Kayaking on Pärnu Bay
We will see many interesting sights of Pärnu on our kayaking trip, including Pärnu Yacht Club, Pärnu beach, Vallikäär and breakwaters. Your guide will tell you interesting facts and information about the sights we see. Our destination is the watchtower on Vana-Pärnu beach where we will stretch our legs and have a snack. We will head back after a refreshing meal and a small break. We should get back quickly and easily because the route is familiar and Pärnu is visible on the horizon.
Kayak tour in Tallinn
A harbour tour with a sea castle! Suitable for beginners as well as for experienced kayakers.
3-4 hour kayaking tour in Tallinn will offer a waterbird’s-eye view of Estonia’s capital and its „medievally modern” skyline, plus a slice of history, from its days as a major trading port in the Russian Empire to its prominence in the Danish era, and its more recent Soviet occupation.
As we paddle past 8 ports, with a collection of military vessels, we’ll get a glimpse of Peter the Great’s marine castle and Patarie – the seldom visited but infamous NKVD prison.
A welcome next stop will be Paljassaare Peninsula, with a walk on sandy Pikakari beach, Tallinn’s closest bird watching area. From there, we’ll paddle back to the city – enjoying the sweep of graceful architecture – towers, spires, and the onion dome of the Russian Orthodox cathedral – that still punctuates the rapidly changing skyline.
Suitable for beginners. No previous kayaking experience needed. Full briefing before the trip.
Winter spirit Estonia
Our “Winter Spirit” tours offers the top activities you can do in Estonia during wintertime. We will explore the unique and charming Tallinn Old Town, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and becomes especially magical during winter time. During the second part of the tour, we will leave the city lights behind and enjoy a real winter wonderland in the countryside. Daytime activities such as snowshoeing and kick-sledding will make the evening sauna and talks around the fireplace supremely enjoyable. Over 5 days full of local food, culture and nature will make this winter tour one to remember
Dragonfly watching tour
Estonian nature offers numeros of insects, dragonflies, butterflies and all this you will find on splendid landscape. About half of Estonia is covered in forests and here you will find more coastal meadows, alvars and woodlands than in any other European country. Here is located also one of the largest meadows in Europe – Kasari meadow of 4,000 hectares. Many of the abovementioned habitats are vitally important for rare butterfly and dragonfly species.
We may see the following dragonflies: Beautiful Demoiselle, Small Spreadwing, Common Spreadwing, Siberian Winter Damsel, Common Bluet, Moorland (Common) Hawker, Blue (Southern) Hawker, Brown Hawker, Migrant Hawker, Baltic Hawker, Yellow-spotted Emerald, Four-spotted Chaser, Black-tailed Skimmer, Black Darter, Yellow-winged Darter, Ruddy Darter, Common Darter, Moustached (Vagrant) Darter, etc. Ofcourse we will see also many butterflies and rare types of plants- like the most important protected plant species that can be found here: White Adder`s Mouth, Lesser Twayblade, Early Coralroot, Fly Orchid, and Brown Beak Sedge (protection category II). Also, several plant species which belong to the protection category III can be found here. These belong mostly to the orchid family.
Snowshoeing trip
The enchanting Koitjärve and Kõnnu bogs of the Kõrvemaa nature reserve await hikers from spring to autumn to get to know their diverse nature. Under the guidance of an experienced guide, a hike of about 4-6 kilometers will be completed in the swamp, getting to know the history of the area as well as the plants and animals that nest there.
The hike starts in the parking lot of the Sportland Kõrvemaa Hiking and Skiing Center, from where you move on together in a box of 6×6 ZIL 131 type military trucks, which have been especially applied there for the transport of passengers. We have 4 of these trucks to display, so we can take more than 60 people on a hike at the same time.
Photography workshop Kurland
Enjoy wild Baltics nature in Kurland photography workshop. We will be visiting secluded nature spots for best photographic experience, we will search for amazing landscapes early in the morning and in late afternoons. Combine your hobby with long walks in nature and relaxation in comfortable guest house with SPA. Medium long hikes will be mixed with photography tips on location and resting.
Hiking and Dining in a Landscape Park
A guided walk through Kārļamuiža Landscape Park by the River Amata in central Latvia offers inspiring views of some of the largest Devonian rock formations and cliffs in the ancient Gauja River valley. The walk starts at the Kārļamuiža estate, which was once home to one of the largest fruit tree nurseries of the 19th century and the first horticultural school in the Baltics. Before setting off on the walk, you'll be treated to a refreshing glass of natural Kārļamuiža apple juice, crafted from apples grown in the estate's orchard. After the walk, savor a delicious meal of locally caught trout from the River Amata. Kārļamuiža guest house is a hiker’s-friendly tourist accommodation.
Sea Kayaking in Estonia's Archipelago
Sea Kayaking and wild camping expeditions and tours with British Canoeing certified leaders on the stunning archipelago of Estonia.
Two days of kayaking and wild camping in the bird and seal paradise of the western Estonian archipelago. Fully guided with transfers, 1 night wild camping.
Small Lapland Premium Tour
Experience Small Lapland with our friendly Alaskan malamutes in a pristine Natura 2000 forest. Begin with a kicksled or walking tour depending on the season, immersing in nature's magic and fresh air. Meet our human-oriented dogs, learn about their breed, and enjoy fireside chats with tea or beverages. Capture memories with a unique sleddog photo session in our Christmas-themed studio. Then embark on an exhilarating hike - snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or walking with dogs - exploring ancient riverbeds, bogs, and beaver habitats. Afterward, savor a homemade meal featuring pumpkin soup, crunchy meat, roasted onions, fresh bread with herbal butter, apple soup with vanilla ice cream, and gingerbread waffles.
Packrafting in Lake
Discover the versatility of our custom-made ultra light packrafts, perfect for solo paddling or tandem/triple adventures with friends. Crafted for durability, these inflatable boats are ideal for year-round exploration of Latvia's rivers and lakes. The tour takes place in a river or lake (depending on weather conditions and other factors), covering 5-10 km route, packrafting is a leisurely activity that can be complemented with a refreshing walk, a relaxing sauna or a local cafe visit.
Magical Sounds of the Kokle - Learn How to Play It
This musical workshop introduces you to the kokle, a Latvian traditional string instrument known for its pure and calming sound. The session begins at the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia, where a folk musician will provide a brief history of the kokle and demonstrate its magical melodies. You'll then have the chance to learn and play up to three simple Latvian folk songs. No prior musical experience is needed, though reading sheet music is helpful. After the workshop, you can explore the museum, picnic by the lake, or enjoy the surrounding pine forest.
E-Bike Cēsis-Līgatne
Our journey begins with a Cēsis town guided tour, ideal for e-bike riding. After a coffee break at a charming local café, we'll head towards the Gauja River. Following a forest trail along the Gauja, passing through Rakši and Ozolkalns, we'll reach the Amata Zvārtes cliffs. Continuing, we'll visit the Ķūķu Cliffs and Līgatne Rehabilitation Center village, with the impressive Spriņģi cliffs nearby. You can choose between a road or various forest trail options to reach historic Līgatne village. The journey concludes at Līgatne Nature Trails Information Center.
Birdwatching in Estonia
Estonia is among the top three bird watching destinations in Europe for the number of species spotted here. With over 380 species of birds spotted in Estonia annually.
Estonia’s indented coastline, numerous islands, forests, bogs and other diverse cultural landscapes are all great spots for bird-watching. The best time for bird-watching is during their migration when millions of birds fill the skies.
Birding season begins as early as in March. Spring migration culminates in mid-May and the bird observation season winds down by mid-June. The autumn migration tends to be more modest, but draws enthusiasts to Estonia in September and October as well. Thanks to the large forest areas and suitable habitats, six species of eagle can be seen in Estonia as well as 8 of 9 European woodpecker species.
E-Bike Salacgrīva-Vitrupe
Departing from "Tači," we'll explore the Nēģu (lamprey) dunes. Then, crossing Annasmuiža Bridge towards Svētupe, we'll ride through a beautiful pine forest to Svētupe and along the river to Lībiešu Upuralas (Sacrificial Caves). The first rest break awaits in the scenic Svētupe bend. Continuing, we'll head towards the Vitrupe River to Brīdaga (one of the Soviet-era "zero zones"), riding on gravel roads. From the Vitrupe River into the sea, a splendid coastal ride awaits to Svētupe rivermouth, with nearly constant chances to ride alongside the water and enjoy e-bike advantages. We'll also see Lāņi Manor along the way. From Svētupe rivermouth to Salacgrīva, we'll ride a forest bike path, exploring interesting spots. Upon entering Salacgrīva, we'll explore some intriguing bends before returning to "Tači."
Tours among living chairs and other shaped trees
Whether you're a group of friends, family, or just passing by, we offer a unique, unforgettable experience to spark your creativity. At Forest Designed, we shape live trees into beautiful, functional art using gradual tree-shaping methods. Explore our garden featuring chairs, lampshades, and live tree sculptures. We also grow reproductions of ancient works of art, creating a world gallery in one place. Enjoy tours, creative workshops, event hosting, and more. Our expert guides will lead you through MEŽA DIZAINA DĀRZS, revealing fascinating insights into the ancient art of tree-shaping.
Brown Bear Watching from a Hide
Spend a night at our Brown Bear and wildlife-watching hide. Situated in Alutaguse, an area covered with western-taiga forests and vast bogs in Northeast Estonia, it is home to about half of Estonia's 1000 Brown Bears. The hides have windows on both sides offering a view of the taiga forest and a stream and flooded meadow. Here you can spot a variety of wildlife such as raccoon dogs, elk, wild boar, roe deer, and otters. You can also listen to the soundscape of the surrounding wildlife through the sensitive microphone outside the hide.
Luxury nature villa stay
Our one-of-a-kind villa in a clean and bright pine forest has no analogues in the world. Thanks to its unique design, you can have a mesmerizing view of the river through the panoramic window high above the ground.
We have thought through every element of the interior to make your stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
Guided hikes in Gauja National Park
Individually designed nature hikes through the Gauja National Park: group or individual, from a few hours to several days, various difficulties, circular or linear routes. The hikes can be combined with boat, raft or bike rides, as well as museum visits and great picnics.
Tailor-Made Smart-Guided Tour
The biggest advantage of a smart-guided tour is flexibility. Therefore the easiest way to set it up is by writing to us when and for how long would you like to stay. Which species and habitats would you like to see? Through the given information, we will organize a fitting tailor-made tour specially crafted for you. You can concentrate only on birding, or mix it with mammal observation, or even mix the two together with searching for rare orchids in Estonia’s wooded meadows. In case you want to get more in touch with the local history and culture, we can also add the best or most fitting sightseeing locations. If you want a more active tour, we can add walking trails to your tour and if you are interested in photography, we can arrange stays in various photo hides.
March and the end of April are the best times for seeing wintering arctic waterfowl. During the mentioned period, there’s a great chance to observe Steller’s Eider and hundreds of Long-tailed Ducks, feeding on the west coast of Saaremaa island. In the meantime, the spring migration is slowly starting and every day brings new species. Usually, the early arrivals include species like Cranes, Skylarks, and Northern Lapwings. Commonly it is also the best time for seeing arctic passerine birds like the Snow Bunting, Arctic Redpoll, or even Lapland Longspur.
On warmer days the woodpeckers get more active and then it’s possible to hear the drumming of species such as the White-backed Woodpecker, Three-toed Woodpecker, Black Woodpecker, Lesser-spotted Woodpecker, and Grey-headed Woodpecker. In the evening, there’s a chance to see or hear the Pygmy Owl, Ural Owl, or Tengmalm’s Owl. Black Grouse are already on their lekking grounds and Western Capercaillies and Hazel Grouses are just starting to. March and April are also good months for Elk spotting.
In April the migration is getting stronger every day and then there’s the chance to see new arctic species such as the Greater Scaup, Common- and Velvet Scoter, different Loons, Geese, and Swans. In the meantime, new and new nesting birds are arriving. April is also the best time for spotting woodpeckers, owls, and Galliformes.
The migration lasts until the middle of May and that is also the time when it is possible to see the greatest number of different species. By that time, late arrivals such as the Common Rosefinch, Blyth’s Reed Warbler, Greenish Warbler have just arrived. Earlier nesters are still active and the waterfowl migration has not ended yet.
May is also the best time for seeing local mammals – the Elks feed on fresh grass and leaves and are easy to spot. Bears start visiting the bear watching hide and also sightings of foxes and raccoon dogs will become frequent. Estonia has also a good number of Wolves, Lynx, Jackals, Wild Bore, Otters and other mammals and May is a really good month for accidental observations. In this month, Flying Squirrel tours can also be planned, as there is sufficient light even in the woods. The end of May is also a good time for looking for the first blossoming orchids, such as the majestic Lady’s Slipper. The best time to see as many orchids as possible is at the end of June and in the beginning of July.
While the summer is quite calm in terms of nature observations, it again gets more interesting from mid-August, when the waders start migrating. The greater migration starts in September. During the autumn migration, there are not so many different species, but the masses are greater, as the migration takes place during a shorter period. From the middle of September onwards, thousands of Cranes will start gathering on the fields, later accompanied by various species of geese. When the nights get colder, Hazel Grouse and Western Capercaille get more active again and for the Black Grouse, it signifies the beginning of the (false) autumn lek. Besides the Galliformes, autumn is also an active period for owls and woodpeckers. In terms of mammals, Brown Bears and Raccoon Dogs will be actively looking for food as they need to fatten up for the winter and the chances to spot them are much greater than during summer. Colder nights and shorter days trigger the rutting period of the Elk, which normally lasts from the end of August until the middle of October. The end of the elk rut signifies also the end of our autumn season.
Cuckoos and orchids
In Estonia, 38 blooming species of orchids have been counted. Estonia is famous as an orchid paradise. In Estonian, many common names of the orchid plants include the word ‘kägu’ (cuckoo), indicating that the best time to go looking for orchids is when the cuckoo is singing.
Winter magic in the forest restaurant
Winter in the Nõmbra Manor forest feels like a fairytale, and now you can experience it with your group. We open the doors to the enchanted forest, illuminated by 15 unique light installations. Walk through the twilight with lanterns, breathe in the crisp fresh air, and enjoy the forest life while spending quality time together in nature, complemented by unforgettable culinary delights from the wild.
Menu possibilities:
Forest mushroom risotto with fermented chanterelles
Creamy pike and smoked potato soup
Slow-cooked elk stew with ancient root vegetables, acorn biscuit, lingonberries, and smoked plums
Guelder-rose cream with roasted white chocolate, cedar nuts, and reindeer moss dipped in dark chocolate
Drinks: herbal tea, apple mulled wine, Nõmbra meadow schnapps
Additional fun services:
Tea ceremony with a shaman
Snowshoe hike in Kakerdaja bog with a guide and equipment
Ice skating tour on Kakerdaja bog lake, either in daylight or by lantern light in the evening
Kick-sled forest trail adventure for groups
Folklore concerts
Birdwatching Matsalu National Park
Explore the beauty of Matsalu National Park with our guided nature and bird watching trips, available both on land and at sea. Whether you prefer short excursions or longer adventures, contact us to experience one of Europe’s richest bird habitats. This unique adventure invites you to explore the breathtaking nature of one of Europe’s most renowned bird migration sites, combining hiking and boating for a truly diverse experience.
Discover Matsalu National Park’s beauty on a 4-hour adventure combining hiking and boating. Hike through juniper groves and coastal meadows with a guide, learning about biodiversity and cultural heritage. Boat ride. A local fisherman takes us through the heart of the park, spotting birds, rocky shores, and possibly gray seals.
Seasonal highlight: Witness Europe’s largest Arctic bird migration (spring/autumn).
Please wear comfortable shoes and dress according to the weather.
Snow shoe hikes
In the region of North-Kõrvemaa our trips trace the secrets of the swamps as we travel through Kõnnu Suursoo and Koitjärve bogs, it's known for its attractive landscape and a lot of lakes. The bog-shoes can be used in Estonian bogs throughout the year!
Diving in Latvia (quarry)
The 2.5-hour scuba diving experience begins with a thorough introduction from the instructor, covering diving techniques, safety procedures, and underwater swimming. Participants then practice swimming on the surface while using the scuba system to become familiar with breathing underwater. The activity concludes with a guided dive to explore key areas of interest within the quarry, providing an opportunity to observe unique underwater features in a controlled and safe environment. This experience is designed to combine practical skill development with an introduction to underwater exploration