Price

€2.999,00 price per person (max. 6 persons)

Guides

Stefan Gerrits & Stijn Smits

Tour description

Finland is not only the land of a thousand lakes, it is also blessed with some of the most breathtaking natural landscapes on Earth. In particular, Kuusamo (bordering Finnish Lapland) and its surroundings are stunningly beautiful. Oulanka National Park and the humid climatic conditions of Riisitunturi National Park contribute to its natural splendor.

Besides the breathtaking winter scenery, this area is home to many spectacular bird species, such as the Golden Eagle, Northern Hawk-Owl, Great Grey Owl, Siberian Jay, Siberian Tit, Willow Tit, and White-throated Dipper. And to top it all off, there's a chance to witness the Northern Lights.

Are you ready to trade the Central European ‘winter’ for a snowy fairy-tale landscape where you also have the opportunity to photograph various bird species in this stunning setting? Let raw nature take you on a photography trip to Kuusamo and its surroundings!

Key experiences

1. Breathtaking winter landscapes with White-throated Dippers, Siberian Jays, and more

   In winter, the spruce trees that cover many of the park’s hills are coated with a thick layer of condensed frost. These conditions provide refreshing opportunities for landscape photography. In addition to the stunning winter scenery and forests, the many small streams offer fantastic inspiration for photography. You can experiment endlessly with longer exposure times here. You can also try capturing the White-throated Dippers fishing by the streams in various ways. At different hotspots, we’ll find local birds such as Siberian Jays and Willow Tits, along with a variety of other songbirds. We also stay in touch with locals for tips on spotting hunting Northern Hawk Owls and Great Grey Owls.

   
   

   The locations we visit have breathtaking backgrounds that, combined with the birds, will provide endless photography enjoyment.

   

   
   

2. Majestic birds of prey in focus

   During this winter photography tour in Finland, we will also attempt to capture stunning images of the majestic Golden Eagle from well-positioned, heated hides. February is likely the best month for photographing these raptors, as the days grow longer, and the eagles tend to feed more frequently due to the cold temperatures. Additionally, there are excellent opportunities to observe other bird species, such as Black Grouse, Hazel Grouse, Capercaillie, and, with some luck, even Northern Hawk Owls and Great Grey Owls. Although wildlife sightings can be unpredictable, our guide, who is well-connected and resides in Finland, will keep us informed of any tips or leads. Alongside the birdwatching, we will likely spot mammals, such as European otters and reindeer.

   

   
   

3. Mysterious Northern Lights

Although we cannot guarantee the Northern Lights, we eagerly look forward to this mysterious natural phenomenon in the evenings and nights. For many photographers, this light spectacle is high on their wish list! We will head to the best locations to try to capture this incredible phenomenon.

Program overview

Below you will find a general itinerary for the trip. Naturally, the program is subject to change depending on weather conditions, so the daily schedule serves as a guideline. The behavior of wildlife (especially in winter) will determine the specific daily photographic (and potentially unique) opportunities and priorities.

For example, hunting Northern Hawk Owls and Great Grey Owls can provide such rare photographic chances that we may change our plans immediately. We did this in the past few years when we received tips about the owls, allowing us to spend 2 to 3 days photographing them. However, as with all wildlife, we cannot guarantee sightings, but if we receive a tip, we will adjust the program accordingly. Regardless, the trip is designed with various options each day to ensure an exceptional photographic experience.

Day 1: Airport pickup & transfer

You will be picked up at the airport in Kuusamo by your guides. From the airport, there will be a transfer to your accommodation in the Kuusamo area. In the evening, we will dine together, discuss the program of this photo trip, and consider any new opportunities that may arise.

Day 2: Site photography of fast-flowing streams

We will have breakfast before sunrise and prepare our lunch packs to take with us. Afterward, we will visit a number of fast-flowing streams to photograph White-throated Dippers. We stay in daily contact with various locals for tips on sightings of Northern Hawk Owls and Great Grey Owls. If we receive a tip, we will head there immediately. After lunch, we transfer to the northernmost point of a mountain range in Kuusamo, which is over 400 meters high and offers excellent opportunities to photograph Siberian Jays. From there, we will return to our accommodation for a group dinner and review of the day. If there is a chance to see the Northern Lights, we will head out in the evening.

Day 3: Landscape photography

We will again have breakfast before sunrise and prepare our lunch. After breakfast, we will transfer to Riisitunturi National Park for some fantastic landscape photography opportunities. We will stay in the park until sunset before returning to our accommodation for dinner and a review of the day. If the Northern Lights are visible, we will head out in search of them.

Days 4 and 5: Golden Eagle photography

We will have breakfast before sunrise and pack our lunch. Afterward, we will transfer to Oulanka National Park to try photographing Golden Eagles from well-positioned, heated hides. After our session in the hide, we will return to our accommodation for a group dinner and review of the day. If there is a chance to see the Northern Lights, we will go out in search of them after dinner.

Days 6 and 7: Siberian Jays photography

Breakfast will be served before sunrise, and we will pack our lunch. After breakfast, we may revisit some fast-flowing streams to photograph White-throated Dippers, or we might head to the northernmost point of the Kuusamo mountain range for more chances to photograph Siberian Jays. We will also transfer to Oulanka National Park, known for its pine forests, river valleys, and rapids, offering refreshing landscape photography opportunities. We will stay in the park until sunset before returning to our accommodation for our final group dinner and a review of the day. If the Northern Lights are visible, we will go in search of them in the evening.

Day 8: Pickup & airport transfer

After breakfast, you will be transferred by your guides to the airport in Kuusamo.

General Travel Information

Participant Meeting

Before the trip, we will organize an online participant meeting so you can get to know your fellow travelers and ask any questions about the trip.

Maximum group size

You can book this trip individually or with your own group. The group size is a maximum of 6 people excluding the guides.

Guidance

Depending on your place of departure, you will either travel alone or with a group to Kuusamo, Finland. From there, you will travel to your accommodation.

Accommodation

We will stay in a clean and comfortable Scandinavian house with the necessary amenities, including several bathrooms and toilets, which we will share. The house will be booked based on the number of participants and includes a delightful Finnish sauna. Accommodation is based on shared double rooms, but for a small additional fee, you can book a single room. There are a limited number of single rooms available. If you want to relax after a long day, you can enjoy the sauna in the house.

Passport and Visa

You must have a valid ID card or passport. These must remain valid throughout your stay. A visa is not required for Finland.

Extra costs

This trip is available to book starting at €1,999. The supplement for a single room or private use of a double room is €215. There are limited single rooms available.

• 1 person in a shared double room

  If you book this option, you'll share your room with someone of the same gender. The room will have separate beds. If no one of the same gender is available, you'll need to pay the supplement for a single room.

• 2 people in a double room

  This option is perfect for couples or friends traveling together. You can indicate in the booking notes whether you'd like a double bed or two separate beds.

• 1 person in a single room

  This option provides you with your own room, with a supplement for single use. If you are in a double or triple room alone, the same supplement applies.

Materials

We are happy to provide advice on which equipment and other necessities you should bring. Of course, you are free to make your own choices, but always be mindful of the maximum allowed weight for your flight.

Flight and Transportation

You will book the flights yourself, and they are not included in the price. However, we will provide you with ample notice before departure regarding the best flights to book, and we will inform the hotel of your estimated arrival time.

Health and Difficulty

Finland does not have any specific health risks different from those in countries like the Netherlands, Belgium or Germany. If you do wish to have more information, we recommend consulting the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before your departure to stay informed about the latest developments in the country.

Remember to bring any necessary medication with you.

Difficulty: medium

During the hikes to the sights, we may have to walk through deep snow, which can be intensive. There may also be some steep climbs, but these are rarely longer than 15 to 20 minutes. The days can be very cold, even down to -25°C.

Terms and Conditions

What if I need to cancel my trip?

In the event of cancellation, you must inform us as soon as possible. As we also incur cancellation costs from our partners, we will have to pass these on to you according to the schedule below, which is also indicated in the terms and conditions and the travel information provided to you. You can always contact your cancellation insurance provider.

Cancellation fee timelines

• 5 to 3 months before departure: 25% of the total trip cost

• 3 to 2 months before departure: 50% of the total trip cost

• 2 to 1 month before departure: 80% of the total trip cost

• Less than 1 month before departure: 100% of the total trip cost

Extraordinary circumstances

In the event of trip cancellation by the local organization due to exceptional and unforeseen circumstances, such as extreme weather conditions, death, conflicts, or airline disruptions, no refunds will be provided for those reasons. You can always consult your travel insurance provider for assistance.