South-East Finland

Mystical tour to the South-East part of Finland

With Finnish born Michelle Karén 

Finland, my native country is deeply sacred to me. I spent most of my childhood there and no matter where I live in the world, the need to return to the “end of land” for the nourishment of my soul and the deepening of its inner mysteries, is ever present. 

Finland being such a vast country, a selection had to be made. In the light of all the events involving Russia both for my country and the world, it became clear that the South Eastern part of Finland was the most magical area to begin with.

The central theme of this trip is an exploration of the Kalevala, the most ancient and significant work of the Finnish culture, the ancestral epic story of the Finns that is filled with shamanic wisdom and profound cosmic mysteries. 

Each day, we shall explore a deeper aspect of the secret, alchemical meaning of the Kalevala. A hermetical text that has attracted the attention of scholars from around the world, it holds great significance for the crossroads humanity is now reaching. We can all benefit from the consciousness hidden in its pages.

I shall also cover various aspects of the Finnish culture, very different from the other Nordic countries, and deepen our understanding of the Runes, the oracle and book of wisdom going back to Viking times.

During these 12 days, we shall stay in 4-star hotels - including Boutique Hotels, and Manor Houses. We will travel by luxury bus, tramway and ferry boat. From pre-historic rock paintings to modern architecture, we shall explore various aspects of the spiritual history of Finland, as well as its stunning, pristine nature, its islands, forests, lakes, and rivers. We shall further our quest in monasteries, ancient wooden churches and traditional villages, and perform ceremonies among birch trees and ancient boulders, overlooking the sparkling Baltic Sea. 

Kindly note that this mystical journey is limited to 14 people.
No previous knowledge in shamanism or astrology is required.

Arrival:

• Wednesday Aug 14, 2024
  Arrival in Helsinki (kindly note that your flight from your home to Helsinki, arrival in Helsinki on Monday Aug 14, must be booked by you). Catch a taxi or the metro to our hotel in Helsinki (paid by you). If you wish to arrive a day earlier to rest, Michelle will book an extra night for your comfort (kindly note that the check-in time at our hotel is 3 PM).

Departure:

• Sunday Aug 25, 2024
  Flight from Helsinki to your home any time Sunday Aug 25 (booked by you). Kindly note that the check-out time at our hotel is 11 AM.

Weather in Finland:

August: 20ºC-13ºC/68F-56F

Day 1, Wednesday August 14, 2024 (Taxi)

• Arrival at Vantaa international airport. Train if you have very little luggage (10 Euros) or taxi (about 60 Euros) to our hotel in the center of Helsinki.

Night 1 (of 4) in Helsinki.

Day 2, Thursday August 15 (Helsinki city walk)

• Temppeliaukio Church (Rock Church) that combines nature with spirit.

• The unique Oodi Library with its extraordinary architecture and very special media features.

• The Silent Church, a place of quiet meditation in the heart of the city.

• Stroll down the Esplanadi to the colorful Seaside Market.

• Visit of the Helsinki and Uspenski Cathedrals.

• Mai Niemi’s Finnish fairytale shop whose unique designs are inspired by the Kalevala and the magic of the Finnish forests.

• Welcome dinner at the Savotta restaurant by the Senate Square, a typical Finnish restaurant serving delicious Lappish traditional food.

Night 2 (of 4) in Helsinki (B, welcome Dinner)

Day 3, Friday August 16 (Ferry, Island walk)

• Ferry to the fortress of Suomelinna, one of Unesco’s World Heritage sites which has defended 3 countries: Finland, Sweden and Russia from invaders.

• The Toy House with its incredible collection of dolls. The story of the Moomins and ancient Finnish fairytales.

• Air ceremony in Suomelinna with Michelle.  

• Night of the Arts in Helsinki during which many orchestras, choirs and street performers take over the capital in a joyous, creative festival of talents.
  

Night 3 (of 4) in Helsinki (B)

Day 4: Saturday August 17 (Bus/Espoo nature walk) 

• Haltia Nuuksio (the Finnish Nature center) in Espoo where we shall do a nature walk to feel the enchantment of the Finnish forests

• The home of the famous Finnish painter Gallen Kallela where we shall enter deeper into the magic of the Kalevala, and become further acquainted with Väinämöinen, the hero God of ancient times who was born to a Virgin, in the womb of whom he remained several hundred years…

Night 4 (of 4) in Helsinki (B)

Day 5: Sunday August 18 (Bus/City and Nature Walk)

• Drive to the XIVth century town of Porvoo famous for its key role in the independence of Finland. Walk in the old city. Visit of the chocolate shop. Coffe break

• Drive to Ruotsinpyhtää. A picturesque village from the 1800s with its beautiful red old houses, octagonal church and traditional iron forges. It will help us understand the central plot of the epic poem of the Finns, featuring the mysterious magic Sampo.

• Visit the imperial fishing lodge in Langinkoski  (built by the Tsar in 1889), one of Finland’s treasured sites.

• Water ceremony.

• Drive to Kotka.

1 Night in Kotka in a Manor House (B)

Day 6: Monday August 19 (Bus/Nature walk/City Walk)

• Drive to Lappeenranta, the gateway between the East of Finland and the West of Russia. 

• Street festivities in Imatra

1 Night in a historic hotel in Imatra (B)

Day 7: Tuesday August 20 (Bus/City and Nature Walk)

• Kummakivi the mysterious rock weighing several hundred tons that has stood in equilibrium on another without budging or being able to be moved for thousands of years.

• Earth ceremony

• Punkaharju where the waters divide. One of the most beautiful and unique locations in Finland where we shall explore the magic and sacredness of the Finnish lakes, also central in the Kalevala.

• Punkaharju Lusto where we shall discover the central role of wood in Finland.

1 Night (of 2) in a Boutique Hotel in Savonlinna (B)

Day 8: Wednesday August 21 (Bus)

• Kerimäki: a spectacular example of unique architecture. The largest wooden church in the world, rumored to have been created by accident.

• Olavinlinna castle in Savolinna, the thick walls of which were always a symbol of protection for the local population.

• Savolinna market

• Optional evening sauna, with a deeper explanation on the mystical dark, hot womb where the Finns are born, give birth, make their important decisions and die.

• 2nd Night at the Boutique Hotel in Savonlinnna (B)

Day 9: Thursday August 22 (Bus/Nature & City walk)

• Drive to Juva. Nature walk to the angels’ nests (enkelinpesä) where we shall discover more about the Sami people and their ancient shamanic traditions.

• Fire Ceremony

• Coffee in Kenkävero (old vicarage).

• Dinner in the manor house

1 Night in Mikkeli by Lake Saimaa (B, D)

Day 10: Friday August 23 (Bus/Nature & City Walk/Boat)

• Drive to Ristiina.

• Boat journey to admire the Astuvansalmi ancient rock paintings. A very ancient ceremonial site. It will help us understand further the old shamanic rituals and their deep connection to the spirits of nature. We shall also discover the importance of elks and their special symbolism and encounter Tellervo, the Creator Goddess from the Kalevala mythology.

• Picnic lunch by the lake made of traditional, organic forest foods.

• Drumming journey to the underworld. 

• Drive to Riihimäki: visit of the glass museum, the role of which is very central to Finnish art.

• Return to Helsinki.

Night 1 (of 2) in Helsinki (B, L)

Day 11: Saturday August 24 (Tram/Ferry/ Free day!)

• Ferry boat at 9 am. 2h15 min over the Baltic Sea among its myriad of tiny islands.

• Free day in Tallinn (Estonia). A magnificent medieval town with tons of history and architectural magic.

• Return by boat at 6:30 pm, arriving in Helsinki at approximately 9 pm.

• Somptuous goodbye buffet-dinner on the boat (included).

Night 2 (of 2) in Helsinki (B, Farewell Dinner)

Day 12: Sunday August 25, Vantaa airport ☹ 

•  Depart for home (kindly note that the taxi or metro to the airport is at your own cost & that the check-out time at our hotel is 11 AM)

WHAT IS INCLUDED/NOT INCLUDED

Included in the price of the trip:

• 4 star Hotels (single - extra supplement, or double-shared rooms)

• All the breakfasts (at our hotels)

• 1 lunch (Riistina)

• 3 dinners (Welcome in Helsinki/Mikkeli/Goodbye on ferry-boat)

• Luxury Bus

• Tramway

• Ferries

• Boat

• Entrance to the various sites

• Museum and church tickets

• Ceremonies 

• Tips

Is NOT included in the price of the trip:

• Flight from home to Helsinki and back

• Taxi to/from airport

• All the lunches, except for 1 in Riistina

• Coffee breaks

• Dinners, except for 3 (Welcome in Helsinki/Mikkeli/Goodbye on Ferry from Estonia).

• Drinks

• Spa treatments

• Gifts, souvenirs

Price & Payment Plan

For the whole trip 12 days and 11 nights - Double occupancy

$5130 USD (if paid in full at the time of booking)

$5500 USD (if paid using the 5 installment plan)

Suggested Payment Plan (USD):

• $1100 - Deposit

• $1100 - January 2024

• $1100 - March 2024

• $1100 - May 2024

• $1100 - Final deadline: June 1 2024

Kindly note that the last day for registration is June 1, 2024.

Please add:

• $950 USD if you wish to have a single room (subject to availability).

Cancellation Policy

*kindly note that all these payments are non-refundable.

Should the international situation place another restriction on international travel, the trip will be postponed by 1 year and the amount you paid will be automatically transferred to those new dates with no cancellation or change fees.