Wellness Path Through Karelia Guesthouses

Today starts with a lunch cooking workshop from the local groceries: depending on the season we will use herbs, blueberries, lingonberries, mushrooms, apples. Enjoy local organic food in the peaceful setting. In the evening, relax in a wood-heated traditional Finnish basic sauna and savor delicious dinner, a perfect end to a day immersed in nature and local traditions.

After breakfast, we bike or drive to Guesthouse Laitalan Lomat, where hostess Henna welcomes us and shares Laitala’s sauna traditions. Enjoy a Finnish experience lunch, featuring handmade karjalanpiirakka with egg butter, leipäjuusto, rice rolls, chanterelle-filled rye bites, fresh salads, berry jams, and homemade cheesecake.

In the afternoon, relax in the forest with hammocks and prepare a natural sauna hair rinse.

The sauna experience begins with a tar-flavored welcome drink on the terrace, followed by a walk to the riverbank sauna on the peaceful Karhujoki River. Henna guides guests through sauna preparation, tips for the perfect heat, and natural soap washing. Guests may swim in the river and enjoy treats from the sauna basket while cooling off.

The day ends with a cozy hut dinner by the campfire, featuring local specialties such as potato rieska, rye bread, dumplings, meatballs, campfire crepes, herbal teas, and homemade drinks. Overnight at Laitalan Lomat.

Start the day at Guesthouse Laitalan Lomat with hostess Henna in a sweet baking workshop. Learn to make traditional Finnish pulla, cinnamon rolls (korvapuustit), or a cheesecake with local berries.

In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic canoe tour on the river, complete with a picnic lunch. The day ends with a relaxing sauna and a hearty dinner. Overnight at Laitalan Lomat.

After breakfast, visit the traditional Karelian village of Bomba, with its historic Bomba House reflecting the region’s rich heritage. Explore the village and enjoy a picnic at Nurmes harbor or lunch at Supikas restaurant.

In the afternoon, take a scenic boat trip to the Nurmesniemi summer cottage sauna. Relax in the sauna, swim in the lake, and enjoy a sauna basket with Karelian pies, egg butter, salads, and berry treats. Return to Bomba in the evening for overnight stay in the log buildings.

Start the day with breakfast and a refreshing morning swim in Lake Pielinen. Enjoy a guided walk around the Bomba village, including a visit to its charming Orthodox chapel.

Cycle 25 km via Nurmes to Guesthouse Pihlajapuu, stopping for lunch at Thure cafeteria in the historic old railway station. Explore Nurmes with some sightseeing and shopping before returning to Guesthouse Pihlajapuu for overnight stay.

Start with a sauna lunch featuring Karelian pasties and warming vegetable soup. In the afternoon, enjoy the unique smoke sauna experience at Minna’s sauna. Guests prepare birch, juniper, and aspen whisks and enjoy ecological soaps, sauna caps, robes, towels, and seat covers. Paddle across the lake by canoe or drive if weather requires, with the option to swim.

The evening concludes with a campfire dinner at the hut, including glow-fried salmon, seasonal salads, potato salad with wild vegetable pesto, berry drinks, and crêpes with berry jam. Overnight at Guesthouse Pihlajapuu.

After breakfast, a group transfer at 11:00 takes guests from Guesthouse Pihlajapuu to Kuopio Airport or Siilinjärvi Railway Station.