Dog Sledding at The Solberget Reindeer Retreat
Available from 22nd of January - 5th of March. Groups of 2 to 8 people.
Over the first couple of days we show you the immediate surroundings of the retreat and of course the retreat itself. We travel out into the forest on skis and relax in the sauna whilst preparing ourselves for the coming dog-sled adventure. You also get to know the reindeer who live at the retreat, before and after they take us on a sleigh tour, gliding through the incredible white snow covered forest.
The next couple of days are spent on the dog-sled adventure where you stay in a small forest cabin or an oven heated kota (tent). There is also the opportunity to go snowshoe walking which is a must if weather permits. While we are in Jokkmokk you have the opportunity to visit the Sami-museum. You can add a visit to the ice-hotel in Jukkasjärvi (if you would like to stay overnight at the Ice Hotel, please let us know so we can help you with the booking).
Day 1 We will pick you up in Nattavaara at the train station for the last part of your trip to the retreat. We travel to the retreat deep into the forests on snow covered forest roads (about 22 km).
A warm welcome from Dirk and his staff awaits you once you arrive at the retreat. You are shown to your rooms after a salmon sandwich and then on for a sauna for those that want to. Your first introduction to life here will be getting water from the well to fill up the sauna, chopping the wood and lighting the fire. After your evening meal, the sauna will be ready to relax and enjoy your first evening at the retreat.
Day 2 You have the chance help feed the resident reindeer and learn about their lives in Lapland and how life is for people who live around the Arctic Circle. Afterwards, we travel out on the reindeer sleigh tour where you will be taken through the beautiful snow covered winter forests of Swedish Lapland. If we are lucky, we may spot some wild animals like a capercaillie or a moose. The evening is free.
Day 3 Today we drive by car to Jokkmokk where the dogs and the musher will be waiting for us. We spend the first part of the day learning about dog sled driving techniques and then we are ready to go. Everyone has a chance to drive their team and control the sled which are usually two man sleds (one sitting on the sled and one driving).
We drive the teams through forests and lakes and on to the heated tent (kota) or a small forest cabin where we spend the night. In the afternoon you have the chance trying some snowshoe walking and after the dogs have been fed, we enjoy our delicious evening meal.
Day 4 After breakfast we continue our dog-sled adventure through the snowy forests of Swedish Lappland. We will be back in Jokkmokk around 2pm and you can spend the afternoon in Jokkmokk town how you please. You will stay in Jokkmokk town in the in the youth-hostel or a small cabin overnight.
Day 5 Today we visit the famous Sami-museum in Jokkmokk. This museum is dedicated to the Sami heritage and culture and provides a good insight into the culture of the Sami people. In the afternoon we travel back to the retreat and after dinner the sauna will be heated for a relaxing evening.
Day 6 We spend the whole day exploring the surroundings of the retreat on skis. We travel out to an abandoned farm or maybe you will prefer a forest nature reserve or to the mountain near the retreat. On top of the mountain is a small cabin where we can enjoy a small warm snack and soak up the view from our look-out tower. We finish the day with a welcome sauna.
Day 7 After breakfast you are free to take a short ski tour on your own. In the afternoon it is sadly time to say goodbye.
Dog Sledding at The Retreat - Price: Swedish Kr 9,500 per person
Price includes: Pick-up at the train station in Nattavaara, Ski equipment, Maps of the area, Guided tour of the area (1st day at 2 pm), Reindeer feeding, Use of the sauna, Full board with local produce and speciality meals (including organically grown food), 4 nights of accommodation in uniquely styled rooms (usually shared rooms, doubles are an additional 100kr per person per night, 1 night in a basic forest cabin or kota (oven-heated tent) during the tour and one night in the youth hostel in Jokkmokk, 1 guided ski tour (about 2 hours), Sleigh ride by reindeer (approx. 1.5 hours), 2 day dog sled tour including an overnight stay in a kota (oven heated tent) or a small forest cabin, Visit to the Sami-museum in Jokkmokk, Transfer from the retreat to Jokkmokk and back.
Price excludes: Transport to and from Nattavaara and any alcoholic beverages.
Please Note: Please read about the retreat and its facilities to make sure your are aware of the standard of accommodation and the facilities of The Retreat. The tour starts at 2pm on the first day and ends on the final day at 3pm. The rooms are available from 2pm on the first day until 1pm on the last day.
