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ToursNorth Karelia • winter 2014 • summer 2014

Animal watchingSpend a night among the wild inhabitants of the taiga forest!

Rowing tourTake part in the biggest long-

distance rowing event in Finland.

Rent a cottageChoose accommodation to suit your

tastes from our web store.

National parks

Visitors to Karelia can find a broad spectrum of Finnish landscapes: rugged ridges, hills, marsh es, backwoods, lakes and rivers with sandy banks.

Three beautiful na tional parks – Koli, Petkeljärvi and Patvinsuo – are situated whol ly with in North Kare lia, while three oth ers – Kolove si, Ti i l ikka and Peurajärvi-Hiidenportti – are partial ly located within the province.

Koli National ParkWith its spectacular views over the hills and lakeland scenery, Koli is the most popular na-tional park in North Karelia. It also offers the best vicitor facilities centred at the Heritage Centre Ukko.www.outdoors.fi/kolinp

Petkeljärvi National ParkSituated close to the Russian border, Petkeljärvi features forested sandy ridges among sparkling lakes. Camping and hostel accommodation is available.

www.outdoors.fi/petkeljarvinp

Joys of winter

Winter activities in Karelia at Bomba Situated along the Russian border, Karelia in Fin-land is one of the few remaining wildernesses in Europe. The winter in Karelia is truly winter, with thick snow covering the forests, fields, lakes and rivers from December to early April. This makes Karelia the ideal setting for a winter adventure!

The weeklong programme has been specially planned for those who want to try their skills at various activities. Each day you will travel by a different means of close-to-nature transportation. You will enjoy snowmobiling to deep-snow, visit at reindeer farm, cross country skiing, husky dog sleds, snowshoe walking and ice-fishing tour.

Season: 10.1 .- 15.4.2014

Group size: Min. 2 persons

Price incl. Transfers from and to Kuopio/Joensuu airport, accommodation at Bomba hotel Karelian Village twin rooms (6 nights) with breakfast and free use of spa, all meals mentioned in the program, use of thermal clothing (overalls, boots, woollen socks, head gear and gloves), activities mentioned in the programme guided by profes-sional guides.

Huskysafari on Ice of Lake Pielinen Experience what it is like to drive a team of dogs across lakes and through dense forests! This dogsled safari begins by harnessing the dogs, who are as ea-ger, excited and ready for action as you are. You will then be taught the theory of driving a dogsled. Each sled is pulled by a team of 4-6 huskies and carries 2 people: a driver and a passenger (or two, in the case of small children). You then set out into the Karelian wilderness, stopping along the way to enjoy a hot lunch or dinner and warm up around a campfire.

Season: January-April 2014

Duration: 3-4 hours

Group size: 2-8 persons

Includes: Learning to drive a dogsled, husky safari, soup lunch or dinner, professional guide.

Extra charge for transfers and accommodation.

Cross country skiing tour from guest house to guest house

Set out for a tour by ski to the idyllic countryside of North Karelia. Snow, white forests and frozen lakes; February and March are the best times of the year for skiing in North Karelia.

The sun is shining, the snow glistens, the frozen lakes and hills are covered with a thick coat of snow. Daily skiing tour is between 15 and 30 km and 6 to 8 hours with breaks. You should already be able to ski and have a good condition. You also get fitter every day

Period 2014: 15 – 22 February, 1 – 8 March, 8 – 15 March, 15 – 23 March

Group size: 6 - 12 persons

Includes: On the arrival day group transfer from airport Kuopio at 18.00. Return on Saturday group transfer to airport Kuopio at 9.00. (All extra trans-fers from/to airport 160 EUR). Accommodation at various guesthouses in double rooms, full board, sauna every day, luggage transport, guidance. The group is an international group. The guidance will be in English and in German! One or two guides per group.

1078 €/person,

180 €/person, 85 € /child (<12)

On the Bear’s trail at Eräkeskus by huskiesSince 2003 the most popular program in our offer. 5 nights in the comfortable Eräkeskus Guesthou-se, 2 nights in cosy wilderness cabins. 5 days with your own husky team, distances between 20 and 55 km per day. Lots of free time to explore the beautiful nature around by your own, with skis, snowshoes or simply by walking.

Dates: Sunday – Sunday 2014, 8 days/7 nights 26.1.; 2.2.; 9.2.; 16.2.; 23.2.; 2.3.; 9.3.; 16.3.

Group size: 4-5 persons.

Includes: Transfers from/to Joensuu Airport, 5 overnights in Eräkeskus in twin rooms with shower/toilet, 2 overnights in wilderness cabins, fullboard from dinner 1st day to breakfast 8th day, coffee & tea à discretion, own huskyteam and complete equipment (overall, shoes, sleeping bag with liner, snowshoes and/or skis for free use during the whole week, daily evening-sauna, German and English speaking guide

Reindeer sleigh ride in Laitalan Lomat

Reindeer sleigh ride runs through a snowy forest. Sit in the sleighs under the reindeer skin and enjoy in real winter in North Karelia. During the trip there will be a good chance of seeing tracks of many forest animals. During the ride, reindeers are tied with another reindeer (“Raito”) so it is suitable for also to the children. Length of the ride is about 3 km.

Period: January-April 2014

Duration: 2-3 hours

Group size: min 2 persons. Price incl. reindeer sleigh ride, coffee and pasty by the fire, reindeer driving licence.

69 €/person, 49 € /child (2-12 years)

1540 € /person

1480 € /person, 850 € /child (10-14 years)

Tours and excursions:Tel. +358 400 311 213 sales@visitkarelia.fi

Cycling tour from guesthouse to guesthouse This tour is the summer version of skiing tour from guesthouse to guesthouse. Welcome to bike without rush in your own rhythm. Enjoy the Karelia à la carte food. This tour leads you from Puukarin Pysäkki, in Valtimo to Männikkölän Pirtti, in the shore of Lake Pielinen in Nurmes. The cosy atmosphere of the guesthouses and the love countryside landscape pamper your senses.

The biking distance altogether is about 100-200 km depending on what route you will choose. This tour is without guidance!

Period: June-September 2014

Duration: 5 days/4 nights

Group size: 2 - 12 persons

Includes: accommodation with full board (breakfast, picnic lunch or snack, dinner) sauna, information about the route.

Karelia Rowing Tour

Karelia-Soutu is the biggest long-distance recreational rowing event in Finland. It has been held annually 29 times, each year attracting about 1000 participants. The course lies through the heart of the North Karelian La-keland. The event is open to all, and is not a competition. The organisers provide a complete service allowing par-ticipants to concentrate on rowing and enjoyment. Each daily stretch of the route is divided into sections of a few hours, with breaks. During these breaks local village societies and businesses provide meals and refreshments. At overnight stops along the route saunas are available, and there is a full evening programme of activities and entertainment.Package for the route of church boats (Lieksa-Joensuu, 146 kms) Period: 28.7.-1.8.2014

Duration: 4 days/5 nights

Group size: min. 1 person

Includes: accommodation in a double room according to the rowing program (5 nights), meals according to the program, a rowing place in a church boat, transfers from Jakokoski to Joensuu and back, daily saunas, partici-pation fee, diploma, VAT, 119 € single supplement, 15 € reservation fee.

Patvinsuo National ParkThe most remote of the three national parks within North Karelia, Patv in suo is an interna-tionally im por tant mire con ser va tion and research area. This peaceful hiking des ti na tion has very few facilities for visitors.

www.outdoors.fi/patvinsuonp

Ruunaa Recreational AreaAnother spot ideal for lovers of outdoors is Ruunaa Recreatoinal Area with whitewater boateing, fishing, hiking, cycling and skiing.

www.outdoors.fi/ruunaa

Shooting the Ruunaa RapidsThose with a thirst for adventure can enjoy a thrilling 4-hour wooden boat or rubber raft tour along the River Liek-sanjoki and down the Ruunaa Rapids to-gether wit a professional guide. During the tour you will be taken ashore for a delicious wilderness lunch featuring Karelian specialities.

The Ruunaa area is located on the eas-tern side of the town of Lieksa around the rapids.

Season: May-October 2014 Duration: 4 hours Group size: min. 6 persons Individual travellers: Ask for set departure times!Includes: Guided rapids shooting tour on a wooden boat or rubber raft and wilderness meal

Summer delights

from 580 €/person

from 43/45 €/person

Koli, the Finnish national landscape Koli is the most beautiful natural attraction in Finland. Koli National Park and the surroundings provide a unique combination of internationally recognized natural and cultural attractions. A gui-ded tour to the scenic places of the Koli hills. The hiking begins with a warm welcome at Retkitupa, followed by a beautiful walk up to the hills of Koli National Park accompanied by a wilderness guide. Coffee/tea and snacks will be served around a campfire. A quiet forest walk from the peak of the Koli hills down to the middle of traditional landscape and heritage farm of Mattila. After ha-ving the lunch traveling to village of Vuonisjärvi. The visit at the atelier-studio of Eva Ryynänen and Paateri church.

Duration: 7,5 - 8 hours

Season: May – September 2014

Group size: min. 10 persons

Includes: guided tour at Koli hills, coffee/tea and snacks, quiet forest walk and lunch and a guided visit at Paateri.

85 €/person

from 550 €/person

Wild life photography and wat-ching in Karelia

A safe way to meet the large carnivores of the taiga forest is to spend a night in our animal watching lodge in the middle of the wilderness. During the night you may see, hear and even film/photograph wolverines, brown bears, wolves, lyn-xes, beavers, goshawks, golden eagles, white-taled eagles as well as other wild animals living in the beautiful environs of Eräeero. The night is spent comfortably in a watching lodge where you sit on comfortable chairs or even take a little break and lie down in a bunk and have a little snack.

Period: best time April-July 2014

Duration: 2 days/1 night

Group size: min 1 person

Includes: services according to the programme (flights and additional trips not included), 1 night in the observation lodge, meals (snack during the evening and night in the observation lodge, bre-akfast on day 2), local transfers to the observation lodge, insurance and VAT.

195 €/person

Nature experiences with all your senses Petkeljärvi National Park is extremely picturesque. An enchanting view of the national park’s sparkling lakes opens from the tops of the park’s beautiful narrow ridges - the atmosphere is almost fairy tale-like. Hiking to the water - Hiking and paddling excursion at Petkel-järvi Outdoor Center. After the hike a tasty wilderness lunch in the forest and changing hiking boots for canoe paddles. Coffee break by the open campfire. After hiking and paddling excursion the program con-tinues by creating a self-made forest souvenir “work of art” from self-collected natural products.

Group size: 6-16 persons

Season: June – September 2014

Duration: 8 - 9 hours

Includes: guided hiking and paddling tour at Petkel-järvi, coffee/tea and lunch in the forest, creating a self-made forest souvenir and local transfer.

165 €/person

from 195 €/person

Photo: Tiina Hakkarainen

Valtimo

Pielinen

Höytiäinen

Pyhäselkä

Möhkö

Kesälahti

Tohmajärvi

Ruunaa

Värtsilä(Bordercrossingpoint)

Koitere

Nurmes

Lieksa

Eno

Ilomantsi

Kitee

Rääkkylä

Liperi

Polvijärvi

Juuka

Koli

JOENSUU

OutokumpuKontiolahti

Karelia Expert Tourist Service Ltd is a full service Tourist Bureau and a professional Destination Mana-gement Company. We have five bureaus throughout

Tours and excursions: Tel. +358 400 311 213 sales@visitkarelia.fi

Tourist information: Koskikatu 5, FI-80100 Joensuu Tel. +358 400 239 549 visitkarelia@visitkarelia.fi

Holiday Week in a Cottage in a Famous Landscape of Koli

One of the best ways to spend a holiday the Finnish and Karelian way is to rent a cottage in summertime and even in wintertime. Spend a memorable short holiday in a cottage in Koli that includes kitchen equip-ment, firewood, sauna and bed linen.

Koli is full of legends, culture and history. Visit the Heritage Centre Ukko in Koli enjoy the interesting exhi-bitions about Koli National Park. The best known and most popular landscape in Karelia – and perhaps in Finland as a whole – is the vista over Lake Pielinen seen from the Koli hills in Koli National Park. In Winter Lake Pielinen is covered by ice, naturally, and the Koli hills are full of snow. Other scenic places will also be visited on a guided hiking tour in summertime and snowshoeing tour in wintertime. During the tour you will hear intriguing stories about the history and culture of the region.

We recommend the following cottages:

from 1681 €/week

from 519 €/week

Purnuranta (A-C)for families

Well-equipped log cottage of high standards situ-ated in the Purnuniemi cottage area by the Lake Pielinen in Koli. Good possibilities for fishing for family holidays. 6 person/cottage.

Kolin Kuningas, Kolin Kuningatar and Kolin keisari (A and B)for groups

Well-equipped log cottage in Loma-Koli cottage area. 10-14 persons/cottage.

Holiday cottages

Inquiries and reservations of holiday cottages:

Karelia Expert Tourist Service Ltd Tel. +358 400 239 619 bookings@visitkarelia.fi, www.visitkarelia.fi

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Find your way to Karelia via VisitKarelia.fi

Find travel facts, book your holiday cottage or browse through various activities and package tours. Karelia in Finland is yours to discover!