This program suites for everybody with normal physical condition and swimming skills.

Equipement included in the price: Canoe equipement
Customers own equipement needed: Clothing according to the weather, hiking shoes and swimming skills
Participants: 5- 30
Starting place: Nuuksio, Kattilajärvi
Start: 9.30
Duration in hours: 5 hours
Season: 30.5 – 30.9

Company:
Moose Activities Oy is eventful and innovative Nature- event service company.
Our customers are mainly Finnish companies and their stakeholders.
Yearly over 2500 people experience the magic of nature, adventure and competition with us. Our guides are experienced experts who will guarentee a safe and joyful trip.
We operate mainly in archipelago, national parks and cultural enviroments of southern Finland.
Need for event? We are there!

Contact:
Moose Activities Oy
Jouni Ijas
Manager
jouni [at] moose [dot] fi
Siilirinne 17 A,
FI-01450 Vantaa
Phone: 040-558 1350
Website: www.moose.fi
Find us on facebook

Upitrek is a company specialized in unmotorised treks and other nature based program services in the Kainuu area in eastern Finland. Especially longer guided tours (7-8 days) through the wilderness of eastern Finland are one of the highlights among the offer.

A hiking journey through the European Union’s easternmost border area, Finnish Kainuu, right beside the Russian border. The route passes through wilderness areas with pristine untouched nature, ending each evening in a comfortable accommodation where you can enjoy local hospitality and delicious local food.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Arrival
Arrival at Kajaani airport where you’ll meet your local guide. Transfer (approx. 2 hours) to Martinselkonen Wilds Centre for dinner and accommodation.

Day 2 Martinselkonen Wilds Centre – Arola 16 km
After a hearty breakfast you begin the tour by hiking through the Martinselkonen nature reserve towards Arola farm where you will be welcomed by friendly hosts. The nature reserve has been set up to protect Finnish wilderness, especially swamp areas. This area is important for many birds and insects as the normal Finnish forest industry does not reach these nature reserve areas. Martinselkonen has watery mires and small lakes, old growth forests and spruce trees draped in beard lichen. A special dinner made of local ingredients will be enjoyed after sauna.

Day 3 Arola – Kovajärvi 19 km
Today you head northwards along the Russian border. The close proximity of the Russian border adds something rather mysterious and exotic to the atmosphere of the area. The border guard towers, the border zone, and the view over the Russian side are an experience in itself. you stop for a picnic at  one of the wilderness huts operated by the Finnish Forest and Park Service. An open fire will be made, and hot coffee brewed. Accommodation is in tents on the shore of Lake Kovajärvi.

Day 4 Kovajärvi – Hossa 24 km
Today’s wild landscape is home to a healthy wolverine population, and although these secretive predators are seldom seen, you may come across their tracks. Swans and cranes can be spotted on the lakes and mires you pass by. There are many swamp areas, but they are easily crossed by using
wooden planks. The surrounding forest has an abundance of vegetation such as blueberries, lingonberries and mushrooms. The blueberry season is at its best in August and can provide fresh snacks for hikers. Accommodation in Hotel Hossan Lomakeskus in twin rooms.

Day 5 Hossa 13 km
After the longest hiking day you take it easy and have a wake-up call later than usual. The trek continues along the paths of the Hossa recreational area. Hossa is known for its crystal-clear lakes and handsome pine heathlands. It is also known locally as a “fisherman’s paradise”. We will stop for the lunch at the visitor centre and have a look at the exhibition which tells about the nature and history of the surrounding area. Accommodation for the remaining three nights is at Tolosenvirta cabin where the lakeside sauna will be heated every night.

Day 6 Canoeing
For a change you make a canoeing trip on the lakes and rivers nearby our accommodation. We will use open Indian canoes and all necessary equipment, such as paddles and life vests will be provided. The tour will be on still water on a couple of lakes linked by small rivers. Reindeer are a common sight in Hossa and occasionally elks can also be seen. For those ones who prefer to stay on land there are plenty of well marked hiking trails to explore in the area.

Day 7 Julma-Ölkky canyon lake
On the last day of your tour you will visit Julma-Ölkky canyon lake, where you will do a half an hour boat trip to look at the cliffs. Then you will hike 4 km to see the “Colour Rock” with ancient rock paintings dating back to 4000 years. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed around an open fire and after that you will hike 4 – 14 km through the beautiful pine and spruce forest back to your accommodation. Sauna and farewell dinner at the Tolosenvirta cabin.

Day 8
Return: After breakfast transfer to Kuusamo airport.

Price: On request

Included Services:

• accommodation: in 2-4 person rooms on days 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7.
  There are no private facilities – showers and toilets are located in the corridor. On day 3 accommodation is in tents and on day 4 in twin/double hotel rooms.
• breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner daily
• airport transfers
• luggage transportation during the tour
• English-speaking guide throughout the tour
• sauna every daily
• canoe rental on day 6
• mattresses and sleeping bags on day 3
• bedlinen

More information about Upitrek you find on www.upitrek.com

Upitrek is member of the Wild Taiga – a network of 45 companies and other organisations which are working together in the eastern finnish region Kainuu to support tourism. The most important places of Wild Taiga are Kuhmo and Suomussalmi. They are full of cultural tradition, folklore and nature in its pure nativeness that is hardly to find somewhere else in Europe.

The landscape of the Wild Taiga is characterized by hills, forests, lakes, rivers and mires. It is a home for wild forest reindeers, mooses, and even large carnivores like bears wolves and wolverines which are either very rare or extinct elsewhere in Europe.  That makes the region famous among nature lovers and photographers from all over the world. Besides all the beauty and silence that can be found here, a big variety of outdoor activities like dog sledding, hiking, skiing, fishing, kayaking or ice swimming is offered. Just the perfect place for the active nature tourist.

Price: Tour operator price on request
Pictures: Nordic Marketing Picture Database

More information and reservations:
Upitrek
Kiviniementie 59
FIN-87850 Paltaniemi
+358 (0)40 733 9262
sales [at] upitrek [dot] com
www.upitrek.com

Accommodation: In 15 former worker cottages, nicely equipped with the view to the lake
Activities: Sauna, fishing, rowing, canoeing, swimming, hiking (national park Repovesi 14 km), horse-riding, ice hole swimming, cross-country skiing
Opening hours of the mill museum 2010: Tue-Sun 10 am-5 pm, closed on mondays
Guiding: The museum can be visited on guided tours only, 1 h, starting from 1 person. No entrance for visiting the Verla area
Please note: Reservation necessary for groups starting from 10 persons (max. 50 persons, bigger groups will be divided) and in other languages than Finnish. Tel.: (Mon-Fri 9 am-11 am)

Further Services: Summer café with W-Lan, wine shop and various boutiques with local products can be found right beside the museum. In summertime various art exhibitions, concerts and other events also take place on the factory premises.

Location: 30 km from centre of Kouvola
Season: Museum 2. May-12. September, cottages 1. May – 31. August
Languages: English, German
Ticket to the museum: Adult 7 €, pensioners & students 5 €, groups (> 10 persons) 5 € p. p.
Tour operator rate for cottages: On request

Further information and reservations:
Tarja Antikainen
Mail: Lauttakatu 6, FIN-45700 Kuusankoski
Visitors: Verlantie 295, FIN-47850 Verla
Tel.
museo [dot] verla [at] upm-kymmene [dot] com
www.verla.fi

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verla1

Services: 3x accommodation in a double room, buffet breakfast, daily sauna and entrance to the gym, Nordic Walking poles available during your stay, 1 x salt room or infrared sauna, 1 x sightseeing tour on the Gondola lift to the top of Levi fell, 1 x entrance to Climate Change exhibition at Levi Summit (for adults) and summer sled ride.

Tour operator rate: 3 nights on request
Season: The offer is valid 01.06.-31.08.2010 daily and 01.09.-26.09.2010 sun-thu
Hints:
The sightseeing tour with the gondola lift is possible starting from 07.06.2010
The ride with the summer sledge is possible starting from 11.06.2010 (after that daily at 10 am-7 pm, closed by a strong wind or thunderstorm

Further information and bookings:
Leena Härkönen
Sales Director
Hotel Hullu Poro
FIN-99130 Levi
Tel. +358 (0)166510541
Fax +358 (0)16641568
Mobile +358 (0)400218018
leena [dot] harkonen [at] hulluporo [dot] fi
www.hulluporo.fi
www.crazyreindeer.com

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hullu poro

5-day programme

24.8.2010: Arrival to  Oulu, check in Hotel, free time,  night canoe tour with  a guide
25.8.2010: Official opening of the AGWC, Get together-Party & Air Guitar-Workshops
26.8.2010: Free time, see also week programme of Oulu, Dark Horse competition in the legendary Rockclub: 45 Special
27.8.2010: Free time, see also week programme of Oulu, AGWC-peace declaration, Oulu city hall, parade to the market square FINAL air guitar-WC. VIP seats, dinner
28.8.2010: Check out, transfer to the airport, return flight

Optional: 3 days Lapland-Extra

28.8.2010: Bus transfer to Rovaniemi (not included in the price), Check in Hotel, free time
29.8.2010: Magical Lapland. Boat ride, visit to the artist workshop, the reindeer farm and the Santa Claus Village including luch, return to the hotel, free time
30.8.2010: Check out, train or return flight

Tour operator rate: On request
Season: 24.08.-28.08.2010, Optional until 30.08.2010
Duration: 2-5 Tage, Optional: 3 Tage / 2 Nächte
Participants: starting from 1 person
Transfer: Not included in the price
Languages: English, Swedish, French, German, Russian
Programme for groups on request.

Go Arctic! reserves the rights to changes. Programme is weather-dependent.

Further information and reservations:
GoArctic!
Kirsi Eskola
Nahkatehtaankatu 6
FIN-90100 Oulu
Tel. +358 44 022 4060
Fax +358 8 703 1335
kirsi [dot] eskola [at] goarctic [dot] fi
www.goarctic.fi

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GoArctic

Optional: Nature programme
1. day – Kotka
Guided tour departing from the hotel (Sapokka Water park, Sibelius park,  Statue park Lehmusbulevardi and Katariina Sea park, lunch, boat cruise through the archipelago of the Baltic Sea

2. day – Kouvola
National Park Repovesi: boat cruise and a small hiking tour including snacks and lunch.

Including: English speaking guide

Optional: History Programme
1. day- Kotka
Langinkoski imperial fishing lodge, departure from Hotel, imperial Kotka and fortress of Ruotsinsalmi, lunch, old Hamina including drama guiding in the museum

2. day- In Kouvola
World heritage site Verla: Boat trip and guided museum tour through the old mill factory of Verla, coffee break

Including: English speaking guide

Participants: Starting from 2 persons
Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
Season:year-round / optional programmes: April-October
Languages: German, English, Italian, Spanish, Russian
Tour operator price: (round trip and optional activities) on request
Payments: 4x accommodation (2x Helsinki, 1x Kouvola, 1x Kotka) in double room inc. breakfast

Further information and reservations:
Satu Mäntyvaara
Kymenmatkat
Karhulantie 32-34
FIN-48600 Kotka
Tel. +358 (0)5 211 1600
Fax +358 (0)5 260 6296
satu [dot] mantyvaara [at] kymenmatkat [dot] net
www.kymenmatkat.net

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Kymenmatkat1

Monday: Relaxing Nordic Walking
Easy-base Nordic walk, suitable for all ages and fitness levels. With introduction to techniques of Nordic Walking by a guide.
Duration: 1,5-2 hours

Tuesday: Nordic Hiking trip to the Kätkä fell
Enjoy the real wilderness of Lapland via hiking to the Kätkä fell with amazing view to the wide landscape of the Nord.
Duration: 2,5-3,5 hours

Wednesday: Nordic walking to the top of Levi fell
Join this intermediate level Nordic walking trip to the top of Levi fell. The view compensates the physical strain. Suitable for hobby-walker, normal speed.
Duration: 1,5-2 hours

Thursday: Fishing trip
Experience a traditional Finnish free-time activity, lake or river fishing, surrounded by unique nature. The guide explains the speciality of fishing in Lapland.
Duration: 1,5-2 hours

Thursday: Midnight sun expedition
You will have an unforgettable memory while experiencing the midnight sun during your stay in Lapland. On the right time on our view point is the mesmerizing view of Finnish landscape, bathing in the midnight sun. We will walk to the Lammaskuru, located near to the top of the Levi fell.
Start: 10.30 pm, Hotel Levi Panorama
Duration: 2,5-3 hours

On request: Body Age evaluation & wellness lesson
New and exciting way to find out your fitness and health level without sweat and heavy breath. You will receive clear instructions for keeping and improving your physical condition. Day starts with a lesson of nutrition.
Duration: approx. 2 hours

For all programmes:
Season: 14.06.-23.09.2010
Participants: Min. 2 persons
Start of the programmes: 11 am, exept Midnight sun expedition, start at 10.30 pm
Meeting point: Hotel Levi Panorama, lobby
Reservations: Until 4 pm the previous day at the Hotel Levi Panorama, Tel. 358 (0)16 336 3000

Further information:
Maria Astrén-Riipi
Hotel Levi Panorama
Tunturitie 205
FIN-99130 Levi
Tel. +358 (0)16 3363000
maria [dot] astren-riipi [at] golevi [dot] fi
info [at] levipanorama [dot] fi
www.levipanorama.fi

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Levi Panorama

1. day Sauna and swimming
Arrival, Sauna and pool are available for hotel guests, dinner
2. day Nordic Walking
Breakfast at the hotel, Nordic Walking tour with professional guidance, Sauna, pool and dinner
Optional: Spa treatment
3. day Breakfast at the hotel, departure

Services: 2 overnight stays at the Spa & Wellness Hotel Rokua, guided tour, meals as mentioned in the programme, free use of Sauna, swimming pool, gym.
Optional: Spa treatments, massage

Participants: 10 – 30 persons
Season: 1.6.-6.7. and 27.7.-31.8.2010
Duration: 3 days / 2 nights
Equipment: Bring along sturdy shoes, good, wind- and waterproofed clothes
Transfer: Car rental and taxi service at the airport
Languages: English, Swedish
Hint: Minimum age 10 years
Tour operator rate: On request

Further information and reservation:
Spa & Wellness Hotel Rokua
Päivi Torvinen
FI-91670 Rokua
Tel. +358 (0)20 7819 386
paivi [dot] torvinen [at] rokua [dot] com
www.rokua.com

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rokua

The bay covers an area of 109 km². Different vegetation zones, shore meadows, reed beds, willows and birch forests offer good nesting places for a variety of bird species.

The west coast is a lowland agricultural area and is greatly favoured by migrating water owl and waders. Due to the continuous rising of land from the sea, there are vast areas of peat land around Oulu.

Target species
Whooper Swans, common Cranes, black-tailed Godwits, Taiga Bean Goose, young Cranes, Ruff, Jack Snipe, Greenshank, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Montagu`s Harrier and Pallid Harrier.

Expert guide meets your group at the Visitor Centre. There is a short walk to the bird watching tower.

Participants: 1 – 25 persons
Season: 01.04.-30.09.2010
Duration: Starting from one hour
Equipment: Special footwear is not needed, wind- & waterproofed outdoor clothes are important
Languages: English
Tour operator rate: On request

Contact address:
Jari Peltomäki
Finnature Oy Ltd
P.O. Box 42
Fin-91901 Liminka
Tel. +358 45 129 4264
Mob. +358 40 5919120
Fax +358 8 381914
info [at] finnature [dot] fi
jari [at] finnature [dot] fi
www.finnature.fi

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Finnature

The article is not mainly a hymn of praise to the unique waterfalls and canyons, but also emphasises Oulanka National Park’s biodiversity of species on the forest floor. The author Verlyn Kinkenborg creats a picture in the reader’s mind: One is as small as an ant, wandering around between mushrooms, pine needles and ferns as high as skyscrapers.

The role of nature in the Finnish mentality is illustrated well by the „everyman’s right”, and by the role of the National Parks in general being protectors of the cultural heritage: Oulanka National Park is a crossroad of forest flora and tundra, a meeting point of bird watchers and nature lovers. Furthermore, National Geographic points out what makes Oulanka National Park such an unique place: dolomite rock, the confluence of different biological and geological zones, overlapping biodiversity as it is found nowhere else in the world.

The closeness to the Russian border as well as the active cooperation with Paanajärvi National Park on the Russian side is special. As are the numbers of foreign visitors. One fifth of all guests arrive from 20 different countries. But also Finns will not want to miss the nature of Oulanka National Park. During the year 2008 two thirds of visitors to the region Kuusamo-Lapland also made a visit to Oulanka National Park. The tourism and recreation industry’s economic value for the region increases. In Finland’s most popular nature resort the financial value of tourism is estimated to 250-300 million Euros per year. In a survey of the year 2000, almost 10 years ago, the direct local returns were amounted to 14 million Euros. Already today, the financial value is much higher!

Further information:
National Geographic article (engl.) >>
National Park (engl.) >>

Facts about Oulanka National Park

• Founded 1956, area 30.000 h
• 160 km summer hiking routes, 30 km winter hiking routes
• Yearly ca.180.000 registered visitors, main motivation: pristine nature, relaxation, distance from noise and stress, mental well-being, canoeing, hiking, Nordic walking, snowshoe hiking
• Very high customer satisfaction: 4,34 on a scale of 1 to 5 (5 very good)
• Oulanka National Park was the first European national park to be awarded the international PAN Parks Certificate in 2002 for preservation of essential natural values and for spreading the idea of sustainable tourism.

(sources: Metsähallitus www.outdoors.fi)

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Oulanka