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Wild Brown Bear Adventure

from £808 excluding flights

  • 4 nights
  • May-Sep

Highlights

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Witness the majestic brown bear in its natural habitat

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Spend the night in specially designed hides

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Explore the wilderness trails at your own pace

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Watch out for wolves, wolverine and reindeer

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Get behind the lens with superb photography opportunities

Why this trip...

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Conservation/Eco-tourism

This itinerary has a strong focus on wildlife and natural habitat conservation, one of our pillars of sustainability

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Where you stay

This holiday offers a choice of accommodation options which are part of the overall experience

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Like-minded travellers

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Overview

From magnificent wild brown bears to elusive wolverine and sleek lynx, a trip to Kuhmo in Finland’s remote eastern wilderness feel like stepping straight into a nature documentary. Through the ancient taiga forests, there is no better place to seek out these majestic animals in their natural habitat.

Brown Bear Encounters

There’s a reason that the brown bear has captured the hearts of many the world over. With their often unpredictable nature and sometimes casual fierceness, they somehow still convey the pristine beauty of the natural world.

Rarely seen during the day, an overnight stay in a hide is the perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with this truly iconic animal. Whether they are foraging for food, clambering up the trees or showing off their playful side running and playing in the Finnish night, it will be hard to stay silent as you stare in amazement at these natural wonders.

Wildlife and Wilderness

But Kuhmo has much more to offer than these majestic bears. As you stare into the night you may see one of the many elusive animals of Finland’s east, the awkward beauty of the wolverine, the cantering skill of the reindeer or the fluttering concentration of a sparrowhawk.

And with days that stretch from twelve to sixteen hours, you will not be short of time to explore the natural beauty, whether by trail, boat or bike.

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Itinerary

Arrive at Kajanni airport where you will be tranferred to Hotel Kalevala (approx 90 minutes) where you stay for the next two nights with dinner included (set menu).

After breakfast and a welcome briefing, you have a day at leisure. There are several ways in which to explore and enjoy this amazing Finnish wilderness: cycling; hiking; swimming, fishing and rowing boats – all making the best of the great outdoors, of which there is plenty! After dinner, spend the evening relaxing, perhaps take a dip in the Jacuzzi and have a sauna or, at additional cost, try an acu-massage bed.

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Visit the Petola Nature Centre nearby and enjoy your surroundings. In the afternoon transfer to the bear centre close to the Russian border, and after receiving information and an early meal, you’ll walk to the bear hides. The hides are equipped with viewing chairs and an amplification system to aid listening to the animals as well as a sleeping area with dry-toilet facilities. Remember to bring binoculars, tripod, bean bag or ball head (screw supplied). Settle down in these purpose-built hides ready for the night’s bear watch. A snack will be provided for you to take in to the hide.

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Early morning transfer back to the hotel in time for breakfast. Rest of the day to relax, catch up on some sleep or continue to explore your scenic surrounds, ever watchful for wildlife. Overnight at Hotel Kalevala. In the unlikely event that bears were not seen when staying at the bear hide, a second night of bear watching will be included without additional charge.

After breakfast, travel back to Kajaani Airport for your return flight home.

Accommodation

Price from £808 excluding flights

Airfares are quoted separately to the holiday price. When enquiring, our Travel Specialists will provide the best fare possible from your preferred airline / airport.
Note: Airfares tend to be cheaper the earlier you book.

What's Included

  • Accommodation in a room with private bathroom at Hotel Kalevala
  • Overnight in bear hide with shared facilities
  • All breakfasts, all dinners (set menu), snack in the hide (at Hotel Kalevala)
  • Visit to Petola Nature Centre
  • Return transfers between the Kajaani AIrport and Hotel Kalevala
  • 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
  • No surcharge guarantee
  • Full financial protection

This itinerary starts from around £808 per person, based on 2 sharing a room with private bathroom.

Prices may vary depending on departure date and booking date, as well as any changes to the included components. The final cost of a tailored holiday will be based on the room type, class of travel, included activities, travel season, and how far in advance it is booked. We will confirm the exact price for your holiday in your individual quotation, based on your chosen travel dates and inclusions.

Tailor made trips

As independent destination specialists, we are able to tailor make holidays to suit you, be that customising the itineraries shown on this website or creating something bespoke.

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Travelling sustainably

We believe travel is about finding the right balance between minimising our impact on the environment and broadening minds through new experiences and cultural interaction.