Estonia is a real paradise for nature lovers: Pristine forests, bogs, alvars and coastal areas, many rare plant and animal species and cozy farms to stay. On this trip we combine day hiking trips with nature studies: We enjoy the landscape, go somewhat sightseeing, relax on long walks and at the same time get an introduction into the amazing botanical variety of these Estonian orchid islands.
Requirements
- good physical condition
- teamspirit/cooperation
Departures (Saturday-Saturday)
25.6 – 2.7.2011
Included services
- collective transfer from/to Tallinn airport
- 5 overnights on cozy farms
- 2 overnights in hotels/hostels (double rooms)
- fullboard during the tour
- 1 experienced English speaking biologist and tour guide
Not included services
- alcoholic drinks
Group size
8 persons
Price
€ 1100 per person from/to Tallinn airport
Catering/overnights
We go on a round trip with a minibus from Tallinn onto the island of Hiiumaa,
from there to the island of Saaremaa and then back to Tallinn. Most of the
time, we are accommodated on cozy farms from which we go on day trips. In
the farms there is the possibility to cook ourselves and we will do so on
some evenings. Usually we will have lunch in form of lunch packages (bread,
filling of our thermos). Now and then we will also have warm lunch in restaurants
during our day tours. .
Program - beartrail trekking
1st day: Arrival in Tallinn in the
afternoon, transfer to our place of accommodation. During dinner, our guide
gives us a lot of information on the trip.
2nd day: After an early breakfast
we drive a bit until we arrive at the nature reserve Marimetsa. Here, we go
on a walk through the light forests and later on duck boards through a large
beautiful bog landscape. In the afternoon we arrive back to our bus and drive
further west until we arrive at the harbor of Rohukula. The ferry trip to
Hiiumaa takes about two hours. At Hiiumaa we drive for another half hour until
we arrive at a traditional sheep farm where we are accommodated. Hiking trip
distance: 9 km
3rd day: Today, we have a hike to
Sääretirp, a long beautiful peninsula reaching into the sea close to our place
of accommodation. During this walk, we get acquainted with the first species
of alvar vegetation. In the afternoon after our walk on Sääretirp, we drive
to Vaemla to have a look at the old wool mill of the area and the process
of wool making. After that, we relax in the cozy café of the place. Back at
our farm, we have the possibility to go the sauna, then dinner. Hiking trip
distance: 7 km
4th day: Today, we go on a round
tour on the island to look at some more highlights: The orchid meadows, beach
vegetation, an ancient stone labyrinth and Tahkuna nina, the northernmost
lighthouse of the island. After wards, we continue to an old distillery which
is nowadays an excellent restaurant with local specialties .. After lunch,
we drive west to the nature reserve of Linnaru for a trip through its beautiful
landscapes and different types of forest. Back at our accommodation possibility
to go to sauna, dinner. Hikes together about 7 km.
5th day: Today we take the ferry
to Saaremaa. Our first stop on the island is the cozy main town Kuuresaare
with its medieval castle. We have time to have a walk through the centre by
ourselves while the guide goes shopping for food for the next days. After
that, we continue towards our next place of accommodation, which is situated
at the sparsely populated north-western tip of the island. On the way, we
make a second stop and hiking trip: at the nature reserve Viidumäe. Today’s
hiking distance about 7 km.
6th day: Today’s hike starts not
far from our place of accommodation and goes along the peninsula of Harilaid.
First, our path leads us through dry pine forest, then through open Alvar
with flowering Thyme and along long beaches and beach meadows usually full
of forest strawberries. The old lighthouse of Harilaid is an interesting sight.
It is slowly moving into the sea. Or is the sea taking away the beach it was
standing on? In the evening possibility to go to sauna, dinner. Today’s hike
about 10-15 km
7th day: Today, we leave the island
of Saaremaa. However, before that there is another natural attraction to look
at: The meteorite crater of Kaali, the place an 20 t meteorite has crashed
into the Earch about 400-800 b.Chr. We take the ferry to the main land and
continue to Tallinn, where we are accommodated in a hotel not far from the
old town. In the evening, we have our goodbye-dinner in one of the restaurants
of the medieval centre of Tallinn.
8th day: After breakfast transfer to the airport.
