Meistä
Aurora Donkey Tours was born in November 2025, when then 16-year-old Pinja Kurvinen decided to make her dream come true and create something completely unprecedented in the Kuusamo tourism scene. Pinja’s great vision was to establish an experience tourism company where the magical northern nature, responsible travel and absolute respect for animals meet in their purest form. This activity is not just a business, but an entire way of life, in which Pinja is supported and actively assisted by her mother, Ulla Kurvinen. Together they ensure that every visit is filled with warmth, safety and genuine, unhurried encounters with animals and nature in Kuusamo.
The heart of the operation is located right near the centre of Kuusamo, only three kilometres from local services. Aurora Donkey Tours operates in stunning lakeside scenery on the shore of Lake Kuusamojärvi, at Nurminiemi Riding Farm. The farm welcomes guests with impressive log stables and an indoor arena, providing first-class, clean and safe surroundings for experiences in every season – from the crispest winter frost to the glow of the midnight sun. The location makes donkey and nature experiences easily accessible for both domestic and international travellers.
The animals are beloved family members whose wellbeing is at the core of everything. On treks, carriage rides and camps, the main guides are the charming donkeys Lea and Hedda, who have been part of the family since 2020. These two inseparable long-ears win over every visitor with their gentle gaze, calm steps and incredibly soft coats. The herd is completed by Pinja’s own horse, Maisa, who moved to the farm in March 2026 to enjoy well-earned days as a former trotter. Although Maisa does not work actively in the company, this beautiful and sensitive mare delights visitors in the stable environment and may occasionally take part in atmospheric photo sessions or serve as a calm lead-rein horse.
At Nurminiemi Riding Farm, the animals live a happy, species-appropriate life, and every Aurora Donkey Tours activity is always organised on the animals’ terms. The animals are never forced; instead, time with them is shared as a genuine, unhurried moment in the peace of nature, surrounded by the beautiful lake landscapes of Kuusamo. Welcome to discover the story of Aurora Donkey Tours, animal-friendly experience tourism and the herd in the stunning surroundings of Lake Kuusamojärvi!
