Karelian Winter Adventure

Pristine and unspoilt is how many people describe Karelia. With the snow hanging on the trees the silence is deafening!!

During this fantastic hotel based adventure holiday we use many different means of transportation for winter travel across the frozen landscape.

We fly into Joensuu where you will be met and transferred to you hotel where you will be accommodated in warm, twin bedded log cabin apartments. The hotel is very friendly and has both indoor and outdoor heated swimming pools, sauna and an ice swimming area on the lake. The activities are run mainly from the hotel.

You will meet Sanna and Kemo, your guides for the week, at the safari house in the hotel and they will ensure that you are well dressed and prepared for the adventure.

Snowmobile safari

Dressed in warm thermal suits you will take a fantastic snowmobile journey (about 120km) exploring the snowy forests and frozen landscape on and around Lake Pielinen. (The lakes in February and March are frozen with in excess of 1 metre of ice.) Along the way you will stop for lunch in a traditional tepee. Snowmobiles are exciting and fun and after the first initial flurry of nerves you will find them quite easy to drive. There is an excess on the insurance for the snowmobiles so if you cause any damage you are liable for the first €400 of any damage. Ask Sanna for more details.

Snow shoeing

The next day sees you travelling by snowshoe over virgin snow, stopping for a traditional lunch round a campfire. This is fun but can be hard work, however if you take it at your own pace and you walk regularly at home you will enjoy this outing.

Dog Sledding

Dog sledding is a fantastic way to travel, you will have your own team of huskies and after harnessing them you will embark on a 20 km wilderness safari. This is probably the best way to enjoy the wilderness of Karelia, the panting of the dogs and noise of the sled on the snow is the only noise. You do not need to be super fit but a sense of balance helps. Back at the husky farm, you will be able to savour the sauna at the end of an adventurous day.

X-country Skiing

Skiing is a way of life in Finland and no adventure would be complete without a journey by ski. After some instruction, you will be led by a professional guide through the forest to a nearby village. It will take a little while until you learn the technique and you will probably be overtaken by small children skiing at great pace, but it is great fun and can become very addictive.

Ice Fishing

Last, but not least, you will have a chance to catch your own supper. Dressed in thermal clothing, felted rubber boots, gloves and hats you will have a chance to catch your own rainbow trout by ice fishing.

Options

On the last day you will have free time when you will be able to hire your own equipment, possible take another dog sled safari or a snowmobile ride and you could just explore the area by yourself. Sanna and Kemo will help you in all the activities

This is a great adventure in a fantastic area of Finland.

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Please contact us if you would like more information on this holiday.

	Karelian Winter Adventure 5 days activities, snowmobiling, snow-shoeing, dog-sledding, x-country skiing and ice fishing. Optional extar activity day. This trip can be arranged for any week from mid December to April for 2 or more people. Accommodation/Meals 7 nights full board Experience Required None required Cost Per Person 2009/10 Adult: £1115.00 Purchase travel insurance – underwritten by tgic How to Book Please contact us if you would like to book a place on this holiday.