2019 Wilderness Travel Catalog of Adventures

Expedition to Lapland NORTHERN LIGHTS AND REINDEER HERDERS

Snowshoes, dog sleds, igloos, saunas—this is winter fun, WT style! In the pristine, snowy realm of Lapland,

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 out on the ice, or for the adventurous, take a dip in the bracing waters! Days 3-4 Pyhä-Luosto / Snowshoeing / Reindeer Sleigh We snowshoe through the rugged hills of Pyhä-Luosto National Park for sweeping views, and explore this Arctic landscape the age-old way—on 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 These days are for ice fishing, sampling Finnish specialties cooked over a wood fire, and Nordic skiing, all authentic traditions of Lapland. Days 8-12 Sámi Culture / Husky Sledding / Glass Igloo The indigenous Sámi of Finland embrace their traditional way of life, herding reindeer and dogsledding. We learn to mush a dogsled and ride sturdy Sámi horses. One evening, we set off by reindeer-drawn sled in hopes of seeing the northern lights, with an overnight in “glass igloos” that give us a planetarium feeling from our cozy beds. Depart from Rovaniemi on Day 12.

stretching across Finland’s north, we’ve created an action-packed journey. We take an icebreaker into the pack ice (with an optional polar plunge, dry suit provided), snowshoe in deep pine forests, ride a sleigh pulled by reindeer, pan for gold, and race across the snowscapes in our husky-powered dogsled. Our journey gives us a true insider’s look into Lapland’s culture as we meet Sámi reindeer herders,

“Reindeer, dog sleds, snow-draped trees, glass-topped igloos, snowshoes, saunas, laughter—these are my treasured memories...and the light!” Kathryn S. Mountain Village CO

N REINHARD

taste traditional 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 with a toasty Finnish sauna.

HIGHLIGHTS • Visit the spectacular SnowCastle, catch a ride on an icebreaker • Meet traditional Sámi reindeer herders and dogsledders • 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

Laplanders really know how to make winter a fun time—we’ll join them in the adventure!

DATES Feb 21-Mar 4, 2019 Mar 6-17

TRIP COST $7795 (9-12 members) $8195 (5-8 members) Single supplement: $1510

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

GUNTER GRAFENHAIN

QUESTIONS? 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL EUROPE@WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM

74