Global Itinerary

The schedule for this trip is general because we want to make room for individual preferences and be able to adapt to changing (weather) conditions on-site. The main focus of this trip is photography from hides and temporary shelters, providing a diverse array of species and opportunities, making it a bit challenging to choose from all the possibilities presented to you.

Day 1:

Upon arrival in Kajaani, we will then drive to the location near Kuhmo. Here, you will stay at a lodge close to the Russian border. After settling in and exploring the surroundings, you can get acquainted with the rest of the travel group. Depending on the arrival time (flight schedules), we might even fit in a visit to a photo hide.

Days 2 to 5:

There is no strict itinerary detailing day-to-day activities, as we aim to accommodate individual preferences and adapt to the opportunities and conditions on site. Due to the variety of locations and possibilities, a level of flexibility is expected to ensure everyone has ample photo opportunities.

 

The daily routine, however, is fixed. Around 3:00 PM, you will enjoy a delicious traditional Finnish meal, pack up your belongings, and depart for the hides around 4:00 PM. There are various options available at this point. The hides provide opportunities to photograph brown bears, wolverines, ravens, and other birds. With the long daylight hours at this time of the year, there will be plenty of time for photography. 

 

The night itself can be thrilling. You might hear wolves howling in the distance, hear mysterious noises or rustling beside the hides, without being able to see what it is… If you are comfortable with it, you can also get some rest in one of the comfortable beds in the hides. When heading to the hides, you will be provided with a thermos of coffee or hot water, along with sandwiches and biscuits to last through the night. As mentioned, there are beds in the hides available for a few hours of sleep. The advantage of being in a group is that there is always someone awake who can alert you to any spectacular occurrences! The next morning, you will be picked up around 8:00 AM and return to the lodge.

 

Here, you will have breakfast together, share the adventures of the night, have plenty of opportunities to view each other’s photos, discuss them with the tour guide, and share tips. Depending on your remaining energy, you can take a nap or go photographing in the surroundings of the lodge. The landscapes are beautiful, and there are always lovely forest birds or other animals that are easily approachable for photography. At 3:00 PM, the next delicious Finnish meal will be served, and after dinner, you will be ready for the next session at a hide!

Days 5-7:

After our session on the 4th night, we will move to a new accommodation about 2 hours away. Here, we will utilise different photo hides for the last 2 nights. The trip concludes after day 7. Today, you will head back towards Kajaani to catch your flight back to the UK. Your mind will be full of the wonderful experiences you gained during your stay in the Finnish wilderness!

Cost 2026

This trip is bookable from: £ 2119 based on sharing a 2-3 person room.

The single room surcharge is: £ 499.

What’s included

• All accommodations.
• All meals and snacks.
• Use of various hides for 5 nights; if the schedule allows for 6 hides usages, there is a supplement of £210 if desired.
• Local transportation (to the 2 different photo hides locations).
• Guided by a top British nature photographer.

What’s not included

• Roundtrip flight UK – Kajaani.
• Alcoholic beverages.
• Single room supplement.
• Supplement if you prefer to be alone in a photo hides (normal arrangement is for 2 people).
• Personal purchases.
• Travel and cancellation insurance.

Practical information

Participants Meeting

In preparation for the trip, we organise a participants’ meeting so that you can get to know your fellow travellers and have the opportunity to ask questions.

Difficulty

Physically, the trip is not strenuous. You will be transported to and from the hides. You will only need to walk short distances of 15 to 200 meters to reach the hides. It’s helpful to have some patience and (mental) endurance as you spend several nights between 14 to 16 hours in a hides.

Accommodation

Throughout the trip, we will stay in a lodge where we will sleep in 2- or 3-person rooms. There is also the option to book a single room. Some rooms have private facilities, while others share them. The single room always has private facilities.

Transportation and Flights

This trip does not include international flight ticket. All other transportation from arrival in Kajaani until departure is included in the trip.

Required Equipment and Materials

You will need a good camera with at least a 300 mm telephoto lens, but bigger is always better. Additionally, a wide-angle lens (between 12 and 35 mm) is great for capturing unique landscape photos. From the hides, you can photograph from a platform where you can rotate your ball head or gimbal head. A tripod is not necessary, but a ball head, video head, or gimbal head is. Most hides provide multiple platforms per photographer, so you can, for instance, work with 2 cameras with different lenses. If you’re unsure about what gear to bring, feel free to contact us; we’re happy to advise you.

Climate and Clothing

There is a high chance of snow, so ensure you have enough warm clothes, including a hat, gloves, and/or mittens. It’s recommended to pack several layers of clothing for flexibility in terms of warmth. Don’t forget your boots and plenty of socks! You can wear thick socks or slippers in the hides; boots are left outside.

Vaccinations

No vaccinations are required for Finland. For more information check GOV.UK/Finland.

Species to Photograph

What animals can you encounter on this beautiful photo trip to the Finnish taiga? The list below is an indication of the species you may encounter in May and not a guarantee.

Birds

• Capercaillie
• Black Grouse
• Siberian Jay
• White-tailed Eagle
• Golden Eagle
• Raven
• Hooded Crow
• Common Crane
• Hawfinch
• Tits
• Whooper Swan
• Goldeneye
• Eurasian Jay

Mammals 

• European Brown Bear
• Moose
• Reindeer
• Wolverine
• Wolf
• Squirrels