Helsinki and Lakeland Nature Tour
Helsinki and Lakelands Nature Trip
Finland is a country of vast green forests, thousands of lakes and thousands of islands. Explore Finland in the summer and you will discover a country if outstanding beauty and natural scenery.
On this 8 day Helsinki and Lakeland Nature tour you will explore some of the best hiking and sightseeing spots in Finland. The tour starts from the urban capital city of Helsinki, where you’ll explore the best sights and enjoy the city life for the first days of the trip. The tour then continues to the Lakeland region, where we will visit several of the countries National Parks.
Prepare to breathe in the fresh air and admire all the vibrant colours that Finland’s nature has to offer!
Day 1 – Arrival Day in Helsinki
Arrival at Helsinki airport where you will be met and then assisted with the transfer to your hotel by using the local train. Your hotel is located less than 10 minutes from the railway station and the rest of your day is free at leisure.
Overnight at the Scandic Hotel Kaisaniemi
Day 2 – Helsinki Culture Day
Welcome to Finland! We start the day with a hearty breakfast before taking a guided walking tour (2-3 hours) of the capital city of Finland. Your guide will take you to the most iconic places in Helsinki and to the hidden gems of the capital city.
Overnight at the Scandic Hotel Kaisaniemi (B)
Day 3 – Nuuksio National Park
Within easy reach and just 1 hour away of the Finnish capital you can escape into wild natural settings and enjoy typical Finnish scenery, with lovely lakes, green forests and rugged crags. Nuuksio’s pristine scenery is a microcosm of Finland’s world-famous natural landscape. A local guide will explain to you that the park is especially famous for the Siberian flying squirrel (Pteromys volans). Other wild animals that may be found are osprey, moose, lynx, fox, woodpeckers, eagles, hawks, owls but as with all wildlife, no sightings can be guaranteed!
Overnight at the Scandic Hotel Kaisaniemi (BL)
Day 4 – Helsinki to Jyväskylä, Lakeland
This morning after breakfast yor will transfer to Jyväskylä by train (2nd class, 3 hours) and then travel to the Varjola Resort (30 min) where you check-in. Varjola is family-owned countryside resort in Lakeland located amongst the peaceful lake and river area. You will be welcomed and introduced to the ‘fat bikes’ for exploring the area. With bigger tires, hence the name, it’s easier to cycle in the forest, and many of the fat bikes also have an electric battery to make it easier to travel uphill.
Overnight and dinner in Varjola (BLD)
Day 5 – Leivonmäki National Park
Enjoy a traditional Finnish farm breakfast before we will take the 1 hour transfer to Leivonmäki National Park. Leivonmäki National Park is home to vast virgin wetlands, a wide range of lake and river ecosystems and majestic ridges and forest. The park consists of several ecologically important elements: dense forest, raised bogs and several kilometers of winding ridges. We will experience one of the highlights of the park, which is a two-kilometer hiking route running along a ridge in Joutsniemi. The day’s activities include cycling and hiking with a possibility of swimming. Have amn outdoor picnic lunch. On our return to Varjola, why not relax in a smoke sauna?
Overnight and dinner in Varjola (BLD)
Day 6 – Konnevesi National Park
Konnevesi National Park (1 hour) is our destination today. The Southern Konnevesi National Park features wide open waters and a maze of islands as well as smooth glaciated rocks and vertical rock walls. The clear waters provide glimpses of the domain of wild brown trout. The park is characterized by breathtaking contrasts, from herb-rich forests to high cliffs with magnificent views. The highlight of the day is a hike up Kalajanvuori hill (4.5 km). There will also be an option for long-boat rowing or canoeing in the clear waters of lake Konnevesi in the afternoon. We will enjoy an outdoor lunch in a tipi-like hut before we transfer back to Varjola later in the afternoon.
Overnight and dinner in Varjola (BLD)
Day 7 – Pyhä-Häkki National Park
This morning after breakfast you will check out from Varjola and transfer to Pyhä-Häkki National Park (1 hour). Pyhä-Häkki National Park’s claim to fame is the best preserved old-growth forest in southern Finland. The 400-year-old pine trees are a truly stunning sight. The ancient woods are also home to many rare species of birds, insects and plants. The centuries-old tree bark shows the scars of the numerous forest fires that have ravaged the trees during their long lives. The park’s walking routes are suitable for all kinds of visitors and take in both forest and wetland. We’ll explore the park by hiking and biking and enjoy a self-made campfire lunch outdoors during the trip.
Later in the afternoon transfer to Jyväskylä and check in to our hotel for the evening.
Overnight at the Scandic Station Hotel (BLD)
Day 8 – Jyväskylä - Helsinki
This morning we will transfer by train (2nd class, 3 hours) back to the capital or the airport, depending on your flight departure times. End of services.
Get in touch with Our Local Tour to book the Helsinki and Lakelands Nature tour
Departure Dates
This is a private tour and can be scheduled for any departure date. Contact us for details.
Price from - £3395 per person (based on two people sharing)
Included in the Helsinki and Lakelands Nature tour
- Assistance with arrival and departure transfers via public transport
- Transportation as described
- All accommodation as shown or of a similar quality
- Daily breakfast (B), plus lunch (L) and dinner (D) as shown in the itinerary
- Helsinki guided walking tour
- All mentioned activities (except optional activities), equipments, specialist equipment, transfers and guided excursions from Varjola
Not Included in the Helsinki and Lakelands Nature tour
- International travel to the start and end point - contact us for information and flight options
- Any airport taxes
- Travel Insurance
- Any visa requirements
- Drinks
- Items of a personal nature
- Tips for drivers and guides
Government Travel Safety Advice
We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice. Please refer to the COVID-19 entry requirements page for any country-specific conditions of entry.
Visa and Passport Information
Passport validity
If you are planning to travel to an EU country (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, you must follow the Schengen area passport requirements.
Your passport must be:
issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)
You must check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date.
Contact the embassy of the country you are visiting if you think that your passport does not meet both these requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
Visas
You can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training. If you are travelling to Greece and other Schengen countries without a visa, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.
To stay longer, to work or study, for business or for other reasons, you will need to meet the Greek government’s entry requirements. Check with the Greek Embassy what type of visa and/or work permit, if any, you may need. If you are travelling to Greece for work, read the guidance on visas and permits. If you stay in Greece with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.
Passport stamping
Check your passport is stamped if you enter or exit the Schengen area through Finalnd as a visitor. Border guards will use passport stamps to check you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free limit for short stays in the Schengen area. If relevant entry or exit stamps are not in your passport, border guards will presume that you have overstayed your visa-free limit.
You can show evidence of when and where you entered or exited the Schengen area, and ask the border guards to add this date and location in your passport. Examples of acceptable evidence include boarding passes and tickets.
You may also need to:
show a return or onward ticket
show you have enough money for your stay
Travelling with children
Minors are permitted to enter Finland with an adult who is not their legal guardian (such as grandparents) but you are advised to carry a free-form letter of consent from the legal guardian(s) including their contact details. If you have further queries about entry to Finland you can contact the Finnish Border Guard directly on their helpline (+358 295 420 100), open Monday to Friday between 8am and 4pm Finnish local time (GMT +2).
What to bring on your escorted tour of Finland
Clothing
In addition to your ‘normal’ daily clothes, it is recommended to bring good hiking shoes, swimsuit (for the sauna), gortex clothing for walking, lighter clothes for warmer days, camera, binoculars and an eye mask for sleeping. Clothes that allow your skin to be covered to prevent mosquito bites are ideal, and you may find a headnet useful. There is a laundry available in most hotels.
Footwear
Lightweight comfortable shoes/trainers. Waterproof footware or walking boots are recommended.
Luggage while on your tour
Please allow yourself one main piece of luggage and a day-sack. Remember, you are expected to carry your own baggage, so don't overload yourself, a soft wheely bag may be easier to manage than a suit case.
Equipment
We recommend a sunhat, sunscreen, a torch, insect repellent and a waterbottle.
Currency
Finalnd is a Member-State of the European Union and uses its uniform currency – the Euro. As is the case with the other Member-States of the E.U. Finland uses eight coins as follows: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and 1 and 2 Euros. The banknotes are issued in the following denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euros.
Currency exchange rates are clearly displayed in every bank that accepts currency exchange, while credit card holders may acquire money from the ATMs of the collaborating banks. Euros can also be exchanged for notes of other foreign currencies at exchange offices that are situated at the airport and certain main ports, in the larger cities, as well as at many tourist destinations. A passport is required when exchanging currencies.
Use of electronic devices
Finland's Electricity is 220-240V and a European adapter will be required.
Traveller Safety
This trip includes time by a lake, river or sea, where there may be opportunities to swim. Swimming results in more tourists’ deaths than any other activity. All customers should always seek local advice before deciding whether to swim and are requested to treat the water with extreme caution if they choose to enter.
Weather in Finland
Although the climate varies throughout the year, all seasons in Finland have something to offer visitors. Still, the best times to visit Finland and the lakes area are the months of May through September, as these offer the mildest weather and the greatest number of tourist attractions.
Time Zone
Europe/Helsinki (GMT +03:00)
Internet Availability
Access is unrestricted and is widely available in business centres, hotels and in internet cafés. You may find that you are able to get a mobile signal but do not depend on this when out of the major cities.
