in Finnish

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are there some waterproof bags? If yes, how big they are?
> Kayak: There is inside waterproof box, about 120 L. It is sufficient for normal six days tour but if not, we give 30-60 L waterproof bags.
> Canoe: Two 60 L blue plastic waterproof barrels and 70 L red plastic equipment box (30x40x60 cm).

2. In the food box, is there food for breakfast, lunch and dinner?
> Yes, breakfast, lunch, dinner and also snacks (müsli, chocolate).

3. Description of the Lakeistenranta Camping Place?
> Wild Canoe base camp in Anttola Camping Place called Lakeistenranta where they have all the facilities. In the center of Anttola (about 2km) there are a pharmacy, a bank, a ATM, a gas station, a sport shop, two supermarkets, a bakery, a cafe, two restaurants, and one pub.

4. Fire place. Is this description correct?
> Yes it is correct; you can cook and make grill food. In many camping spots on the tour there are camp-fire place with firewood, axe and saw ready to use.

5. Why is the transportation paid on the spot?
> Transportation is always paid at the spot, because in many cases customers change their plans (people chance times, locations, destinations, etc.) and the weather could change dramatically. Sometimes we use local taxi drivers and they want payments on the spot.

6. Why you need every group leader name and phone?
> Very often we need to call him/her and ask the pick-up time and place. The guide is always on the move and it's quite difficult to find the right persons among hundreds of people in the camping place. And sometimes the customers do not appear when they have to and we need to check where they are. Sometimes we need to call while they are on the route.

7. What is the sales number?
> The phone to the salesman is + 358 (0)400 160 989, Wesa Liukkonen.

8. Canoe Operation service: What is a canoe handyman?
> Handyman gives you transportation, information, help etc. when needed, mobile phone + 358 (0)500 840 362.

9. You have sent the camping fees, where is the camping site?
> In Anttola: Lakeistenranta Camping Place. The camping fees are: a tent(10€/person/night) and a small cottage for two (20€/person/night). Address: Pitkälahdentie 215, FIN-52100 Mikkeli.

10. What is the best lake canoeing area, Linnansaari national park in Savonlinna or Saimaa area in Anttola?
> Both places are nice but Linnansaari has more open water area and if it is windy canoeing there might be hard.
> Both places have nice camping places, pure water, Saimaa seals. But in Saimaa there is a very nice canal tour and you can camp almost anywhere (no national park rules).

11. Please give me the exact address of the camp in Anttola?
> Lakeistenranta Camping Place:Address: Pitkälahdentie 215, FIN-52100 Mikkeli.

12. Where is your office/canoes based?
> Our office is often there where the owner of the company, Wesa, is. But the official location and archives etc. are located at WildCanoe / Eräkuru Oy, Pankalammenkatu 3 FIN- 50100 Mikkeli. Canoe equipment is now in our warehouse in Mikkeli.

13. Please give me the detailed routes for every trip?
> In fact every route has many different possibilities and when the customers are in Canoe Base Camp we always plan the main route together for every single canoeing day: the best resting/camping places, the sightseeing worth visiting, the possible restaurants/shops/cafes etc. There should always be a plan B in case of bad weather, tiredness etc. NOTE! The instruction/guidance take place every morning in Anttola.

14. Is it possible that canoeists could leave their luggage in Anttola Base Camp?
> Yes, we have place where you could put your things in canoe warehouse.

15. How much white gasoline we need for a week tour?
> One litre is enough for two persons for 6 days. You can count the amount like this: 1,5 dl for a day/2 persons. So, 0,75 dl is enough for one person a day.

16. How evil are the mosquitos in July?
> The answer is: not evil at all. In Saimaa area they are not so nasty than in Lappland. And while paddling there will not be any. On the shore if you'll stay near thick forest there will be more mosquitos. If you are allergic to the stings prepare with the antihistamine and mosquito deterrent.

17. Is there a chance to stay one night in a blockhouse/shed during the canoetrip on Saimaa?
> There are few bed&breakfast places on Saimaa routes. I recommend Kallioniemi (near Astuvansalmi rockpaintings) where you can overnight in a small shed (sorry in Finnish, but there are nice pictures). In Kallioniemi there are a restaurant, a small shop, two saunas for rent, and other activities like a peasant's museum. To my calculations you could overnight there the second last night of your canoeing trip, because from there it's about 35 km to Anttola Base Camp.
> The other B&B is in Risulahti, about 30 km from the base camp to north-east (that could be your second night). The accommodation is in sheds and they have a sauna to rent, as well.

18. Do we need a GPS?
> We don't have GPS devices, but you could use GPS-maps with the physical maps. It is not necessary, but helps a lot.

19. What types of fish are common?
> The most common fish is: small fish like small herring, whitefish and perch. The bigger ones are bream, pike perch and pike.

 

A TYPICAL 8-DAY-CANOE TRIP
Day 1. Arrival.	Arriving at Mikkeli by bus at 21:00 (it leaves from Helsinki at 17:30). From Helsinki to Mikkeli it takes about 3:40 hours by bus, 2:25 - 2:55 by train and 2:40 hours by car. If there is not any buses to Anttola that day the customers call us and order transportation to base camp Anttola (about 40€). - Camping in tents (their own or ours, if you order tour equipment) in Lakeistenranta Camping Place.
Day 2. The first canoeing day.	- Morning moves and breakfast. - There is canoe and trip instruction every morning in Anttola. - Equipment distribution. Packing.
Days 2-6.	Canoeing. Camping in tents.
Day 7. The last day of canoeing	Arriving at the Base Camp in the afternoon. - Equipment care. - Equipment delivery. - Sleeping in tents/cottage in Anttola.
Day 8. Departure.	- Fast and early morning moves. - A bus, a taxi or a Wildcanoe car to Mikkeli travel center where the customers take a bus or train to Helsinki-Vantaa airport. The bus to airport/Helsinki leaves at 2:00 / 5:00 / 7:40 / 8:55 a.m. The train to Tikkurila/Helsinki (there is a bus connection to airport) leaves at 6:00 / 7:21 / 8:13 / 10:06.