FINLAND

11 to 16 May 2026

Expedition to No Man's Land

In search of bears, wolves and wolverines in the Finnish taiga

Summary

A tour dedicated to photographing bears, wolves, wolverines and capercaillies, as well as any other species we might encounter in the vast forests of central Finland.

Our main target species can be observed and photographed from professional hides, but we will also make the most of our travels to look for other animals present in these areas in May, such as Whooper Swan, Red-throated Loon, Ruff, White-throated Dipper and, depending on the year, Great Grey Owl and Nothern Hawk Owl..

This tour will take us on a journey to discover one of Finland’s wildest areas,‘No Man’s Land’:a strip of land made up of spruce and birch forests, historically sparsely populated by humans, but which has proved to be an important ecological corridor for European wildlife that was hunted during the last century.

Itinerary

DAY 1 · 11 May

Kuusamo

Afternoon:: Meet at Oulu Airport. We’ll set off for Kuusamo, using the journey to take photos of the local scenery and wildlife. We’ll stop en route to enjoy a traditional Finnish dinner before arriving at our destination.

Night:We’ll arrive in Kuusamo to get our equipment ready and have a short rest before heading into the hide at 2:00 a.m. We’ll make the most of the continuous light of the Finnish May to photograph the spectacular courtship displays and fights of the black grouse in their “leks”.

DAY 2 · 12 May

Kuhmo

MorningAfter breakfast and collecting our luggage, we’ll set off for Kuhmo. On the way, we’ll explore the Finnish lakes to photograph whooper swans and loons that have just arrived from their migration.

Afternoon:On arrival in Kuhmo, we’ll settle into our accommodation and have an early dinner. At 4 pm, we’ll head into the hides to observe the main stars of the trip.

Night: We will spend the night in the hide, equipped with sleeping bags and a picnic, with the aim of photographing bears, wolves, wolverines and white-tailed eagles during the night-time session.

DAYS 3, 4 and 5 · 13, 14 and 15 May

Kuhmo

MorningAfter breakfast at 8.00 am, we will spend the morning looking for boreal species such as the capercaillie and the Gray-headed Chickadee. Weather permitting, we will try to spot the iconic Great grey owl.

Afternoon:We’ll return to the hotel at midday to rest and sort through the photos. After lunch at 4 pm, we’ll head back to the hide, alternating between the peat bog and the woodland to ensure a varied selection of shots.

Night:We will spend the night in the hides once again, equipped with everything we need to cope with the cold temperatures, in order to capture interactions between bears, wolves and wolverines. The possible sighting of a white-tailed eagle rounds off an unforgettable night-time experience for nature photography.

DAY 6 · 16 May

Oulu

MorningAfter the final session, we’ll head to Oulu, exploring the route along the way in search of whooper swans and loons. With a bit of luck, we’ll also be able to photograph the active courtship behaviour of the ruffs.

Afternoon:Transfer to Oulu Airport, arriving at midday.

Included / Not included

Included

Transfers throughout the tour
Tour guide during the trip
Accommodation in a double room*
*Single room supplement: €350 (subject to availability)
Full board
Activities in hides, fully equipped for the experience

Not included

Recommendations

The trip begins and ends at Oulu Airport (Finland). On the outward journey, flights must arrive before 6.00 pm (Finland is one hour ahead of Spain). On the return journey, flights must depart after 1.00 pm.

In May, temperatures can still drop below 0 °C. Although sleeping bags will be provided at some hides, you will need to be well equipped for the cold.

It is advisable to dress
in layers, wear woollen underwear, gloves and a hat. So-called ‘warmers’ (single-use heat packs) are highly recommended.

For wildlife photography, we recommend using telephoto lenses of at least 400 mm. A wide-angle lens is highly recommended for photographing Finland’s spectacular landscapes. A tripod is recommended, though not essential, particularly for hides; however, it is essential to bring a ball head or gimbal to mount your equipment in the hides.

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Our contact details

You need to know

In Kuusamo, we will be staying in a small country hotel, whilst in Kuhmo we will be staying in a former military facility that has been converted into a comfortable hotel. However, as these are very remote areas, the number of rooms is limited and, therefore, we cannot guarantee single rooms for all participants.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in the price of the trip to Finland?

The price covers vehicle hire, all internal transfers, the naturalist guide/driver and photographer, all meals, snacks or evening picnics during hide days, five photography sessions at hides, and all activities described in the itinerary. It also includes accommodation in a twin room and access permits for the areas where the wildlife viewing takes place.

What costs are not included in the package?

The price does not include return flights to the starting point of the trip (approximately €500), compulsory travel insurance, or alcoholic drinks consumed during the stay. Any personal expenses, purchases or services not mentioned in the detailed itinerary are also the responsibility of the participant.

What is the accommodation like during the trip?

In Kuusamo, the group stays in a small, cosy country hotel that is ideally situated for access to the photography locations, whilst in Kuhmo they spend the night in a former military facility that has been converted into a comfortable hotel for wildlife photographers. As these are remote areas, the number of rooms is limited and it is not always possible to guarantee a single room for all participants.

Is it possible to book a single room?

Yes, it is possible to request a single room for an additional charge of €350, subject to availability at the accommodation. As we work with small hotels in sparsely populated areas, we recommend requesting this option as far in advance as possible.

Who will be the guide, and what is their experience of the area?

The trip is led by Francesco Rovedo, a photographer, nature communicator and naturalist with extensive experience in Northern Europe. He has lived in Scandinavia for over three years, working as a guide on photography tours in Norway and Finland, which ensures he has in-depth knowledge of the region, its wildlife, and the lighting and weather conditions.