Northern Finland, Self-drive tour, Hossa bear safari - from € 2,350 pp ** / Trip description:
Northern Finland,
Helsinki - Rovaniemi - Hossa
13 days, Self-drive tour
Can also be booked as a fly-drive or as a group tour with a guide. Book exactly as stated, would you like to extend? - or do you have other wishes? Let us know.
Northern Finland including bear safari and nature park
Northeastern Finland is a very special area. Call it one of the last wildernesses in Europe. Very sparsely populated and therefore wonderfully quiet. Quiet enough for many wild animals to feel comfortable. Animals such as the brown bear and the eagle, the wolverine and ...
Get actively acquainted with the Hossa National Park nature reserve
The Hossa area, declared a national park in 2017, is 110 square kilometers in size. A rugged area with no fewer than 130 lakes. Exceptionally well suited for outdoor activities.
We can make this trip shorter or longer in consultation, all in good consultation. You are in charge of your holiday and we will help you organize it in the most pleasant way. Every proposal has what we call 'honest days'. After all, you are leaving from home and not somewhere from 'Copenhagen' or something like that. We describe the entire journey, which just seems so complete and honest to us.
Kainuun Finland. Deep forests, big bears
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Go on a bear safari in Finland
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Crystal clear lakes in boreal forests
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Reindeer moss, berries and chanterelles
The structure & approach of this trip
On this journey you cross to the far north of Finland. You can travel to Rovaniemi in one go by car, ferry and car train. There we turn east. Our destination is the Kainuun region and the Hossa national park. The surrounding boreal forests, close to the Russian border.
Bear Safari in the boreal forest
We tiptoe through the forest and then hide well and safely in a shelter, looking for the brown bear. This location offers great security for seeing brown bears in the wild. Experience, enjoy, film and photograph. The highlight of this trip.
Kainuun region, Hossa National park
The Hossa National Park in the Kainuun region offers a surprising number of options for an active holiday. The uniquely beautiful nature, the rocky area and the beautiful lakes.
Canoeing, Kayaking or Mountain Biking
Of course you can also simply explore the area on foot by going hiking. We include the electric mountain bike and the canoe trip in our program because these are really great options. In consultation, we will of course adapt your trip to your wishes.
Is this Lapland?
No. When you think of 'the far north' of Finland, you may immediately think of Lapland. The Kainuun region is just below that. In an area called the boreal zone. Just below the Arctic region, but oh so beautiful. Will you travel with us to this piece of wilderness?
Holmstock Travel: Travel with pleasure and come home with a smile!
Autotrain Helsinki - Rovaniemi
Nice and smooth to the north of Finland. Autotrain VR from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. In this 'tour with your own car' example we take the car train. If you choose a group trip or fly-drive, you will fly to Rovaniemi. Ask for the information, contact us for a quote.
** Price indication : From € 2,350 per person based on a booking for two people. Prices, locations and options depend on the travel period and availability and may therefore differ. Everything is on request. Request a proposal without obligation! See also the specific conditions for this trip .
Once in Rovaniemi, your Kainuun Finland adventure begins. You should have slept well on the night train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. Now you can drive to the Hossa National Park within a few hours.
Kainuun Finland and Hossa National Park :
An enchantingly beautiful region and a very beautiful area. Nature dominates here and you quickly find yourself in a completely different mindset. Enjoy every moment. The wonderful clean air and the clear fresh water of the lakes.
The cleanest air in the world
Not only your mindset becomes fresher in Finland, your body and especially your lungs could not be better off either. Finland is known as the country with the cleanest air in the world. Measured and confirmed by the WHO. Traveling to Finland is more than a holiday.
You have to do a lot yourself on this self-drive tour through the Finnish wilderness. You stay in a simple log cabin and prepare your own meals. But that also has its own impact on your experience.
We will help you with an excellent checklist so that you are well prepared.
Horned Shaman
On a high rock wall above Lake Somerjärvi you will find the largest prehistoric rock paintings in Finland. Between 3500 and 4500 years old, drawn in the Stone Age. A visit to the Värikallio location is free. She is very accessible.
Close to nature
As close to nature and as traditional as possible. This log cabin location is located in the beautiful Hossa National Park and offers you direct access to nature. You feel the energy and your whole body breathes! Wonderfully active during the day and romantically cozy in the evening. So pure.
The area of Hossa is also known throughout Finland as one of the best places for fishing . So it is an excellent idea to bring your own fishing rod. Thanks to the favorable conditions, salmon trout often grow particularly large here.
Cooking on an open fire
You will find shelters, so-called 'lean-to' shelters, in various places. Safe fire areas have been set up there where you can grill and cook on an open fire. Finns love grilling sausages. A pancake as a snack or completely complete: Fried potatoes & home-caught fish?!
You can usually use these places for free. Make sure you have good footwear and appropriate clothing. There is often also free fuel wood. As part of our group trips, we also offer outdoor cooking courses.
900 meters to Russia
You will stay on a farm located directly on the Russian border. Quietly located and with basic furnished rooms. The care is good home cooking. From this location you will go out to spot bears the next day.
Magical encounter
Together with your guide you walk to the hiding place. That in itself is an exciting experience because you are now a guest in the boreal forest, with the brown bear. No fewer than 30 different bears came to this place in 2022. The Wolverine (wolverine) and the eagle can also often be seen.
Read more about the bear safari
Excursions are not always included, read per travel information and always per quote what exactly is and/or is not included in the trip you are going to book. The following is purely an overview of the available excursions and what is on site. The range of excursions available per location varies in type and implementation. We will inform you about this in detail in our quotation. If you have any special wishes, please let us know. we are happy to think along with you. The excursion prices below are always based on a minimum of 2 participants, price per person. The rates below refer to the Savonlinna region and may differ in other locations. Subject to change, seasonal changes reserved.
Day program Car tour Hossa, incl. bear safari
Day 1 - On the way to Travemünde
You leave from home and head to Travemünde . You drive a part of the Netherlands and a part of the German highway. Pay close attention to the times. Your ferry leaves at 2:00 AM. You must have checked in 1 hour before departure. Our advice is to arrive at the port around midnight . You will have to orient yourself to find the right lane. You could possibly spend the last hours in the town of Travemünde itself. Then you will always be at the port on time.
Day 2 - Ferry Travemünde (Germany) - Helsinki (Finland)
When day 1 is over, i.e. immediately after midnight, you are in line for the ferry . This leaves at 2:00 am. That may take some time, but once you're on board, your holiday really begins. You stay in an outdoor cabin with a view of the sea, you sleep wonderfully, have breakfast and enjoy the day at sea. Including on-board meals: Brunch, Breakfast & Superior Dinner.
Day 3 - Helsinki Finland - Car train to Rovaniemi
The ferry will dock in Helsinki Finland around 10:00 am. Now you have a few hours to visit the center, the harbor or a shopping center. Be in the Pasila district at 5:00 PM where the check-in for the night train is. You take the train with your car. This leaves at 6:40 PM.
Day 4 - Rovaniemi - Luontoretket / 265 KM.
You slept on board the car train. In the morning you arrive in Rovaniemi at 7:20 am where you spontaneously go for a cup of coffee and a sandwich. Then you drive on to the Hossa National Park . A traditional log cabin is waiting for you in Luontoretket. Grab some groceries along the way because your cabin is very remote. At the end of the day, explore the area near your cabin and make your own meal.
Day 5 - Hossa National Park - Canoeing
One of the most beautiful ways to get to know the peace and quiet of the region is through a canoe trip . Today you will take a beautiful trip with a rented canoe. The guide will explain the route to you. Enjoy the Hossa National Park
Day 6 - Hossa National Park - Mountain bike tour
You do not cycle with a rented mountain bike . No, you first take the small wooden pound to cross to a beautiful, special route in the Hossa National Park .
Day 7 - From log cabin to farm house / 47 KM.
Today you leave the log cabin in the Hossa National Park and after a short drive you arrive at a farm very close to the Russian border . The ideal starting point for your upcoming bear excursion . You will stay here for two days. Today a guide will take you to explore the Ruhtinansalmi neighborhood and to some historical sites related to the Finnish resistance against the Russians . We will cook for you at the farm and you will enjoy a local dinner when you return. Huisman's fare.
Day 8 - Russian Border & Bear Safari
After breakfast (included) you will go with the guide to the Russian border and to the Taivalkoski mill. Afternoon might be the highlight of your trip. The bear safari . If the bears are in good spirits and come close to the shelter, you will have a beautiful view of these strong and beautiful animals.
Day 9 - via Kuusamo to Posio / 186 KM.
One last breakfast on the farm. Today you drive to Posio and make a stopover in Kuusamo . There is quite a bit to see here and plenty of opportunities for shopping. In Posio Himmerki you will spend the night in a spacious, modern log cabin with its own sauna . There is also a restaurant there, so you can choose whether you want to cook or eat out.
Day 10 - Posio - Rovaniemi / 132 KM.
You could have your breakfast in the Himmerki restaurant (not included) or prepare it yourself in your cabin. Today it is a relatively short drive to get to Rovaniemi . How about you pay a visit to Santa in Santa Village . The Arctic Circle crossing point is also there. Your train leaves at 8:57 PM. Make sure you are ready to check in on time!
Day 11 - arrival Helsinki - Night train
Nice in the morning, your train arrives in Helsinki at 9:10 am. Here you have until 2:00 PM to explore the city. At 2:00 PM you will check in for the ferry to Travemünde . This leaves for Germany at 3:00 PM.
Day 12 - Arrival in Travemünde, Germany
Now it is wonderful to enjoy it on board and chat about what you have experienced. The Finnlines sails towards Travemünde and arrives in the port around 9:00 PM. Because we don't like to send you on the road in the evening, we book the Maritime Hotel Travemünde for you, so that you can spend the night.
Day 13 - Travemünde beach - drive home
Slept well and after a good breakfast you can stretch your legs on the German beach with a view of the Trave where you can admire the passing shipping beautifully. You will then set off well rested and prepared and arrive home at a reasonable time .
Interactive: Route & Locations
Follow the location dots, click on them and see the route you are going to drive. No line on a card. Here you can actively zoom in and out.
CLICK HERE to open the map
Finland is going to win your heart - open your mind and enjoy
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Bear mother with bear cups
You could just be very lucky! In 2022, no fewer than 4 bear mothers with cups visited our bear safari spot. How super sweet and super cute is that? You just want to shout 'oooh' and 'aaah' but you have to stay very still because they are very shy.
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Fishing on the Finnish lakes
We always take a fishing rod with us when we travel to Finland. You can rent a rowing boat or motorboat in many places. Just like a canoe or kayak. The atmosphere, the deep silence and the clear air make such a trip very special. There are plenty of fish in clear water.
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Love for nature
While on a hiking trail in a national park in Finland we came across this beautiful gesture from mother nature. As if she wanted to let us know once again that she loves us all. In the boreal primeval forest you walk through nature just like our ancestors did.
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Sisu
The proverbial inexhaustible perseverance. That is what the Finns call with a short word 'Sisu'. During the 1939-1940 winter war between Finland and Russia, the Finns proved their Sisu. Raatteen Portti museum, Kokkojärvi, commemorates the heroes.
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Grillkota - protective huts
From the outside they often look very plain, but once inside and equipped with an open fire, some candlelight and a fragrant meal in the pan, you will have a very cozy and pleasant time in a grill kota. There is often a small window to peek outside.
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Finnish happiness
According to our sources, Finnish bliss lies in nature, the clean air, picking berries and freedom. And apparently it's contagious, as you can see in this photo. The Dutch luck in this is that the Finns had screwed the benches properly :)
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Included / included
- Finnlines ferry crossing Travemünde-Helsinki, based on 2 persons, 1 passenger car, 2 persons. outside cabin
- Breakfast, brunch and superior dinner on board
- Night train VR Helsinki-Pasila to Rovaniemi, for 2 people in an 'upstairs cabin' with en suite toilet and shower, incl. transport of 1 passenger car
- 4 nights in a loghouse appt. at Luontoretket.
- final cleaning Luontoretket
- Hossa canoe rental 1 canoe incl. accessories and explanation of the route
- Hossa mountain bike rental incl. explanation of the route
- 2 nights half board in wildlife bear center Suomussalmi incl. Ruhtinansalmi sightseeing with guide
- 1x bear safari with guide in a safe shelter
- 1 night in a loghouse with private sauna in Himmerki Posio
- Night train VR Rovaniemi to Helsinki-Pasila, for 2 people in a 'downstairs cabin' with facilities in the corridor, incl. transport of 1 passenger car
- Finnlines ferry crossing Helsinki-Travemünde, based on 2 persons, 1 passenger car, 2 persons. outside cabin
- Breakfast, brunch and superior dinner on board
- 1 overnight stay at the Travemünde Maritime Hotel incl. breakfast
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Exclusive / not included
- Contribution to the VZR Guarantee Fund, 1% of the total travel price
- Travel and cancellation insurance(s)
- Meals, if not specifically mentioned
- Refreshments, (soft) drinks and personal expenses
- €25 reservation fee per booking or per adjustment of a booking
- Fuel
- Rental car if applicable
- Rental of tools or attributes not mentioned
- Fishing tools, fishing with a guide or boat rental for fishing are not included.
- Meals, drinks or refreshments in the VR train(s)
- At the bear center location you have half board. You may have to provide 1 meal yourself or pay extra.
- Breakfast and/or Restaurant in Himmerki
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Extras
- tips
- pocket money for personal expenses and purchases
- excursions or attractions not mentioned
- unforeseen costs
Travel conditions Car tour Hossa Finland incl. bear safari
There are no special wishes ! Because every wish is very normal.
Ask us what your heart desires and we will consult with you and get to work for you. Let us know!
This trip is based on quotation. All information about included / not included can be found in your personal quote that we make based on your request and the consultation we have with you.
Thanks to our VZR GARANT quality mark, you can travel safely with Holmstock Travel.
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