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Finland: Lake Saimaa Adventure
Finland
From
This trip supports
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Esential info
- Packing list
Grade:
Entry Level
Type:
Cultural
Duration:
7 Nights
4 - 8
Group size
Leaders
Tour Highlights
- Explore Helsinki through a guided city and food experience
- Journey into the Lake Saimaa region, Finland’s largest lake system
- Visit the Astuvansalmi Rock Paintings, among Northern Europe’s most important prehistoric sites
- Experience authentic Finnish culture through local hosts, food, and traditions
- Stay in a private lakeside house, embracing sauna, nature, and slow living
Finnish Lakeland Journey: A Slow Adventure Through Saimaa’s Lakes and Forests
This 8-day journey offers a relaxed and immersive introduction to Finland, combining the cultural energy of Helsinki with the stillness and natural beauty of the Lake Saimaa region. Travelling at an unhurried pace, you’ll experience Finland through its landscapes, its food, and its people - moving from city streets to quiet lakeside living.
Beginning in Helsinki, explore the capital through guided experiences that reveal both its history and its contemporary food culture. From here, travel into the heart of the Finnish Lakeland, where days unfold beside vast stretches of water, forest, and island-dotted horizons. Encounters with local hosts, traditional cooking, and time spent on and around the lake offer a deeper connection to the region.
The journey continues with moments of quiet exploration - from prehistoric rock art sites to wildlife experiences on the lake - before slowing further in a private lakeside house. Here, life centres around simple rhythms: sauna, swimming, and time in nature. This is Finland at its most authentic, understated, restorative, and deeply connected.
Day 1: Arrival in Helsinki
Transfer
Dinner
4 star hotel
On arrival at Helsinki Airport, you will be met by your private guide and transferred to the city centre (approx. 20 km / 30 minutes). On arrival, check in to your centrally located 4-star hotel and take some time to settle in after your journey.
In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, offering an introduction to Finnish cuisine and its seasonal ingredients.
Overnight: Helsinki
Day 2: Exploring Helsinki
Breakfast
Lunch
4 star hotel
After breakfast, set out on a guided exploration of Helsinki, discovering the city’s key landmarks and coastal character. This is followed by a food-focused walking experience (approx. 3 hours), offering the chance to sample local flavours while gaining insight into Finnish culinary traditions.
The afternoon is left free to explore at your own pace - whether visiting museums, strolling along the waterfront, or browsing local shops. Dinner is at your leisure this evening.
Overnight: Helsinki
Day 3: Helsinki - Lake Saimaa
Transfer
Breakfast
Dinner
4 star hotel
After breakfast, depart Helsinki with a private transfer to the Lake Saimaa region (approx. 300 km / 4–4.5 hours), travelling through Finland’s peaceful countryside.
On arrival at Saimaanranta Resort, set beside the lake, check in and take time to enjoy the surroundings. You may wish to swim in the lake or unwind in a traditional Finnish sauna.
In the evening, transfer to Tertti Manor for dinner, where locally sourced ingredients and regional flavours of Saimaa are brought together in a seasonal menu. After dinner, return to the resort.
Overnight: Saimaanranta Resort hotel
Day 4: Lake Saimaa Archipelago
Transfer
Breakfast
Dinner
3 star hotel
After breakfast, check out and set out for today’s highlight - an excursion by boat to the Astuvansalmi Rock Paintings, one of Northern Europe’s most significant prehistoric rock art sites.
Along the way, pause for an island stop within the Saimaa archipelago, with time for a guided walk or light hike. As you travel across the lake, your guide will share insights into life on Lake Saimaa, local traditions, and regional folklore.
Following the excursion, continue by road to Sahanlahti Resort (approx. 70–80 km / 1.5 hours total travel during the day). The afternoon is at leisure to relax by the lake. Dinner is served at the resort.
Overnight: Sahanlahti Resort
Day 5: Lake Saimaa
Transfer
Breakfast
Dinner
3 star hotel
After breakfast, enjoy a full day at leisure to experience Lake Saimaa at your own pace. A range of optional self-guided and guided activities are available, including cycling along scenic archipelago routes, swimming and sauna experiences, hiking in nearby nature areas, or exploring the lake by canoe or paddleboard.
In the afternoon, take a short transfer (approx. 20–30 minutes) to meet local expert Arto for a Saimaa Ringed Seal Safari. This guided boat excursion offers the opportunity to observe one of the world’s rarest seals in its natural habitat.
Return to Sahanlahti Resort in the evening, where dinner is served. Additional optional experiences may be arranged, including food tastings, pottery workshops, fishing, boat trips, and island hopping.
Overnight: Sahanlahti Resort
Day 6: Sahanlahti – Puumala – Okkola
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
4 star hotel
After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed morning before departing for a short journey toward Puumala (approx. 40–50 km / 1 hour). Stop in the village for some grocery shopping and a glimpse into local everyday life.
Continue to Okkola Farm, where you will be welcomed by Paula and her family. Here, enjoy a home-style lunch followed by a hands-on blueberry pie baking experience - an introduction to traditional Finnish recipes and hospitality.
Afterwards, transfer to your private lakeside accommodation at Okkola Lakehouses. The afternoon is at leisure to unwind - relax in the sauna, swim in the lake, or simply enjoy the peaceful natural surroundings. Dinner this evening is self-catered.
Overnight: Private Lake House
Day 7: Lake House Stay
4 star hotel
Today is yours to enjoy at your own pace, settled into your private lake house and surrounded by the quiet beauty of the Finnish countryside. Spend the day as you wish - swimming in the lake, walking in nature, or simply slowing down and taking in the stillness of your surroundings.
Optional excursions can be arranged, including guided foraging experiences, additional sauna sessions, and nature walks. This is a day to disconnect and fully embrace life by the lake.
Meals today are self-catered.
Overnight: Private Lake House
Day 8: Lake Saimaa – Helsinki Airport
Transfer
After a self-catered breakfast, depart your lakeside accommodation and begin the journey back to Helsinki Airport (approx. 300 km / 4 hours).
The return route follows the eastern lakeside road via Imatra, Lappeenranta, and Kouvola, offering scenic views along the way. Driving time is approximately 4 hours, with a stop for lunch depending on your flight schedule and a chance to look back on your magical lakeside adventure.
Adventure Optional Extras
Single Room Supplement
Single rooms are available on a first come, first served basis. We will charge on a pro-rata basis if a single room is only available for part of the trip.
Plant an additional 15 trees for your adventure
Carbon Compensation is not the perfect solution, and it is important to first reduce our carbon emissions as much as we can, yet trees remain an excellent natural technology to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to slow global warming.
For every client and guide who attends a YellowWood Adventure, we donate £30 to our partner charity WeForest to plant 15 trees to (over) compensate for the carbon footprint of the tour.
We also invite our clients to match this with an optional additional £30 for another 15 trees to be planted to help compensate for the carbon footprint of their international flights.
WeForest run many tree planting and tree maintenance projects such as this seedling nursery in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil and many other projects in other countries including Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania & India.
Click Here to find out more about their amazing projects around the world.
Not Included
- International Flights & airport taxes
- Insurance (compulsory)
Contents
Accommodation
We fully believe in, and practice, Responsible Tourism and recognise the value of working with locally owned accommodation and experiences. The accommodation on this journey has been carefully selected to reflect the character of Finland’s Lakeland region and enhance your connection to place.
From a centrally located hotel in Helsinki to locally run lakeside resorts and a private lake house, each stay offers a different perspective on Finnish life - balancing comfort with authenticity.
At Lake Saimaa, life slows down around nature and water. You’ll stay in peaceful lakeside settings where sauna, swimming, and time outdoors form part of the daily rhythm. The private lake house experience in particular offers a chance to disconnect and embrace a simpler way of living, surrounded by forest and open water.
Guiding & Your Group
Supporting you throughout this journey will be a range of local, family-owned and operated guides and hosts, including experienced city guides, lake region experts, and community-based activity leaders.
We believe it is a core principle of Responsible Tourism to work with local expertise, ensuring that the benefits of travel are shared within the communities you visit. It also means you gain a deeper, more authentic understanding of Finland, its culture, landscapes, and way of life through the people who know it best.
Your Group
Your group will be any number from our minimum group size of 4, up to a maximum of 12 clients. This number works really well with the ratio of guides, and ensures the optimum level of service to you during your adventure.
We get clients booking alone, as couples and in small groups of friends. If you have a group of friends or family who are interested in having their own customised trip, then please let us know and we can cost it for you.
Am I fit enough?
This journey requires only a low level of physical fitness and is designed to be accessible to most travellers with a general level of mobility.
Travel is by private vehicle with regular stops, and most activities involve gentle walking, cultural visits, and time spent outdoors at a relaxed pace. Optional experiences such as swimming, sauna, canoeing, or short nature walks can be enjoyed at your own comfort level.
This is an unhurried journey focused on scenery, culture, and connection with place rather than physical challenge.
Weather conditions
Weather in the Finnish Lakeland region is generally mild but changeable, particularly in spring and early summer. Expect daytime temperatures typically ranging between 5°C and 15°C, with cooler evenings, especially near the lake. Conditions can shift quickly, with a mix of sunshine, cloud, and occasional rain showers.
Lake Saimaa is still emerging from winter during the early part of the season, and water temperatures remain cold, averaging around 3-7°C in spring, making swimming refreshing rather than warm. Winds are generally light, but open water and island crossings can feel cooler than inland areas.
The region’s weather is part of its character - clear, bright days can quickly give way to overcast skies, and the ever-changing light across the lakes is a defining feature of the landscape. Layered, weather-appropriate clothing is recommended, along with waterproof protection for time on or near the water. Safety briefings are provided for all water-based activities, and conditions are always assessed locally to ensure comfort and safety.
Travel & Arrival
Your YellowWood adventure starts at Helsinki airport. We understand that arriving into an unfamiliar airport can be very daunting, so we aim to give you as much information here as possible, to help you prepare.
Finding flights
Flights are not included in the cost of your holiday, and whilst we are happy to help advise you, responsibility for booking the correct flights rests with you. We recommend that you use a comparison tool such as www.momondo.co.uk or www.skyscanner.net when searching for flights. We will send you a Flight Information Sheet with further pointers on which flights to book.
Foreign Travel Advice
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. We also receive notifications direct from the FCDO so we are always aware of the ‘status’ in our destination countries.
Insurance
Holiday insurance is essential for all Yellow Wood Adventures. Unfortunately, anyone without insurance is not able to take part in the holiday, so please make sure you arrange cover. We recommend arranging your insurance cover when you book so that if you have problems during the run up to your holiday, and need to cancel, you are covered.
Prior to the holiday, we will ask you to send us details of your insurer, policy number, 24 hour emergency assistance contact details and the name, address, and telephone numbers of your NOK or persons to be notified in the event of an emergency.
You must ensure the travel insurance you purchase provides you with suitable cover for the entirety of your trip. Your travel insurance must include cover in the event that you have to cancel for a reason outside your control prior to departure, for any medical expenses you may incur whilst away (including repatriation in the case of medical need) and for the activities which you may participate in during your trip.
General Information
For information on Finland, such as climate, weather, language, social norms, food & drink etc, please have a read of our Country specific information.
A detailed packing list will be sent to you as part of your departure pack
Compulsory
This trip supports
Need a little help?
All adventures can be tailored as private bespoke trips.
Please contact us for more information:
+44 207 846 0197
Related Adventures
Booking Process
Select dates: Choose the dates for your adventure and consider adding any extra adventures or add-ons to enhance your experience.
Check the box to agree to our Terms & Conditions.
Make Booking: Click on "Make Booking." If you're booking more than 56 days before your adventure, you'll be redirected to secure WorldPay to make your deposit. If it's 56 days or less before your adventure, you'll need to make full payment. Rest assured, your money is held securely by the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust.
Your booking will show as 'pending' in your YellowWood online account.
Confirmation: We'll be in touch as soon as possible to confirm your booking or discuss any availability limitations. Please refrain from booking transport or flights until we've emailed you to confirm your booking. (Note: Receipt of your booking form is not confirmation.)
Making payment: Once your booking is confirmed, we'll change the status of your final invoice from 'Pending Approval' to 'Outstanding,' indicating that it's ready for payment online.
You will receive a reminder email for your final payment 56 days before the departure date.
Feel free to contact us with any questions about your adventure or booking, we're here to help!
Grading
To help you choose the right adventure for you, we have given each itinerary a grading that relates to the level of Walking / Trekking you will experience during the trip. This grading can be found on the Yellow map on the adventure page of the website.
All of our trips involve a level of general activity so are designed for people who are in good health, enjoy the outdoors, and have a taste for adventure and some level of fitness. As will be clear from our destinations, the climate (and altitude) may be different to that which you are used to, so please take this into consideration when choosing the most suitable holiday.
Please read our Adventure Itinerary & Essential Information for more information and don't hesitate to contact us if you would like to chat through whether you have found a suitable adventure for you.
Grade 1-3: Entry Level
You need to be in good physical health to enjoy your active holiday, but you don’t need to be an experienced hiker. These itineraries offer a mix of sightseeing and easier walking for around 2-4hrs a day, with the emphasis on sights and cultural experiences.
Walks will be well marked or on defined pathways, and often around sites of interest. The expected amount of descent/ascent will depend on the landscapes of the destination, but will not exceed 400m/day, and will often be much less. Walks are at low altitude (below 3000m).
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack with water and essentials. Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have a pair of comfortable and worn in walking shoes/boots.
Grades 4-6: Intermediate
You need to have a good level of fitness and be a regular walker for these adventures, with ideally some trekking experience. You can expect to be walking for 3-6 hours per day, not including rest stops, normally on good trail paths but with some uneven surfaces at times.
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack. You may be walking in more challenging temperatures. You will generally be walking at low altitude (below 3000m) but may walk at altitudes up to 4000m. The amount of ascent could be up to 800m in a day but will frequently be less. You may walk on consecutive days.
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable clothing for this adventure.
Grades 7-9: Challenging
You need to have a good level of fitness with previous experience of trekking. Extra training before your trip will ensure that you get the most out of your adventure. Areas will be remote and terrain uneven.
Expect to walk for 5 – 8 hours a day, not including breaks, with some very steep ascents and descents. You will be walking at altitude (over 3000m but not higher than 5000m).
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable equipment/clothing for this adventure (see the packing list for your adventure).
Please check individual itineraries for details of what you will need to be carrying with you.
Get in touch
CLICK HERE to schedule a call online with YellowWood Founder Sam McManus.
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