Finland for Brown Bears
Giants of the Forest

Saturday 17 - Friday 23 July 2010 (7 days)

Going on a bear-watch...and we're not scared! Join us safe and sound in log hides on the Finnish/Russian border where magnificent Brown Bears come during the long, light summer evenings to feed on the salmon provided for them by local wardens. The bears can be within yards of the hides for several hours, offering superb photographic opportunities, with a chance to see other forest mammals including Wolverine.



download a report of one of our previous trips to Finland We return to Kuhmo, on the Russian border - for a breathtaking encounter with wild Brown Bears, all from the safety of a well-placed hide! Bears feasting on salmon, bears climbing trees, bears with cubs... and all within a few yards of the hide. The disadvantage? Well, once you are in the hide, you do have to stay in there for the whole evening, and through the early hours of the next morning if the bears stick around. So the hides are equipped with bunk-beds and sleeping bags, and toilet facilities - and you can choose what 'night-snacks' you'd like provided, in case the sight of all those bears stuffing themselves makes you peckish! The hides are also equipped with an amplifying microphone & headsets for hearing the birds and wildlife in the surrounding forest.

We have booked the hides for two nights, and then have rooms at a lodge booked for resting up during the days spent there.

We thought that, having made the journey up to Northern Finland, you'd also like a little time birdwatching and looking at the summer wildlife here. This is an excellent time for returning migrants, especially arctic-breeding waders, on the coast, and we spend a couple of days here. We'll also be looking at the superb wild taiga forests around Kuusamo, with its specialities including Siberian Tit and Siberian Jay.

And finally - will there be mosquitoes? Well, yes, some, but the main summer flush of these pests of the arctic is over, and with a good dose of repellent, you shouldn't be that badly troubled by them.

Once again we'll be in the good hands of our friends from Finnature.

Price: £ 2,295
Single supp.: £ 195
Deposit: £ 300 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of scheduled return economy-class flights London-Oulu, airport taxes, accommodation, all meals, minibus transport, incidental tips, and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes travel insurance, drinks and other personal expenses.

Manchester departures to Helsinki may be possible depending on flight schedules. Please enquire for details.

Leaders: John Muddeman and a Finnature guide


Finland map

Outline Itinerary
Days 1-2 Fly London - Helsinki and connect with an afternoon flight to Oulu. Two nights Oulu
Days 3-4 Travel north-east to Kuhmo. Evening and part of the next morning in the bear-watching hides, spending one or two nights in the hides. Two nights Kuhmo
Days 5-6 We travel to Kuusamo, at the edge of the Oulanka National Park, probably the best area of taiga forest outside Russia. Two nights Kuusamo
Day 7 We drive back to Oulu and fly back to Helsinki to connect with a flight from Helsinki-London.

Click here for a full, printable itinerary