A mix of fresh sea air and coastal culture in the Finnish archipelago. Explore hidden gems along the Finnish west coast, surrounded by forests, the Bothnian Bay, and a rich historical background. Authentic experiences with a strong local flavour await!
Day 1
Arrival in Pietarsaari and check-in at hotel Kaupunginhotelli, sweet dreams!
Day 2
The day begins with breakfast at Kaupunginhotelli, after which a bus transports you to the beautiful beach of Fäboda where your wilderness guides from NatVenture will meet you. The hiking trail runs along the coastline and continues through a forest area toward one of the huts and barbecue spots located along the path. There you will prepare lunch together, surrounded by nature. After lunch, you will continue onward through the woods toward your destination, Arctic Museum Nanoq. After reaching the museum, you will be provided with coffee and snacks and a short guided tour of the museum area. After the tour, you will have dinner in one of the cosy houses in the area. After a full day of activities – and a relaxing visit to a smoke sauna –- the food prepared with local ingredients is going to taste simply amazing. Afterwards, you will be transported back to the hotel. Good night!
More info:
Nanoq is the first Arctic museum in Finland. You can find it 7 kilometres outside of the city centre in the middle of the forest. The whole museum area is built like a small Arctic village, and you have the possibility to go inside several small cottages. The founder of the museum is a currently 81-year-old firefighter from Pietarsaari who has travelled across the Arctic areas many times and has collected items as well as stories during his journeys. He established the museum to introduce visitors to truly sustainable ways of life and showcase how tough it can be to survive in cold climates. It is a perfect destination for anyone who is interested in culture and outdoor activities as it combines both worlds. You can learn about expeditions made to the Arctic areas, familiarise yourself with the cultures and customs among the Arctic people, and hear fascinating stories about the Arctic areas.
Experience the traditional Finnish smoke sauna. Since the smoke sauna is heated for several hours before it is ready, it offers a smooth and soft warmth that will make you sweat and relax thoroughly after the outdoor activities of the day. The traditional sauna does not have showers. Instead, there are buckets of warm and cold water that you can mix to get the right temperature to wash yourself in a traditional way. Let this exceptional experience clean your mind and body and give you the feeling of happiness we Finns have enjoyed for centuries.
Day 3
(NB: Lunch is served a bit later this day so the group will have energy for the night hike!) Breakfast at the hotel – remember that lunch is served a bit later this day! We depart after everyone has enjoyed breakfast and checked out, and head for Svanen Camping, where your wilderness guides from yesterday will meet you. Preparations, introductions and safety instructions will follow before the paddling trip of the day starts. The paddling trip takes you along Lake Larsmo toward the seaside restaurant Strandis, where you will have lunch. You will then be transported to Tyynelän Tonttula – a place where you can acquaint yourself with the mythology, history and culture of Finnish elves. The area features several buildings from the 18th century, antique furniture and, of course, a lot of elves. After Tonttula, the transport will head for Café Bryggan, where you get prepared for the Historical White Night Hiking in Öja. Once at the café, you will receive a short introduction to the fishing village in Öja and a picnic package. The hike starts after a late dinner at the starting point, Korvgräven. The hike begins with a view of the archipelago,an insight into the local life in the Finnish archipelago, and historical tales about activism during Russian rule. After the hike is over, you will be transported back to your hotel in Kokkola.
More info:
This hiking trail features an almost magical element introduced by the bright summer night, paths covered in dew, birdsong and the sound of ripples hitting the cliffs. Gain invaluable insight into life in the archipelago village of Öja through our local guides and products. Our walk takes us along historic smuggling routes used during the period of 1905-1917, when Öja was one of the central places in the Kvarken region that opposed the Russian rule in Finland. The route was used for smuggling large quantities of weapons from Germany, but it also allowed aspiring solders to find their way over to Sweden and onward to the training camp of Lockstedter Lager in Holstein, Germany. This hike includes: transportation from Café Bryggan to the starting and finishing point, local guides from the village, a food pack with Café Bryggan’s own products, Öja’s fish soup served in nature, changing rooms and shower facilities at the Öja village centre and historical information about the smuggling of weapons and people between Germany and Finland in 1905–1917.
Day 4
Breakfast at the hotel starts off the day. Take a short stroll around the city centre and Neristan, the old wooden town of Kokkola. You will be transported from the hotel to the Meripuisto park, M/S Jenny’s home port. Onboard M/S Jenny, we cruise the Bothnian Sea to the lighthouse island of Tankar. Tankar is one of Finland ‘s most important lighthouse islands and one of the most popular attractions in Kokkola. The island of Tankar is situated in the outer archipelago in the Bay of Bothnia, 15 kilometres north-west of the Port of Kokkola. Today, Tankar offers unforgettable nature experiences and captures the old lifestyle of the archipelago. The picturesque archipelago village has old fishermen’s cabins, a café, a guest house, a wooden church from 1754 and a lighthouse community. A small museum showcases the old coastal hunting culture. The island’s remote location adds a particular maritime stamp to its nature, which is unique in terms of its diverse flora as well as the numerous bird species. Lunch is served at Café Tankar, and afterwards you can go for a guided walk around the island. After enjoying the local heritage on Tankar, M/S Jenny will take you back to Kokkola. Later on, we enjoy a tasty dinner before calling it a night.
Day 5
Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.
Duration: Five days and four nights
Location: Kvarken destinations – Pietarsaari, Larsmo and Kokkola
Group size: min. 15 persons
Availability: June, July, August
Guidance language: English, Finnish, Swedish
Price: Request rates
What is included:
Four nights at hotels with breakfast, nature guide, lunch, guided tour of the museum Nanoq, coffee & snacks, dinner, smoke sauna, guided paddling trip, lunch, admission to Tonttula, guided night hike, food packs, dinner, a cruise to the lighthouse island Tankar with M/S Jenny, a guided island tour, lunch at Café Tankar, dinner.
Optional:
Extra programme for the arrival and departure days can be arranged by request at an additional cost. Transportation services for an additional fee if the group is travelling without own vehicle.
We reserve the right to make changes, and request that you confirm the specific itinerary and pricing directly with the tour provider.
