Finland is a Lakeland country with less than 6 Million inhabitants and more than 40,000 islands and 180,000 lakes. Finland could also be described as "the country with thousands of forests". About 70% of the land area is covered by forests, which means also, that Finland is the no 1 country in Europa covered by forest compared to the size of the country! Forest area is larger than the whole United Kingdom. Forests and lakes are also home to thousands of species of animals and birds: the brown bear, nicknamed the "king" of the Finnish forest, the rarest seal in the world, the superb Eurasian lynx, and of course the famous reindeers of Santa Claus.
Finland is still one of the few countries in the world where you can feel safe at any time of the day or night. It is also a country where you can breathe clean air! The cleanest air in Europa! Finland is also home of Santa Claus, Sauna, Angry Birds and Kimi Räikkönen! Visit Finland, be surprised and freely fall in love with our beautiful country!
This tour is run by our friends Peter and Martine of PeterPan BikeWorld. Peter has designed this tour exclusively for our Indian riders--- spiced it up with some Lapland wilderness, marinated in thousand lakes and baked in mid-night sun. No one can show us Finland like them!!
Route Map
Day 1: Arrive Helsinki
Arrival to Helsinki by 6 pm. In the evening welcome beers and tour info! After info a sightseeing tour to the city.
Overnight in a small nice hotel close to the city center.
Day 2: Helsinki - Sysmä - Kuopio | 399km, 4h 53m
After picking up the bikes it's time for the showtime! And it will be a beautiful ride today. A lot of nice countryside roads... many of them on the shores of lakes! We have over 160 000 lakes here, unfortunately we will see just few hundreds of them on this tour! Your destination today is Kuopio which is the heartland of Savo. And here they just to say that whatever locals talk, everything is on listeners responsibility.
Overnight at Rauhalahti HoliCottages camping site outskirts Kuopio. You can make your dinner at the campsite or drive to the city center where there is a lot of choices from street food to fancy restaurants! A local specialty is 'Muikut ja Muussi' and 'Kalakukko'. You love them or you hate them :)
Day 3: Kuopio - Vuokatti - Kuusamo | 434km, 5h 5m
About 70% of Finland's land area is covered by forest... and to you notice it very well! And by Indian standards, you are totally alone on the road! :] And however, it's a beautiful ride to and around halfway you are arriving at the reindeer area! To the northern part of Finland where reindeers are living freely. So it is no surprise if we see some of them! Your couple first nights have been bright and tonight it starts to be light all night!
Overnight in a big nice cottage at Ruka-Center with all the facilities!
Day 4: Kuusamo / Ruka-Center | 0km
off in the middle of nature. You can naturally drive around if you want. But at Ruka-Center there is a lot to do also! Hiking, canoeing, rafting, fishing, mountain biking, frisbee-golfing, riding... :)
Day 5: Kuusamo - Ivalo | 455km, 5h 22m
Go north! Today we cross the Polar Circle first time and we arrive at the are with no sunset at all this time of the year! In the halfway we have to the city of Sodankylä. It has the world's northernmost annual Film festival! And it is not like Cannes or Bollywood!
Before Ivalo we drive up to the 'mountain' -Saariselkä, but do not expect anything like Himalaya! :D
Overnight at Ivalo Riverside Camping area's cottages with cooking facilities and outside barbeque place!
Day 6: Ivalo - Olderfjord - Honningsvåg | 423km, 5h 39m
Go more north! And going more north from Ivalo means also that we are driving out from the forest area. Trees shrink to bushes before and disappear totally before we arrive at Nordkapp Base Camp. We change also the country today. But the only thing where from you notice it is a road sign saying Norge - Norway!
Overnight at Nordkapp Base Camp in cabins
Day 7: Honningsvåg - Nordkapp - Alta | 270km, 4h 3m
In the morning 36km north and that's it. No more road. You have arrived at Nordkapp. Most northern point in Europe... and yes. Let's keep thumbs and toes it's a sunny day. After our time at Nordkapp, we head south to Alta - Norway. We had yesterday curvy day... and today it is even better! Overnight in cabins at Alta river camping.
Day 8: Alta - Hetta - Rovaniemi | 515km, 6h 20m
Back to Finland and there to the capital of Lapland, Rovaniemi. Today (once again) when you wonder, where are all the other people! But there is a couple here and there and probably some bikers also! But yes, there will be a lot of beautiful wilderness and space around you! Overnight at Guesthouse Borealis, Rovaniemi!
Day 9: Rovaniemi | 0km
We suppose, that you have never met the original Santa Claus!? But to you meet him. Santa Park Village is just outside Rovaniemi right on the Polar Circle. Santa is working here 364 days/year. You can visit here on your bike... and we give you also a ride if you want. Rovaniemi itself is a relaxing small city to stroll around. Arktikum is the best museum to visit here!
Day 10: Rovaniemi - Vaasa | 523km, 6h 20m
To you start to notice that you are not alone on the planet! :] There is to several small cities when we drive south to Vaasa. Oulu, Kokkola, Pietarsaari, and Uusikaarlypyy. From Kokkola to Uusikaarlypyy we drive small scenic coastal road! Vaasa is not Costa del Sol or Kerala, but it is the sunniest city in Finland according to statistics! 😊 Overnight at Vaasa Top Camping, in cottages!
Day 11: Vaasa - Route66 - Helsinki | 457km, 5h 26m
Route66 day! Back home you can say you have done Route66... Finland :) ... so yes, it is your Route66 all long! Koskenkorva West Ranch, 'Las Vegas', 'Grand Canyon', Club Rodeo, Saloon66. At our first stop in Koskenkorva West Ranch, you can buy all the Route66 souvenirs you need! And from there we drive to Lapua, the starting- and or ending point of the official Route66 Finland! The other end is Orivesi near Tampere! And when back in Helsinki, it's time to say goodbye to your bike and have a farewell dinner!
Overnight in a small nice hotel or apartments close to the city center
Day 12: Helsinki
Time to go home with loads of memories... and we hope good ones! If you want to stay a or two in Helsinki, let us know. We can arrange so you can stay in the same accommodation and room if you want!
Inclusions
Accommodation on Double/Twin Sharing Basis. At Campsites, some cottages have 2-4 PAX per cabin.Single room supplement extra
Meals – Breakfast and Dinner on riding/tour days
Bikes rental – 600-800CC Suzuki/Honda/Yamaha/Kawasaki
Tour Leader, Tour Guides and Local Guides
Support Vehicle/LUggage Vehicle
Fuel, Oils and General Maintenance
Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotel on arrival at Helsinki
Exclusions
All Flights/Visa Expenses
Travel/Medical Insurance
Lunch, Alcoholic Beverages
Room Service, Laundry Services
Medicines and Toiletries
Emergency Evacuation
Tips and Gratuities
Riding Gear
Goods and Services Tax (GST). Currently 5%
Anything NOT mentioned in Inclusions
