/ Sample Itinerary

        Sample Itinerary

        Koli, Karelian Heritage & New Valamo

        Discover Koli National Park, explore Karelian cultural traditions and baking workshops, and visit the serene New Valamo Monastery. A unique three-day journey combining nature, spiritual heritage, and local cuisine in North Karelia.

        DAY 1

        Morning Train & Koli

        08:30–13:12 | Train from Helsinki to Joensuu

        Travel by train from Helsinki to Joensuu. Class upgrades are available upon request for an additional fee. Meals and refreshments are available for purchase on board.

        13:30–14:30 | Transfer from Joensuu to Koli

        Travel by private coach to Koli.

        14:45–16:30 | Nature Walk & Afternoon Tea

        A guided easy walk takes you to the highest vantage points of Koli National Park. The focus of the walk is on Koli’s diverse nature and landscapes, accompanied by stories shared by the local guide and an afternoon tea experience featuring warm-smoked salmon sandwiches, Skagen-style rye flatbread, goat’s cheese and cranberry tartlets, sweet pastries, berry shots, and freshly brewed coffee or tea.

        16:30 | Check-in

        Check in at Break Sokos Hotel Koli.

        20:00 | Dinner at Grill it! Koli

        Enjoy a three-course group dinner at the panoramic restaurant overlooking Lake Pielinen. The menu will be confirmed in advance.

        Optional | Koli Relax Spa

        Guests may visit Koli Relax Spa, featuring pools, outdoor tubs and saunas. Admission is optional and subject to availability and opening hours. From 18:00, the spa is reserved for guests aged 18 and over.

        DAY 2

        Bomba & Karelian Heritage

        07:30–10:00 | Breakfast at the Hotel

        Enjoy breakfast at Break Sokos Hotel Koli.

        10:30 | Transfer to Bomba, Nurmes

        Travel by private coach to Bomba in Nurmes, known for its traditional Karelian wooden architecture and cultural heritage.

        12:00–13:00 | Bomba Village & Heritage Tour

        Discover Bomba House and the traditional Karelian village on a guided tour exploring the area’s history, architecture and cultural traditions.

        13:00–14:30 | Karelian Pie Baking Workshop

        Take part in a hands-on workshop and learn how to prepare traditional Karelian rice-filled rye pastries, from shaping the dough to adding the filling before baking.

        14:30–17:00 | Optional Winter Activities

        Enjoy free time or choose an optional winter activity, such as kick-sledding, a horse-drawn sleigh ride, a visit to the Spa Bomba sauna area or a lakeside sauna experience. Activities must be arranged in advance and are subject to availability and weather conditions.

        17:00–18:30 | Karelian Dinner at Restaurant Bomba

        Enjoy a traditional dinner in a cosy wooden kota hut featuring a selection of fresh salads, flame-grilled salmon, root vegetable & potato parcels, baguette, and pancakes with strawberry jam and whipped cream. Coffee or tea included.

        18:30 | Return to Koli

        Travel by private coach back to Break Sokos Hotel Koli, arriving at approximately 19:30.

        Optional | Koli Relax Spa

        Guests may relax at Koli Relax Spa in the evening. Admission is optional and subject to availability and opening hours. From 18:00, the spa is reserved for guests aged 18 and over.

        DAY 3

        New Valamo Monastery

        07:00–09:00 | Breakfast & Check-out

        Enjoy breakfast at Break Sokos Hotel Koli, followed by hotel check-out.

        09:00–11:00 | Transfer from Koli to New Valamo

        Scenic transfer by private coach from Koli to New Valamo (Uusi Valamo) Monastery in Heinävesi.

        11:00–13:30 | New Valamo Monastery & Lunch

        A peaceful visit starting at the Main Church with a guided introduction to the monastery’s history and sacred icons, accompanied by candle lighting (tuohus). Followed by a buffet lunch at the monastery refectory (Trapesa), a guided tour of the Monastery Museum treasures.

        13:30–14:45 | Transfer to Joensuu

        Private coach transfer from New Valamo Monastery to Joensuu railway station.

        15:10–19:45 | Return Train from Joensuu to Helsinki

        Travel by train from Joensuu back to Helsinki. Class upgrades are available upon request for an additional fee. Meals and refreshments available on board. Arrival in Helsinki scheduled for 19:45.

        Package Price & Inclusions

        Package price: from €599 per person in a shared twin/double room.
        Flexible pricing: The final package price depends on the exact travel dates, train ticket availability, and booking lead time. The rate may adjust slightly lower or higher depending on real-time train fares and hotel seasonality.
        Single supplement: €129 for the two-night stay.
        Accommodation: 2 nights at Break Sokos Hotel Koli with daily breakfast.
        Train travel: return train tickets between Helsinki and Joensuu in Eko Class. Class upgrades are available upon request for an additional fee. Food and drinks purchased on board are not included.
        Transportation: private coach transfers between Joensuu railway station, Koli, Bomba, and New Valamo Monastery according to the itinerary.
        Tour escort: group coordination and assistance throughout the scheduled journey.

        Programme Meals & Optional Extras

        Day 1 — Koli National Park: visit to the Koli area, guided walk, Afternoon Tea Experience and Dinner at Grill it! restaurant.
        Day 2 — Bomba & Culture: visits and activities in Bomba, Karelian pie baking workshop, and traditional Kota dinner featuring flame-grilled salmon, salads, and pancakes.
        Day 3 — New Valamo Monastery: guided visit to the Main Church, museum treasures, and buffet lunch in the monastery refectory.
        Koli Relax Spa: optional spa access and relaxation facilities, subject to availability.
        Optional winter activities: kick-sledding, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and sauna experiences available on Day 2 upon request.
        Additional services: extra meals, drinks and individual activities available on request at traveller’s expense.

        The package price includes accommodation, breakfasts, specified meals, return train tickets, private coach transportation and scheduled programme. Optional services are quoted separately.

        Group & Booking Conditions

        Minimum group size: 16 paying participants.
        Duration: 3 days / 2 nights.
        Price basis: calculated on the basis of a minimum group of 16 paying participants.
        Transport: return train tickets in Eko Class and private coach services are arranged according to the confirmed itinerary.
        Programme: the order and timing of visits may change due to transport schedules, opening hours or local conditions.
        Meals: hotel breakfasts, Day 1 Afternoon Tea Experience & Dinner at Grill it! restaurant, Day 2 Kota Dinner at Bomba (selection of salads, flame-grilled salmon, root vegetable & potato parcels, baguette, and pancakes with strawberry jam and whipped cream), and Day 3 buffet lunch at New Valamo Monastery refectory are included. Food purchased on board trains is excluded.
        Optional services: spa access, train class upgrades and other extras must be booked separately and are subject to availability.
        Final confirmation: subject to confirmation of group size and supplier arrangements. Payment and cancellation terms provided with the offer.
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