Mushing in the Taiga, 8 days tour

The mid winter in Lapland is not the as dark as many people think. Experience the magical light from the stars and the moon reflecting in the snow. Short days, northern light dancing over the sky and huge areas without any people. Travel with huskies in the last great wilderness in Europe. You will learn how to drive and handle your own dogteam. We travel along the Pearl River through spruce and pine forests, over frozen lakes and open marsh areas. During the nights we will find shelter in the forest huts that are located in the surroundings. We bring snowshoes and track the wild animals as moose, reindeer, lynx, hare, ptarmigan etc.

 

Taiga
Day 1 Arrival to Jokkmokk
We meet and give you information about the program for the following days. Together we have a nice dinner and check the equipment. (D)
Day 2 Jokkmokk - Juoksaure, the start of our wilderness adventure
After breakfast we go by car to our husky kennel. Here we will introduce you to the dogs and give youinstructions in how to handle and drive a dog team. You will harness your dogs and make your sled ready forstart. During this first day we will travel to a small hut located by a small river. Approx. 30 km (B, L & D)
Day 3 Laxholmen
We start from Juoksaure with the dog teams and travel west. Today we will cross over the big lake Laddon and we will also pass an area where moose usually stays. With the snowshoes we can track moose and other animals. Approx. 30 km (B, L, & D)
Day 4 Karats, a night in the wild
We travel west through the low mountains and pass the mountain Farforita that go steep down 400 m straight into the lake Karats. We make a camp and spend the night in a canvas tipi just like the Sámi people did in the old days. A stove will help us to keep warm in the tipi. Approx. 25-30 km (B, L & D)
Day 5 Laxholmen, ice fishing
With the dogs we will follow the lake Karats and make stops for ice fishing. With an ice drill we make holes in the ice and try to catch our dinner. During the afternoon we are back by the cabins on Laxholmen. Approx. 25-30 km (B, L & D)
Day 6 Juoksaure
We enjoy the beauty of the snow covered forests and the sound from the sled gliding on the snow. Like the other days we eat lunch by an open fire and by the evening we arrive to the Juoksaure hut where we spent the first night on our tour. Approx. 30 km (B, L & D)
Day 7 Jokkmokk, back to civilisation
We go along the trail and back over frozen lakes. This day we will get back to Jokkmokk where we can enjoyshowers and a hot sauna before we eat a nice dinner together. Approx. 30 km (B, L & D)
Day 8 Day of departure

Breakfast and then departure. (B) 


NOTE: Sometimes we have to change which night we spend in the tipi tent. It can be earlier or later in the tour. We always try to capture the best moments and possibilities. We are travelling in the winter pasture land of many reindeers and have to organize the tour so that we don’t disturb the Sami reindeer herders in their work.

 

Price per person in hotel: 19 200 SEK included Swedish V.A.T. (2n. at Hotel Jokkmokk)
Price per person in cabin: 18 475 SEK included Swedish V.A.T. (2n. at Skabram stugby)
Tour dates: (12 - 19 February 2011); other dates on request.
Meeting point: Jokkmokk at the start date with dinner at 18.00.
Group size min/max: 2/6 persons
Lodging: In Jokkmokk 2n; wilderness cabin 4n; in canvas tipi 1n.
Leadership: Wilderness guide, English or Swedish language.
Meals: Full board dinner day 1-Breakfast day 8. (Typical Lapland and Swedish food).
Included: Warm thermo overall, warm shoes, hat, gloves. Sleeping bag and equipment for the tour.
Not included: Travel insurance, alcoholic beverages, international and domestic air fare.
Tour conditions: Tour grade; All activities are mostly moderate but sometimes hard. In wilderness cabin we sleep on bunk beds in mixed room with both gentlemen and women. Dry toilet is available by the cabins. One night we spend in a tipi with a heating system.