Summer adventure in Estonia

Arriving in Tallinn and drive to Hiiumaa ca 1,5 hours by car and 1,5 h by ferry. Hiiumaa is the second biggest island of Estonian 2300 islands. Not many people are living in the middle of the island and coastal areas are also sparsely populated.

Kayak tour around Hiiumaa islets and watching Ringed Seals. Sea between mainland and Hiiumaa is called Väinameri. Väinameri is more like a big lake- shallow, warm water surrounding closely clustered islands and islets, providing protection from high waves and strong winds. There are thousands of small islets in Väinameri and they are close to each other. Most famous islets arein nature protection area near Hiiumaa. In past on islets was human settlement but today they are just for birds and Ringed seals. Kayaking is easy, about 1 hour kayaking and then we do a walking around the islet, to look at the old settlement buildings and see semi-natural habitats. We camp in tents on Kõrgelaid- an nice small islet. Here is also great view to Ringed seal haul out areas, seeing White- tail Eagle flying over is also a possibility. In the evening we make a fire and heat up the tent-sauna. So if you wish, you can enjoy hot sauna and refreshing swim in the sea. With bad weather the days can change and instead of kayak tour we go to the islands by motor boat.

Kayak tour around Hiiumaa islets and watching Ringed Seals. Sea between mainland and Hiiumaa is called Väinameri. Väinameri is more like a big lake- shallow, warm water surrounding closely clustered islands and islets, providing protection from high waves and strong winds. There are thousands of small islets in Väinameri and they are close to each other. Most famous islets arein nature protection area near Hiiumaa. In past on islets was human settlement but today they are just for birds and Ringed seals. Kayaking is easy, about 1 hour kayaking and then we do a walking around the islet, to look at the old settlement buildings and see semi-natural habitats. We camp in tents on Kõrgelaid- an nice small islet. Here is also great view to Ringed seal haul out areas, seeing White- tail Eagle flying over is also a possibility. In the evening we make a fire and heat up the tent-sauna. So if you wish, you can enjoy hot sauna and refreshing swim in the sea. With bad weather the days can change and instead of kayak tour we go to the islands by motor boat.

Alutaguse is the newest national park in Estonia and a huge forest and bog area, situated in N-E Estonia. The forest is typical Western taiga with aspen, birch, spruce and pine. Alutaguse forests are home to about 400 bears — one of the best Brown Bear watching areas in Europe! It is possible to see brown bears, raccoon dogs, foxes, moose and different birds. Night will be spent in brown bear hide. Hide is large, cosy and comfortable with bunk beds, a dry toilet, viewing windows, chairs and sleeping bags.

Lahemaa is the biggest and oldest national park in Estonia. It was established to protect peatbogs, forests and coastal areas. We walk in old taiga forest and along nordic cost of the Baltic sea.

Afternoon we take a bog-shoeing trip. About 50% of Estonia is covered by forests and 25% with bogs and swamps. Bogs started to develop after the last ice age, about 12,000 years ago. Raised bogs are like huge sponges that hold vast amounts of water in the peat. The peat layer is up to 8 metres thick. They have a mosaic-like structure with bog-pools that resemble little ponds surrounded by tiny pine trees. In every direction, you will spot interesting plants and mosses. We go and hike on bog with special snow – shoes. It is a traditional way to move around in the bog. We look around at the landscape and brave ones can swim in the bog pools. Old Estonians believed it makes you 7 years younger!

After almost a week full of unforgettable nature sightings, we will start driving towards Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. Medieval Tallinn Old Town Guided tour around Tallinn Old Town. The well-preserved medieval town structure and surroundings of Tallinn Old Town, originating from the 11th to 15th Centuries, give it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Streets and houses have been protected by a mostly intact city wall, complete with guard towers. Buildings, churches, merchant and craftsman houses maintain their centuries-old authenticity. Nowadays cozy cafes, boutiques and art galleries add vibrant life to the medieval atmosphere.