CATCH THE ARCTIC LIGHT

2 departures: Sat 22/11 - sat 29/11 2008 and sun 11/1 - sun 18/1 2009.

1 day
At the airport in Kittilä, our bus is ready to take us through the wintry forests of Lapland. We head westward towards the Muonio River and after 1 hour we reach Rajamaa. We install ourselves in the nice fully equipped chalets, and then gather in the main building. We get to know each other and check the program of the week. Dinner at the restaurant.

2 day
After a steady breakfast and after we have made some sandwiches for the lunch we gather outside. Today we will explore the home island, Pitkäsaari with the great rapid Äijäkoski, and its special nature with the contrast between water, rock and ice. Tracks of birds and animals in the snow, trees and bushes adapted to the harsh climate among with other nature phenomena of the Taiga, will be described. We eat our lunch by a flaming log fire in the forest, before walking back to Rajamaa. Preparing the pictures of the day. Dinner at the restaurant.

3 day
After breakfast we depart for the Pallas National Park in Finland, where the day will be spent. This low-mountain range in the middle of the Taiga, offers splendid views over vast forest and wet-lands. Plants and herbs are adapted to the tree-less surroundings. Here the winter has come far longer than in the river valley. We eat our lunch by the fire before returning to Rajamaa, where we take care of today’s harvest. Dinner at the restaurant.

4 day
After a very early breakfast we turn north, along the river valley, over the tundra area at Lake Kilpisjärvi until we reach the Arctic Sea by Lyngenfjord in Norway. Here the famous mountains “Lyngen Alps” rise 1500 meters and more, directly out of the Arctic Sea. This is a totally different, dramatic landscape, which gives us a lot of opportunities. We will be back for a late dinner.

5 day
The day at free disposal. In the afternoon we work with the “Norwegian” pictures. Dinner at the restaurant.

6 day
Today's tour goes to Mukkaharjut on the swedish side.A strange landscape of pine clad hills and valleys,once created by the inland ice.The area is very important for the reindeer husbandry, and holds also moose and bear. Lunch in a lumber-jacks cabin.In the afternoon we work with the pictures. Dinner at the restaurant.

7 day
After breakfast we go, by bus, to Peltovuoma in Finland to meet the Eira family.This Saami family lives in between modern life andan ancient form of reindeer herding.We will get to hear about the rare culture,about old days and today's work with the animals.Jouni Eira will show us how he works and we will drive out to where the heard is moving.We eat a lunch inspired by Lapland before we drive back to Rajamaa loaded with new images. Dinner at the restaurant.Feed-back for the week and au revoir.

8 day
Breakfast, then transfer back to Kittilä and the flight home.

Included: Transfer from/to Kittilä, accomodation in chalets, Lapland full-board(lunch-package,drinks not included), all activities according to program.

Price:
4 persons in 4-bed chalet EUR 1816/person (2 bed-rooms)
2 persons in 2-bed chalet EUR 2085/person