ChristmasinFinland

Transfer Time

Kajaani Airport to Hotel Kalevala is approximately 1hr 35 minutes.

Hotel Kalevala to Kuopio Airport is approximately 2 hrs 30 minutes.

The currency in Finland is the Euro.

There is often confusion on the question of gratuities, since it frequently depends on the type of holiday, location and, of course, your attitude towards tipping, as to what is normally expected. To give you a rough idea, we have given appropriate guidance below. Your Tour Leader will be on hand to offer advice or suggestions if required but gratuities are offered entirely at the sole discretion of the individual. We suggest a group collection at the beginning of your holiday to cover drivers, guides, porters, and hotel staff of approximately EUR 30.00 per person. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip.

Winter Experiences at Hotel Kalevala, subject to availability and minimum numbers 

Snowshoe Tour, 2 hours | €69

A guided snowshoe walk through the taiga forest and across a frozen lake, perfect for beginners. Enjoy the peace of the winter landscape and warm up with hot juice along the way.

Cross-Country Ski School or Tour, 2 hours | €69
Learn the basics of cross-country skiing at the Kalevala Ski Centre or join a guided tour through forests and over a frozen lake. Suitable for beginners. Includes hot juice.

Ice Fishing, 2–3 hours | €59
Drill a hole in the ice and try traditional ice fishing with a jig. Travel to the fishing spot on snowshoes, skis, or on foot.
Includes hot drinks, sausages cooked over an open fire, and fishing equipment for the rest of the day.

Fat Bike Tour, 2 hours | €79
Explore winter trails on a fat bike. The route is planned together with your guide to suit the group.
Includes guide, fat bike, helmet, and refreshments.

Husky Safari, 2 hours | €219
An unforgettable adventure with enthusiastic husky dogs. After an introduction and safety briefing, set off on a thrilling sled ride through snowy wilderness. Halfway through, you can swap places with your sled partner to experience both driving and riding.
After the safari, enjoy hot juice and a snack and don’t forget to give your husky team a well-earned cuddle.

Unique Wilderness Experiences

Snowshoe Tracking to the Wolverine Hut, 5–6 hours | €130
Follow the tracks of wolverine, elk, and hare with a professional wilderness guide. Travel by snowshoes to a private wilderness hut, where you’ll spend 1.5–2 hours in silence observing nature and wildlife in their natural environment. Includes transfers, hot drinks, and a picnic.

Healing from Nature 3–4 hours | €129
Reconnect with nature and discover the healing properties of the forest. After a short drive, use snowshoes or skishoes to gather spruce resin. By the campfire, prepare your own natural resin cream while enjoying a fireside snack.
Each participant takes home a jar of handcrafted resin cream, known for its soothing and healing qualities. Includes transfers, coffee, snacks, and jar.

Exciting Rapid Swimming 2–3 hours | €155
Take a thrilling dip in the Pajakkakoski rapids in the centre of Kuhmo. After gearing up in thermal underwear and a rescue suit, practise floating before swimming down the rapid one by one under expert supervision. Finish the experience with hot chocolate and a diploma in a traditional teepee.

Skishoe Adventure on an Island, 3 hours | €129
Skishoes, a hybrid between skis and snowshoes, are easy to learn and ideal for off-trail exploration. Ski across a frozen lake from Hotel Kalevala to Harakkasaari Island, formed during the Ice Age. Explore the island, hear fascinating stories about Finnish nature, then enjoy soup, bread, and coffee or tea by the fire.

Snowmobile Safari 2 hours,

• €119 / person (2 people per snowmobile)/€149 / person (1 person per snowmobile)
  3–4 hours 20–25 km drive, break with hot drink

• €149 / person (2 people per snowmobile)/€189 / person (1 person per snowmobile)
  25–40 km drive, hot drink and sausage.

Snowmobile & Ice Fishing, 2–3 hours

• €149 / person (2 people per snowmobile)/ €189 / person (1 person per snowmobile)
  Ride snowmobiles to the best fishing spots and try your luck beneath the ice.
  Includes hot drink and sausage.

Northern Lights & Snowmobiling 2–3 hours | from 8:00 pm

• €149 / person (2 people per snowmobile)/€189 / person (1 person per snowmobile)
  Explore the evening landscape by snowmobile. With luck, witness the Northern Lights dancing across the sky. Includes coffee, juice, and snacks by a campfire.

Snowmobile safaris include:
Thermal overalls, helmet, and insurance (own risk €1,000 per snowmobile).
Participants must hold a valid driving licence.
Not suitable for small children.

Aurora Tours, Chasing the Northern Lights in the Arctic Night

Aurora Photography Picnic, 2–3 hours | €129
Join a local professional Aurora Hunter for a magical evening beneath the northern sky. Walk just one kilometre across a frozen lake to Harakkasaari Island, away from light pollution, and settle by a cosy campfire while grilling tasty snacks.

As you enjoy the picnic, your guide will share fascinating stories about the Northern Lights, local nature, and life in the north. A night photography expert will take beautiful photos of you with the auroras — and if the sky is cloudy, we’ll create enchanting lantern portraits instead.
Photos are delivered by email after the tour. You’re also welcome to bring your own camera and learn how to capture the night sky.

With an open view towards the north, Harakkasaari Island offers excellent conditions for aurora watching when the lights appear.

Aurora Hunting by Car, 3–4 hours | €159

Set off on an exciting aurora hunt with a professional Aurora Hunter. Using advanced weather forecasts and aurora activity data, your guide will drive to the best viewing locations based on real-time conditions.

We may visit 2–3 different observation spots around northern Kuhmo and if needed, travel further afield to maximise the chances of seeing the lights. If time allows, we’ll enjoy a warm snack by a campfire while your guide shares intriguing facts and stories about the auroras.

Your guide can photograph you under the Northern Lights or help you set up your own camera.

Please note: Sightings of the auroras cannot be guaranteed, and tours are non-refundable if the lights do not appear. If conditions look better on another day, we may suggest rescheduling to improve your chances.

Local Life & Culture

Peat Sauna, €32
A traditional Finnish peat sauna treatment known to improve metabolism, cleanse the skin, and promote deep relaxation. After the gentle heat, the skin feels softer and the body refreshed.
Not recommended for pregnant women or those with heart or vascular conditions.

Traditional Finnish Bonesetting / Massage

A traditional method of full-body mobilisation rooted in Finnish folk medicine, used to relieve various physical tensions and ailments.

Half-body treatment (50 minutes) – €69/ Full-body treatment (90 minutes) – €89

Wellbeing, Nature & Local Life

Life in Bearlands, 3–4 hours | €159
Visit the home of a local guide in the heart of bear country, just 25 km from Kuhmo. Surrounded by forests rich in wildlife, this experience offers a gentle walk of up to 4 km (in winter using skishoes), where you’ll discover animal tracks and traces of the Ice Age.

After the walk, relax indoors with coffee, tea, and snacks while your host shares insights into everyday life in the Finnish wilderness — blending tradition with modern living.
You might even discover why Finns are considered the happiest people in the world!

Note: There is a cat in the house, so this tour is not suitable for guests with allergies.

Nature, History & Culture of Kuhmo, 2 hours | €99
Explore the highlights of Kuhmo on a guided walk combining nature, history, and culture. Begin at the scenic Pajakkakoski River, a peaceful haven near the town centre and a great spot for birdwatching and photography.

Continue along the lakeshore to visit the Juminkeko Cultural Centre, where you’ll learn about Kalevala traditions, borderland life, and view an art exhibition. The walk then continues to the Kuhmo Arts Centre, home to one of Finland’s finest concert halls.

After the tour, enjoy 2 hours of free time for lunch, cafés, or shopping (not included).
Transfers from the hotel and entrance to Juminkeko included.

Two Nature Trails, Best of Kuhmo, 3–4 hours | €129

Discover Kuhmo’s natural beauty on an easy-paced tour visiting two scenic nature trails, both just 15 minutes from the hotel.

• Lauttavaara Nature Trail (2 km): Explore old-growth forest, Ice Age formations, plants, and wildlife signs.
• Lentua Rapids (1.5 km): Visit the largest free-flowing rapid in the Kainuu region and learn about its historical use as a tar transport route.

Finish the experience by lighting a fire at a traditional laavu shelter and enjoying coffee and a snack by the rapids.