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*This tour can be extended to our Northern Lights Tours, also in Finland, a week before or after, for a discount price.*
Finland
embark with us on an unforgettable journey to
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Join us in an immersive experience deep in the Finnish wilderness, where we'll spend 5 days photographing bears, wolves, and wolverines from small photography huts spread in a national park.
September is the time of autumn colors and an increase in cub sightings.
Our trip destination is one of the wildest, most untouched environments in Europe, and remains one of the last remaining European strongholds of Brown Bear, Wolverine and Wolves.
Hosted by Ricardo Braz & Leo Cavazzana
September 25-30th 2024
Photo by Ricardo Braz, last week of winter, May 2023.
The place
We will partner up with The Wild Brown Bear, a company specialized in bear and wolverine photography and observation. The company is located in the heart of a wilderness area in Vartius in the region of Kuhmo, and it has been arranging bear and wolverine photography and observation opportunities in the wild since 1999.
The park is located less than two kilometers from the Finnish-Russian border. Across the border on the Russian side lies the large nature conservation area of Kostamus and the wild nature in this region sustains a healthy bear population providing fantastic wildlife photography. Since January 2016, the hide area has been a private nature conservation area where all kind of hunting is prohibited giving bears and wolverines a calm and safe place.
The Boreal landscape is starting to change in early September. A moment of transition occurs in the surrounding landscape as the last of the summer greens turn yellow. As they compete for food in the final stages before hibernation, bears can be seen in the forests and on swamps earlier in the summer. Bear activity is at its highest in this area, which is a jostling ground for large males as well as smaller male and female bears.
The best time of year to see bear cubs is in the middle to late fall when they wander out into the region with their moms to find food.
Because of the intensifying colors and richness of the light, autumn provides some of the most peculiar picture opportunities, especially at sunrise and sunset. There may be mist over the swamps during clear, dark fall evenings, which is followed by a hard frost in the morning. As September goes on and the evenings become longer, it's common to see the magnificent Aurora Borealis light.
The trip
We'll divide our days between the huts (4 pm to 8 am) and the base camp (8 am - 4 pm).
In the base camp, we have a restaurant and a lodge, where we can rest, eat, edit, and do some traditional Finnish sauna.
There are 25 huts, strategically served for better orbservation. Although long telephoto lenses can be used effectively they allow the photographer to express creativity with wide-angle lenses as well.
Bears and Wolverines move all around the area - the primary thing that matters when selecting the hide is the type of surroundings you want to have. These hides are only a short 500 – 900 meters walk from the main lodge, and a path and boardwalks guide the way to the hides.
We'll select our hides for the night during the day, according to the animals' activity.
At the end of September temperatures at night are between -5 and +5 and by day between +5 and +10 degrees.
Photos by Harry Read.
Hut locations.
Our base camp.
The hides
EQUIPMENT IN HIDE
All hides have a chair, bed, mattress, sleeping bag, duvet, pillow, toilet pail, and paper, 3/8” mounting screws for the tripod head, and a heater when needed.
Sleeping is possible in the hides, but when photographing, it is not recommended to sleep since bears may come at any time. Accommodation reservation allows sleeping during the day after spending the night inside the hide.
PHOTOGRAPHING
Inside the hide, more than just one camera can be used because hides have many spots for camera bodies. The photographic openings face the same direction or in different directions depending on the hide. Two-person hides have a minimum of four photographic openings, and one-person-hides have different photographic directions for three and four cameras.
A tripod is not necessary because photography is possible using the plank that is in the hide. On the plank, a tripod head can be attached or a beanbag can be used.
The tripod head can be moved cross-ways on the wooden plank and hides contain bolts to attach these to. The camera can be rotated 120-160 degrees in photographic openings because its fabrics have been sewn together and there is no bar between the openings to hamper rotation.
Inside the hide, it is possible to change the lens of the camera when done quietly. When photographing it is forbidden to use a flash or flashlight in any circumstances. Leaving the hide in the evening, at night, or in the morning before the set period is also forbidden. All rules given in the start info must be followed.
The specially made photography plank is still more convenient for photographing. We have these photography planks and bolts to attach the tripod head in every hide.
When the air is humid and cold your breath may fog up the camera viewfinder.
Try to breathe away from the camera, or use other means to prevent misting of the lens such as placing a scarf in front of your mouth.
- In rain, a cover can be used for the lens and camera to prevent equipment from getting wet.
- It is better not to take the lens inside for no reason, as humidity may affect the lens, condensing on the glass surface.
- It is important to have spare batteries with you as the cold weather will drain batteries faster than usual. In the hide, batteries should be kept warm. -If using a large aperture lens (f/2.8), it is possible to photograph later in the evening and earlier in the morning.
At the end of September, there can be sub-zero nights resulting in the surrounding trees, grass, and other vegetation being covered with frost.
Along with the sub-zero temperatures, snowfalls are also possible.
In addition to bears, the hide area is regularly visited by 1-4 different wolverines, foxes, and sometimes by the local wolf pack.
Photographers are required to have patience and keep silent when photographing from the hides.
Itinerary
Day 1 - 25/09
We'll meet in our Basecamp. Transfers will be arranged by us from Oulu or Kajaani airport, for an additional price. Depending on the arrival time in the Bear Center, we will not visit the hides on day one. We'll have a group briefing, dinner together, and rest.
*If you're coming with us from our Northern Lights tour, your transfer is included in the price.
Days 2-6 - 26 to 30/09
The following days will have the same pattern. Breakfast will be served early on, followed by a period of free time to spend as you wish. Feel free to explore the surrounding area, rest, edit, etc. Around 3 pm we'll have a meeting to discuss the following activity and assemble the hides. Dinner will be provided shortly after this around 4:00 p.m. before your guides will lead you to your chosen hides for the night. A packed lunch, flasks (tea/coffee), and bottled water will be provided for each individual whilst in the hide. Following a short walk, upon entering the hides it is simply a case of setting up, getting comfortable, and waiting for the first Bears and Wolverine to appear. Each hide is equipped with beds and a basic toilet facility. The following morning you will be escorted from your hides by the guides, followed by the short walk back to base camp where breakfast will be waiting. The following days and hide nights will all run in a similar pattern.
Day 6 - 30/09
This is the final day of the trip, and upon leaving the hides at 8:00 a.m. you will be guided back to basecamp one final time for breakfast. After a shower and packing, it's time to get on the road and get the transfer to your airport of choice.
*If you're coming with us for our Northern Lights tour, your transfer is included in the price.
Photos by Harry Read and Ricardo Braz.
Photographic equipment
I want to make it clear that there is no such thing as mandatory equipment - what you have is enough! That said, here is a list of equipment and accessories that, if you have them, will provide a better photographic experience. Remember that, on trips of this type, we can always share material and equipment so that we all have an incredible experience! Feel free to contact us beforehand to ask for help when packing/getting equipment.
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Camera (DSLR/Mirrorless); Two bodies will provide the best experience.
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Lenses: Telephotos will perform the best. Around 400mm is already a great range but, when talking wildlife, the more the better. We recommend having at least a 100-400 or similar. A great compliment would be a regular mid-range lens like a 24-70 for when the animals get closer and wider shots.
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Extra batteries;
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Memory cards;
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Cables and chargers;
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Polarizer/ND filter;
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HD or SSD for storage;
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Laptop (preferably with Lightroom and Photoshop installed);
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Comfortbale camera bag;
Investment
The price of the trip is BRL 6500/USD 1300 per person. 50% of the payment must be made at the time of booking to guarantee your place and the reminder up to 30 days before the trip (August 25th)
Payment options: Credit card - in installments (with interest, according to the Mercado Pago rate) or in cash, without interest. (Paypal), bank transfer or PIX (to pay with this method, get in touch).
We are happy to organize a way that's convenient for you pay. Feel free to send us a message.
What's included:
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All accommodation including breakfast and Wi-Fi in a double or triple room (for a single room there will be an extra fee if available).
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All tours and activities (unless listed as optional)
What is not included:
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Airline tickets
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Transfer to Bear Centre
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Health insurance
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Photographic equipment insurance
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Lunch and dinner (in some days)
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Other meals not mentioned in the program
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Drinks
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Optional tours and activities
Cancellation
In case of cancellation:
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Until June, the cancellation is free.
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If canceled In after June, a 50% fee will be charged.
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After payment of the second installment (deadline: August 25th), the cancellation will not be allowed. If the participant cannot attend, the total cost of the course will be charged.
The participant is allowed to give up his/her spot/find someone else to replace him/her if his/her absence is confirmed, without any additional cost.