Tour Overview:
Autumn has long been our most popular season for visiting Finland. Since launching our first Autumn Gold tour in 2018, we have refined every aspect, from timing to location, to coincide with peak wildlife activity and vibrant autumn colours. Now based at the same site as our Predator Finale tour, the Autumn Gold trip offers exceptional daytime hide photography of Bears, Wolves, Wolverines, and Eagles. With no overnight hide stays, the tour is more relaxed than our summer trips. With our evenings free, we can reserve our attention for capturing the Northern Lights if conditions allow.
September transforms the boreal forest into a breathtaking canvas of vibrant autumn hues. The landscape glows with rich colour as the forest reveals its most vivid seasonal attire. This is a prime time to witness the last bears of the year, as they prepare for hibernation in peak condition, their coats thick and immaculate. As daylight hours shorten, the soft golden light of early autumn creates magical photographic moments. On cool days, mist often drifts above the swamps, giving way to glistening frost at dawn, and as night deepens, the spectacular Aurora Borealis frequently dances across the sky. Photographers will find endless inspiration in this season’s unique atmosphere, from the intense colours of autumn to the shifting textures of light and shadow. During the day, red squirrels busily prepare for winter, offering delightful sightings, while an array of forest birds, including the Crested Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker, and Bullfinch, return to the area, enriching the experience with further opportunities to capture the wonders of the wild.
Group Size: 8 people total
2026: Sep 16th - 22nd & 23rd - 29th
Location: Finland
Tour cost: £2,495
Cost Includes:
✅ Airport transfers from/to Kuopio
✅ Unlimited guidance from a professional nature photographer for the entire duration of the tour
✅ All meals; breakfast, lunch and dinner
✅ Photography hide rental
✅ Transfers to/from the hides each day
✅ Accommodation
Cost excludes:
❌ Internatinal Airline Flights
❌ Travel Insurance
Meet The Guide
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KYLE MOORE
Now on his 10th year guiding Finland tours, Kyle is a wildlife photographer from the UK, whose passion for both wildlife and photography was ignited at a young age. Having quickly built up an impressive portfolio of wildlife images, Kyle's talent was soon recognised through some of the most prestigious wildlife photography competitions in the industry, which included a category win in the British Wildlife Photography Awards (BWPA) and being named overall winner of the RSPCA Young Photographer Awards, at the age of 18, both leading to live televised interviews on UK national news. Kyle specialises in predatory mammal species, bears and foxes being personal favourites, and will often spend countless months on location immersing himself in the landscape, all in the aim of capturing the essence of his chosen species. Kyle is currently represented by some of the world's leading photographic stock agencies, where his images are published worldwide.
Base Camp
Our base for this tour is the renowned Kuikka Lodge, once a forest workers’ residence in Kuhmo, near the Russian border. Now transformed into a haven for wildlife photographers, the rustic lodge sits on a forested headland, encircled by Lake Kuikka and pristine boreal wilderness. The atmosphere is warm and communal - more like a large family gathering than a hotel stay. This is one of the best locations in the world to observe and photograph Bear, Wolverine, Wolves and Eagles.
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We will arrive on an afternoon flight via Helsinki, where you will be met by your guide. A bus transfer will follow, taking us to our chosen basecamp where we will be based for the duration of the tour. Dinner is prepared for our arrival. After dinner the guide will deliver a short presentation detailing the week ahead. Our first night will be spent resting in our accommodation, after a day of traveling.
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Breakfast will be served around 08:30, followed by a period of free time to spend as you wish. During this time we have the ideal opportunity to explore the surrounding areas or take advantage of the pre-set bird feeding area outside our accommodation. Here we have a whole host of species visiting such as; Bull Finch, Siberian Jay, Crested tits and off course the ever comical Red Squirrels. The surrounding area is set amongst the beautiful Boreal Forest, which you are most welcome to explore with no access restrictions.
Around noon we will prepare for the upcoming hide sessions. Before this we will have the opportunity to make sandwiches and prepare hot drinks for the hide. We will then embark to the hide area by vehicle, driving the rugged forest roads into the depths of no mans zone where we will be positioned in our purpose build spacious hides. Now it is simply a case of getting set up, comfortable and waiting for the first wildlife to appear. Although we will not be sleeping inside the hides, each is equipped with basic facilities such as bunkbeds and toilets.
Around dusk, we will make our way back to base, again by vehicle, where upon arrival we will be greeted with a homely cooked meal and freshly baked desert. The following days will all run in a similar pattern.
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This is the final day of the trip. Breakfast will be served slightly earlier to allow us ample time to make the transfer back to our chosen airport ready for our onward flights home.
Frequent Questions
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FITNESS LEVEL: VERY EASY
This tour is suitable for all fitness levels, as there is no strenuous activity involved. Guests are driven directly to the hides, with minimal walking required. There are no overnight stays in the hides; each day ends back at our warm and comfortable lodge. As long as you are comfortable sitting quietly for extended periods, you’ll be well suited to this experience.
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To make the most of your bear photography experience in Finland, we recommend bringing the following equipment:
Camera Gear:
A DSLR or mirrorless camera
Telephoto lens (ideally 300mm to 600mm) – bears are often at a close distance, however a longer lens allows for close-up shots without disturbing them.
Spare batteries and memory cards – you'll be in the hide for several hours with no charging facilities.
Tripod hide or beanbag. The hides have platforms or ledges where you can steady your camera.
Clothing & Accessories:
Dark or muted clothing – to reduce visibility through the hide windows.
Snacks and water – you'll be in the hide for around 4 hours, and no facilities are available.
Optional but helpful:
Binoculars for spotting.
Remember to pack light but be prepared – once you're in the hide, you won't be able to leave until the session is over.
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Absolutely! We’re happy to cater to all dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and any allergies or specific preferences. We just ask that you let us know in advance so we can ensure everything is prepared to suit your needs.
To secure your place on this tour, please follow the link below and complete your booking through our secure online portal. Alternatively, we accept manual bookings via email, with deposits made by BACS. Please note, bookings are only confirmed once a £300 deposit per person has been received. Make sure you have carefully read all relevant tour itineraries and terms of business before booking.
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Have a Question About This Tour?
We’re here to help! If you have any questions about this tour, including availability, itinerary, special requests, or anything else, please complete the contact form. One of our team members will get back to you as soon as possible. We look forward to helping you plan your perfect adventure!