RED LABEL ‘Expedition Challenge’ Challenging winter trek
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Ingrediënten:
Poolwinter, Husky’s, Doorzetten, IJshotel, Noorderlicht
In winter, everything comes to a halt. Nature stands still, the landscape stands still, you stand still. Covered under a blanket of snow, everything comes to rest. Yet life goes on, at its own pace. There is activity, entrepreneurial spirit and flow Dealing with reality, as has been done for centuries.
In Swedish Lapland, we enter the landscape. We start in Kirunavaarra on the banks of Torneälven. Every day we cover about 20 kilometers through frozen landscapes. Enjoying nature and the endless plain. But also reeling with the cold and short days. A trek for the go-getter who can take a beating.
At the end of too short a day, we set up the tent. The sun has already set on the horizon behind us. But now it’s really just getting started. The spectacle of nature in optima forma. Now it is time for the hunt. Hunting for the Northern Lights.
| Free exchange Up to 30 days before departure Limited availability Only 7 spots Pay 4 weeks before departure Now only €400 deposit All in price No booking and administration fees |
What more could you want as an adventurer … to wake up on your birthday in a tent, somewhere between Abisko and Kiruna, twenty degrees below and there is singing for you. Perhaps this was my best birthday ever.
I was looking for adventure, arctic adventure and after one phone call with Henk Jan the decision was made for me.
THIS is what I was looking for and needed. I did not yet have the skills to go on this adventure alone and was able to rely completely on Henk-Jan’s knowledge in Lapland.
I usually have a reasonable idea of the adventures I take on but with this one I was completely wrong. And that is what made this expedition so special. With like-minded people, people with the same mindset, I was given a great adventure, an adventure I once dreamed of.
Back to myself, where giving up and persevering, romance and sorrow, laughter and tears, willpower and doubt were sometimes at odds.I did not do it alone and realized that I really needed my teammates….from dry pants to a pat on the head, a hand on a steep climb or a cup of steaming tea when you were just going through it.Thank you Henk Jan for this beautiful gift!
Our guides are there to guide your tour in the best way possible. They are fully part of the group and give space. Room for own initiative, own development and own opinions. Completed first aid & guide training provide a good foundation during adventure trips. For us, “Out of your comfort zone. Within the safety zone.” Read more about our guides “”
On skis, you’ll head into the area. As in a real expedition, you carry only what is really needed. Your tent and your sleeping bag. The food is in your sled. During the day we move quietly through the white snow. In the evening, we set up the tent. Then you look up. Your eyes search for the Northern Lights.
But we also see activity from entrepreneurs. We visit the world-famous IceHotel. Here they take advantage of the winter cold in a unique way. We pass the high-tech base of Esrange. The space research launch pad. And we conclude with a husky safari. Ultimate collaboration in and with nature. An experience for the rest of your life.
The first day is hard, cold and miserable. Standard. On the second day, you unwind and get used to the cold. By day three, you have found your niche. You are more one with the nature around you. Quietly you take in all the splendor. From the white blanket to the green glow of the Aurora Borealis.
If you want a unique expedition experience then Arctic Adventure is just right for you.Lots of experience that suits everyone. The experience conveyed is tremendous. Your own input is very much appreciated and well incorporated, making it your own expedition for everyone.Keep up the good work!!!
Free exchange Up to 30 days before departure All in price No additional booking fees Pay 4 weeks before departure Now only €400 deposit Not sure yet? Take an option on this tour for free. |
The Hunt for the Northern Lights is a spirited ride. On this red label expedition we will explore the hinterland of the Torneälven River. The frozen river that crosses this region. We wander through frozen landscapes and connect with local entrepreneurs who use nature as a force. If we make it, Esrange will be available for viewing. This is the birthplace of the Swedish space program. We do the visitor center here. The missile launch facility is off limits. At the end of the trip we arrive in the town of Jukkasjärvi. Here we visit the Ice Hotel. Famous for its beautifully artistically designed rooms. Every year this hotel is rebuilt with ice from the Tornälven River. After the Ice Hotel comes another highlight. We will go out for a day with our own huskies. With a team of 4 huskies per person, we will explore the winter landscape one more time. During the expedition, you will experience the best of the Arctic. We follow the flow of the landscape. Through valleys and across rivers and lakes. The trek can be quite spicy at times. We cover 15 to 20 kilometers daily. So a little bit of biting through at times.
We spend over a week in the winter nature of northern Sweden. Here you will be introduced to winter expeditions. We are going to the municipality of Kiruna in Sweden. In the middle of Swedish Lapland. Far above the Arctic Circle and ravaged by the midwinter night and blessed by the midsummer sun. When we are there, the sun sets at four in the afternoon. And doesn’t get up again until eight in the morning. Time enough to hunt for the Northern Lights. There are no guarantees on seeing the Northern Lights. We are there in ideal conditions, though. Above the Arctic Circle and in winter after dark. Under the guidance of a professional guide, we enter the winter landscape. Completely expedition style. Daytime is all about moving. We do that with touring langlauf skis. Special cross-country skis for walking in the great outdoors. The last day of our expedition we will go out with the huskies. You get your own sled with 4 huskies. At the kennel you will get all the explanations and an additional guide will accompany you on this tour.
You get to borrow the full winter expedition equipment. Skis, sleeping bags, tent. Together with the team we are going to enjoy and perhaps suffer for 6 days and 5 nights in the winter cold of Sweden. An experience that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Guaranteed. The first and last night we sleep in a hotel in Kiruna. Four nights we will sleep in an expedition tent. And one night at a kennel. The trip will take place when a minimum of 5 people register. Maximum number of participants is 7 people.
Free Exchanges Up to 30 days before departure Limited availability Only 7 spots Pay 4 weeks before departure Now only €400 deposit All in price No booking and administration fees Booking in 5 minutes Simple online now Questions about your participation? Discuss it with the guide. |
We meet in Kiruna, Sweden. Or at the airport in the Netherlands when we fly together. You arrange the flight yourself. In Kiruna, the cab bus will take us to our mountain lodge in Kiirunavaara. Far in the north of Sweden.
We get acquainted with the equipment for our trip on skis. During the morning, we strap on the skis and click the sled behind us. Into nature. At night we sleep in a tent and prepare our own food. Sleep in the expedition sleeping bag. Delicious.
Far from civilization, we continue up the river, the lakes crossing the landscape. A wonderful experience. Cold, enjoyment, loneliness and if you are lucky not even coverage with your mobile… But in the evening as always hunting. Hunting for the Northern Lights. Deeper and deeper we go into the Swedish forests. During the day, we will scour the tree line in search of moose and reindeer. They are there. But do they show themselves? The nights in the tent are special. Secretly, you know you’re going to miss this.
During the day we arrive at the Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi. Here we visit. We can see the rooms, each of which has been decorated with snow and ice by an artist. Different every year. We walk a few more kilometers and then arrive at the husky kennel. Here we plop down on a couch, take a shower and sleep in a bed again. On to the next adventure.
After a good night’s sleep, the huskies are already waiting for us. Once we have had a thorough explanation we change clothes. Then we will be ready. 4 huskies stand in front of the sled and are ready for departure. Throughout the day we will go out with the huskies. We eat lunch in nature. At the end of an unforgettable day, we are taken back to Kiruna. Here we check into our hotel. The end of the tour is in sight. In the evening, we eat our dinner at one of the best restaurants in northern Sweden.
Today we get up early. Transportation back to the Netherlands. The cab awaits us at the hotel and takes us to Kiruna airport. At the end of the day, we arrive back at Schiphol Airport tired but super fulfilled.
Free Exchanges Up to 30 days before departure Limited availability Only 7 spots Pay 4 weeks before departure Now only €400 deposit All in price No booking and administration fees Booking in 5 minutes Simple online now Questions about your participation? Discuss it with the guide. |
We meet once before the trip. Live or digital. We pick the date by mutual agreement. Then we get to know each other. You’ll get an explanation of the materials and we’ll consider the map. With tea and coffee we will discuss the trip and if possible we will set up the tent.
Tours at Arctic Adventure are “Expedition Experiences. You experience what an expedition could be like. Sometimes spicy, sometimes easy. But always together. We sleep in tents. You do this with someone else (or your partner) from the group. On summer trips, you can choose to bring your own tent. So then you can also sleep alone. On winter treks, at least two people always sleep in a tent for safety reasons. Moving, cooking and navigating we do together. The beauty of small groups is that there is always a real and good group feeling. Sometimes there are friendships and reunions years later.
We keep in touch beforehand (and often afterwards) in a WhatsApp group.
This “Expedition Challenge” is a Red label expedition and challenging in scope. Good fitness is necessary. Depending on the weather, it could be a spirited ride. You don’t have to run a marathon. But assume you should be able to walk 15 kilometers with a 15-pound backpack at a normal pace, 15 days in a row. 15 kilometers of continuous running is also good. Do you have any questions about this? Then contact the guide. During the trek, there is mainly physical stress on the knees and lower back.
Are you over 55 and want to be a participant in this tour? If so, we highly recommend you get a sports medical examination. Read more about the options here.
During the trip we are in uninhabited territory. In case of emergency, our position can always be reached by the rescue services by snowmobile. The guide carries communication devices and both digital (GPS) and analog (Compass) navigation. The guide has training in Wilderness Advanced First Aid and WGA I (Wilderness Guide Association)
A detailed packing list will be sent to you after your registration (or upon request).
Want to read more (everything) about touring cross-country skiing? Because that is what we are going to do during this expedition. Then read about it on the site of toerlanglauftochten.nl.
Free exchange Up to 30 days before departure Limited availability Only 7 spots Pay 4 weeks before departure Now only €400 deposit All in price No booking and administration fees Book in 5 minutes Simply fill in online now |
Participant 1: male, 32 Participant 2: male, 43 Participant 3: female, 38 Participant 4: female, 31 Participant 5: male, 29 Participant 6: male, 34 Participant 7: female, 33 The trip will continue with 5 participants and is full with 7 participants. For this trip no spots available.
Participants in our trips often register alone. It is common for couples or couples to register. The age of most participants is between 30 and 50. There are certainly exceptions. The youngest participant was 23 and the oldest 66. The male-female ratio is 50/50. The tougher tours attract just a little more men. 60/40. But often the distribution is nicely even.
Free exchange Up to 30 days before departure Limited availability Only 7 spots Pay 4 weeks before departure Now only €400 deposit All in price No booking and administration fees Book in 5 minutes Simply fill in online now |
Feb. 5 – 12, 2023 ^ Guide: Alex Hermans
Feb. 5, 2023 Meet with guide at Kiruna center at 1 p.m.
Feb. 12 Departure from Kiruna around 10:00 a.m. Flights book yourself. You can also come to Sweden by train or car. On the first day of the trip, a cab will be waiting at Kiruna airport.
€ 1.992
Maximum 7
If during the trip it is jointly decided to undertake extras (Excursions, accommodation, food) these costs will be settled among the participants.
Food
Sleep
Hygiene
Clothing
Detailed packing list will be given to you after you register, or upon request.
Renting an expedition down jacket can be done through Arctic Adventure for €50 As a participant in our trips, you get a 10% discount in Bever stores. So take advantage of that if you still need to buy stuff. Check Marktplaats.nl for good used equipment. Contact us if you have questions about the material.
Free exchange Up to 30 days before departure Limited availability Only 7 spots Pay 4 weeks before departure Now only €400 deposit All in price No booking and administration fees Book in 5 minutes Simply fill in online now |
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