Hunt the Northern Lights, spot local wildlife and marvel at the golden, amber and copper hues of Arctic Lakeland on this exhilarating autumn escape. At 64 degrees north – the same latitude as Reykjavik – and with minimal light pollution, this is an excellent region for aurora hunting, especially during the relatively mild autumn months, which tend to bring good chances of clear skies. As well as looking out for this ethereal phenomenon at night, you’ll also have the opportunity to see brown bears in the wild before their winter hibernation and enjoy a guided hike through the forests in this serene, off-the-beaten-track corner of Finland. The cosy, timber-clad Hotel Kalevala is an ideal base for your adventures, with access to saunas and hot tubs and wonderful views overlooking Lake Lammasjärvi.
Autumn colours & auroras in Arctic Lakeland
To book call us on:
At a glance…
Hunt the Northern Lights and see brown bears in the wild on this autumn adventure in Arctic Lakeland
» 5 day tailor-made break
» Accommodation: Superior A higher standard of accommodation with a better range and quality of facilities, often in a good location (typically 4 stars)
» Price from: £1,215 pp incl. flights
Day by day itinerary
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Day 1 » Depart for Arctic Lakeland
Your trip begins with a flight to Helsinki, where you’ll switch to an internal connecting flight to Kajaani in Arctic Lakeland. On arrival, a transfer will be waiting to take you to your hotel on the shores of Lake Lammasjärvi. After settling into your accommodation, it’s time for your first taste of traditional Finnish cuisine as you enjoy dinner at the on-site restaurant. Once it’s fully dark, be sure to take a look outside to see whether the Northern Lights are active. Later on, you might also fancy a relaxing session in the sauna before settling down for the night.
Stay: Hotel Kalevala, Kuhmo
Meals: Dinner
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Day 2 » Guided forest hike
After breakfast, it’s time to head out into the peaceful, untamed wilderness of Arctic Lakeland on a hike through the forests, which tend to be particularly colourful at this time of year. As you go, your guide will explain more about the nature of the region and tell stories of Finnish mythology about the forest. There will be a stop for hot drinks and snacks along the way. If the ground happens to be blanketed in snow, it’s no problem – the hike will take place with snowshoes instead. You’ll then return to the hotel and perhaps take the opportunity to unwind in the sauna or Jacuzzi before dinner and another chance to see the Northern Lights.
Stay: Hotel Kalevala, Kuhmo
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 3 » Optional activities & bear watching
You’ll have most of the day free to relax at the hotel, whether you feel like making use of the saunas or hot tubs, or perhaps even treating yourself to a rejuvenating massage or Finnish bone setting therapy. Depending on the weather conditions, there’s also the possibility of renting fat bikes or heading out on a canoeing tour on the lake. In the evening, you’ll be picked up and driven to a location where you have the best chances of being able to spot brown bears in the wild.
After an early dinner, you’ll take a short hike to the specially designed hides, which offer a safe and comfortable environment for viewing and photographing the bears in their natural habitat. Bears are typically active until around mid-November, after which they go into winter hibernation. If you’re really fortunate, you might catch a glimpse of wolves or wolverines as well. Later in the evening, you’ll be driven back to the hotel – or you can opt to spend the night at the bear centre instead.
Stay: Hotel Kalevala, Kuhmo
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 4 » Northern Lights hunt
Spend the day at leisure at Hotel Kalevala, either relaxing or enjoying a range of optional outdoor activities, before heading out in the evening for a guided Northern Lights hunt. While waiting for the aurora to make an appearance, your guides will prepare a picnic by an open fire and tell you all about the science and legends of the Northern Lights.
At 64 degrees north (the same latitude as Reykjavik) and with minimal levels of light pollution, this is an excellent region to witness the aurora, especially during the autumn months which usually see milder and more settled weather than in winter. You need a slice of luck when it comes to clear skies and solar activity, but if the conditions line up, an unforgettable experience awaits.
Stay: Hotel Kalevala, Kuhmo
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 5 » Return to UK
Enjoy one last breakfast at the hotel before your transfer back to Kajaani Airport for your onward flight.
Meals: Breakfast
To book call us on:
At a glance…
Hunt the Northern Lights and see brown bears in the wild on this autumn adventure in Arctic Lakeland
» 5 day tailor-made break
» Accommodation: Superior A higher standard of accommodation with a better range and quality of facilities, often in a good location (typically 4 stars)
» Price from: £1,215 pp incl. flights
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