Archipelago cruise in Lapland to an incredible industrial archeology site off the coast of Lapland!
We pick you up from your hotel and drive to our office in HaparandaTornio Resecentrum/Matkakeskus. There you are given basic information on the experience and security instructions. We then depart towards the Port of Kemi, Finland (about 30 minutes drive).
After a short introduction of the history of Kemi and a walk around the well-preserved port area, we embark historical ferry M/S Leila (built in 1962) and head on a peaceful archipelago cruise in Lapland towards the island of Laitakari (transfer: approximately 20 minutes).
Once docked, we explore this uninhabited island: its industrial archeological ruins testify to the birth of Kemi as a settlement, as well as the beginning of its development, strongly based on wood processing. Still today, this is the main industry and employment source in the area. We show you how the island used to look like, walk along the rails used to transport wood, inspect the sawmill and the manager’s mansion, as well as the power plant, which gave this island electricity before any other area in Lapland.
By walking the path across the island, we dive into the local history by visiting the remains of the settlement founded in 1862, while enjoying the natural landscape. Spontaneous flowers, trees and animals populate this small natural gem, which shows how quickly nature takes back ownership of formerly humanized places.
We take a break halfway in a traditional laavu (a construction built around an open-air fireplace), where you can have a snack and rest.
After reaching a small beach where you can safely take a swim, we walk back across the whole island to the pier (approx. 15-20 mins) where Leila picks us up for the rest of our archipelago cruise in Lapland. We dock (or get close to) the islands of Syväletto and Selkäsaari, making for a wonderfully scenic 45-60 minute cruise back through the Bothnian Bay.
Once landed at the Port of Kemi, we stop for up to half an hour for a coffee break (not included in the price) after which we drive you back to your hotel in HaparandaTornio (30 minutes). This is the end of your archipelago cruise in Lapland.
Overview
| Departure: pickup from your hotel in Tornio, Haparanda, Keminmaa or Kemi. |
| Group size: min 2 max 8. Larger groups subject to separate quotation and agreement. |
| Period: 1 July – 13 August 2023. |
| Weekdays: Friday, Saturday, Sunday. |
| Duration: approximately 6h. |
| Schedule: 10:30-16:30 or 12:30-18:30 (Swedish time). |
| Transfer: by minibus to the Kemi harbour, by historical ferry Leila to the island. |
| Languages: English. Other languages upon request and availability. |
| Price: adults SEK 990, children SEK 690 incl. 25% VAT. |
| Supplement for 2-person groups: SEK 200 per person incl. 25% VAT. |