Canoe tours on the rivers and lakes of Peipsiveere Nature Reserve

A 45-minute car drive from Tartu will take you to Nature Tours Estonia centre, located near the Emajõe-Suursoo wetland area. That’s one of Estonia’s wildest and least inhabited areas, being part of Peipsiveere Nature Reserve.  This vast and pristine wetland features numerous rivers and lakes, making it an ideal destination for canoeing. The serene rivers, lakes, and bog islands are home to a variety of birds and mammals, including several protected species. Recognized as a Ramsar site, this expansive wetland area is a sanctuary for many endangered, privacy-seeking species. Additionally, Estonia’s largest cranberry reserves are hidden here. Emajõe-Suursoo wetland area is also an important fish spawning area and local people have a long tradition of fishing as well.

Canoeing on these tranquil wetland rivers is suitable even for beginners. Our canoe tours are available from April to October. Tours are led by experienced nature guides. Your tour guides are local people living here year round and this wilderness is their backyard.

A day canoe tours

Tour time: any time of the day (the best are sunrise and sunset)
Duration: ~4 hours
Availability: April – October
Distance: ~8 km
Group size: up to 23 persons
Minimum age: 7 years
Location: Peipsiveere Nature Reserve
Price: 50 EUR/person (for groups of 5 or more)

In case your group is less than 5 persons:
1 person 85€/person
2 persons 75€/person
3 persons 65€/person
4 persons 55€/person

Included in price:
– canoe, lifejacket, paddle
– canoeing instruction
– tour guide service and tour organizing
– catering (a light meal)

HOW TO GET THERE?

Nature Tours Estonia centre is located in countryside, 45 km from Tartu. There is several ways to get here:

• Bus from Tartu and back (bus stop Saki). Only on some days of the week. Check the timetable.
• Rental car (best option, we recommend!)
• Bolt or taxi (also very good option)
• Ask Nature Tours Estonia for a transportation service from Tartu and back (up to 4 persons, 100€)

 
EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

– please wear weather-appropriate clothing and shoes or boots
– please use insect repellent
– you should have your own drinking water
– please pack your personal belongings waterproof

An overnight canoe tours (2 days)

We well sleep in hammocks next to the river or Peipsi lake far away from any civilation. Dinner will be prepared using seasonal forest ingredients on a camping stove. In the morning, we’ll enjoy breakfast and will continue canoeing to destination point.

Tour time: start before noon and end on the next day afternoon
Duration: 2 days
Availability: May – October
Distance: ~35 km
Group size: up to 9 persons
Minimum age: 13 years
Location: Peipsiveere Nature Reserve
Price: 130 EUR/person (for groups of 5 or more)

In case your group is less than 5 persons:
1 person 500€/person
2 persons 325€/person
3 persons 225€/person
4 persons 165€/person

Included in price:
– canoe, lifejacket, paddle
– canoe instruction
– tour guide service and tour organizing
– catering with 2 meals (snack, dinner and breakfast)
– tree tents (hammocks)
– headlamps
– kitchen equipment and food dishes

HOW TO GET THERE?

Nature Tours Estonia centre is located in countryside, 45 km from Tartu. There is several ways to get here:

• Bus from Tartu and back (bus stop Saki). Only on some days of the week. Check the timetable.
• Rental car (best option, we recommend!)
• Bolt or taxi (also very good option)
• Ask Nature Tours Estonia for a transportation service from Tartu and back (up to 4 persons, 100€)

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

– weather appropriate clothing (long and insect-proof)
– spare clothes (socks and something warm for the night)
– shoes (comfortable hiking boots or rubber boots)
– insect repellent
– sleeping bag and hiking mat
– personal equipment
– a waterproof bag for packacking all your belongings. If you dont have waterproof bag, we can rent.

Traditional cranberry picking canoe tours

Tour time: day time
Duration: ~5 hours
Availability: September – October
Distance: ~8 km
Group size: up to 23 persons
Minimum age: 7 years
Location: Peipsiveere Nature Reserve
Price: 60 EUR/person (for groups of 5 or more)

In case your group is less than 5 persons:
1 person 150€/person
2 persons 125€/person
3 persons 100€/person
4 persons 75€/person

TOUR DESCRIPTSION

Traditional cranberry picking canoe tours are mix of canoeing and cranberry picking. In this wetland cranberry picking is a long and living tradition. Hardworking berry pickers harvest hundreds of kilos of cranberries every autumn. Cranberries provided income for the people here and are highly valued as a useful and tasty winter food. For Estonians, picking wild berries is a cherished tradition passed down through generations.

Our guided cranberry-picking trip for tasting freshly picked cranberries and experience the satisfaction of gathering them. Cranberries grow in the unique bog landscape, rarely found elsewhere in Europe. Cranberry tour also includes little meal.

Included in price:
– canoe, lifejacket, paddle
– canoeing instruction
– tour guide service and tour organizing
– a bucket for the berries
– catering (a light meal)

HOW TO GET THERE?

Nature Tours Estonia centre is located in countryside, 45 km from Tartu. There is several ways to get here:

• Bus from Tartu and back (bus stop Saki). Only on some days of the week. Check the timetable.
• Rental car (best option, we recommend!)
• Bolt or taxi (also very good option)
• Ask Nature Tours Estonia for a transportation service from Tartu and back (up to 4 persons, 100€)

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

– please wear weather-appropriate clothing (rain)boots
– please use insect repellent
– you should have your own drinking water
– please pack your personal belongings waterproof