Round Trip in Sámi Land

Our most popular tour. We travel from wilderness lodge to wilderness lodge, 25–50 km a day, through spectacular scenery — from the valleys to open barren land with low birch trees, up to the Arctic tundra. We meet the Sámi reindeer herders in their daily life on their winter pastures. Accommodation the night before and the night after the tour is at Engholm Lodge.

How we travel

You will have your "own" sled and be responsible for 4–6 dogs. Participants with previous dog-sledding experience usually drive a single team. Participants without experience normally start out on the first day with a tandem team — two sleds and 8–10 dogs — sharing the team with a partner or the guide. The guide and the participants decide together whether a double or a single team is best; the sleds are very easy to disconnect from each other, so that there are two single teams.

Who can join

A reasonable level of fitness, concentration and a sense of balance are the key attributes needed.

Good to know

GPS positions of the lodge and the mountain cabins are listed under Information → GPS positions.

Day by day plan

Day 1

The programme starts with dinner at 19.00. Then your guide gives you all the information about the tour.

Day 2

The morning is spent fitting out snowsuits, boots and other equipment, organising the teams of huskies and learning the basics of caring for your team and driving the sleds. The long sled tour starts directly from the lodge. After a steep climb up to the mountain plateau we mush over a hilly stretch, crossing lakes, marshes and a stretch of barren land to Gardin mountain cabin.

Day 3

We reach the mountain plateau and the tundra, a fascinating landscape where the view is endless. Here the land is sparse and windswept. In the evening we arrive at Mollisjok mountain cabin — a "jewel" right in the middle of nowhere on the plateau.

Day 4

The tour continues southwards on the river, passing two remote settlements. The Sámi who live here make their living mainly from fishing. We finish the day at Soussjavre mountain cabin, at the other end of a big lake.

Day 5

The area is an important winter pasture for reindeer, and sometimes it is possible to see large herds. We end the day at Baeivasgiedde wilderness cabin, next to the river in a beautiful pine forest. We spend two nights here.

Day 6

This day will be memorable. We make a day trip to a winter settlement of Sámi reindeer herders, who make their living here on the winter pasture. You are picked up in the morning by the herder with his snowmobile and taken by sled to the reindeer herd. We usually spend the whole day with the family, join their daily life with the reindeer and gain an insight into their way of living and herding.

Day 7

A long stretch back to Karasjok, following the river. If we are lucky we may see moose, which usually stay in the valley in winter. Dinner in a warm atmosphere is waiting for us at Engholm Lodge, and we have a cosy wood-fired sauna ready on request for those tempted — maybe with the northern lights above.

Day 8

The programme ends after breakfast. It is worth considering staying a few extra days for other activities as a lodge guest before or after the tour.

The price includes

• All meals from dinner at 19.00 on day one until breakfast on the last day
• All tour equipment
• Arctic clothing for mushing — see the equipment list
• Guide and activities according to the programme
• Design-cabin accommodation at the lodge
• Dormitory at the mountain cabins

Not included

• Personal equipment
• Individual services
• Insurance
• Transport to and from the lodge

The full terms are in the booking terms.