A Wilderness Experience Above the Arctic Circle

Here's an adventure you'll be talking about for years! Drive your own team of dogs and ride a reindeer sled through Sápmi (Lapland), one of Europe's last remaining wilderness areas and the ancestral lands of the nomadic reindeer-herding Saami people.

You'll learn the skills of dog sledding from an expert dog handler, and before you know it, you'll be traveling at a gentle pace across the silent, frozen snow, following the ancient tracks of Saami reindeer herders through Lapland's scenic winter landscape. You'll also learn the art of sledding with reindeer, an ancient form of transport used for millennia.

All along the way you'll overnight in cozy cabins and traditional Saami dwellings (wood-fired saunas included!), sample local delicacies (Arctic Char, anyone?), and get an exclusive in-depth experience of life in the Lapland wilderness. The expedition ends with an unforgettable night at the world-renowned Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi, a spectacular place (quite possibly the "coolest" place in the world) made entirely out of thousands of tons of snow and crystal-clear ice (be sure to try the famous Wolf's Paw drink, served in an ice glass)!

Activities

4 days dog sledding, 2 days sledding with reindeer

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Spend a night at Sweden's celebrated Ice Hotel
• Drive your own sled with a team of dogs and learn the skills of sledding with reindeer-a good old-fashioned adventure!
• Get an in-depth experience of the simple life in the beautiful Lapland wilderness
• Excellent chances of seeing the northern lights dance across the midnight sky!

2011 TRIP PRICES

Call 1-888-687-6235 for 2011 dates and prices.

Duration: 10 days Start Location: Stockholm End Location: Stockholm Best time to go: March - April

Itinerary

• Day 1 : Stockholm

  Arrive in Stockholm, Sweden.

• Day 2 : Kiruna

  Fly to Kiruna, 150 miles above the Arctic Circle, and transfer to the Saami village of Övre Soppero.

• Day 3 : Reindeer Sledding

  Learn about the Saami culture and history, the difficult art of catching reindeer with a lasso, and how the Saami tame this headstrong creature. You'll then set off on a trial ride, driving the reindeer in teams of two participants per sled. Overnight in a traditional Saami tepee-style dwelling (called a lavvu).

• Day 4 : Reindeer Sledding

  With reindeer and sled, you'll travel through pristine, untouched wilderness and break trail through the thick snow en route back to Övre Soppero. Chance for ice-fishing en route! Cap the reindeer adventure with a Saami dinner, followed by a relaxing sauna.

• Day 5 : Dog Sledding to Mount Tjiuru

  Today you'll get your own team of sled dogs and set off for an expedition to snow- clad Tjiuru Mountain, from where you'll enjoy a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains, wooded lowlands, and-on a clear day-the alpine peaks of Norway. Return to Övre Soppero in the afternoon for a true Saami feast.

• Day 6 : Dog Sledding to Jäkkeljärvi

  Harness up your dogs and travel through the snowy woods and past peaceful lakes in a pristine area where few other people have ever set foot. Opportunities to see reindeer, moose, and ptarmigan along the way. Overnight at cabins set beside remote lakes.

• Day 7 : Dog Sledding to Väkkäräjärvi

  Today we will travel with our dog teams through snow-covered woods, where we have good chances of spotting moose, ptarmigan, and capercaillie (wood grouse) at this time of year. We are beginning to learn the ropes of dog sledding and are a real team with our strong and enduring team of huskies. In the evening we overnight in a wilderness camp on the shores of LakeVäkkäräjärvi.

• Day 8 : To the Ice Hotel

  Travel by sled to the magnificent Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi, constructed solely from snow and ice from the Torne River. Here you'll sleep on warm reindeer pelts on beds made of ice and reflect on a simply astonishing adventure.

• Day 9 : Kiruna – Stockholm

  Transfer to Kiruna and fly to Stockholm.

• Day 10 : Fly Home

  Depart Stockholm.

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  First Hotel Reisen

  First Hotel Reisen is a first class hotel in the heart of palatial Stockholm close to the Royal Palace and only five minutes walk from the shopping area. The hotel is celebrated for its high standards in service and its accomplished marriage of classical interiors and modern design. Several rooms offer harbour views while others feature private saunas, jacuzzis and balconies. All hotel guests are offered complimentary wireless internet access. The hotel has an exquisite restaurant and a wellness spa in addition to conference and banquet facilities. We also have a gym, sauna and a cold water pool which we offer all guests free of charge.

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  Ice Hotel

  Stay at the incredible Ice Hotel - a hotel made entirely from ice and snow. It is both an amazing hotel and a art project that is rebuilt every year. Guests will enjoy a truely unique experience as they stay in the famed Ice Suites, each individually designed by an artist, and unique from one another. While the bed may be made of ice, guests will be very warm and comforable sleeping in VERY warm sleeping bags provided by the Ice Hotel on top of reindeer pelts on an ice bed. Be sure the visit the Absolute Ice Bar, which is a hoot.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.

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