Wildlife of taiga in autumn 21.–27.9.2026

Feel fresh air of autumn and explore exciting wildlife of taiga in colorful landscapes – during the tour there are chances to photograph Golden Eagles, Black Grouses, Brown Bears, Wolverines and Wild Wolves at the close-range and don’t forget brilliant landscapes of Oulanka National Park!

In autumn, finnish nature is getting ready for the winter in full colors with a mixture of yellow, orange & red giving plenty of chances for the landscape photography. In Kuusamo we will explore the best sceneries of Oulanka National Park area with its impressive Kitka and Oulanka rivers. Feel the serenity of nature at the top of mountains.

Also wildlife is getting ready for the winter before starting their long journey to migration to the South or just for the winter hibernation. From the photography hides there are good opportunities to get close of them and photograph in the natural habitat surrounded by beautiful colors of the autumn.

Our experienced guides take you on the real autumn adventure to photograph the best wildlife and landscapes of the season!

Information of the tour

Time: 21.9.–27.9.2026

Duration: 6 nights.

Target group: The tour is well suited for anyone interested in nature photography, both beginners and those who have taken pictures for a longer period of time. During the landscape photography excursions we will walk approx. 5 kilometers at the trail of Oulanka National Park, so attending the tour requires reasonable general fitness.

Group size: Maximum 6 people.

Accommodation: During the trip in the Kuusamo area, we will stay in cozy accommodation hotel Kuusamon Portti and enjoy delicious local food. In Kuhmo we will stay in accommodation of Hotel Kalevala.

Equipment: Everybody should have their own photography equipment, tripod heads and tripods for landscape photography excursion could be useful. Also decent clothes of autumn in case of rain and good hiking boots would be good. Tripod heads are possible to rent in Kuusamo, remember to ask from us beforehand.

Meals: 3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch/picnic lunch, and dinner)

Guides: Our professional photography guides Mikko Oivukka or Jarmo Manninen will guide you during the tour.

Price: 2750€ in shared rooms. Price includes guiding services, transportation in Kuusamo and Kuhmo (from Kuusamo airport to Kajaani or Kuusamo airport), accommodation, meals and seat in comfortable photography hides.

Single supplement: 200€/person

Reservations: Make your reservation online from our website or by email info@kuusamonaturephotography.fi

Planned Program

Monday 21.9. Arrival in Kuusamo and lodging

If you arrive on the morning flight to Kuusamo at 10:20 AM, after checking in to the accommodation we’ll enjoy lunch, and then head out for an afternoon photo session.

Depending on the conditions and seasonal opportunities, we’ll photograph White-throated Dippers, Siberian Jays, autumn landscapes, or other local wildlife of the season.

The afternoon session will be flexible, relaxed, and tailored to capture the best moments Kuusamo has to offer.

Tuesday 22.9. Day at the Golden Eagle hide

We start our journey after breakfast at 8:00 AM, heading to the Oulanka Eagle hides (about a 1-hour drive). We’ll spend the entire day photographing birds, including Siberian Jay, Eurasian Jay, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sparrowhawks, and many small birds of the season, while waiting for the Golden Eagles to arrive at the hides.

We’ll leave the hide between 6:00–7:00 PM, drive back to the hotel, and enjoy dinner together.

Wednesday 23.9. Autumn landscapes and wildlife searching

We’ll start our day before sunrise and spend the morning in the best landscape locations of Oulanka National Park, where we’ll enjoy our packed breakfast with a cup of coffee or tea.

After sunrise, we’ll search for interesting local wildlife, such as Stoat, Hazel Grouse, and other species of the season.

In the afternoon, we’ll return to photographing the magnificent autumn landscapes of Kuusamo.

Thursday 24.9. Day at the Golden Eagle hide

If Black Grouse lek in autumn is active we have a change to visit in our Black Grouse hides before breakfast. After breakfast at 8:00 AM, heading to the Oulanka Eagle hides (about a 1-hour drive). We’ll spend the entire day photographing birds, including Siberian Jay, Eurasian Jay, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sparrowhawks, and many small birds of the season, while waiting for the Golden Eagles to arrive at the hides.

We’ll leave the hide between 6:00–7:00 PM, drive back to the hotel, and enjoy dinner together.

Friday 25.9. Evening in the mammals hide

After breakfast we’ll pack all our things into the bus and start our three-hour drive south to Kuhmo.

After checking in to our new hotel, we’ll head toward the Russian border, where we’ll search for mammals such as Brown Bear, Wild Wolf and Wolverine.

We’ll spend the evening in the hide, returning to the hotel later for the night.

Saturday 26.9. Evening in the mammals hide

After breakfast we go again to the hide of mammals to try to find Brown Bear, Wild Wolf and Wolverine.

We’ll spend the evening in the hide, returning to the hotel later for the night.

Sunday 27.9. Departure to home

Depends of your flight back home, we will leave from hotel after breakfast. Flight back home can be from Kajaani or Kuusamo.

Note! Program might change, depends of the weather and activity of wildlife. We always try to offer best possible opportunity. If Northern lights are active we have a change to photograph them at night.

Good to know

Payments:

Registration is binding after payment of the booking fee of 500 euros. Final payment will be sent by email and it has to be paid 30 days before the starting date.

Insurance:

Participants are responsible for their own insurance. Leisure accident insurance, etc. and insurance of photography equipment are also recommended.

Cancellation policy:

If the cancellation is made later than 45 days, but no later than 30 days before the start of the tour, we will withhold the booking fee (€ 500). If the cancellation is made later than 30 days but no later than 14 days before the start of the tour, we will withhold 50% of the tour fee. If the cancellation is made later than 14 days before the start of the tour, we will withhold the full tour fee.

The organizer has the right to cancel the tour one month before the start of the tour. If the tour is canceled by the organizer, all payments will be refunded.

NOTE: Before you will buy flight tickets, make sure that tour is confirmed.

CANCELLATION POLICY DUE TO TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

If the customer is prevented from using the service they have booked due to the prevailing travel restrictions, they are entitled to a cancellation, in which case we will cancel the booking and refund the money excluding the 70€ handling and money transfer costs. Alternatively, the reservation can be transferred to another time at no cost. The reservation can also be changed to an open reservation, in which case the payment will be used for a new reservation up to one year from the original date of the reservation.

Additional information: Please contact us by e-mail info@kuusamonaturephotography.fi, if you need more information.