Finland or Suomen Tasavalta—Republiken Finland is the north most European country. It is the country bordered by Russia in east, Norway in north and Sweden in west, and opens itself to waters of Pacific Ocean forming a peninsula.
Travelling to Finland is way beyond a holiday experience- it’s an indulgence. “Everyman’s rights” permit each man to enjoy the freedom of exploring the country by his own means and mode. Experiencing the original Finnish Sauna or riding on a sleigh in snow deserted Northern Laplands or staying awake under the dimly lit ‘Midnight Sun’. Finland has way too many options to indulge anyone and everyone to an extent of amazement!
It is one of the safest countries in the World with some stupendous geographical features making it a tourist hot spot. Finland Archipelago in south is one of the biggest Archipelagos of the world with over a 100 small and big islands which could be safely canoed through.
The country is well developed with all its cultural strings pensively attached. The people are humble and genuine. The country has a 100% literacy rate and Finnish people are proud of their language, culture and reflect strong Finnish ethos. Like most of the European countries Finland also has its unique sense of style and art making its way through glass art, weaving, designing et al.
In this believed hometown of Santa, miracles do happen – in the form of Midnight Sun and Northern Lights. During summer, when the days get longer the Sun in Finland often refuses to set and settle for a dimly lit sky, even at the midnight hour (therefore called The Midnight Sun). However when the environ endows tones of white powdered snow the sky is glorified with the Northern Lights making you gape and admire nature at every sight of it!
Finland is an array of wonderful culture, amazing adventure and is a humble host to provide an above and beyond overwhelming travel experience!
Helsinki is the capital city of Finland and well connected by direct flights from Delhi and Mumbai (Finnish Airlines). Other International flights for Finland are: Indianapolis, Aeroflot, Lufthansa, Etihad Airways, Scandinavian Airlines, Royal Dutch, Air France, British Airways and Virgin Atlantics.
Wild Taiga/ Kuhmo-Suomussalmi/ Boreal forest or snow forest is the world’s greatest biome. Eur-Asian Taiga’s westernmost part lies in the easternmost part of Finland near the Russian border. Tiaga has hills, lakes, esker valleys and miry lanes covered by the coniferous trees- birches, pines and spruces which are suitable only for a few special animals. The spiny coniferous tress permit less food (mainly because of thorns and spines) That is why Taiga has less common animals; but it is thriving with the World’s most endangered species like Brown Bears and Reindeers. The forest is calm and soothing and connects you with ultimate melody of birds, animals and flowing rivers. Not just wildlife Taiga has great historic significance attached to it from the wartime- you can explore the wartime museums and immerse in the rich culture activities of Kalevala people at Kalevala national park. Taiga is filled with outdoor activities round the year but for wildlife lovers but the best time to visit Taiga is during April- October. This is the time when days get longer (experience midnight sun) and the big beasts of prey wake up from hibernation and come back into the wild.
ACCESS :A direct flight from Helsinki will take 1 hour to reach Kajaani which is the nearest Airport from Taiga. Another forty five minutes drive would take you to Kuhmo inside Taiga.
SIZE :13,747 sq.km
WILDLIFE:Brown bear, Reindeer, Pine marten, Elk, white tailed Eagle, Flying Squirrels, Goshawk, Crossbill, Capercaillie and Black Grouse are the endemic species that can only be found in Taiga.
ACTIVITIES:Canoeing and Kayaking, Fishing and Hunting, Nordic Walking, Skiing, Kalevala cultural experiences, Mushroom and Berry picking, Finnish – “ Sauna experience”
In 2000 rocky, rustic and well preserved islands of Archipelago National Park, the saga of their formation in Ice Age still echoes. Archipelago islands are keenly preserved to give an insight of the cause and effect of Iceage over the mountains, volcanoes and living creatures. The Archipelago Visitor Centre Blue Mussel at Kasnäs, Stora Hästö are the the tourist-picks from the park. You can enjoy 12 terrestrial trails; also natural under water trails of Stora Hasto is very famous. Finland’s Archipelago is a beautiful confluence of past and the present! The guides and natural exhibitions make it easier for a tourist to interpret the secrets of world’s most spectacular Finland Archipelago. The historic lighthouse of Bengtsjar is the area’s most popular tourist attractions.
ACCESS :Nature trails can be accessed by ferries and boats, public transport connects Helsinki and Turku to ferry departure points. The bigger islands of Archipelago national park ( Jurmo, Berghamn and Holma) can be accessed by ferries, otherwise a private boat is always an option to explore the islands.
SIZE :500sq.km
WILDLIFE:There are around 130 species of birds gliding and lazing in the Archipelago. Baltic Ringed seals, grey seals, razorbills, mute swans arctic skuas to mention a few. White tailed Eagle is a rare species and is found only at Finland’s Archipelago.
ACTIVITIES:Canoeing, Camping, Birding, Natural Trails, Sea Diving
Oulanka National park is a lively park in the highlands of Ostrobothnia and Lapland. It is a World heritage site near Kuusamo and Russian border. Everything ranging from Flaura to Fauna, Ice Age history to the present status of being Ireland’s first park to become a part of World Wide Fund for Nature’s PAN Parks makes Oulanka unique in it’s existence. It has two rivers which enter Russia through East (makes for an excellent boating experience). Oulanka can be called microcosm of various habitats and forests of Finland with wide ranging species of birds, animals and insects. Hills ranging to an altitude of 380 meters, around 60 lakes, two big rivers and a few tributaries keep the soil rich and thriving with vegetation. The forest gets covered with snow during winters. The Northern, western and eastern habitats blend to become a part of this larger unreal ecosystem of Arctic region. Kuusamo and Karhunkierros are the two famous regions inside the park for Nature trail and Hiking respectively. The Oulanka Research Centre which is working towards research and sustainability has made tremendous contribution to keep the forest unspoilt and natural.
ACCESS :Oulanka is 858.2 kms north from Helinski. Most suitable by Air: Kuusamo is the nearest airport to Oulanko, and a local bus service connects Kuusamo airport to Oulanka National Park.
SIZE :290sq.km.
WILDLIFE:You can find 500 plant species, 100 bird species and 7000 insect species. It has rare Butterflies, Siberian Jay, Capercaillies and Reindeers thriving inside the pine and boreal park. You may also get sightings of endangered Wolves, Lynx and Wolverines and Moose.
ACTIVITIES:Hiking and skiing, Canoeing, Camping, Bird Watching, Nature Walk and Trails
Tailor-made holidays & tours for the discerning traveller
Probably the greatest wildlife spectacle on planet with over 1,245,000 wildebeest, 200,000 Burchell’s zebra, 18,000 eland and 500,000 Thomson’s Gazelle filling the entire stretch of the landscape.
Aberdare National Park and Masai Mara, internal flight included.
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