RIB BOAT CRUISE TO THE HISTORICAL KÄYHKÄÄ AND KUKONHARJU CANALS
Welcome to Puumala for a historical canal cruise to Käyhkää and Kukonharju! On this Saimaa cruise, you’ll explore the military canals built in the late 18th century by Russian General Alexander Suvorov. The cruise departs from Puumala Harbor, with a stop at Kukonharju to view the site’s remains.
Cruise Route:
Puumala Harbor – Ummistonvesi – via Ristivesi – Käyhkää Canal – Kukonharju Canal – Puumala Harbor.
General Suvorov is relatively unknown to Finns, but in Russia, he holds a status similar to Mannerheim in Finland. Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov (1729–1800) was a Russian military leader and generalissimo, known as the "General of Generals." His immortal fame stems from the fact that he never lost any of the approximately 60 battles he fought. In 1791, Catherine II tasked Suvorov with planning and overseeing fortifications in Old Finland. Suvorov initiated the construction of new fortifications and the repair of old ones. He also began constructing four military canals—Kutvele, Käyhkää, Kukonharju, and Telataipale—which connected Lappeenranta and Olavinlinna.
Contemporaries described Suvorov as eccentric and stubborn. He was down-to-earth and preferred the company of peasants to the grand festivities of St. Petersburg’s nobility, where he was often regarded as eccentric or even mad. Suvorov’s family roots appear to trace back to Finland, and he considered himself Finnish, although Russian historians naturally reject this interpretation.
Aboard Rib Saimaa, you'll have the chance to explore Suvorov's fascinating military canals with guided commentary! Narratives about the Gustav War and Kukonharju Canal are available in Finnish, English, and Russian.
Departure Information
Departures from Puumala Harbor run Sundays at 4:00 PM from June to September.
Duration: Approximately 2.5 hours.
Tickets
Adults: €89 (minimum 4, maximum 11 participants).
Children (ages 4–16): €40.
Children under 3 years: Free of charge.
The ticket includes:
Saimaa cruise.
Audio guide.
Life jackets.
Wind- and waterproof deck jackets.
Waterproof flotation suits in case of bad weather.
Other Information
Explore additional Kukonharju and Käyhkää canal cruise options!
This cruise is also ideal for private charters at any time, and the departure point can even be arranged from your own cottage pier. Contact us: info@ribsaimaa.fi or +358 40 555 8250 / Heikki.
For group bookings, inquire about minibus transportation to the cruise departure point within the South Savo region (Mikkeli, Puumala, Lappeenranta, Savonlinna, etc.).