Across Padjelanta National Park

We reserve the right to make changes

Nature is a dynamic place and we may need to adjust the route and the itinerary according to the current weather conditions. We are also in contact with representatives for the local reindeer herders’ communities and other local actors to collaborate in the best way possible.

Included meals marked each day with B=breakfast, L=lunch and D=dinner 

DAY 1 ARRIVAL GÄLLIVARE (D)

We’ll meet you at Pensionat Augustin in Gällivare. We will give you an introduction to the tour and all help checking and packing group equipment for a week in Padjelanta on skis. There will also be time to pack your private bag and to get to know the other group members. When everything is packed and ready you will have some time to check in to your rooms before we enjoy dinner in the dining room.

DAY 2 HEADING TO THE MOUNTAINS (B,L,D)

After breakfast at the guesthouse we pack the minivan and head west to Padjelanta National Park and Laponia World Heritage Site. We follow a winding road for about three hours deep into the mountain area until it ends in a small village called Ritsem. From here we’ll continue by snowmobile for another hour or two before we get dropped off. The last stretch to Kutjaure cabin you’ll get the chance to test your skiing ability before the adventure starts for real. We’ll have dinner together and stay overnight in the cabin.

Distance on skis: about 5 km, elevation gain/loss: +50m, estimated time out skiing: 2h

DAY 3 LÅDDEJÅHKÅ (B,L,D)

After breakfast we pack our sledges and start heading south. Our route follows the mostly frozen river, named Vuojatädno, passing Sáluhávrre summer settlement. Vuojat means “to swim” and refer to that this is where the reindeer had to swim on their way from winter to summer grassing area. In the evening we arrive at the huts in Låddejåhkå where we have dinner together and sleep well after a full day in the mountains.

Distance on skis: about 21 km, elevation gain/loss: +100/-50 m, estimated time out skiing: 8-10h

DAY 4 ÁRASLUOKTA (B,L,D)

Our route to the next hut leads us up and over a pass almost 900 meters above sea level. If weather allows, we build our lunch couch on the south-facing slope overlooking the surrounding landscape. We’ll spend the night in a hut in Árasluokta, a summer settlement for the Sami people.

Distance on skis: about 14 km, elevation gain/loss: +350/-350 m, estimated time out skiing: 6-8h

DAY 5 DUOTTAR (B,L,D)

We continue east climbing the slope toward the highest point off the tour. This wide-open landscape offers great opportunities for panoramic views, but we are also unprotected if hard weather approaches. However, Duottar cabin, almost 900 meters above sea level, will give us the perfect protection against strong winds.

Distance on skis: about 21 km, elevation gain/loss: +450/-100 m, estimated time out skiing: 8-10h

DAY 6 EXTRA DAY (B,L,D)

We have a planned extra day to give us the flexibility to respond to weather and snow conditions.

DAY 7 TARRA VALLEY (B,L,D)

We continue east down the mountain to Tarra valley where we start seeing small birch trees again for the first time in a few days. The frozen Tarra river leads us down to Såmmarlappa mountain cabin where we stay for the night.

Distance on skis: about 26 km, elevation gain/loss: +200/-550, estimated time out skiing: 10h

DAY 8 BACK TO JOKKMOKK (B,L,D)

We’ll ski down the Tarra Valley and around lunch time the snowmobiles pick us up and bring us down to Kvikkjokk. After loading everything on the minivan we continue along the road back to Jokkmokk. We have a shower and sauna followed by dinner in the restaurant.

Distance on skis: about 10 km, elevation gain/loss: -50 m, estimated time out skiing 3h

DAY 9 DEPARTURE DAY (B)

We have breakfast in the restaurant before it is time to say good-bye and get ready for your journey home from Jokkmokk.

Do I have to be super-fit?

Across Padjelanta National Park is one of our toughest tours and it requires a lot of you as a participant. But you don’t have to be running marathons or be an expert in downhill skiing. Please read through the requirement listed further up and don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or would like to discuss your experience level.

How heavy will the sled be?

As part of the team you’ll pull your own sledge with your private gear and part of food and common equipment. In the beginning the sled will weigh about 30kg but as we go it will weigh less and less. Remember the pulling 30kg is NOT the same as carrying a backpack of 30kg that’s why we use sledges!

How cold will it be?

During a week in Padjelanta National Park we see all kinds of weather. We can experience sunshine and -10C degrees during the day but also +5C degrees with rain and strong winds. But don’t worry too much about the cold. Pack according to the packing list and listen to good advice from the guide about how to stay warm during the day.

I am not a good skier; can I still go?

The skiing is not very technical, it is more about endurance and attitude. BUT, we have to be able to cover some distance each day and there are some downhills to ski down. Clear speaking, you can’t be too slow or fall too often.

I have high blood pressure; can I still go?

We don’t automatically say no just because you have a medical condition but it should not be a high risk factor for you or the group. We recommend that you talk to your doctor and make sure you have medication that you know works well for you. AND please let us know when filling out the application form and we can discuss this with you before we enter Padjelanta on skis.

I am a vegetarian; can I join the team?

We are used to handling most food preferences and allergies, just let us know when filling out the application form. BUT with limited cooking space we can’t handle too advanced requests or guarantee that it will be totally free from gluten or lactose etc. If you have a severe allergy please contact us to discuss this with us.