Welcome to the combined bus and boat tour from Puumala Harbor to the Astuvansalmi rock paintings, continuing to Mikkeli and back to Puumala.

Cruise to the Astuvansalmi rock paintings from Puumala Harbor. The tour bus departs from Mikkeli, driving through Pistohiekka and Sahanlahti to Puumala Harbor, where you will board the Aino boat for a scenic cruise to the Astuvansalmi rock paintings, enjoying the beautiful Lake Saimaa landscapes. The cruise ends at the Varkaantaipale Canal, where a bus will take you back via Mikkeli to Puumala Harbor. This full-day boat trip from Puumala to the Astuvansalmi rock paintings and back to Puumala will take place on Thursdays of even weeks: June 12th, June 26th, July 10th, July 24th, and August 7th.

Schedule of the trip

9:00 Departure by bus from Mikkeli Matkakeskus
9:05 Departure from the Mikkeli market square charter bus stop. Drive to Puumala harbour via Pistohiekka, Pistocamp and Sahanlahti.
10:20 Arrival at Puumala harbour
11:00 Cruise on the Aino boat
11:30 You can enjoy a lunch on board (lunch is at your own cost)
14:30 Visit to the rock paintings (visit lasts about 45 minutes)
16:00 The ship arrives at the Varkaantaipalee canal, from where we take a bus back via Ristiina and Mikkeli towards Puumala. We arrive in Puumala around 18:00

Tickets

65 € / adult
25 € / child (4-16 years)
Children 3 years and under travel free of charge

The ticket price includes: Round-trip transportation from Mikkeli by charter bus, a cruise on Lake Saimaa, and a guided tour of the rock paintings.

NOTE! Meals and coffee are not included in the ticket price and must be purchased separately. Please contact the restaurant/boat directly regarding food allergies.

Onboard Services:

• The M/S Aino is registered for 90 passengers, with travel spaces across three decks:

• Lower deck: A cool salon below the waterline, ideal for warm weather, with table seating and onboard restrooms.

• Middle deck: A café and bar, offering alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, coffee, and pastries. Buffet-style dining can also be arranged. The ship is licensed to serve alcohol.

• Upper deck (Sun Deck): Open-air seating with a panoramic lake view. A bar is also available on this deck when needed.

Tips for the Trip

• Puumala Harbor

  • Make use of the harbor's services before departing for the cruise. The boat departs at 11:00 AM.

• M/S Aino

  • You can purchase a soup lunch from the boat’s café starting at 11:30 AM. The lunch is at your own expense. Please inform the boat directly of any special dietary requirements. Contact: 040 705 8043.

• Astuvansalmi Rock Paintings

  • The Astuvansalmi Experience is a mobile-based tour located at the Astuvansalmi rock paintings in Ristiina, Mikkeli. Videos in the SALMI AR app illustrate what the landscape at Astuva may have looked like over the millennia and how the paintings may have been created. The app also allows for a closer look at the various pictorial symbols.

Hop On Hop Off stops and their locations

• Mikkeli Travel Center: Charter bus stop 2, Mannerheimintie 12.

• Market Square Charter Bus Stop: Behind the Mannerheim Statue, Maaherrankatu 11.

• Ristiina: Bus stop, after the market square, Brahenkatu 9.

• Varkaantaipale Canal: Suurlahdentie 1671

• Puumala Harbor: Satamatie 2

• Sahanlahti: Sahanlahti Resort parking lot, Lietvedentie 830, Puumala

• Pistohiekka / Pistocamp: Pistohiekanraitti 79, Puumala

• Pistohiekka / Pistohiekka Resort: Pistohiekanraitti 33, Puumala