Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival at Valamo Monastery
You'll arrive at Kuopio, Savonlinna, or Joensuu and get transferred to Valamo Monastery Hotel. After you settle into your room, head down to dinner at the monastery's Trapesa restaurant where they'll give you an introduction to what the week holds.
- Start point
- Joensuu, North Karelia, Finland (Railway station)
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner and introduction to the week ahead at the monastery's Trapesa restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Valamo monastery hotel)
Landmarks/POIs Valamo Monastery - Day 2
Valamo
Breakfast starts your day at Trapesa, then you head out on a scenic 4.5 km walk to Matkamiehen Risti with nice views over Lake Juojärvi. Along the way you'll stop at a lakeside lean-to where they prepare traditional campfire coffee and snacks.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hearty breakfast at Trapesa)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Valamo monastery hotel)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Valamo Monastery (English tours available, other languages by request)
- Scenic 4.5 km walk to Matkamiehen Risti with views of Lake Juojärvi
- Traditional campfire coffee and snacks at lakeside lean-to
Landmarks/POIs Matkamiehen Risti (The Traveler's Cross) Lake Juojärvi Valamo Monastery - Day 3
Forest Walking from Valamo
After breakfast you'll depart at 9:00 AM for a 10 km forest walk. The walk begins with a brief prayer and candle lighting at the monastery, then you'll have lunch outdoors at Taivallahden Hut. You'll get driven back afterward, leaving the evening free to rest before dinner at Trapesa.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Delightful outdoor lunch at Taivallahden Hut), Dinner (Dinner at Trapesa)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Valamo monastery hotel)
Included Activities
- 10 km forest walk from Valamo monastery
- Prayer and candle lighting at the monastery
- Outdoor lunch at Taivallahden Hut
Landmarks/POIs Taivallahden Hut - Day 4
Valamo to Lintula Monastery
You'll get breakfast before driving to Taivallahden Kota to start a 10 km forest walk through scenic paths and rural landscapes heading toward Lintula Monastery. At the monastery you'll light a candle, then have lunch at Palokki Inn hosted by Anne-Mari and Jouko. There's time for a sauna and an evening snack before you drive back to Valamo.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Delicious meal at Palokki Inn with warm hospitality from hosts Anne-Mari and Jouko), Snack (Evening snack)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Valamo monastery hotel)
Included Activities
- Travel by car to Taivallahden Kota
- 10 km forest walk to Lintula Monastery
- Visit to Lintula Monastery with candle lighting
- Lunch at Palokki Inn
- Sauna access
- Evening snack
Landmarks/POIs Taivallahden Kota Lintula Monastery Palokki Inn - Day 5
Lake Cruise and Herb Farm
After breakfast you board a boat cruise from Valamo to Varistaipale, traveling through Lake Juojärvi's locks and canals. From there you walk 5.5 km to Lintula Monastery and stop at their café for coffee. From there you continue to Koskijärvi Wild Herb Farm where they walk you through a tasting experience and serve dinner using herbs from the property. A car brings you back to Valamo by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Delicious dinner made from locally sourced herbs at Koskijärvi Wild Herb Farm)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Valamo monastery hotel)
Included Activities
- Boat cruise from Valamo to Varistaipale on Lake Juojärvi
- 5.5 km walk from Varistaipale to Lintula Monastery
- Coffee break at Lintula Monastery café
- Visit to Koskijärvi Wild Herb Farm with hands-on tasting experience
- Dinner made from locally sourced herbs at Koskijärvi Wild Herb Farm
Landmarks/POIs Lake Juojärvi Varistaipale Lintula Monastery Koskijärvi Wild Herb Farm - Day 6
Heinävesi Village Exploration
You'll have breakfast then transfer to Heinävesi village. The day includes a harbor visit and stop at Kermacotta café for coffee and ice cream, a short walk to Heinävesi Church (one of Finland's largest wooden churches) for a tour, and lunch at the Marjamäki vicarage where Tuula Paul shares local history. Afternoon time goes toward shopping and checking out an art exhibition at Heimon Tupa. Before heading back to Valamo, you'll stop at Pääskyvuori lookout tower for views over Kermajärvi, then have a farewell dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Marjamäki vicarage with history of the area from hostess Tuula Paul), Dinner (Farewell dinner at Trapesa)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Valamo monastery hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit to Heinävesi harbor
- Coffee and ice cream at Kermacotta café
- Walk to Heinävesi Church with tour
- Lunch at Marjamäki vicarage
- Visit to local art exhibition at Heimon Tupa
- Stop at Pääskyvuori lookout tower for panoramic views
Optional Activities
- Shopping and exploring Heinävesi village
Landmarks/POIs Heinävesi Village Heinävesi Church Kermacotta Café Heimon Tupa Pääskyvuori Lookout Tower Kermajärvi - Day 7
Departure from Valamo
You'll start with breakfast at the monastery, then have leisure time to relax around Valamo and pick up last-minute souvenirs. After that you'll transfer to the airport for your flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Last-minute souvenir shopping at Valamo Monastery
Landmarks/POIs Valamo Monastery
