Guided tour ‘Flavours of the Onion Road: from onion pies to chicory coffee’

Otepää's excellent snow conditions and varied landscape with narrow forest trails and prepared sleigh roads are perfect for kick sledging. Ice conditions permitting, an entirely unique experience is provided by a kick sledge hike across the lake ice.Many participants haven't used a kick sledge since their childhood. Some try it for the first time; however, anyone can master it!The guides add fun to the gathering breaks with games and exciting tales about nature.During the 2–4 hour hike, we will cover about 7 km of winter roads.The size of the group starts from 10 people.This is an EHE product (ecotourism quality mark Genuine and Interesting Estonia).

The museum introduces the life led by farmers in the 18th century and the everyday lives and work of our forefathers. There are five oak sculptures created by St Petersburg artist Grigori Azarenkov by the museum. The museum is surrounded by beautiful landscapes, which make it a popular venue for folk parties and theatre performances.

The areas surrounding the rivers and bogs of Lake Peipsi have historically been sparsely populated due to the wet soil. The main means of transportation were rivers and waterways through the bog, which froze in winter. We invite you to explore these frozen winter roads with your family and pets! Most of the winter roads still exist today, and the most important one runs from Kodavere to Varnja. We will walk and hike through the bog along the old winter roads with Mesi Tare owner Marko and discuss their importance. We will have a picnic, and, if we are lucky, we will find especially sweet cranberries in the bog! We do part of the journey by karakat, a truck made by the locals to travel over the ice of Lake Peipsi. The hike will only take place during cold winters when there is ice!

Who are the Russian Old Believers? How and when did they arrive in Estonia? Why did they settle in the Peipsi region, and what are their customs? Why have they grown onions this way for centuries? The Old Believers Museum in Kolkja is located on the Onion Route and tells visitors the story of the Peipsi Region's Russian Old Believers. The exhibition is in Estonian, English, and Russian and includes virtual reality, where you can experience the Old Believer prayer. We also offer hour-long guided tours in Estonian and Russian. There is an observation tower overlooking Lake Peipsi at the museum! Come and discover the world of the Old Believers in Kolkja!

The uninhabited Salosaar is one of the 30 islands of Lake Peipsi. There used to be a farm, a restaurant with a dance floor and a windmill on the island but these were destroyed in different wars. The defence line that the Germans built during WWII but never used has also collapsed. At the moment, the island does not have any inhabitants; the only 'vacationers' are cormorants. The nests of these apt fishermen can be seen everywhere in the trees.Length of the hike: 7 km and 2.5–3 hoursGroup size: minimum 10 peoplePrice: €20 per adult, €12 per childNB! As we will be hiking in the near vicinity of Russia, you need to bring an ID.

Discover the secrets of Estonian nature on Mesi Tare's bog safari, which takes you from Varnja to remote areas of Emajõe Suursoo that are inaccessible by foot. During the boat trip, you will see lesser-known rivers and lakes, cormorant forests, and hidden corners of the bog, while listening to the soothing sounds of waves and nature. Traveling in small boats gives you the opportunity to be the captain of your crew for the whole day, enjoying the ride at your own pace. One of our boats is a historical Peipsi wooden boat, adding an authentic touch to the journey. The safari is not just a trip but also an educational experience, as guide Marko introduces the area's nature and history. After the boat ride, a delicious and hearty campfire lunch awaits you, where you can enjoy the silence and surrounding nature. This experience is perfect for families, friends, or couples looking for an active, educational, and unforgettable nature experience in Estonia. Come and see how the Estonian bog turns into an adventure you won't forget!

The Taevaskoda (Heaven’s Halls) hiking trails offer experiences at every step, regardless of the season and weather. During the hike, we might see a kingfisher while the guide tells legends about the outcrops of Taevaskoda and helps participants recognise the places where the movie Viimne reliikvia was filmed. We will also discuss the relationship between nature and humans over the years. We will agree on the length and theme of the hike with the participants. After the hike, we offer a meal and you can also go to a sauna.If you feel like you need to pamper both your soul and body, be sure to come here. We welcome you during every season. We have been awarded with the EHE (Genuine and Interesting Estonia) quality mark.

Between Hellenurme, Elva, and Otepää, there is a unique opportunity to see Estonia's last historical water-powered flour and grist mill in operation – the Hellenurme Water Mill. Upon arrival, we explore the mill building and views over the mill pond to Hellenurme Manor, then we open the turbine, and the mill begins to work, powered by water. Through the mill's four floors, you can see, touch, and feel the power of the mill, and soon fresh flour and grist fall into the bag as in the old days. In the bread house, you can try breadmaking under the guidance of the Mill Mistress, honoring traditions and telling stories about bread and the wisdom of ancestors. In the bread trough, dough is kneaded from sourdough. Each guest molds their own little loaf from a dough ball, which the Mill Mistress throws into the large bread oven with an old bread peel. Soon, the bread house fills with the smell of bread, and each guest can take their loaf from the oven, which tastes warm and buttery like an unforgettable dessert! As writer Juhan Liiv wrote: "... warm bread – imagine!"