Finland and Romania Wildlife Tour

Finland and Romania both exist on Europe’s edge, where the more staid influences of the EU meet the passions of Russia and the Balkans. Their cities both buzz with a new embrace of tech and design innovation. And they both possess some of the last pristine wild areas on the continent, with remarkably high concentrations of animals. Birds and bears will be the target of Apex ’s journey through these countries, taking you from Taiga to swamps, inland sea to river delta. See rare freshwater seals, Brown Bears, and Wolverines, and up to 300 species of resident and migratory birds on this 16-day Finland and Romania Wildlife Tour.

• Day 1
• Day 2
• Day 3
• Day 4
• Day 5
• Day 6
• Day 7
• Day 8
• Day 9
• Days 10 – 12
• Day 13
• Day 14
• Day 15
• Day 16

• Saturday, May 15: Arrive Oulu, Finland

  Welcome to Oulu, whose city center is spread out on several islands on the Gulf of Bothnia. Oulu is one of Finland’s most pleasant cities, with a thriving student and tech community. It is also the gateway to some of Europe’s best bird watching, as much of the surrounding area is wetlands. Gather this evening with your expedition leaders and fellow travelers for a welcome dinner and briefing. Overnight at the Finlandia Hotel Oulu.

• Sunday, May 16: Oulu

  Rise early for a full day of bird watching. Northern owls are the focus here, and expert local guides have intimate knowledge of nesting sites, giving you the best chance to spot all five of the region’s key species—Great Grey, Ural, Hawk, Tengmalm’s, and Pygmy. Black, Hazel, and Willow Grouse are also present in the area, as well as Three-toed- and Black Woodpeckers. You will also visit Liminka Bay, one of the most significant wetlands in Europe. Mid-May is the prime migration period for waders and one of Europe’s prettiest waders, the Ruff, can often be found feeding and lekking in large groups. Overnight Finlandia Hotel Oulu.

• Monday, May 17: Oulu / Kuusamo

  After breakfast, head northeast toward Kuusamo, in search of rare and interesting birds. Target species here include Rustic and Little Bunting, Capercaillie, Red-flanked Bluetail, Siberian Jay, Siberian Tit, and Hazel Hen. Hear the marvelous sounds of displaying Little Gulls in the bogs around town, as well as Spotted Redshank, Ruff, and possibly Jack Snipe. Dinner and overnight at Holiday Club Kuusamon Tropiikki.

• Tuesday, May 18: Kuusamo / Kuhmo

  Head south this morning on a drive toward the western edge of the vast Siberian Taiga. Stopping at the many lakes, swamps, and forests along the way in search of resident wildlife. Travel into the dense forest on the Finnish-Russian border, known for its diversity of fauna and density of large mammals. Check in to Hotel Kalevala, located on Lake Lammasjärvi in Kuhmo. This unique hotel was built in the shape of the Kokko bird from the Kalevala, Finland’s national epic poem. Keep watch for Mountain Hare, Red Fox, White-tailed Eagles, Black Woodpecker, Northern Bullfinch, and Ural Owls around the property.

  After a late lunch, drive to observation hides for the best chance to view Brown Bears and Wolverines up close throughout the evening. Late May is the height of mating season, so there may even be some performing by male bears if females happen to be in the vicinity. Return to Hotel Kalevala very late at night.

• Wednesday, May 19: Kuhmo

  Enjoy breakfast at the hotel with time to experience a local sauna or explore the property on foot. Spend the afternoon in search of rare Flying Squirrels, Moose, beaver, Forest Reindeer, and many birds, including grouse, woodpeckers, and rare tits. Late this afternoon, transfer to a different set of observation hides for your evening hide experience and another chance at bears, Wolverines, and perhaps even wolves. Return to Hotel Kalevala late at night.

• Thursday, May 20: Khumo / Lake Saimaa

  After breakfast, drive south toward the pristine Finnish Lakeland, with its crystalline waterways, dense forests, and endless skies. Spend the evening on a boat in Finland’s largest lake, Saimaa, looking for the world’s rarest seal—the inland Saimaa Seal. An endemic species of ringed seal, the Saimaa Seal may be the most endangered pinniped on Earth, with less than 500 individuals remaining. May is the best time to see them out of the water, lounging on rocks. You may also see European Beaver and a variety of waterfowl. Dinner and overnight at Original Sokos Hotel Seurahuone, on the shore of the lake.

• Friday, May 21: Lake Saimaa / Helsinki

  This morning the journey takes you to Finland’s quirky harbor-side capital, Helsinki. The afternoon provides the opportunity to explore the Finnish capital’s historic center and learn about its history and culture. Highlights include the Presidential Palace, Sibelius Park, Senate Square, and the railway station. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at Hilton Helsinki.

• Saturday, May 22: Helsinki / Bucharest, Romania

  Depart Helsinki today on a flight to Bucharest, the vibrant capital of Romania. With its dynamic blend of historic charm and modern energy, Bucharest is often referred to as the “Little Paris of the East”. You’ll be met at the airport and taken to your hotel for check-in. Overnight at the Epoque Hotel.

• Sunday, May 23: Bucharest / Tulcea / Danube

  After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Tulcea, the Danube Delta’s main harbor town. Stop en route at lakes and bogs to look for birds, including ever-present bee-eaters and colorful rollers. Arrive in Tulcea this afternoon, and embark the vessel, known locally as a ‘ponton,’ your home for the next four nights on the Danube. Be on deck as the ponton heads to the Central Channel. As we leave civilization behind, the typical Delta bird species start to appear, among them Black-headed Gulls, Caspian Terns, Glossy Ibises, Squacco Herons, Pygmy Cormorants, and noisy Greylag Geese with their distinctive rosy beaks. The riverine trees might hold Black and Grey-headed Woodpeckers. Enjoy dinner and overnight onboard.

• Monday – Wednesday, May 24 – 26: Danube Delta

  The Delta consists of over 2,000 square miles of lakes, channels, reed beds, and willow stands—ideal breeding habitat for a staggering array of birds. May is the height of the breeding season, so there are sure to be memorable sightings. The route is flexible, depending on bird activity and changing access in the maze of channels. Conditions permitting, visit lakes along the Sontea Channel, where Great and Little Egrets, Grey, Purple, and Squacco Herons, Black-crowned Night Herons, Eurasian Spoonbills, and Great and Pygmy Cormorants are frequently seen as they move between breeding colonies. Specialties include Dalmatian Pelicans and Pallas’s Gulls. Europe’s biggest breeding colony of Great White Pelicans—more than 2,000 pairs—is also found here, and the massive flocks of pelicans flying overhead as they move to the Delta’s lakes to feed is sure to be a highlight of the trip. We will use smaller boats to access the most hidden parts and channels of the Delta. This will allow us to have a more intimate experience with the flora and fauna and close-up views of some of the shy resident species. Spend your final night onboard the ponton moored close to Tulcea.

• Thursday, May 27: Tulcea / Bran

  This morning, disembark the ponton and spend the day traveling to Bran, nestled in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. En route, stop at the Berca Mud Volcanoes, small volcano-shaped structures typically a few meters high caused by the eruption of mud and natural gases. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. A haven for nature and wildlife enthusiasts, Bran is surrounded by pristine forests, towering peaks, and rolling meadows. This area offers an ideal base for exploring the region’s rich biodiversity and breathtaking landscapes. Dinner and overnight at Transylvanian Inn.

• Friday, May 28: Bran

  Enjoy a full day exploring the Carpathian Mountains. Start by visiting the Gorges of Zărnești in Piatra Craiului National Park. Follow shepherd trails through the forest looking for bear and deer tracks. Watch for Wall Creepers, Tree Creepers, Alpine Swift, Crag Martins, Serine, crossbills, Black Woodpeckers, White-backed Woodpeckers, and Honey Buzzards. Enjoy a picnic lunch among the old spruce, fir, and beech trees. In the afternoon, search the Stramba Valley forest for more birds and the Eurasian Brown Bear. In the evening visit a hide specifically for viewing the bears while they feed. There are 40–60 bears that live in this valley, protected by The National Forest Administration of Romania. Afterwards, return to Bran for dinner and overnight at Transylvanian Inn.

• Saturday, May 29: Bran / Bucharest

  Visit Bran Castle this morning. Strategically located on the pass connecting Transylvania with Wallachia and initially built as a defense point against Ottoman invasions at the end of the 14th century, Bran Castle has transformed over the centuries into a customs house, a royal residence, and now a museum. As this castle is the only one in Transylvania that corresponds to Bram Stoker’s description, the world often refers to it as Dracula’s Castle. Afterwards, drive through the countryside with a stop in Sinaia for lunch, on the way back to Bucharest. Enjoy a festive farewell dinner and overnight at Epoque Hotel.

• Sunday, May 30: Bucharest / Depart

  After breakfast, head to the airport for flights homeward.