5 Days / 4 Nights - from £970 ppTake an unforgettable trip to the Finnish wilderness and witness
wild brown bears in their natural habitat from a specially constructed bear watching hide. Combine the wilderness experience with a stay in a comfortable first class spa hotel, where there is the chance to sample a variety of summer activities including canoeing and golf on the hotel’s own championship course.
BEAR WATCHING TOUR DEPARTS BETWEEN 01.06.2007 – 16.09.2007
Price is £970 per person, based on availability and sharing a twin room or double romm. Single supplement £175.
Package price includes
- Direct return flights from London to Helsinki with British Airways or Finnair
- Domestic flights Helsinki – Kajaani – Helsinki with Finnair
- Airport transfers in Helsinki and Kajaani
- 1 night accommodation in **** Hotel Scandic Simonkentta or similar in Helsinki
- 1 night accommodation in shared bear watching hides with packed dinner
- 2 nights accommodation in the Spa Hotel Holiday Club Katinkulta
- Dinners and free entrance to the pool and sauna complex in Holiday Club Katinkulta
- Breakfasts throughout the tour
- All taxes
Bear Watching and Spa Holiday Itinerary
DAY 1 - Arrive Helsinki and check in to Scandic Hotel Simonkenttä **** or similar. Free time to explore Finland’s capital.
DAY 2 - Take a morning flight to Kajaani and transfer to Wild Brown Bear Lodge, located close to the border of Russia. At 5pm, local expert guides will give an introduction to making the most from the night in the bear hides (observation points), and some bear information in general. At 5:30, begin the half hour guided walk to one of the specially designed hides (1-8 persons per hide) in the woods and start preparing for the night. All hides are equipped with comfortable chairs, sleeping areas, dry toilet and hearing amplificatory systems. An evening snack is included and sleeping bag for resting on one of the beds inside the hide. It is recommended to bring your own binoculars and camera. The statistics show there are excellent chances to see bears, as well as a variety of other wild animals, such as wolverines, elk, fox, and several species of bird during the night (although actual sighting of the bears can never be guaranteed). Accommodation in the Bear hides
DAY 3 - Around 6am the next morning you will be taken back to the lodge for a sauna, shower, and breakfast. After some time for rest and relaxation, transfer to the first class spa hotel Holiday Club Katinkulta, located in a lakeside setting. Before dinner at the hotel enjoy the hotel’s extensive pool and sauna complex. Accommodation and dinner at Holiday Club Katinkulta.
DAY 4 - Enjoy a day in the nature, choose the optional canoeing trip* or relax and enjoy the hotel’s leisure facilities which include relaxation treatments and pampering from head to toe: baths, massages, clay and beauty treatments. Racket sports such as table tennis, badminton and tennis are available in the hotel sports complex, as well as aerobics and fitness instruction in the gym. The hotel also has its own championship golf course with the club house located right inside the hotel. Hiking and horse riding possibilities are available in the near vicinity. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel Holiday Club Katinkulta.
*Optional canoeing trip £ 35 p.p. (pre-booking needed)
DAY 5 - Departure. After breakfast transfer to the Kajaani airport for flights to Helsinki, then take a connection flight from Helsinki to London.