Jongunjoki – Paddle at a leisurely pace, just enjoy the moment

A leisurely river cruise through the tranquil landscapes of North Karelia

Treat yourself to a break from everyday life and glide silently through the vast wilderness of North Karelia. This leisurely paddling tour on the tranquil Jongunjoki River takes you through quiet forests, expansive meadows, and mysterious marshlands. Go with the flow and discover the peaceful side of the wild north—ideal for beginners and those who want to take it slow.

What to expect:

  • Serene Water Worlds: Let yourself be carried along by the gentle current of the Jongunjoki River and discover the peaceful, expansive landscape of North Karelia from a canoe.

  • Diverse Nature: Paddle past dense forests, open meadows, and mysterious marshlands—each riverbank tells its own story.

  • Traces of the Wilderness: With a little luck, we’ll spot signs of beavers, which build their dams and lodges here on the riverbanks.

  • Lunch break by the fire: We stop at a cozy laavu and enjoy a simple, warm lunch by the open fire.

  • Great for beginners: The perfect tour for anyone who’s in a canoe for the first time or just wants to paddle at a leisurely pace and enjoy nature.

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Free stock photo of biodiversity, bog, calm

Your adventure begins

After a short, leisurely transfer, we’ll take you to the idyllic hamlet of Viitakoski. Here, we’ll hop into our canoes or kayaks and set off on our relaxing paddling adventure. Together, we’ll check out the Viitakoski rapids before heading out onto the calm river, which gently meanders through dense forests, open meadows, and mysterious marshes.

Along the quiet river

We glide slowly downstream, always keeping the river and its natural banks in view. Perhaps we’ll spot traces of beavers or hear the rustling of leaves as nature comes to life around us. Along the way, our guide will share interesting facts about the region’s flora, fauna, and history.

A Break by the Campfire

Just before we reach the village of Nurmijärvi, we’ll stop at a cozy laavu with a fire pit. Here, you can enjoy a snack while the fire crackles and the peaceful atmosphere lets you fully immerse yourself in the nature of North Karelia.

The Final Stage

After the break, we’ll paddle across the wide Lake Nurmijärvi —the perfect way to once again enjoy the vastness of the landscape to the fullest. Our starting point, Eräkeskus, awaits us on the opposite shore. With new experiences and renewed energy, your little—yet big—wilderness adventure comes to an end here.

  • Duration: About 3–4 hours (including transportation and lunch).
  • Distance: approx. 11 km.
  • Character: An easy, relaxing tour on a calm stretch of river—perfect for beginners and nature lovers.
  • Highlights: Rapids at Viitakoski, the gently flowing Jongunjoki River, beaver tracks, diverse riverside landscapes, a campfire lunch at a laavu, and paddling across Lake Nurmijärvi.
  • Meeting point: Eräkeskus, at the lodge.
  • Guide: German, English, Finnish speaking guides.
  • Group Size: Enjoy the tour as an exclusive private tour or in small, intimate groups for a more immersive experience.
  • Dates: from May 1 – September 30 Depending on the weather, later dates in autumn can also be booked.
  • Booking: Exclusively on request. Contact us for your individual tour planning!

Our prices are per person and include all services mentioned.

  • Price per person: 95 €  
  • Children up to age 14: 70 €
  • Minimum number of participants: 2
  • Individual participants are welcome to join the tour with a 50% exclusivity surcharge.
  • Groups of 5 or more: on request

Included:

  • German- and English-speaking guide: Your guide will lead you safely along the river, offer paddling tips for beginners, and share fascinating facts about the wildlife—we might even spot some beaver tracks!
  • All transfers.
  • High-quality equipment:
    Canoes, kayaks, paddles, and life jackets—as well as a waterproof stuff sack if needed—are, of course, included in the price, ensuring a safe and enjoyable paddling experience.
  • Delicious Wilderness Lunch: A freshly prepared, delicious lunch cooked right over an open fire at a cozy laavu.
  • Unique memories and lots of fresh air!

Bring along:

  • Clothing appropriate for the weather (including a rain jacket, depending on the weather)

  • Comfortable shoes or sandals that can get wet

  • Sun protection (sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses)

  • Water bottle

  • Small Daypack

  • At will: Camera, binoculars, mosquito repellent.

Physical Requirements: This tour is ideal for anyone with a normal level of basic fitness who wants to enjoy a relaxing outdoor experience on the water. You should be able to sit in a canoe or kayak for about 2–3 hours and paddle on your own. The tour takes place on calm water without rapids and is particularly suitable for beginners. No prior canoeing experience is required—we’ll take the time to give you a gentle introduction.

  • Cancellations must be submitted in writing by email to office@eraekeskus.com. If a cancellation is received on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, the following working day will be considered the effective date of cancellation.  
  • Cancellation up to 7 days before the start of the tour is free of charge.
  • If you cancel 7 days or less before the date of the event, we will charge a cancellation fee of 100% of the booking price.

Tips:

  • We recommend that you take out cancellation insurance.

General Terms and Conditions:

Eräkeskus stands for authentic experiences in the untouched wilderness of Finland – far away from mass tourism and in a family-like atmosphere. You can expect real adventures, a deep connection to nature, and a truly relaxing slowdown.

  • Family atmosphere: With us, you are not just guests, but part of a small, family-like community. You can look forward to personal service, a warm atmosphere and very small groups of guests for an intensive experience.
  • Calm waters, a grand natural spectacle: The Jongunjoki River shows you the tranquil side of Finland. Off the beaten path, we paddle through vast forests, across sparkling lakes, and past animal tracks—maybe even a beaver lodge.
  • Authentic experiences: We offer you unique tours that bring you closer to the wilderness of Finland in a very special way – be it through an open fire lunch or spotting animal tracks.
  • Gentle tourism & respect for nature: We focus on sustainable experiences with minimal impact on the environment. With us, you can experience adventures in harmony with nature in order to preserve its beauty for future generations.
  • Quite simply, because we want to give you unforgettable moments in one of the most breathtaking landscapes in Europe. With us, you will experience pure nature – in a way that you are guaranteed to remember.

As we plan each tour individually and adapt it to the current conditions, we ask you to send us a request. This way we can guarantee you the best possible experience! We will check your request immediately and get back to you as soon as possible (usually within 24 hours) with all the details!Advance reservations for day activities – ideally a few days in advance – are essential. Unfortunately, we cannot always fulfill spontaneous requests directly on site.

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