Northern Light Activity Week

An adventure week in Arctic Norway, the land of the Northern Lights. Experience different winter activities — a snowshoe hike with ice fishing, a visit to a reindeer herder, dog sledding and a northern light safari — and Sámi culture, in combination with environmentally friendly and exciting winter activities, while you stay comfortably at the truly unique Engholm Lodge.

Lodging: you are lodged at the truly unique Engholm Lodge, in double rooms in design cabins with one or two rooms. Single rooms and cabins are available for an additional cost.

This adventure is also well suited for families with children.

Good to know

Extra days: we highly recommend that you spend some extra days in Karasjok. At the lodge there is always a lot happening, and you can, among other things, take part in the daily handling of the husky sled dogs. You can visit the sights of Karasjok, or relax with a good book from the "musher's library". Karasjok is the Norwegian Sámi capital, and there is much to explore: the Sámi Parliament with a guided tour, the Sámi museum, Sámi art and handcraft at the local silversmith or knife smith. Your guides will also help you if there are other activities you wish to do — and we would encourage you to see more of what Karasjok and the neighbouring town Kautokeino have to offer.

Day by day plan

Day 1

Arrival at Engholm Lodge in Karasjok. The programme starts with dinner at 7 pm, served in the lodge kitchen, and after that we go through the programme for the week. In the evening there is time to explore the peculiar design of the husky lodge and its surroundings.

Day 2 · Snowshoe hike with ice fishing

Lunch outdoors around an open fire.

After a Norwegian breakfast we go out and fit our snowshoes. Our goal for the day is a lake where we try ice fishing for Arctic char. We make a fire and enjoy our lunch outdoors. After our return to the husky lodge there is time at your own disposal. Dinner is served in the lodge kitchen.

Day 3 · Dog sled tour

Lunch outdoors around an open fire.

The morning is spent fitting out Arctic snowsuits, boots and so on, organising the teams of huskies and learning the basics of caring for your team and driving the sleds. On the day trip we drive in varied terrain, beyond the beaten tracks — there is a good chance of seeing moose. We stop for a lunch break around an open fire: close-up nature impressions together with a guide who likes to share his knowledge and admiration of nature and outdoor life with you.

A reasonable level of fitness, concentration and a sense of balance are the key attributes needed. You will have your "own" sled and be responsible for 4–6 dogs. Participants with dog-sledding experience usually drive a single team; without previous experience we normally start out driving a tandem team — two sleds and 8–10 dogs — and you share a dog team with a partner or the guide. The guide and participants decide together whether a double or a single team is best. 25–47 km.

Day 4 · Visit to a Sámi reindeer herder

This day will be memorable. We travel beyond the beaten tracks by snowmobile to a winter settlement of Sámi reindeer herders, who make their living here on the winter pasture. We may spend the day together with them, join their daily life with their reindeer and get an insight into their way of living and herding. This adventure is a unique privilege, made available for the few by a Sámi family from Karasjok.

The Sámi are the only people in Europe with indigenous status, and this day gives you a unique opportunity to learn more about their centuries-old traditions and their way of life today.

Day 5

The programme ends after breakfast.

One of the evenings · Northern light safari

The northern light safari starts at 8 pm and takes you to the holy mountain Halde. The Karasjok area is one of the best places in the world to see the magical Aurora Borealis, thanks to the natural climatic and geographical conditions of inner Finnmark. The 1.5-kilometre hike from the lodge takes about an hour and twenty minutes. From Halde you have a 360-degree view of the sky, and if the strange lady decides to show herself, this is the perfect place to stand. On the safari you also learn about the old Sámi religion and culture, and about the Northern Lights.

The price includes

• All food and lodging from arrival on day 1 until the programme ends after breakfast on day 5
• Accommodation in a double room — a single room or a private cabin with bathroom is available for an additional cost
• Transport to and from the activities in the programme — not activities during your time at your own disposal
• All equipment needed for the activities in the programme
• Guide

Not included

• Activities during your time at your own disposal
• Travel from home or from Karasjok
• Travel insurance
• Alcoholic beverages