2020 Wilderness Travel Catalog of Adventures

Lapland Adventures DOGSLEDS, SÁMI CULTURE, AND SNOWSHOEING

Lapland is a wonderland in winter—and just the place to have frosty fun, WT style! In Finland’s north, we’ve created a wonderfully diverse adventure full of unique outdoor activities. We take an icebreaker into the pack ice (try an optional polar plunge, dry suit provided), snowshoe or hike through ancient pine forests, ride a sleigh pulled by reindeer, pan for gold, and race across the snowscapes in a dogsled pulled by huskies. We get an insider’s look into Lappish culture as we meet Sámi reindeer herders, taste local specialties, spend a night in glass-ceiling “igloo” cabins, and with luck, see the surreal northern lights dance across the night sky. Our hotels keep us warm and comfy, and we can unwind in toasty Finnish saunas.

“Such a fun trip, full of absolute wonder and amazement in a new destination for us.” Pat K. Walnut Creek CA

JOHN ANGERSON

HIGHLIGHTS • Visit the spectacular SnowCastle, catch a ride on an icebreaker • Meet Sámi people, learn to mush a dogsled, ride in a reindeer sleigh • Look for the elusive northern lights flickering across the sky • Experience Finnish and Lappish culture, enjoy relaxing saunas • Try Nordic skiing, ice fishing, snowshoeing, and other winter adventures DETAILS • 12-day trip begins and ends in Rovaniemi • 11 nights hotels • All meals included except 1 dinner

relaxing in the Finnish way, soaking in a wood-fired sauna.

Days 1-2 Rovaniemi / SnowCastle / Icebreaker Expedition Getting right into the spirit of Lapland in winter, we head to the spectacular SnowCastle, built from fresh snow and ice each winter in a new style. After a sip of hot cocoa or a cocktail at the castle’s Ice Bar, we take an icebreaker through the pack ice that separates Finland and Sweden. We can walk right out on the ice, or for the adventurous, take a dip (with dry suits) in the bracing waters. Days 3-4 Pyhä-Luosto / Snowshoeing / Reindeer Sleigh By snowshoe (or hiking, depending on conditions), we explore the rugged hills of Pyhä-Luosto National Park, then enjoy this Arctic landscape an age-old way—on

Days 8-12 Sámi Culture / Husky Sledding / Glass Igloo The indigenous Sámi of Finland embrace their traditional way of life and we’ll be welcomed at a Sámi village. We’ll learn to mush a dogsled, take a ride by reindeer-drawn sled, and in hopes of seeing the northern lights, spend an overnight in “glass igloos” that give us a planetarium feeling right from our cozy beds. Depart on Day 12 via Rovaniemi.

DATES Feb 12-23, 2020

Feb 25-Mar 7

Feb 19-Mar 1

TRIP COST $7895 (9-12 members) $8295 (4-8 members) Single supplement: $1510

Laplanders know how to enjoy the winter—we’ll join them in the adventure! PHOTO: RAGNAR TH SIGURDSSON

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

sleighs pulled by reindeer, the iconic animal that holds such a special place in Lappish life. Days 5-7 Cooking Class / Ice Fishing / Nordic Skiing The days ahead are for enjoying some classic Lapland traditions: ice fishing, a cooking demonstration (and tasting!) of Finnish specialties cooked by a chef over a wood fire, Nordic skiing, panning for gold, snowshoeing up Iisakkipää Mountain for great views, and

EMMANUEL BERTHIER

FOR A DETAILED ITINERARY: 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL EUROPE@WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM 78