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Tromsø, Norway Are you an Extreme Dreamer?
This is one seriously cool Best Life Adventure – in more ways than one. The magnetic magic of the Northern Lights has long been a drawcard to explore the frozen tundra of the Arctic Circle; hence, our Tri-Nation Arctic Challenge was born.
This Extreme Dreams expedition sees us power our way to the nexus of three snow-covered countries in the depths of winter, with the iconic Aurora Borealis to light our way.
Together, we tackle an endurance journey across the frozen wilderness towing our gear-laden Pukla (sled) between Norway, Sweden and Finland before resting up with the indigenous Sami people to hear stories about survival in the Arctic Circle.
To end our week, we climb aboard dog-sleds for a safari race across mountain ranges, carve through deep powder and race through snow-laden pine forests.
But, that’s only half of it. We’ll also enjoy a number of other mad experiences, which are best suited to the Arctic (think ice lake immersions and fishing in the snow followed by sauna sessions and ski shots to warm the cockles).
This will be a true challenge of the mind and body for us all. To step away from comfort and take on something new is the epitome of adventure, right? Who knows what we’ll find when we get out there.
Physically, this is one of the toughest expeditions you'll ever take on. So, grab your down jacket, find your winter gloves, chuck on your snowshoes (we provide all of these don't worry) and embark on the adventure of a lifetime.
See you in Norway!
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MINIMUM NUMBERS - this expedition is subject to a minimum number of paying guests and once reached, the expedition is guaranteed to go ahead if not, it will be cancelled, and you can transfer amounts paid to an alternate expedition, departure date or receive a full refund.
INSURANCE - We highly recommend that you take out personal travel insurance within seven days of booking this expedition, which will ensure you are covered if things go pear-shaped. In the past we’ve worked with a number of different companies and have had the best customer experience and speed of response with World Nomads, but the decision is 100% yours if you have a preferred company.
Arrive in Tromsø
Location : Tromsø, Norway
It's finally time to embark on your incredible Extreme Dreams: Tri-Nation Arctic Challenge Expedition. Make sure your bags are packed, you're physically and mentally ready, and up for the adventure of a lifetime.
Welcome to the fascinating city of Tromsø, nestled in an archipelago of islands at the northern tip of Norway. Famed as the perfect viewing point for the Northern Lights, it's where our Extreme Dreams expedition starts. Please ensure you arrive in Tromsø no later than midday today for your check-in at Clarion Edge hotel.
Today, we issue you with the essential winter clothing required to adventure deep in the Arctic Circle, pour over maps of the area as we run through the itinerary, before dining on a sumptuous group welcome dinner. Early to bed, the adventure starts tomorrow.
SNOWSHOE TO GAPPOHYTTA
Location : Gappohytta, Storfjord, Norway
We leave the comfort of Tromsø behind and take a transfer to start our journey along the Nordkalottleden - an 800km Scandinavian trail that winds its way up the spine of Norway.
Strap on our snowshoes, load the sleds and head up the valley on a trail that winds through silent birch forest, up onto exposed, frozen Arctic tundra where the challenge of the expedition becomes real.
Today we snowshoe around 12km to our first wilderness hut in Norway. On arrival, we light the fire, crank up the stove and prepare to soak up the most remote location on the trip, and if we're lucky the Northern Lights will be firing across the skies above our heads.
EXPLORE THE ARCTIC TUNDRA
Location : Gappohytta, Storfjord, Norway
Waking up in the Arctic wilderness is an incredible experience. We spend the day recovering from our monster efforts of Day One, taking in the majesty of the region, learning how to dig a snow cave, wandering along the border of Norway and Sweden, and spending the night back in our comfortable, wilderness cabin.
SNOWSHOE TO GOLDAHYTTA
Location : Goldahytta, Storfjord, Norway
Leaving the comfort of the hut behind, we venture into the frozen Arctic wilderness as first light touches the horizon, far away to the south. We walk as far as we can during the twilight hours, to reduce time under headtorch at the end of another physically and mentally challenging day.
Keep your eyes peeled for Moose, Arctic Fox and Reindeer as we drop into the gorges and cross frozen lakes.
Today we snowshoe around 12km to our next wilderness hut, on the border of Finland and Sweden.
CROSS THE FROZEN LAKE
Location : Kilpisjärvi, Finland
Our final day on snowshoes is an epic one. Leaving the hut behind we navigate our way through the frozen valley to one of the most iconic destinations of the trip - the Three Country Cairn which signifies the point where the borders of Sweden, Finland and Norway meet.
From here the twinkling lights of Kilpisjärvi (Finland), our destination for the night, guide us towards the end of our mammoth snowshoe adventure. Crossing the lake is a true mental battle, where one foot in front of the other is the name of the game, as we wish the lights closer and closer, in the darkness of the winter night.
On arrival, our reward is the luxurious comfort of the alpine-style chalet where we celebrate with a mammoth local meal and enjoy the Finnish tradition of a steaming sauna and a dip in the ice-covered lake. It's the perfect tonic for our aching limbs.
SAMI REINDEER VISIT
After a relaxing morning recovering from the exertions of our days on the tundra, we drive to a local traditional Sami reindeer herder, spend time with the animals and his family, and learn about a life spent in the frozen outdoors.
DOGSLED TRAINING
Location : Camp Tamok, Øverbygd, Norway
Today we embrace another skill that’s a way of life in this part of the world and learn what it takes to become an experienced dogsledder, with a morning of exploration and discovery along the snow-covered valley trails before following the ice-covered river to our wilderness camp.
Our home for the night is a short ride away where we feast on a traditional Sami dinner, hear tales from the locals and enjoy a comfy bed. Fingers crossed the Aurora Borealis is doing its thing in the skies above our heads.
DOGSLED MARATHON
We reunite up with our dog-sled teams and prepare for a huge day on our Extreme Dreams expedition and one everything loves. Our route takes us along the valley that divides Finland and Norway, heads across a mountain range, then tracks down through snow-laden forests and finishes by the ocean, at Skibotn. Normal dogsled adventures cover up to 10kms a day. We push you a little further with a challenging 50km marathon.
After a week of constant physical exertion, it's time to head back to our hotel in Tromsø and wrap up with a farewell celebration dinner and some well-earned rest.
**Your Best Life Adventure ends here**
