Pearls of Lake Saimaa: Tar Steam Cruise and Imatra State Hotel

SAIMA'S PEARLS: TAR STEAM CRUISE AND IMATRAN STATE HOTEL

Saimaa Geopark congress trip – also open to other travelers!

Saturday–Sunday 19.9.–20.9.2026

On this trip we will experience the most breathtaking landscapes of Lake Saimaa aboard an authentic tar steamer, marvel at the forces of nature at Kummakivi and stay overnight at the historic Imatra State Hotel. Sunday is crowned with a relaxing sauna ferry cruise on Vuoksi.

Lappeenranta – Puumala – Ruokolahti – Imatra – Helsinki

Saturday: From the waves of S/S Wenno to the atmosphere of the castle

• 10.00 The journey begins. The bus departs from Hotelli Lappeen.
• 12.00 We arrive at Puumala harbour. We board the historic tar steamer S/S Wenno . During the cruise we admire the Saimaa archipelago and enjoy a delicious lunch in the atmosphere of the ship.
• 14.00 The cruise ends and the journey continues by bus towards Ruokolahti.
• 14.45 Stop at the famous Kummakivi. From the bus, it is an easy walk of about half a kilometer to this geological wonder – a huge boulder that balances on a rocky outcrop, defying gravity.
• 16.00 Return to the bus and travel towards Imatra.
• 17.00 Accommodation at the magnificent Imatran Valtionhotelli. The rooms are located on the magnificent side of the castle building. A moment to settle in and enjoy the unique milieu of the "Castle".
• 19.00 Dinner together in the hotel restaurant. A uniform menu is available (we take into account declared allergies).

Sunday: Relaxation along the Vuoksi River

• 08.00–09.30 Rich breakfast at the hotel.
• 10.00 Check out of the hotel. Luggage is taken to the hotel storage. We set off with a guide for a brisk walk towards the Vuoksi riverbank (walking distance approx. 1.3 km).
• 10.30 Exciting sauna raft cruise on the Vuoksi River. During the cruise, you have the opportunity to sauna and swim while enjoying the scenery.
• For an additional fee: Opportunity to try an unforgettable drysuit float in the stream.
• 12.30 The sauna raft lands at Restaurant Sula.
• 12.45 Lunch together at Restaurant Sula.
• 13.40 Transportation to Imatra railway station.
• 14.00 The train to Helsinki departs.

Price and travel package contents services

Price: €425/person in a double room. Additional price for a single room + 40 €/person

The price includes

• Bus transport from Lappeenranta to Hotel Lappeen via Puumala to Imatra, tar steamer cruise + lunch and coffees, visit to the Kumakivi, dinner and accommodation including breakfast at the Imatra State Hotel.
• Guided walk approx. 1.3 km from the State Hotel to Restaurant Sula/sauna raft.
• Lunch at restaurant Sula
• Bus transport from Rvintola to Sula via the State Hotel (luggage pickup) to Imatra railway station (central transport station).

Additional fee

• On the sauna raft, for an additional fee, there is the possibility of drysuit floating in Vuoksi (70 €/person) and towels (€5/person)
• Accommodation in a single room in Imatra

Important information for passengers

• Meals: Please indicate any food allergies and special diets in the "Additional information" field when booking.
• Sauna raft: You can bring your own towel and swimsuit or rent a towel on site (5 €/person).
• Floating: Drysuit floating is an optional additional service (70 €/person), which must be booked separately.

Booking and cancellation terms

Payment terms: The booking fee (25% of the total amount) is paid at the time of booking. The remaining amount (75%) is paid 60 days before the trip.

Implementation: Trips are organized if at least 15 people have booked the trip. Everyone will be notified of the implementation immediately after the sales period ends. If the trip does not take place, customers will be refunded the booking amount in full.

Responsible tour operator: The responsible organizer of the travel package is Simmes Oy / Rajamailla. This ensures that under all circumstances the customer will receive a refund if the trip is canceled. With the travel package, Simmes Oy pays the marginal tax retroactively for the trip. If you would like a receipt with an itemized tax, please send an email to myynti@rajamailla.fi.

Otherwise, the normal reservation and cancellation terms.

The guaranteed tour operator is Simmes Oy / Rajamailla. FCCA registration number: 1392/21/Mj