Brown Bear and Wildlife Adventure

Brown Bear Adventue

Brown Bear Adventue

Meet The ‘Wild Brown Bear’ in its natural environment

Unique Environment

Unique Environment

The Hotel Is Designed To Look Like A Huge Wooden Fortress

 The Wild Taiga

The Wild Taiga

A Close Encounter With The Bears

Famous Finnish Sport

Famous Finnish Sport

Take A Guided Tour Around Kalevala

Idyllic Location Right By The lake

Idyllic Location Right By The lake

Calming Waters Of Lake Lammasjärv

Brown Bear and Wildlife Adventure

Encounter the European bear in its natural environment, go in search of Elk and embrace the Finnish summer lifestyle. Wild Taiga is a region of natural wilderness, close to the Russian border in Eastern Finland, which enjoys the highest concentration of brown bears in Europe. On this exciting discovery tour, spend one night in a hide for maximum viewing opportunities, with the remainder of your stay in a comfortable wilderness hotel, offering a wide range of wildlife and wellness activities. 

DAY 1 Kuhmo
Fly to Kajaani Airport from London (via Helsinki). Here you will be met and transferred to Kuhmo, a 1½ hour’s drive away. Your ultimate destination is the Hotel Kalevala, a comfortable wilderness hotel in the heart of Wild Taiga. After check-in, dinner, a rejuvenating sauna and indoor Jacuzzi await your arrival.
DAY 2 A Bear Watching Adventure
After breakfast there is a programme briefing, followed by a visit the Petola Nature Centre with its permanent exhibition on the Finnish predators - bear, wolf, wolverine and lynx. This is followed by a late lunch, after which you will be taken even closer to the Russian border for bear watching. Head to the hides from the main lodge, complete with a picnic packet for the evening. The observation site is situated in an open wetland area with backdrop of spruce pine and birch forest. All hides are equipped with comfortable viewing chairs, sleeping areas and dry toilets. The smallest three man hide allow a close encounter with the bears, while the larger six to ten person hides offer a panoramic view of the site at a comfortable viewing distance. Many other mammals inhabit the taiga, although shy when the bears are around, Elk, Wolverine, Pine Marten and Beaver are sometimes observed. For photographers the site offers excellent photography opportunities and there is between twelve to sixteen hours of direct sunlight and two to four hours of twilight in the viewing season.  As well as the picnic basket are provided and we recommend that you bring weather appropriate clothing, binoculars, video and camera. Smoking is not allowed during the night. 
DAY 3 Elk Safari
Following an intersting night of observation, return to the Hotel Kalevala for breakfast before meeting the second King of the Finnish forest, The European Elk, the largest member of the deer family. Choose from a dawn or dusk departure, both of which lend a special atmosphere to the proceedings when tracking through the surrounding evergreen forest. The 3-4 hour tour you may also reward you with a sighting of the elusive Wild Forest Reindeer, the wild cousin of the semi-domestic reindeer.  Return to the hotel for some further R&R before sauna and dinner.
DAY 4 UK
After breakfast, your return transfer will head for Kajaani airport in time for your flight home (via Helsinki) 
Hotel Kalevala
Hotel Kalevala

The 47 room Hotel Kalevala lies on the shores of Lake Lammasjärvi, and offers a comfortable retreat for those wanting to explore the abundance of wildlife in the region. From the air the building is designed to look like and eagle with its wings spread, from the ground the unusual construction is said to resemble an ancient fortress. The acclaimed restaurant uses locally sourced products. A bar, outdoor terrace and lounge with log fire are all intended to make this a cosy and comfortable wilderness retreat. Wellbeing and Wellness facilities include 2 saunas, indoor jacuzzi and aromatherapy and massage treatments. There is a range of room categories, all with private WC/shower, flat screen tv’s and Wi-Fi, for those who cannot bear to be without.

Wolverine Watching Night

An overnight excursion to the Viiksimo area to observe and photographe these shy and elusive creatures.

Tour Duration: 15 hrs

Included: Guide, transfers, sleeping bags, blankets and snacks in the hides 

£100 pp