iExplore Finland Active - Summer

Tour Description

Welcome to Finland! Experience Finland as never before on this 8-day active program. Begin in Luosto in the heart of Lapland, where you can enjoy the solitude of nature with all the activities nearby. Take a quad safari to an Amethyst Mine to try and find your "lucky" gemstone. Enjoy a canoe trip on the beautiful River Kitinen and maybe try your luck at fishing. Then meet the wild brown bear in it's natural environment- the wild taiga as you spend the night in a Hide- a truly unforgettable and once in a lifetime experience!

Itinerary

Day 01: Rovaniemi- Luosto, Finland

Today when you arrive in Rovaniemi you will be met at the airport by an iExplore Representative and driven to your hotel in Luosto.

Welcome to Luosto in the heart of Lapland, the good feeling fell resort, to enjoy and savor fresh air, the northern lights and the wide range of activities in this picturesque national nature scenery.

Luosto is renowned for its silver pine cabin village, well suited to its picturesque fell countryside, where you can really stay in the heart of nature. All cabins are located approximately 0.2-2.5km from the hotel, just a short walk away. The cabin is equipped with electric sauna, fireplace, TV and coffee maker.

The remainder of this day is at your leisure.

Dinner

Cabins in Scandic Hotel Luosto

Day 02: Luosto

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel this morning before you depart for a Quad Safari to an Amethyst Mine.

A legend says that if you find your personal lucky amethyst stone you will find lots of luck, happiness and love in your life, so this is worth trying!

You will be transferred to the safari clubhouse where you will get helmets and receive driving and safety instructions from your guide. Then the safari to the top of Lampivaara begins. First we will drive a short distance on roads until arriving at the foot of Lampivaara. Then you start driving the track towards the top of Lampivaara in the changing terrain.

We stop on top of Lampivaara fell of which you will find the only operating amethyst mine in Europe. We will hear the fascinating story of the amethyst gemstone and enter the mine itself to try and find your lucky amethyst.

After this exhilarating experience, return to the lodge- hopefully with your lucky gemstone!

Breakfast, Dinner

Cabins in Scandic Hotel Luosto

Day 03: Luosto

Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the resorts hotel before you depart for a Quad Safari in the forest. We meet at the Luontosafarit Safari House where you will get your helmets and receive driving and safety instructions from the guides. Then your forest safari begins!

First we will drive a short distance on roads through the beautiful summer landscapes until you arrive at Orresokka. We start driving in changing terrain on forest roads and old tracks. Sometimes the track is a bit challenging, but no worry, the guides are there to give you advice. Perhaps we'll see some reindeer and other animals on your way. We will stop for some coffee or tea and buns and just enjoy the beautiful landscapes and the silence where the only sounds we hear are made by nature.

You will get familiar with the typical Lappish nature, beautiful in a rugged way, during your safari. After this breathtaking experience we will return to Luontosafarit Safari House.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cabins in Scandic Hotel Luosto

Day 04: Luosto

Have breakfast at the resorts hotel before departing for a canoeing safari!

The trip starts from Luosto fell by car to the river Kitinen. Paddle on the beautiful River Kitinen through the peaceful scenery. During the excursion go ashore to enjoy a cup of coffee by a campfire. You will also have the opportunity to fish during the trip.

We will paddle approximately 15 km/4 hours.

Afterwards you will be returned to the lodge.

Breakfast, Dinner

Cabins in Scandic Hotel Luosto

Day 05: Luosto- Rovaniemi- Kajaani- Vartius

After breakfast at the resorts hotel, you will be driven to the airport for your flight from Luosto to Rovaniemi (not included). Upon arrival at Kajaani Airport, you will be met and driven approximately 1.5 hours to the Wild Bear Lodge in Vartius.

The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Enjoy dinner and a sauna at the lodge tonight.

Breakfast, Dinner

Wild Brown Bear Lodge

Day 06: Vartius

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the resorts hotel and a pleasant day at leisure to enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

At about 5:00pm you will meet for information about hides and bears. After the briefing we depart from the hotel to the hides, equipped with a picnic basket, camera and binoculars. We overnight in the hides.

Meeting the wild brown bear in its natural environment, the wild taiga, is an unforgettable experience and for photography enthusiasts, an opportunity to capture the shot of a lifetime in comfort and safety.

The brown bear and other rare animals such as the wolverine, wild deer and moose can be viewed from one of the specially designed hides.

Hides are equipped with comfortable viewing chairs, sleeping areas, hearing amplificatory systems (listen to the birds!) and dry toilets. The hides are situated in a small open wetland area with spruce pines and birch forest as a backdrop. For photographers the site offers excellent photography opportunities, as there is between 12 and 16 hours of direct sunlight and 2-4 hours of twilight in the viewing season.

Breakfast, Lunch

Wild Brown Bear Lodge- Bear Watching Hides

Day 07: Vartius- Kajaani- Helsinki

In the morning go back to the hotel after your once in a lifetime experience at the hides. Then, transfer to Kajaani Airport (about 1 ½ hours) for your flight from Kajaani to Helsinki (not included).

When you arrive in Helsinki, you will be met at the airport by an English-speaking driver and driven to the Radisson Hotel.

One of Helsinki's most popular hotels, the stylish Radisson Blu Royal Hotel is located in the heart of Helsinki. The décor represents modern Finnish architecture and it has been a landmark since it opened in 1991.

Breakfast

Radisson Blu Royal Hotel

Day 08: Day of Departure

Today you are privately transferred to Helsinki Airport for your flight home.

Breakfast

Departures

This program is available between May 1 and September 30. Depart any day! Contact an iExplore Adventure Consultant for details.

Pricing Information

2011 Prices- valid May 1 to September 30:

$2,909 per person double occupancy.

$2,449 per person double occupancy, based on four persons traveling together.

$4,099 Solo traveler.

$619 Single room supplement.

Prices for your dates of travel may vary- please contact iExplore for an exact quote. Quoted prices are based on current rates of exchange, tariffs and taxes as of October, 2010. iExplore reserves the right to increase tour prices to cover increased costs, tariffs and taxes received after prices are published, and to reflect fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. iExplore is under no obligation to give breakdown costs involved in any package.

Included:

· Six nights accommodations in standard rooms at hotels/resorts as indicated in the program or similar.

· One night accommodation at the bear watching hide.

· Breakfast buffet daily at the hotels/resorts.

· Five dinners on days 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the program.

· Transfers with an English-speaking driver as indicated in the program.

· All safaris/excursions are on a regular basis and not private, with an English-speaking guide.

Not Included:

· International and domestic air and taxes.

· Meals other than those indicated.

· Beverages with included meals.

· All optional sightseeing excursions or additional visits not outlined in the itinerary.

· Travel insurance.

· Items of a personal nature.

· Gratuities.

· Holiday surcharges.

· Any/all other services not mentioned in the program.

Important Notes:

· Quad drivers must have a valid drivers license.

· Rates include 1 person per quad.

All prices are in US dollars and do not include international airfare, unless otherwise noted.

Prices displayed are based on the lowest season base price and assume double occupancy. Prices are shown in U.S. dollars and may or may not include administrative fees, taxes, meals, airfare (where applicable) and Single Supplements. Cancellation penalties, blackout dates and other restrictions may apply.

Options and Extras

Tour Notes

Finland and the Brown Bear

When is the best time to go?

The bear watching season is from April to October. Bear watching tours are run throughout from April to September at Wild Bear Lodge.

What is the weather like?

The weather is variable, but it tends to be cool in May and temperatures rise to what you might expect in Scotland during high summer. The region is just south of the Arctic Circle and enjoys long summer days (12-16 hours of direct sunlight and two to four hours of twilight).

Bear Population and distribution in Finland:

Brown bears are scattered throughout the country, except for the Ahvenanmaa Islands in the west and the open low mountain areas of Utsjoki rural district in the north. The population was estimated to be 430-600 in the early 1990s, but has grown to a more healthy 800-900 today.

A year in the life of a Finnish bear:

Finnish brown bears tend to hibernate from the end of October until mid-March, although the length of hibernation varies enormously according to latitude and the sex and age of the bear. When they emerge in the spring and early summer they eat high protein foods such as ants and moose (mainly road kills), then switch to eat more moose calves in mid-summer. In late summer and autumn they feed mainly on crowberries and blueberries, eating up to one third of their body weight each day.

Other wildlife:

Wolf, wolverine, lynx, red fox, reindeer, elk, moose, beaver, pine marten and red squirrel, although most of these are shy and difficult to see and not all of them occur in every region; capercaillie, black grouse and hazel grouse can be seen, although they are also rather elusive, and there are about ten different species of owl.