Wilderness Travel 2017 Catalog of Adventures

Expedition to Lapland NORTHERN LIGHTS AND REINDEER HERDERS

Days 1-2 Rovaniemi / Snow Castle / Boat Ride From Rovaniemi, we visit the magical Snow Castle, enjoying a drink at their Ice Bar. As we explore aboard the mighty icebreaker Sampo , we have a chance for a dip in polar waters. Days 3-4 Pyhä-Luosto National Park / Luosto Strap on snowshoes to hike through Pyhä-Luosto National Park, with its spectacular polar scenery, and enjoy a sleigh ride by reindeer. Days 5-7 Tankavaar / Saariselkä / Ice Fishing / Nordic Skiing Lapland has the largest gold deposits in Europe and we’ll pan for this precious metal before experiencing Finnish food culture with a cooking class over a wood fire. We’ll also have a chance to try Nordic skiing, ice fishing, and relaxing in saunas—authentic traditions of Lapland. Days 8-12 Inari / Kakslauttanen / Rovaniemi With the help of our Sámi friends, we’ll learn to dogsled, then explore the famous sites of Sámi culture by sturdy Sámi horses. From our “glass igloo” cabins in Kakslauttanen, we set out on a safari by husky and marvel at the Northern Lights. In Finnish legend, they were created by a fox running across the fell, sweeping the snow with its tail and sending sparks into the sky. Depart from Rovaniemi on Day 12.

Stretching across the Arctic Circle in northern Finland, Lapland is the perfect realm for winter adventures. With our beloved Trip Leader Ingrid Cercek, this unique—and action-packed—journey will have you taking a polar plunge (in a dry suit, of course!), snowshoeing through snowy mountains, riding a sleigh pulled by reindeer, and racing across the snow in a sled pulled by huskies. You’ll be immersed in Lapland culture, too, meeting Sámi reindeer herders, tasting local specialties inspired by the seasons, and with luck, seeing the surreal Aurora Borealis dance across the night sky. Our lodges are set in prime locations along the path of this incredible phenomenon. At day’s end, unwind in a soothing wood-fired sauna—a truly Lappish experience.

PAVAN ALDO

HIGHLIGHTS • Explore Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus • Visit a castle made entirely of snow and enjoy a drink at its Ice Bar • Search for the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) during a reindeer sleigh ride • Experience Finnish culture with seasonal cuisine and relaxing saunas • Meet traditional Sámi reindeer herders and learn to Nordic ski, ice fish, and snowshoe DETAILS • 12-day trip begins and ends in Rovaniemi • 11 nights hotels • All meals included except 1 dinner

DATES Feb 22-Mar 5, 2017 Mar 7-18

TRIP COST $6495 (11-15 members) $6995 (7-10 members) Single supplement: $790

TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 A mix of moderate to strenuous hiking and snowshoeing, 1-3 hours most days

Be sure to pack your camera for this adventure as we search for the extraordinary Northern Lights.

WWW.WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM 50