Bears, Elk and Adventure – Estonia for Family 10 days

Tour description

Hardly any other European country has as many wild animals as Estonia does. We plan to observe different mammals and birds during the family trip. To discover them we take a boat trip on Beaver river, walk in a wild swamp using bog shoes, canoe down the river in the wetland and look for the seals in a fishing boat on our way to Saarnaki islet.

At the end of our journey Estonian capital Tallinn welcomes us. The child-friendly and charming Hanseatic town is packed with lovely cafes, thrilling museums and a long history.

Highlights

• Brown bears watching
• Moos watching
• Medieval city Tallinn
• Boat trip to ringed seal islet
• Boat trip on beaver river
• Bog shoe walk in the peat bog
• Campfire on the beach
• Camping in a lonely island
• Canoe trip on the Raudna river
• Romantic beach town Haapsalu
• Visit to the knights castle

Detailed description

Day 1. Arrival to Estonia

Flight to Tallinn • Drive to Toosikannu • Arrival to the guesthouse in the middle of the animal park • Evening hike through the forest, observation of elk, red deer, roe deer, and others.

You will be picked up at the airport by our local English speaking tour guide and taken to our first accommodation. During the evening program, we will certainly see some animals in their natural environment. That’s how the small country Estonia enchants travelers not only with its landscapes’ diversity but also with great wildlife. While wandering through nature, we will certainly be able to spot some Elk, Roe deer, Red Deer or other forest animals of Estonia.

Transfer about 1.5 hours

Catering: Dinner

Day 2. Canoe Tour in Soomaa National Park

Canoe Tour in Soomaa National Park • Picnic in the wilderness • Hike in the national park • Discover beaver tracks • Pass sandbars and moorland

After breakfast, we will head to Europe’s largest wetland area Soomaa National Park. With its large and almost untouched bogs and naturally flowing rivers, it is one of the highlights of our family trip. The biggest feature, referred to by the locals as the fifth season, is the flood time. During this time, the locals move only by canoe, kayak or traditional dugout canoes, which are made out of aspen te. This opens up wetlands, which are otherwise accessible only in winter by ice. The rivers, flood plains and wetlands are still really quaint and untouched. The rivers have many sandbars and meanders when they go through moor. In the middle our canoe trip we are looking for a nice spot for a picnic. In the afternoon we start with a hike through the forest and look for the traces of wolves.

Catering: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 3. Bog shoeing

Exploring the wild bog area • Bog shoe hike • Swimming in bog lake • Water activities • Canoeing and stand up paddling • Wildlife safari with local guide

In the morning we explore the huge bog in the traditional way. We walk with the help of bog shoes – which are constructed in such a way that we cannot sink while walking despite fluctuating soil. We walk to small bog lakes where we can swim in dark but clean water and have a nice picnic. In the afternoon we will have fun in Toosikannu Holiday Center. If you want to, you can swim in the pond or test your balance on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP).

The evening bus-safari brings us through the local landscape and we will meet our friends like Elk, Roe deer, and Red deer

Catering: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 4. Baltic Sea coast and seal reefs

Drive to the northwest coast • Ferry ride to the island of Hiiumaa • Small fishing boat drive along the seal reefs • Watching ringed seals while sunbathing and swimming • Discover lonely Saarnaki islet • Campfire on the beach • Night in tents

Today we change our location and drive to the beautiful northwest coast of Estonia. There are about 1500 islands in Estonia. They are scattered over the Baltic Sea and many of them are uninhabited. First, we take the ferry to the large island Hiiumaa. The ferry ride is exciting because we drive very slowly through the flat Baltic Sea and pass small islets on which we can already discover the first ringed seals. After the crossing, we continue with a small fishing boat, which brings us into the Baltic islands’ world and to the seal banks. The ringed seals that live here and can be easily viewed from the boat. Later on, we go ashore on the islet of Saarnaki. The juniper-covered island was abandoned by its inhabitants decades ago. However, their houses, barns and the peculiar windmill have been preserved and open to explorers of the islet, time seems to be standing still here. Who has not dreamed of camping on a lonely island?

Transfer: about 5 hours

Catering: Breakfast / Dinner

Day 5. Lonely islet Saarnaki and SUP paddling

Free time on the islet • Optional: stand up board paddling and swimming in the sea • Ferry ride to the mainland • Drive to Matsalu National Park • Footsteps of the last ice age

On the fifth day of our family vacation, there is no fixed program. If you want you can ask our guide for SUP-paddling in the shallow beach or explore the beautiful islet.

In the afternoon, the skipper picks us up and takes us to the ferry, which brings us back to the mainland. Then we head to Matsalu National Park,  was founded to protect nesting, molting, and migrating birds.

Our accommodation for the next three days is located in this stunning Matsalu National Park. Altmõisa guest house in close to the Baltic Sea and is especially suitable to families and children. From here it’s comfortable to visit the coast nature next days. Here you can see the significant traces of last ice age like huge boulders on the beach and in the sea.

Transfers: about 2 hours

Catering: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 6.Historic town by the sea

Drive to Haapsalu • Visit to the old train station, historic promenade and Haapsalu Castle • Afternoon rest on the beach

We drive to a former spa town of Russian tsars, Haapsalu. Especially for the Tsar, a railroad was built to connect the town with Tallinn. Today, the wooden train station and the old steam locomotive remind us this time. The locomotives can not only be viewed because the platform is also opened for visitors. Along the bay, which is frozen in winter and used for an ice road, we hike to the castle, which we want to look at thoroughly.

In the afternoon we go to the sandy beach of Haapsalu. For our little ones, there are beautiful playgrounds on the beach promenade and in the shallow, warm water we can enjoy ourselves.

Catering: Breakfast / Dinner

Day 7. Matsalu National Park, Domestic animal farm and beaver safari

Drive to Matsalu National Park • Hike through the national park • Visit to the Ranna Ranch domestic animal park with cows, geese, goats, ponies, horses and more • Beaver safari on a fishing boat • Watch of beaver, elks, otter, birds, and bats

Today we will drive to Matsalu National Park. With its beautiful beach meadows, small islands, large reed areas, and varied coast, it is a MUST for everyone. There are several hiking trails and lookout towers for visitors in Matsalu.

In the morning we visit the most beautiful places in Matsalu and in the afternoon we drive to the south coast of the Matsalu bay. We visit the Ranna Ranch domestic animals’ park where we can also feed some of the 300 animals of 14 species.

In the late afternoon, we go to beaver safari on a fishing boat. With a bit of luck, we will see beavers, elk, otter, many birds and bats from the boat.

Catering: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 8.Bear watching in the forest hide

Drive to bear observation hut • Staying overnight in a simple wooden hut • Looking for Brown Bears, Raccoon dogs, Foxes, Ural owls and Beavers

Today we drive to a simple bear observation hut deep in the Estonian forest. Here we will spend the night waiting for bears.

There are almost 800 bears living in Estonia.

The special construction of the house allows views to both sides. From the hut window towards the north, we can observe birch and spruce forest. Here we see bears and raccoon dogs at a very short distance.

From the southern window, we see an open landscape with a view over willow bushes. There we can see elks or beavers on the southern side. The cabins are simple, comfortable and clean. There are separate rooms with bunk beds, dry toilet and photo hatches for photographers among us.

Our nature guide answers all the questions. For example: what do the animals eat, how do they build their winter lairs, how do the bears deal with their youngs?

Transfer: about 3 hours

Catering: Breakfast / Dinner

Day 9. Medieval city Tallinn

Drive to the capital • Visit of the historic old town • Exploring medieval towers, market square and the upper town • Views over the harbor and the Finnish bay • Leisure time

In the morning we will drive to Tallinn to visit the historic old town, which has hardly changed in its appearance for centuries. The old Hanseatic city has still the original street system from the 13th. to the 15th-century. Most of the 14th. and 15th-century houses are in their original size and shape. Especially the defense towers, the market place, and the upper town show themselves in their medieval shape.

Right behind Rüütli Street is a viewing platform that offers stunning views over the harbor and the Finnish bay.

Transfer: approx. 1.5 hours

Catering: Breakfast

Day 10. Return home

Transfer to the airport and return flight (not included)

Today our family trip to Estonia ends. In the morning you have the opportunity to explore Tallinn on your own before we start our journey home. Transfer to the airport. Flight from Tallinn to Frankfurt is not included. We will gladly send you an individual offer if needed. We recommend you to extend your holiday and explore more of beautiful Estonia.

Catering: Breakfast

Date

• 13.07. – 22.07.2024
• 03.08. –12.08.2024
• 15.08. –24.08.2024

Price:

Group Size:

6-8 persons

Tour price includes:

• local English speaking nature guide services
• 7 nights in local guesthouses and hotels (twin rooms with toilet and shower);
• Catering according to the program;
• Transport in Estonia;
• Ferry tickets to Hiiumaa;
• Night in the Brown Bear watching hide;
• Night in a tent or house on islet;
• Canoe tour;
• Bog shoeing tour;
• Boat trip to islands near Hiiumaa;
• Boat trip in Matsalu NP;
• Guided tour of Old Town Tallinn.

Season: May – September