Nightless Night Trek in Muotkatunturi Wilderness Area Lapland
Tour departs from
Duration
Pick up / meeting point
Languages
Minimum age
Overview
A journey to pristine wilderness where sun never sets. Walk the woods and tundra of Muotkatunturi wilderness area with the newborn reindeer calfs, singing birds and lush vegetetion of brief but intense Lappish summer.
What's included?
Transportation from/to the Ivalo Airport (only if requested)
Accommodation in the cabin in Giellajohka Holiday Village (2 nights incl. 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts)
Highly experienced wilderness guide specializing in survival and traditional Finnish bushcraft skills
Breakfasts, lunches and dinners during the trek (dehydrated hiking meals handmade by our wilderness guide)
Digital meeting with the wilderness guide before the trek (clothing & equipment, route, trekking tips and so on)
Transportation to/from Ivalo (air, bus, car or train)
Snacks, alcoholic drinks and personal expenses
Trekking equipment such as tent, sleeping bag, mattress etc. (we will help renting the gear, if needed)
Travel insurance that covers trekking in the wilderness
What to expect?
Muotkatunturi Wilderness Area is one of the most remote corners in Lapland. There are no marked trails and the only signs of humans are the occasional old fire pits or reindeer herders ATV tracks. Our route starts from the old pine forests, the last ones surviving this north. Soon as we gain more elevation, pines give space for mountain birch and eventually for ground crawling dwarf birch, crowberry and lichen. Open tundra offers great scenery but also exposes us to the winds from the Arctic ocean just a hundred kilometres away. The water in crystal clear rivers, brooks, ponds and lakes is so pure that you can drink straight from them. These waters are home to trout, grayling and arctic charr. The area is also home for countless reindeers, elks and grouse birds. Even spotting bear tracks from soft ground is possible. Few of the last arctic foxes in Finland also live in the area. With a lot of luck you could even see one of them on a hunt for lemmings.We will hike moderate distances in various terrain with no trails. Good and tested footwear is essential and a basic level of fitness will make hiking more enjoyable. We will always set our camp in valleys with some forests so camping under a tarp and lighting a campfire is possible.The trek takes place during the early summer when the mosquitoes and midges haven't yet yet occupied the airspace. Proxmity to midsummer makes sure the sun never sets. Magical time to hike the fjells!Trek is guided by Sampo Rouhiainen – a wilderness guide specializing in survival and traditional Finnish bushcraft skills. In wintertime Sampo works in Pyhätunturi guiding ice climbing, fat biking and arctic survival. The rest of the year he spends teaching wilderness skills for school kids and youth as well as instructing weeklong survival courses on which people get to eat only the food they can forage or fish and spend their nights without modern sleeping kit such as tents and sleeping bags. Sampo's extensive knowledge on traditional ways of wilderness living, training in adventure education and knowledge on choosing simple, lightweight and functional kit will help you to prepare for the trek, enjoy it and get through the occasional difficulties.Tour dates for 2024: June 8 – June 15What to bring
Weather in the area can change quickly so prepare with a windproof and waterproof shell layer but don’t forget to get something warm and fluffy for the cold evenings and mornings at the camp. Durable hiking boots support your ankle best but once they get wet they stay wet. Rubber wellies with a good gripping sole will also work. Many lightweight backpackers enjoy hiking in trail running shoes. If you wish to use them, make sure you have a tested plan to keep your feet dry and warm during the time at the camp.
The campsites are selected so that camping with a tarp is possible but many hikers favour tent to keep the wind and mosquitoes away. Hammock is also an option but at some campsites you might need to look for a pair of suitable trees for a little longer as the mountain birch does not grow very big. Also make sure to have a warm sleeping pad or an underquilt if camping with a hammock.
A detailed clothing and equipment list will be sent to you when you book your trip.