Photographic tour in Northern Finland , in search of the symbolic species of the boreal forests , with a focus on black grouse and capercaillie
DATES AND PARTICIPANTS
DURATION
5 Days and 4 Nights
DATES
April 23-27, 2026
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS
10 Participants
DETAILS AND ACTIVITIES
DIFFICULTY
Easy
PREPARATION AND EQUIPMENT
No long hikes or other strenuous physical activities are planned.
MODALITY
Photography from a shed
Cost and Tour Leader
TOUR LEADER
Michael Lovera
STARTING FROM
€3090
PAYMENT
€790 deposit upon registration and balance due 60 days before departure
HOW TO BOOK?
Scroll to the bottom of the page and fill out the contact form, asking for more information on the event or confirming your participation. You will be quickly contacted on Whatsapp.
destination:
In the heart of Northern Finland , where boreal forests stretch for miles and frozen lakes reflect the soft winter light, lies one of the most authentic and wild landscapes in Northern Europe. Here, nature reigns supreme and wildlife lives according to ancient rhythms, offering photographers a unique environment.
Among the snow-capped fir trees and silent clearings, the rituals of the black grouse and the capercaillie , two of the most iconic species of the Nordic forests, come to life. The hills are guarded by the elegant flight of the golden eagle , while in the most remote spots you can encounter the enigmatic Ural owl and Lapland owl , as well as fascinating ptarmigans and other typical Arctic species such as Siberian jays , stoats, and mountain hares.
This remote corner of Finland is much more than a destination: it is a place where silence has a sound, where every step in the snow tells a story and where the light changes the landscape in a matter of seconds, creating atmospheres perfect for nature photography .
An ideal journey for those seeking excitement, authenticity, and the opportunity to experience the magic of the Great North in one of its purest and most unspoiled forms.
Tour information:
Our journey will begin at Kuusamo Airport , where you’ll meet the professional photographer and the rest of the group. From there, with a comfortable private transfer, we’ll head deep into the Finnish forests to our Base Camp , a typical Nordic cabin that will be our home for the entire experience.
After settling into your rooms, an introductory briefing will follow: the day-by-day program will be explained, along with the logic of the activities, the photographic approach to the different species, and any changes due to weather conditions or wildlife behavior. The goal is clear: to maximize photographic opportunities and make the most of every moment of the trip.
The days will be punctuated by sunrise and sunset sessions, moments of relaxation, and delicious traditional meals prepared in a local restaurant. The pace will be intense but well-balanced: there will be time for rest, but also for discussion, reviewing your shots, analyzing situations, and improving your technique.
A comprehensive post-production lesson is included during your stay, where you’ll discover an effective professional workflow for nature photography. It will be a valuable opportunity to learn how to best enhance images captured in typical Northern conditions: low light, snow, subtle contrasts, and camouflaged subjects .
Before leaving, you will be added to a dedicated WhatsApp chat , where you will receive personalized advice on equipment, clothing, settings and physical preparation , as well as getting to know the other participants in advance.
Clear and continuous communication to ensure a smooth, organized, and worry-free experience.
photographic activities:
This trip is a true full-immersion photography experience . Over five days, you’ll experience seven sessions dedicated to the iconic species of the Far North, alternating between professional lodges and short, itinerant activities in the forest.
Our two main targets will be the black grouse and the capercaillie , protagonists of fascinating courtship rituals that take place in the early hours of dawn. For the capercaillie, we will spend the entire night in the hide : an intense, incredibly exciting experience, which allows you to be in the center of the arena already at first light.
We will also photograph the elegant golden eagle , positioning ourselves in dedicated hides on the snow-capped hills, and move into the forest to search for more elusive species such as Ural owls , Lapland owls , rock ptarmigans , Siberian jays and numerous Arctic passerines.
Sessions will vary depending on animal activity and weather conditions, which can change rapidly in these regions.
The shelters are designed to offer comfort, invisibility and optimal shooting angles : some allow for ground-level shots, perfect for dynamic portraits, others are raised and equipped with comfortable seats for longer sessions.
There are no challenging treks planned: the only significant distances concern the golden eagle session, with a walk of about 1 km in the snow.
Depending on the conditions, we may consider extra sessions or specific focuses on particularly active species.
Every moment is designed to offer you maximum photographic immersion , with the continuous support of the professional photographer.
The Base Camp:
Throughout the trip, we’ll stay in a quaint wooden cabin nestled in the silence of the forest, overlooking a picturesque frozen lake . A welcoming, warm, and inviting place, ideal for soaking up the Nordic atmosphere and recharging your batteries between sessions.
The facility has nine double rooms , three bathrooms , hot water , heating , electricity , Wi-Fi , and a large fireplace that will become the heart of our breaks. Here you can rest, edit photos, interact with other participants, dine on traditional dishes, and experience moments of authentic conviviality.
This type of accommodation allows you to maintain constant contact with the surrounding environment: looking out the window, it’s common to see the soft snow falling, hear the silence of the forest, or spot some small animal moving among the trees.
The only nights spent outside the hut will be those dedicated to the capercaillie , when we will sleep directly inside the huts to be, at dawn, already in the heart of the arena.
An intense, special and truly unique experience, which represents one of the most memorable moments of the entire tour.
Our Base Camp is not just accommodation: it is an authentic Nordic refuge , an integral part of the experience and perfectly in line with the Just Explorers philosophy.
DAILY PROGRAM
Day 1
- Our journey takes shape from day one , when we meet at Kuusamo airport in the early afternoon. From there, we’ll begin the transfer to a small village nestled in the forest, where our wooden cabin, completely reserved for the group, awaits us. Once we’re settled into our rooms, we’ll have time to get to know each other and receive a detailed presentation of the program. In the late afternoon, one of the most fascinating experiences of the entire tour will begin: we’ll move to the capercaillie arena, where we’ll enter the huts where we’ll spend the entire night, ready to witness the incredible ritual that comes to life at dawn.
Day 2
- The morning of the second day will begin with the return to the cabin after the capercaillie session. A hot breakfast and a few hours of rest will allow us to recharge after the night spent in the cabin. At midday, we’ll enjoy a lunch of typical local products before preparing for another photographic outing. In the early afternoon, we’ll reach the snow-capped hills, where we’ll spend several hours in the golden eagle cabins, located in a spectacular setting that offers excellent opportunities for dynamic and close-up shots. After sunset, we’ll return to the cabin for a traditional dinner and a well-deserved rest.
Day 3
- The third day will begin before dawn. Around 2:00 a.m., we’ll reach the black grouse enclosure, one of the most evocative moments of the trip. Here, inside strategically positioned huts, we’ll witness the males’ first movements and the courtship rituals that enliven the clearing with sounds, running, and wingbeats. After returning home and a hearty breakfast, the morning will be dedicated to rest. In the afternoon, we’ll move into the forest, where, with a bit of luck, we might encounter elusive species such as the Ural owl , the Lapland owl , ptarmigans , stoats, and mountain hares. This itinerant activity will allow us to explore different environments and capture the most authentic essence of the Finnish taiga. As evening falls, we’ll return to the capercaillie huts, where we’ll spend the second night dedicated to this species.
Day 4
- The morning of the fourth day will begin, as planned, with the return to the cabin. After breakfast and a few hours of relaxation, lunch will be served. The afternoon will be dedicated to photography, depending on current activity: if the owls are active, we’ll continue searching for them in the most promising spots in the forest; otherwise, we can spend a session in a hut reserved for small Arctic passerines such as bullfinches, bramblings, redpolls, tits, and woodpeckers. It will be a quieter afternoon, ideal for alternating photography with moments of relaxation. Upon returning, a dinner featuring local delicacies will conclude the day.
Day 5
- The fifth day will be dedicated to the second black grouse outing. We’ll repeat this session to increase photographic opportunities and capture different behaviors: light, atmosphere, and climate change rapidly in the North, and dedicating multiple mornings to the same subject allows for a wider and more complete variety of shots. After returning to the cabin, a hearty breakfast will await us before we say our final goodbyes. Around mid-morning, we’ll leave the lodge for the final transfer to Kuusamo Airport, where our experience in the Far North will end.
INCLUDED
- 5-day stay in a double/triple room at the Base Camp
- Assistance from a professional nature photographer for the entire duration of the workshop
- All meals
- All ground transfers to reach the locations and base camp
- 4 cabana sessions (3 sunrises and 4 sunsets with overnight stay included)
- Introductory and advanced nature photography and video lessons
- Private huts for the exclusive use of the group
- Complete post-production course
- English language support
- Assistance in Italian language
NOT INCLUDED
- Flights
- Single Room Supplement (€300)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions ❓
What equipment will I need?
Prime lenses: At least a 300/400mm is recommended to allow you to get excellent images of most subjects.
500/600mm lenses will allow you to take some great portraits and more detailed shots.
Zoom lenses: It is recommended to have a zoom that covers at least up to 400mm.
We will often be shooting in low light conditions, which is why I recommend bright lenses.
The use of a tripod is not required inside the huts, but it is mandatory to bring your own photographic head to insert into the appropriate compartment located in the huts.
We will be dealing with very sensitive subjects and it will not be possible to change the optics during the sessions.
After registering, you’ll have access to support from the Just Explorers team for any questions. Additionally, approximately 30 days before the workshop, you’ll be added to a WhatsApp group with other participants, where you’ll receive detailed instructions on what equipment to bring.
Is rental service available?
Do you think you don’t have the right equipment for this event?
No problem: you can rent a complete Nikon, Canon, or Sony camera kit (DSLR or mirrorless with super-telephoto lenses) to participate in the event and make the most of this experience.
Some of the products currently available
Camera bodies
Canon R6, Canon 70D, Nikon Z6 III, Nikon D7100, Nikon Z8, Nikon Z9, Sony A6000
Optics
Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 (Canon and Nikon), Nikon 400mm f/2.8 VR, Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR,
Nikon AF-S 300mm f/2.8 G ED VR II, Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
If you are looking for a specific product not listed, please contact us : we will do our best to help you find the camera or lens that best suits your needs.
Rental conditions
The rental service is simple and without constraints :
- no deposit required
- no credit or prepaid card
- no insurance
The equipment is delivered directly to your location .
This service was created to allow anyone to participate in an experience like this, offering every photographer the opportunity to shoot in the best possible conditions .
Contact us for information on availability and prices.
What clothing will I need ?
The huts are not heated except for the one for the eagle where we will have a small stove at our disposal.
There are often quite cold mornings with temperatures below zero, which is why it is advisable to wear very warm and thermal winter clothing.
We will have to walk in the snow to reach the huts, so waterproof boots are recommended.
We’ll be spending the entire night inside the grouse hut, so I recommend bringing a sleeping bag. If you don’t have one, you can rent one on-site , subject to availability. Please let us know as soon as possible if you need one.
Which flight should I buy?
The official meeting point will be at Kuusamo Airport , in the early afternoon on day 1.
To facilitate the organization and reduce waiting times, it will be necessary to fly on the Finnair flight departing at 8:40 AM from Helsinki and arriving in Kuusamo at 10:20 AM.
On day 5, we will return to the airport around 10 AM, compatible with the 11:35 AM return flight to Helsinki.
To ensure maximum coordination and avoid inconveniences , we invite you to send a screenshot of the chosen flight before purchasing , so as to verify its compatibility with the program.
Terms and Conditions
By booking by paying a deposit to the organizers, you accept the following clauses:
1. As this is a pre-registration, the organizer will endeavor to promptly communicate any possible changes in the price of the tour, characterized by cost fluctuations. An annual price fluctuation of approximately 5% is highly likely if the booking is made more than a year in advance. in relation to potential variations in the prices of ground services (for example variations influenced by the fluctuating costs of electricity, fuel and others).
2. The price of the entire workshop will be paid through the payment methods offered by the organizing body, such as bank transfer, PayPal, credit card or cash according to the procedures and deadlines established by the organizers, taking charge of the transaction costs.
3. In case the tour does not take place due to the organizer, the entire amount paid will be refunded.
4. In case of cancellation for personal reasons of any kind and in any case not dependent on the organizer, the deposit and any other registration fees will be retained as reimbursement of expenses.
5. In case of cancellation for personal reasons within 60 days of departure, the entire balance of the tour will be required.
By registering, paying the deposit and sending your personal data, you accept clauses 1,2,3,4,5 again.
Below are some shots TAKEN in the locations we will visit during the event
Request the full program or confirm your registration by filling out the form below
You will be contacted on Whatsapp with all the information on the event
Available places:
4
Cost:
€ 3090
Fill out the form to request the full program and reserve your place!
You will be contacted on Whatsapp with all the information about the event
