8 days / 7 nights - from £ 1,395 pp

This Fly & Drive takes you through the sparsely populated taiga forests of north-eastern Finland. There are three national parks and two national hiking areas with their hiking, canoeing and fishing possibilities easily accessible from the route. Close to the Russian border you can participate in ear, flying squirrel or beaver observation tours which give you a unique chance to watch and photograph these animals safely. In an information centre you’ll get to know Finland’s large carnivores – bear, wolf, lynx and wolverine. Accommodation varies from hotel rooms to apartments and cosy cabins. Each night you will get to enjoy local delicacies and the genuine Finnish sauna is also available most nights.

Package price per person based on availability and sharing a twin room or double room. Single supplement is £ 550. 

Package price includes:

• Connecting flights from London to Kajaani and return
• 8 days B class rent a car
  
• Accommodation on Days 1, 2, 4 and 7 in double rooms of hotel standard and on Days 3, 5 and 6 in cabins for 2 – 4 persons
• Breakfast and dinner daily
• Sauna every night except on day 3  
• Exclusive travel documentation package including personalised maps, itinerary and driving directions
• All taxes

DAY 1: ARRIVAL AT KAJAANI
Kajaani – Metsäkartano (approx. 150 km)
Arrival at Kajaani airport where you will collect your hire car. For the first night you will drive to Metsäkartano mansion situated in Rautavaara in a tranquil spot in the heart of nature. On the way to Metsäkartano it is possible to visit Vuokatti which is a versatileholiday centre offering great possibilities for various activities like hiking, horse-back riding, husky-trekking, boating etc. In Vuokatti you can also ski and snowboard all-year-round, thanks to the indoor tunnels.
Dinner and accommodation at Metsäkartano Mansion.

DAY 2: EXPLORE A NATIONAL PARK
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 rockwalls. Both national parks have some good hiking trails for a few hours’ day tour. Remember to carry the picnic lunch with you because there are no opportunities topurchase food in the parks.
Dinner and accommodation at Metsäkartano Mansion.

DAY 3: METSÄKARTANO – KUHMO (approx. 105 km)
It’s time to say goodbye to Metsäkartano and head via Nurmes in Karelia to the village of Kalevala, 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 and wolverines. You can participate in a safari, at an extra cost, 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 and at Kalevala Spirit Experience Park, close to your accommodation. 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.

DAY 4: MEET THE BROWN BEARS
Kuhmo – Juntusranta (approx. 170 km)
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 purposebuilt log cabins.

DAY 5: HIKING IN HOSSA
Juntusranta - Kuusamo (approx. 135 km)
Heading 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 settling down for the night at the cosy Ollila Holiday Cottages you could, for example, pop into the Tourist and Nature Centre Karhuntassu and visit a nature photograhy centre there.

DAY 6: KUUSAMO – NATURE’S OWN AMUSEMENT PARK
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 daytrips. 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 centre 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 of the area also offer many other activities, such as canoe trips, quad safaris, mountain biking and Nordic walking tours. The night is spent again at Ollila Holiday Cottages.

DAY 7: SOUTHWARDS TO KAJAANI
Kuusamo - Kajaani (approx. 270 km)
This will be your last and longest day of travelling, going south along the highway E5 and ending at Kajaani. If you are still willing to do some hiking you can easily visit Kylmäluoma Hiking Area situated by mainroad. The area offers various short circular routes, ideal for daytrips. Before arriving at Suomussalmi you can admire an impressive artwork called “Hiljainen Kansa” (The Silent People). It consists of thousands of human-like figures with bodies of hay, head of peat and dressed in old clothes. Your destination Kajaani is a small town and the capital of the Kainuu province situated on the shores of Lake Oulujärvi. The best place to enjoy the lake scenery is probably the small village of Paltaniemi where you can also visit the old church famous for its beautiful paintings on the walls and ceilings. Accommodation will be at the Hotel Karolineburg near the town centre.

DAY 8: DEPARTURE FROM KAJAANI
Kajaani airport 7 km
Breakfast and drive to the airport of Kajaani where you will leave your hire car. Departure flight.