Welcome to the combined bus and boat trip through the Astuvansalmi rock paintings to Puumala and back to Mikkeli!
On this trip, you will explore ancient history and cruise in the magnificent lake nature of Saimaa. You can board the excursion bus either from Mikkeli city center or Ristiina. We will board the M/S Aino boat at the Varkaantaipale canal. This full-day trip from Mikkeli through the Astuvansalmi rock paintings to Puumala and back will take place on the following Wednesdays of even weeks: 11.6., 25.6., 9.7., 23.7., and 6.8.
Schedule of the trip
9:00 AM Departure by bus from Mikkeli Travel Center
9:05 AM Departure from Mikkeli Market Square charter bus stop (behind Mannerheim's statue)
9:30 AM Departure from Ristiina Market Square bus stop
10:00 AM M/S Aino boat cruise starts from Varkaantaipale canal
10:45 AM Visit to the Rock Paintings
11:30 AM Cruise continues
Around 3:00 PM Boat arrives at Puumala harbor
4:00 PM Excursion bus departs towards Mikkeli
Around 5:00 PM Arrival in Mikkeli (Market Square and Travel Center)
Around 5:30 PM Arrival in Ristiina
Tickets
65 € / adult
25 € child (4-16 years)
Children 3 years and under travel for free
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
You can hop on the tour bus either in Mikkeli (Matkakeskus and Market Square) or in Ristiina (Market Square bus stop, Brahenkatu 9).
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 Experience is a mobile-based tour located at the Astuvansalmi rock paintings in Ristiina, Mikkeli. The videos in the SALMI AR app illustrate what the Astuva landscape might have looked like over millennia and how the paintings may have been created, as well as allow for closer examination of different 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 / Pistohieka Resort: Pistohiekanraitti 33, Puumala.
