Wild Finland

Land only clients should make their own way to Basecamp Oulanka this
afternoon/evening. Set on the edge of the spectacular Oulanka National Park,
Basecamp Oulanka is a complex of wooden buildings providing cosy
accommodation in a stunning wilderness setting overlooking Juuma Lake -
surround yourself completely in nature for the next five nights! After a
warming dinner you'll have the chance to settle into your wilderness home in
the forest. Take a late evening walk down to the lake and marvel at the
stillness. During the summer months there can be between 18 - 22 hours of
daylight which ensures a colourful sky with drawn out sunsets and sunrises
merging together.

After a hearty breakfast in the main building, we leave for a short walk in
Oulanka National Park. We'll likely visit the Old Mill which overlooks the
Myllykoski rapids, where White throated dippers are often seen. Our guide
will introduce us to some simple wilderness skills, such as how to make a
fire, orienteer and basic first aid.

Around 4pm, after we've had lunch at Basecamp, we set off towards the Russian
border zone for a short walk to a comfortable bear hide, where we will spend
the evening anticipating the arrival of Brown bears and hopefully watching
lots of bear interaction! Brown bears are very active in this area and there
are thought to be some 1,500 Brown bears in Finland's vast forests. After a
long period of hibernation over winter, the bears emerge from their dens in
spring, sometimes with cubs in tow. During the months of July and August the
bears are very hungry and so typically become nightly visitors to the area
where the hide is located as they are fed with carrion. As well as Brown
bears (and hopefully cubs) there is a good possibility to see White-tailed
eagle in this area.

The hide is warm and comfortable, with large windows for excellent views and
plenty of openings for camera lenses (ideal if you are a keen photographer).
There is a kettle, compost toilet and around 10 beds with sleeping bags which
you're welcome to use if you feel tired at any point. Depending on our
sightings and the amount of daylight left we will leave the hide around 11pm
or 12am, walking the short distance back to our vehicle. It is important when
in the hide and walking to/from the hide to keep voices to a minimum and
follow instructions from the guide - we always walk in a group to minimise
the likelihood of encountering a bear.

Today we visit Riisitunturi National Park, home to those iconic snow covered
trees in winter. In summer the fells provide the groundwater to feed Lake
Kitka and offer the perfect home for a variety of wildlife. On today's walk,
we are joined by husky dogs. For this activity, you'll be harnessed in pairs
to one husky who will 'lead' the walk at a reasonable pace (huskies are
powerful dogs, hence why one dog is harnessed to two people). This wonderful
dog breed makes an excellent companion for a hike through the wilderness!
Huskies accompany us for the easiest part of the canyon trail, and after
this, we complete some steeper sections of the walk by ourselves.

After getting fitted out with rafting gear at Basecamp Oulanka (available
free of charge) we have a short walk to Jyrävä waterfall to begin our
nature rafting excursion on River Kitka. Running through Oulanka National
Park to the Russian Border zone, the river winds its way through taiga
forest, with dramatic cliffs and wonderful views of scotch pine and spruce
forest. Traveling by raft is the perfect way to soak up the tranquillity of
nature and experience the best of Finland's wilderness. We pass over some
gentle class I to II rapids as we float down the river, enjoying the sound of
silence in the vast forest. At the Russian End we take a short walk to
Vihvilänlamminkangas, the biggest elk destruction area in Europe which looks
like a huge bonsai garden! Here we will learn about the importance of nature
conservation, the old forest and its ecosystem, before a short transfer by
road back to Basecamp Oulanka. This evening we have an early dinner and a
second visit to the bear hide. Before entering the hide we meet a Brown bear
expert who will guide a short walk through the habitat of Brown bear. On this
walk we'll be looking for and interpreting signs of activity such as marks
and scratchings on the trees, as well as any visible tracks on the ground.
Following this we spend the evening in the hide to watch the forests come
alive once more. 

Oulanka National Park is a vast boreal forest and one of its most scenic
walking trails is the Pieni Kahrunkierros - the Little Bear Trail - a 12km
loop through some of the most picturesque areas of the park. Setting off on
foot from Basecamp we hike on good trails, crossing suspension bridges and
passing some of the larger rapids and waterfalls, including the class VI
Jyrävä waterfall. Between Oulanka in Finland and neighbouring Paanajärvi
in Russia, some 136,000 hectares of taiga forest, lakes and rushing
whitewater rivers are protected - one of the world's largest biomes. The
flora in this area is very interesting with lichens, heather, wild
cloudberries, blueberries and lingonberry bushes. This is a moderate grade
walk and there are some steep sections in order to experience the best views.

Back at Basecamp, it's possible to rest and enjoy a traditional sauna this
evening or you may decide to join an optional excursion to return to the bear
hide once more (at an additional cost of 150 EUR). For this excursion it is
possible to use an alternative hide in the same area (perhaps if you are a
photographer interested in getting a different angle for your photos). 

This morning our adventure in the Finnish wilderness comes to an end and land
only clients are free to make onward arrangements.