Wilderness-Travel-2017-Catalog

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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.
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.
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.
PAVAN ALDO