Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be able to ski?

We often hear: “Help, I can’t ski!” Don’t worry, at Arctic Adventure, that’s no problem at all. In fact, we won’t be skiing at all! Instead, we do backcountry cross-country skiing.

And don’t panic: this isn’t the fast cross-country skiing you might know from the Olympics. We move at a relaxed pace of about 2.5 kilometers per hour. So, no skiing experience is needed; almost anyone with good fitness can participate!

What about the cold?

Another common question is: “Help, I can’t stand the cold.” Again, you don’t have to worry about this. Our guides aren’t fans of the cold themselves either, but they know exactly how to stay comfortable in winter conditions.

During the trip, you’ll learn everything about how to keep yourself warm. This way, you can enjoy the beautiful nature without any problems. So don’t worry too much about the cold. We’ll take care of that for you.

Is your question not among them?

Do you have any other questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us! We are ready to answer your questions and would love to help you make your winter expedition an unforgettable experience.

General

We offer various treks and expeditions, including Blue Label hikes, Red Label tours, and Black Label expeditions.
All of them are focused on adventure, nature, and providing a unique experience.

In terms of adventure and challenge, you can compare this to slopes; blue, red and black. By this you recognize the level or difficulty.

The tours we offer take place throughout the year. The focus is on winter and summer.

With each tour, we make sure to include a unique element that you won’t easily find anywhere else. For example, in northern Sweden we go to the most remote place in Europe. In the heart of Sarek.

Our expeditions are unique due to the combination of adventure, personal attention, expert guides, and our focus on small groups.

We create our own programs and routes, which are carefully put together with the aim of offering a special and unique (winter) experience.

By dividing our trips into Labels (levels), it’s easy to assess which trip suits you.

Our guides are professionally trained and have years of extensive experience leading expeditions and treks.

They are passionate professionals with a love of outdoors and adventure, giving them a wealth of knowledge.

Many guides have completed an outdoor training course such as WGA level 1 and often WGA level 2, or have participated in several serious polar expeditions.

All guides also have wilderness first aid certification. WAFA, WFR, EFR or equivalent.

The guides are not volunteers. They are professionals and for their work, of course, they get paid.

Group sizes are kept small to ensure a personal and safe experience.
This means there are a maximum of 7 participants and 1 guide.
In summer, there are a maximum of 9 participants and 1 guide.

During our workshops (Green Label), there are sometimes more participants.

We carefully choose our destinations based on their unique natural beauty and suitability for adventure activities.

Of course, we also consider safety in the process. Where are the exit routes. How to provide help when needed. Are there alternate route options for when the weather turns?

We also prefer to choose a place that is not (yet) completely run down and where you won’t find mass tourism.

In our choice of location, we also consider the possibility of getting there. Many of our starting points are accessible by train.

Practical questions

This varies from trip to trip, but generally accommodation, meals, the guide and often materials are included. On-site transportation is also included in the trip price.

Transportation from home to starting point and vice versa must be arranged by yourself. Sometimes this is included in the trip. This is then clearly communicated.

By not offering transport to the starting location, you can arrange this yourself.
This way, everyone can choose their preferred method of travel.

We recommend traveling by train. This is more sustainable and often makes for a longer vacation.

Yes, special dietary needs can be facilitated, but please indicate in advance.

We arrange all meals between the start and the last evening.
Given the conditions, we need to adjust the diet; after all, it’s often far below zero in winter, which requires a different diet than you’re used to.
Think of plenty of nuts, energy bars, oatmeal, soups, and freeze-dried meals.

So far, everyone has been able to join, despite sometimes complicated diets.
It’s also possible that your diet is so specific that you prefer to arrange your own food. That too is possible.

Travel insurance is highly recommended and sometimes mandatory.

Tip: with NKBV and the Dutch Ski Association, you can take out good travel insurance specifically for outdoor activities.
In any case, make sure that winter sports coverage is included for winter trips.

You don’t need ski experience.

So no worries, we’ll be touring langlauf, which is mostly horizontal and slow.

So you don’t have to ski down a mountain. Before departure, the guide will explain everything about the backcountry cross-country skis and the technique.
This doesn’t require years of experience, and you can set off immediately after the explanation!

Yes, we often arrange almost everything;
In winter, this includes backcountry cross-country skis, special backcountry ski boots, sleeping bag, tent, pulk, navigation, and communication equipment.
For summer, you can rent the following items from us: backpack, sleeping bag, mat, tent, hiking poles. We arrange group equipment.

You just need to arrange your personal clothing. You can rent a down jacket for winter at a small additional cost.
If you have signed up for an expedition, we organize a fitting session for winter at De Bever in Houten.

Most winter trips take place in northern Sweden or southern Norway.

You arrange your own transport to the starting point, so you are free to choose how you want to travel (plane, train, car, or a combination thereof).
We have written a detailed article about this.

For summer trips, air travel is sometimes included in the package. Read the trip description for each trip to see the differences.
We can advise you on your options for getting to the starting point.

No. All on-site costs are included in the trip price.

So you don’t have to account for unexpected costs or expenses.
All personal expenses for souvenirs or drinks, for example at the hotel, are naturally at your own expense.
We also do not charge any administration or booking fees. What you see is what you pay.

Preparation

You don’t have to be a marathon runner, but good fitness certainly helps.

It varies by label.

For Blue Label; think of being able to hike 10 kilometers with a 10-kilogram backpack, 10 days in a row.
For Red Label, the advice is to be able to hike 15 kilometers with a 15-kilogram backpack, 15 days in a row.
For Black Label, that’s 20 kilometers per day, 20 kilograms, and 20 days in a row.

Don’t manage to walk that often? You can also go running. Then consider the following:

For Blue Label; running 10 kilometers within 1 hour.
For Red Label; running 15 kilometers within 1.5 hours.
For Black Label; running 20 kilometers within 2 hours.

Do you have questions or doubts about whether you can handle this? Get in touch with us!

General health is paramount! Make sure you have good basic fitness.

An online meeting with all participants and the guide is organized a few weeks before departure.
This way, you can meet everyone and ask your final questions.

Our YouTube channel has a playlist of videos for good preparation. Be sure to check this out.
Of course, you will receive a detailed packing list from us.

During a trek or expedition

Keep moving, eat enough and dress well.

The cold in Arctic regions is dry and different from that in the Netherlands. With the right clothing and activity, you will stay wonderfully warm.

For example, we use a thick down jacket for moments when we pause and stand still, or when we are busy in camp.

You will receive a packing list with everything you need.
In addition, the guides know all the tips and tricks better than anyone, which they will certainly teach you.

We often start and end in a hut or hotel, where you can shower.

Showering is not possible during the trip.
If there are overnight stays in a wilderness hut during the dog sledding trip, a real Swedish sauna is often available.

Basically just like in Holland in the bush. But then a little fresher or colder….

We will be wild camping. At each camp location, you will agree with each other where to relieve yourselves.
At the start of the trip, the guide will elaborate on this.

For female participants, the question of how to manage menstruation often arises.
This is actually no different compared to normal circumstances.
You can contact one of our female guides to share her experience and tips.

That depends heavily on your mobile network and our location, but assume it will be minimal.

A great opportunity to truly go offline and experience nature!
The guide is always reachable via satellite phone through the basecamp manager.

Contact details will be shared in advance so you can pass them on to those at home.

We advise you to leave your electric toothbrush at home, as well as all other unnecessary plug-in devices.

It’s logical that you want to take photos, but you’ll need fully charged batteries for that.
In the cold, batteries and accumulators drain faster than usual.
The guide can give you all sorts of tips for this during the trip.

We recommend bringing 1 or 2 good power banks, depending on their capacities and the intensity of your usage.

We certainly hope not!
Should it happen, the guide and our basecamp manager will help you return to the nearest inhabited area.

From the inhabited area, you can arrange your own transport home.
Often your travel insurer can help you with this, and our basecamp manager is also ready to assist you.

Any additional costs involved are for the participant.

No, rather not in the winter.

It is safer to sleep with two people in a tent.
You can help each other if needed and it’s also much more sociable.
Additionally, we have quite a lot of material and gear with us that we literally and figuratively have to drag along in the pulks.

Therefore, it is necessary to go out with as little weight as possible, and by sharing tents, for example.

During summer treks, you can sleep alone in a tent.
However, note that you will carry the tent yourself in your backpack and thus won’t share that weight with anyone else.

The chances are very high in winter!
Since it’s a natural phenomenon, you can never say this with 100% certainty, but the chances are very high in winter.

A number of ideal conditions are needed (such as a clear dark night) which often occur in winter in Sweden and Norway.

So, there’s a good chance you’ll see the Northern Lights!

During our expeditions, you may encounter various types of wildlife, depending on the location.

We respect the natural habitat of these animals and ensure that our presence has minimal impact.

What you might encounter (depending on the trek and location) are: moose, reindeer, Arctic fox, willow ptarmigan, Arctic hare, crows, whale, seal, white-tailed eagle, and especially many tracks.

Safety

Safety is our top priority.

The motto of the guides is: ‘Out of your comfort zone. ‘Within the safety zone’.

The guides are experienced and know everything about moving and staying in the Arctic climate.
They always carry multiple communication and GPS devices that can be used in case of emergency.
All guides have an MFA (First Aid) certificate.

Furthermore, we carefully plan the locations and routes, minimizing all risks of accidents.
However, accidents can never be completely ruled out. You are embarking on an adventurous journey.

We have detailed emergency plans, and our guides are trained in first aid and crisis management.

Furthermore, a basecamp manager in the Netherlands is always available to support and assist in executing the emergency plan.

The weather in Arctic regions can be unpredictable.

Our guides are trained to monitor the weather and adjust plans if necessary.
Safety always comes first, so if the weather poses a risk, we will adjust our program or route or seek a safe shelter.

Bookings and participation

Bookings can be made directly through our website.

https://arcticadventure.nl/expedities-overzicht/intakeformulier-voor-deelname-aan-een-expeditie/

Yes indeed!

Indeed, most participants enroll on their own.

Not always that the partner has the same interest. That partner doesn’t know what he’s missing…. :-)

So individual participants are welcome and it’s a great way to meet new people.

In principle, everyone is welcome! As long as you are physically capable of completing the trek or expedition, you can join.
Under 18 years old, you can only join if accompanied by a parent.

Attention!
Unfortunately, with age, many people also develop knee and hip complaints.
It would be a shame if you had to drop out halfway due to something that could have been foreseen.
That’s why we ask you to undergo a sports medical examination.
 We do this because it is nice if you can actually do the tour.

Are you over 60 years of age and will be joining a red label tour? Then we recommend a sports medical examination for our tours.

Are you older than 65 then this examination is mandatory for every trip.

For Black Label expeditions, everyone must undergo a comprehensive sports medical examination

Do you have any questions about this? Then get in touch.

You can always exchange a trip for another trip up to 1 month before departure.

Our full cancellation policy can be read here.

Yes, absolutely.
How awesome! This is possible; we also organize expeditions for colleagues, families, and friends.

For custom arrangements, please contact us to discuss the possibilities.

With a minimum of 5 (winter) or 7 (summer) participants. The maximum number of participants is 7 in winter and 9 in summer.

Should there be very many applications, we will consider organizing a second trip.

If you are interested in a trip that is full, always let us know!

Sustainability and responsibility

We are committed to sustainable tourism and minimize environmental impact.

For example, Arctic Adventure is affiliated with 1% For the Planet and sustainable choices are made wherever possible.

We offset all CO2 emissions during our trips through Trees for All.

Of course, the main principle is that once we reach the starting point, we move ourselves using our own physical efforts.
Little to no motorized transport is involved during an expedition.

Our vision is to offer inspiring and authentic travel experiences.
These trips enrich you and show respect for nature and local cultures.

Our tours are groundbreaking, both mentally and physically. That makes it not commonplace, which of course gives adventure.

Our goal is that after you’ve been with us, you’ll be able to undertake a next adventure on your own.
But you are, of course, free to join us again. Nice even :-)

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