17 12-hour overnight safari or 6-hour safariHeading north again you will first arrive at Hossa which is a national hiking area known for its crystal- clear lakes and handsome pine heathlands. The area offers great opportunities for hiking, canoeing, and fishing. One good destination for a day hiking trip might be Värikalliot, the oldest rock paintings in northern Finland dating back some 4000 years. Hossa Visitor Centre offers information on trails and there is also an exhibition on the area's history and present day. In Hossa, you can also visit a reindeer park and get to know the semi-wild animals inhabiting the northern area of Finland better. You can try your skills at lassoing reindeer or just pet and feed them.
Your final destination today is Kuusamo which is one of the most important tourist destinations in Finland thanks to its magnificent nature and the vast range of activities available throughout the year. Before heading towards your sojourn you could for example pop into the Tourist and Nature Centre Karhuntassu and visit a nature photography center there. Recommended walks: Värikallio trail 8 km, Huosiusjärvi circle trail 7,5 km, Hossa nature trail 3 km Overnight stay in Kuusamo.This morning you don ́t need to pack your luggage because you will stay another night at the same place. Today you can head to Oulanka National Park or to Ruka which is maybe the most popular skiing resort in Finland. The landscape of Oulanka National Park is made up of pine forests, river valleys with sandy banks and rapids and in the north vast marshes. The area is rich in animal and plant species. Hikers can get a general picture of the park’s nature even on day trips.
There are several routes available but one very nice (though very demanding) one is the Small Bear’s Trail starting from the village of Juuma. Departing from Oulanka Visitor center you can visit the Kiutaköngäs rapids which are some of the biggest rapids in Finland. Many safari companies organize river rafting in Oulanka National Park varying from easy family tours to speedy tours that will make your heart race! At Ruka you can climb up to some of the hills and admire the beautiful views over forests and lakes. An easier way to get to the top is the Ruka Lookout Lift that takes you up to the hill. If you are brave enough you can descend on a speedy summer sled! The safari companies in the area also offer many other activities such as canoe trips, quad safaris, mountain biking, and Nordic walking tours. Recommended walks: Small Bear’s Trail 12 km, Valtavaara nature trail 8 km, Hiidenlampi nature trail 5 km Recommended canoeing route: Oulanka canoeing route 7-23 km Overnight stay in Kuusamo.This will be your last and longest day of traveling, ending at Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle. If you are still willing to do some hiking you can easily visit either Riisitunturi National Park or Korouoma Nature Reserve which both offer the opportunity of some nice day trips, though there are no circular routes available. Both destinations have their characteristics and especially the 30-km-long fracture valley in Korouoma is very special. If you take the longer southern route from Posio to Rovaniemi you will have a chance to visit a Wildlife Park situated in Ranua. There are about 50 species of arctic and northern wild animals at Ranua Zoo including bears, the only polar bears in Finland, lynxes, wolves, wolverines, moose and many more.
The city of Santa Claus, Rovaniemi, offers plenty to do. Santa Claus’ Village on the Arctic Circle takes you to the atmosphere of Christmas, even if it is summer. You can visit Santa Claus in his office, send a postcard from Santa Claus’ Post Office and visit a Christmas Exhibition presenting Christmas traditions around the world. The Arktikum, a science center, and museum, is also worth a visit. The exhibitions of the Arktikum lead you through the Arctic areas’ and Finnish Lapland’s history and modern-day providing a unique insight into the way of life, culture, and history of the North. Recommended walks: Riisin Rääpäsy trail 4 km, Riisin Rietas trail 10,5 km, Koronjää trail 5 km Overnight stay in Rovaniemi.After morning breakfast, you will drive down to the airport and our representative will receive the car from you and will bid a warm farewell. Hope you have a safe and pleasant trip to your next destination.
At zerodegreel
every moment will someday make you look back and want to experience it all over again.
