Lapland Adventures - Safari Descriptions - River Oulanka afoot and afloat (Fri. 18th

River Oulanka afoot and afloat (for groups only)

In this safari you can experience the legendary Bear walk (“Karhunkierros”) by footpath and on the river. We canoe two days and walk one day. When walking you don’t need to carry heavy backpack, your over night gear are transported to the camps. There are no high mountains in Oulanka national park, but there are steep ups and downs. You don’t need to climb or be scared of falling down, but you need an average fitness to walk the footpath. Two nights are spent in cottages, which have washing facilities. One night is spent in tent.

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You don’t need earlier experience of canoeing. We use double seated canoes for paddling and the part of the river we paddle is easy flat water. There are huge rapids and falls in river Oulanka, but we only see them when walking in the footpath.

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TRAVEL PROGRAMME

1st day (Canoeing 15 km)

Meeting in Kuusamo airport or busstation 1:30 p.m. Transport to the Oulanka National Park (Savilampi). At first there will be an information session, later a short walk and 3-4 hours canoeing to Kiutaköngäs. The river is flat water, but the stream is a little help. We land before Kiutaköngäs fall, and our canoes are transported pass the fall. The night is spend in cottages (four beds in each).

2nd day (Canoeing 20 km)

The day is start with a short walk pass the Kiutaköngäs fall, after which the canoeing continues. In canoeing, the river runs calmly in the steep valley of Oulanka. We continue up to the Russian border zone. The night is spent in tent (which has a stove).
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3rd day (Hiking 15 km)

We will walk by the Bear walk footpath to Juuma. Here you will see a massive fall Jyrävä. The night is spent in cottages (six beds in each).

4th day

After breakfast transport to Kuusamo airport or bus station (half an hour drive).

*An option to continue with own trip for example walking Pieni Karhunkierros (minor bear-walk).
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MORE INFORMATION

During the safari the temperature can vary between -5 to + 15 Celsius degrees.

Participants must have their own sleeping bag and -mattress, a small backpack for day-time equipment, cutlery (spoon, plate, cup) and outdoor clothing (two full outfits, of which another is gore-tex or equivalent water proof clothing). A detailed list of the equipment will be delivered after signing up.

The price includes daily meals: breakfast, a sandwich lunch, coffee break and dinner. In addition we will have something for the evening meal. Canoeing equipment (a double-canoe, paddle, life-jacket, wind-proof kayaking gloves, a water-proof sack) are included for extra price.

The trip is guided in English. The guides can teach you wilderness skills and canoeing techniques and tell you about the nature and culture of the area.

Additional information about Oulanka National Park from the web pages (of the Finnish Forest and Park Service:) http://www.metsa.fi/natural/nationalparks/oulanka/index.htm

CONDITIONS TO PARTICIPATE

You don’t need canoeing experience. An average fitness and experience of walking about 15 km in a footpath is required. The daily walking time will be about 5 hours. There is no electricity on our way, mobile phone network is accessible part of the time. Good swimming skill is of course required.