Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GETTING ACTIVE AROUND KUUSAMO & RUKA
The Kuusamo and Ruka area is probably Finland's best equipped for outdoor activities.
There are numerous operators offering year-round excursions:
Karhu-Kuusamo
BEAR-WATCHING
( 0400-210-681;
www.karhukuusamo.com
;trips €120-140)
Recommended bear-watching trips. You spend the evening at a comfortable hide over-
looking a meadow where bears regularly stop by for a feed: most of the summer you have
a very high chance of seeing a honeypaw. You get back to town around midnight or the
next morning. The guide Tuomo is very knowledgeable and can also arrange birdwatch-
ing.
NorthTrek
SUMMER, WINTER
( 040-418-2832;
www.northtrek.net
;
Erkkorannantie 1, Ruka)
Offers family-friendly rafting, canoeing and hiking trips. In winter it's snowshoeing, cross-
country skiing, huskies and snow ponies.
Ruka Safaris
SUMMER, WINTER
( 08-852-1610;
www.rukasafaris.fi
;Rukarinteentie 1, Ruka)
Located at the hairpin on the way up to Ruka fell. Wide range of summer and winter activ-
ities including reindeer safaris, fishing and canoeing, and it has its own accommodation
and restaurant.
Rukapalvelu
SUMMER, WINTER
(Tailored Adventures; 010-271-0500;
www.rukapalvelu.fi
;Rukakyläntie 13, Ruka)
Comprehensive range of trips from husky and snowmobile safaris to winter and summer
fishing, canoeing and river-rafting. It also arranges trips to Russia to see breathtakingly
pretty Karelian villages (visa required).
Ruka Adventures
SUMMER, WINTER
( 08-852-2007;
www.rukaadventures.fi
;
Rukanriutta 7, Ruka)
At the main-road turn-off. Canoeing, fishing, ATV trips and winter activities.
