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This trip starts at Rajamaa, a complex of cosy wooden chalets located on a remote island in the river Muonio, looking out over two countries, Sweden and Finland. Upon check-in we will be welcomed by the friendly Malmström family, our hosts for the week, who have been running the accommodation for over three decades. Depending on the arrival time of the group, the main briefing is usually done tonight or tomorrow morning.
After a hearty breakfast we are provided with all of the equipment and information needed for a week of activities in arctic conditions. Setting off on our snowshoes, we venture into the fabled wintry landscape surrounding Rajamaa and learn more about the unique raw nature of Lapland. Our guide will help us spotting tracks of birds and other local fauna in the snow and explain how the local trees and bushes have managed to adapt to this harsh climate. We enjoy our lunch by a flaming log fire in the forest, before walking back over frozen swamps and hills to our chalets. In the afternoon we have some free time to enjoy a the sauna or a hot drink in the dining room. After dinner we enjoy an interesting presentation and slideshow about one the Scandinavian big predators, the Lynx.
This morning we visit a local sleddog centre and meet a professional musher, who will tell us about the life of the firendly Siberian Husky dogs, their training and behaviour. He will also explain a few simple rules to safely ride and lead the dogs. Divided into pairs, we then enjoy the challenge and adventure of driving our own dogsled for approx. 17km through a magical winter landscape of snow-clad forests and frozen swamps. Taking turns during the tour gives you the chance to feel like a real musher and to enjoy the landscape and take pictures when sitting on the dog sled as a passenger. In the afternoon we return to our accommodation and familiarise ourselves with forest-skiing, in preparation for our two-day expedition later in the week. Forest skis originate traditionally from Scandinavia and Russia and have been used in Lapland as mean of transportation for thousands of years. They are usually wooden and differ from cross-country skis as they are much larger. You can easily glide down hill or go uphill (thanks to the skins located under the skis) but they can also be used in deep-snow and off-track. They come with universal bindings, meaning that you can clip on your regular winter boots. This evening, after a hearty dinner, we enjoy another wildlife presentation at the main lodge.
Today is free for you to enjoy one of the optional activities available locally. You may decide to experience the thrill of driving a snowmobile through snowy forests, over frozen rivers, and hills or explore the surroundings on cross-country skis or snowshoes. Alternatively you may choose to relax at the lodge and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of this beautiful setting.
Today we have a wonderful insight to the life and work as a reindeer herder and the indigenous Sami lifestyle as we visit a local family. Between 75.000 to 100.000 Sami people live in the Arctic regions of Norway, Finland, Sweden and Russia, preserving their unique language and ancient traditions in today's modern world. We spend a couple of relaxing hours, listening to their stories and to the sparkling fire while enjoying some traditional Sami food and hot steaming coffee. We will also be introduced to the reindeer and have the opportunity to get really close to them and perhaps feed them. We return to our lodge in the afternoon and enjoy some free time before dinner.
Today we start a two day tour on forest skis. On our adventure we carry only the necessary equipment for the day in a small rucksack whilst the rest will be transported for us to the cabin. We venture deep into the forest, crossing frozen lakes and swamps, pine clad hills and valleys, until reaching our special accommodation for the night, a cozy log-cabin, traditionally used for for forest workers, heated by fire and using water from melted snow. We will all participate in the preparation of tonight's supper and will enjoy an optional sauna, before going to sleep in our dorm-style rooms. That is, if the impressive Aurora Borealis is not keeping us awake!
After breakfast we get on the skis and head back again to Rajamaa. We may be able spot some wild reindeer and moose in the area or even come across the tracks of lynx or wolverine. Back at the lodge, enjoy a final well-deserved sauna before our farewell dinner!
6 nights fully equipped chalets with twin rooms and shared facilities (in
2-bed or 4-bed configurations); 1 night wilderness cabin (dormitory-style)5
days of mixed activities and 1 free dayGroup normally 6 to 16, plus guides
and instructors. Min age 16 yearsArctic clothing provided
All meals (except dinner on Day 1 and drinks) are included. The food at
Rajamaa is a mix of Swedish food and sometimes international dishes that is
all prepared on-site. They only use regionally sourced meat and fish from
the Arctic Sea. Breakfast will be a typical continental style, with fruit,
cereals, eggs, cheese and cold meats. The lunches provided as part of the
itinerary will be eaten outside or at the lodge and are usually a sandwich
or soup. Dinner is included every night (except on Day 1) and consists of a
main course and dessert. Vegetarian options are also available.
6 nights fully equipped chalets with twin rooms and shared facilities (in
2-bed or 4-bed configurations); 1 night wilderness cabin (dormitory-style)5
days of mixed activities and 1 free dayGroup normally 6 to 16, plus guides
and instructors. Min age 16 yearsArctic clothing provided
A mixed activity week for adults, with a good selection of guided activities
and free time for independent excursions or relaxation. Although none of the
activities require previous experience, a reasonable level of fitness and
agility is required. Some forest ski training and tuition will be provided
during the week. The distance covered on the two-day expedition will depend
on the group's fitness and on the temperature and weather conditions.
Usually, you will cover approx. 7-12 km each day and the activity duration is
around 4 hours plus lunch-stop by the fire.Temperatures in this part of
Sweden can drop as low as -30 degrees centigrade. You should come prepared
for such extremes. With standard precautions and good clothing (please refer
to our essential packing list) the cold weather won't be a problem but can
in itself be tiring.
RajamaaOur base for the week is Rajamaa, a complex of cosy wooden chalets run by
the welcoming Malmström family since 1986. The accommodation lays on an
island in the Muonio river, which forms the physical border between Sweden
with Finland in a remote and unspoilt area of Lapland.Rajamaa consists of a
main building with reception, dining-room, lounge and sauna. Free Wi-Fi is
available at the property. Twin and double rooms will be allocated in
the big 46 sqm 2-bedroom chalets, equipped with shower/WC, mini-kitchen and
electrical drying closet. This means that a maximum of 4 people (2 couples or
twin sharers) will stay in each chalet and will have their own twin/double
bedroom but shared facilities.Single rooms are limited and subject to
availability. These will be offered for a supplement payable upon booking.
Single rooms may be allocated in the big chalets (shared facilities) or in a
small chalet with private facilities depending on availability.1 night during
the trip will be spent in a remote forest lodge where accommodation is
dormitory style (usually 4 people per room, single-sex) and with shared
facilities. No single rooms are available at this accommodation.Subject to
minimum group size, Rajamaa will be exclusively reserved for the Exodus
group.
During the week you will be well looked after by the owners and staff at
Rajamaa. All activities will be guided by one of the owners and/or other
local instructors.
All meals (except dinner on Day 1 and drinks) are included. The food at
Rajamaa is a mix of Swedish food and sometimes international dishes that is
all prepared on-site. They only use regionally sourced meat and fish from
the Arctic Sea. Breakfast will be a typical continental style, with fruit,
cereals, eggs, cheese and cold meats. The lunches provided as part of the
itinerary will be eaten outside or at the lodge and are usually a sandwich
or soup. Dinner is included every night (except on Day 1) and consists of a
main course and dessert. Vegetarian options are also available.
A minibus is used for transfers.
Travelling flight inclusive from London: 8 daysThe group flight from London
is a daytime flight departing on Day 1 of the itinerary.Flights from LondonWe
normally use scheduled services to Kiruna (Sweden) or Kittilä (Finland). As
flight timings and schedules change regularly, we recommend you call one of
our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm up-to-date timings.
Please note timings may change at a later date and cannot be confirmed until
approximately two weeks before departure.There are alternative flight options
from regional airports (Bristol, Liverpool, Manchester etc.). Please ask our
Sales team for more information. Travelling land only: 8 days starting and
ending at Rajamaa in Muonionalusta (Sweden)Your trip normally starts at our
accommodation Rajamaa in the evening of Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of
how to reach the start point are provided in the Final Joining Instructions -
sent approximately two weeks before departure.
Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. Please note
that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight,
even if Exodus has booked it. If you require airport transfers, you may (by
prior arrangement only) be able to join the group transfer. Transfers are
arranged to coincide with the arrival time of the group flight - please check
the group flight details 2 weeks before departure. If you do not take this
transfer, or miss it, you must make your own way to the joining point at your
own expense.
Temperatures should remain below 0°C for the whole season, however recent
years have had some unexpected fluctuations, both warmer and colder.
Generally, you should expect much colder temperatures in December and
January, around -25°C to -10°C. As the days get longer the temperatures
rise to around freezing point by March.Daylight hours: As we are inside the
Arctic Circle, from 01 December to 07 January the sun remains just below the
horizon during the day. But it is not dark - there is plenty of reflection
from the snow - expect 4-5 hours of daylight. At the end of January daylight
hours increase to 6-7. In February there are 10 hours and in March 15
hours.Northern Lights: The stunning Aurora Borealis are one of nature's most
awe-inspiring sights, and seeing them hover above us on a cold winter's night
is an experience never to be forgotten. Scientists will tell you the Northern
Lights occur 'when solar wind particles collide with air molecules in the
earth's atmosphere, transferring their energy into light. The 'season' runs
from October to March. Within this window, the slightly better months are
October, February and March. During periods of high solar activity (not
forecastable) they can often be seen every night, but the sky has to be clear
of cloud cover, and you need to be away from other light sources. Displays
can vary in intensity - from a greenish-yellow glow moving gently around the
sky, to a spectacular multi-coloured show dancing across the heavens.
Sightings not only vary in intensity but in duration too, from just minutes
to sometimes hours.
Equipment ProvidedThe following clothing is issued on arrival and are yours
throughout the week:Winter overallWinter bootsWoollen socksWoollen and
leather mittensWoollen hatYou will need the following:Thermal
underwear Tight fitting base layerWarm daily o evening clothes (including
fleece and jacket)Thick socksTube scarf/BuffFrom the last week of February
onwards: sunglasses and sun-cream.Thin gloves (to wear under provided
mittens)Torch (head-torch recommended, with spare batteries)Sleeping bag (1
or 2 season as wilderness hut is heated)Sandwich boxWater bottle (thermos
flask optional)Apart from your main luggage, you will need a small daypack
for the ski expedition. Note on temperatures below -30°C: Contact lenses
can freeze, especially when snowmobiling - ski goggles may help. Water-based
cream/moisturisers may freeze at very low temperatures. Camera batteries
usually stop working at low temperatures, so take spares.
Swimming costume and flip flops (for sauna)
This trip includes all meals except dinner on Day 1 due to the late arrival
of the group flight. Drinks are not included but are sold at the bar (prices
are usually €3-5 for soft drinks, €7-8 for a beer (50cl) and €25-40 for
a bottle of wine).Optional excursions - paid locally Snowmobile safari:
€170 per person (max 2 pax per snowmobile)Horse riding: price to be
confirmed locallyImportant note on snowmobiling: all drivers must be over 18
and have a valid (car) driving licence and carry this with you whilst
driving. You will be liable to pay for any damage to snowmobiles up to the
excess on the insurance policy, which is approx. €1000 per machine. You
will be asked to sign a form agreeing to the above. This means, that in the
unlikely event that you damage a snowmobile in a major way, you will only be
charged the excess and not the full cost of repair. Snowmobiles are not for
everyone and can be difficult to master, however, damage is very rare if the
drivers are alert and considerate.
Staff in Sweden are paid well for their job but if you feel you have received
good service, we suggest leaving a discretionary tip of approx. €15-20 pp
at the end of the trip, which will be shared amongst the local staff.
Travel insuranceSingle accommodation (available on request - limited
availability) Visas or vaccinations
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.