Reindeer herds on the Finnmark Plains

30.01.2008

Get the most out of your holiday! Join us in herding the great flock of reindeer from their pasture lands around Kautokeino to the coast. The reindeer is grassing on the plains in the winter, and on coastal islands in the summer.

Program 1 Winter camp in the land of reindeer:

Thursday:
Flight Oslo to Alta.

Transfer to Lahppoloupal in the Finnmark plains: Arrive at the Lodge and get aquainted. Upon arrival we will enjoy a traditional saamii serving, before we turn in.

Friday:

Snowmobiling to the main camp:
First thing in the morning you are introduced to the safety rules... snowmobiles. We pack the snowmobiles and set off into the frontiers of Europe.

Arriving at the camp, after a warm lunch in the bonefire heated Lavvo, you get settled in the accommodation tent. Everyone will find a place to sleep on top of the soft reindeer hives in the tent. It is time to relax for a while before you are challenged in lasso throwing.

As the day grows darker and the arctic night approaches you have the chance to spend time outdoors to hunt the Northern Lights. Imagine being in the middle of the great white plains with only a few trees around, the perfect view to the starlit sky, you can even see the milky far away. Then out of nowhere an explosion of purple, green, white curtains of northern lights appear. This is an overwhelming experience for the most experienced traveller.

Saturday:
Breakfast is served in the Lavvo, for the saamii people this is a social gathering before everyone start their work for the day. Your first task for the day will be to go ice-fishing to catch this evening’s dinner. When your host has been satisfied it is time to go to feed the reindeer herd. Use your binoculars to search for the herd, as soon as it is located you will meet up with the rest of the family and help them in the feeding. Late lunch around the bonfire in the mountains. If the weather does not permit outdoor lunch, you will have a Lavvo lunch before going to the reindeer herd.

In the evening you can search for northern lights again.

Sunday:
Breakfast is served in the Lavvo. After breakfast it is time to pack the snowmobiles and head to Soussjavri. At this village reindeer-sled ride is waiting for you. Picture yourself sitting on the sled pulled by a reindeer at full speed.

Outdoor lunch before you transfer to Honningsvag and hotel accommodation.

Monday:
6.15am: Early morning departure by Hurtigruten to Tromsø. The day is spent relaxing on a winter cruise to Tromso. Arriving Tromso at midnight. Transfer to Clarion Hotel Bryggen.

Tuesday:
Dog sledding in Arctic Tromso (9:45am-6:15pm)
Picture yourself sitting on your sled as it glides through the snow covered tundra being pulled by excited huskies. The snow capped peaks are off in the distance and its easy to imagine you are following in the footsteps of Amundsen. Then you stop.You can feel the fresh air bite your cheeks and you can smell the snow in the air, as you sit on your sled through the winter night.This adventure is quietness, howling of huskies, darkness, snow and cold. Being out in the cold, it is nice to know that a bonfire is waiting to defrost you. Dinner included.

Note! Dogsledding is only possible if enough snow and weather provides it!

Included: transport, Dogsledding

(4:00pm-7:00pm)
Arctic city walk: You are met by our guide at your hotel and brought outdoors on a historical and cultural city walk through Tromso city. During this walk you visit the Polar Museum with your guide and have a guided tour. The walk ends outside the Polaria.

Wednesday: On your own

Departure.

Prices:

Saami adventures Price per person Nok 12 995,00
Children reduced price

Included: Transport from Alta to the reindeer herd/ return, accommodation and all meals, hotel in Hammerfest, Hurtigruten pp in dbl room, dogsled in Tromso, accommodation at Clarion Bryggen Hotel in Tromso, Arctic city walk.

No of participants 2-8 persons.

 

Expedition Dates 2010 from Oslo: February 4, February 11, February 18, February 25, March 4, March 11, March 18, March 25, April 1, April 7


 

Program 2 Migrating with the reindeer herd:

Our adventure is to take part in the moving of several thousand animals from their winter to the summer grassing.

Moving all these reindeer will mainly take part in the night, when the temperature goes below zero degrees. The arctic night light is spectacular at this time of the year. We live with the saami in their tents, Lavvos, cook and eat with them and take part in watching the herd. As transport we mostly use snowmobiles to carry ourselves and the equipment. We stay on the move for 7 days, where the last days is leading the reindeer on barges to go to their island pasture.

Day 1: Transport from Alta to the reindeer herd

Our guide picks you up in Alta and brings you by car towards the reindeer herd. Depending on the weather and location of the herd you either stay in a mountain cabin or continue until you find the saami camp.

Day 2-6: Herding reindeer activity

As the great white plains of Finnmark stretches out in front of you, you meet and greet with your hosts. The guide introduces you to the way you will live, where you sleep in the tent, where and when you eat, and how to behave around and in the flock of reindeer.

As the nights go by you will get a new experience of control, in terms of leading the animals where you want them to go. Some of the reindeer are very tame and might visit you during lunch hour. If you are lucky you will also see other animals during your journey.

In the end your job is to get the animals on the barges, to go to the summer pasture on the islands. Your activity is over and I am sure you will never forget it.

Day 7: Transport to Alta.

Departure to Tromso/ Oslo

Included: Transport from Alta to the reindeer herd/ return, accommodation and all meals.



No of participants 2-8 persons. 

Contact us for information on time of activity.