Finnish Lakes & Forests
Category
Travel period
All year
Trip type
FIT
Duration
8 Days / 7 Nights
On this tour, the Land of a Thousand Lakes will be discovered, offering an immersion into Finland’s tranquil lake district and rich cultural traditions. The journey will pass through historic towns, peaceful natural landscapes, and regions shaped by Orthodox influence and Karelian heritage. Each stop has been selected to offer a harmonious blend of nature, history, and regional character.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Helsinki
The tour will begin with an arrival in Finland’s capital. Accommodation will be arranged in a centrally located hotel in Helsinki.
Day 2: Helsinki – Lappeenranta
The journey will continue in an eastern direction toward Lappeenranta. A recommended stop can be made en route in Porvoo, Finland’s second oldest town, known for its colourful riverside warehouses and cobbled streets. Two nights’ accommodation will be arranged in Lappeenranta.
Day 3: Lake Saimaa
A full day will be at your own disposal. It is recommended to join a two-hour cruise on Lake Saimaa, the largest lake in Finland, and visit the sandcastle attraction, open from June to August. In the evening, an excursion to the Imatrankoski rapids can also be considered.
Day 4: Lappeenranta – Savonlinna – Joensuu
The route continues through the heart of Finland’s famed lake lands. En route, a stop in Savonlinna is suggested, where the medieval Olavinlinna Castle sits dramatically on a lakeside island. Accommodation will be provided in Joensuu.
Day 5: Joensuu – Jyväskylä
The journey proceeds westward past Varkaus to Jyväskylä, a city well known for its vibrant arts and cultural scene. Accommodation will be arranged in a centrally located hotel.
Day 6: Jyväskylä – Tampere – Turku
The route will pass through Tampere, situated between two lakes with a unique difference in water level of 18 metres, linked by the Tammerkoski rapids. The journey then continues to Turku, Finland’s oldest city. Accommodation will be provided in Turku.
Day 7: Turku – Helsinki
Return to Helsinki via Salo, known for its ties to the origins of Nokia phones. A final night’s accommodation will be arranged in the capital city.
Day 8: Departure
Departure will take place according to your own itinerary.
Tour Details
Accommodation
7 nights in selected accommodation with breakfast
Excursions & activities
Services Not Included
Rental car – rates can be offered on request
Any museum entrances or excursions mentioned in the itinerary
This is a sustainable trip
Local tip
Travelling during Ruska, the Finnish name for the autumn foliage season, is highly recommended. The forests are transformed into a vibrant canvas of reds, yellows, and golds – an ideal time to experience the natural beauty of Finland at its most colourful.