Intrepid explorers looking to track some of Scandinavia’s most endangered species in their habitat will love this brand new wildlife adventure from the specialist travel company Off the Map Travel.
Launched this week, visitors will come face to face with the Eurasian Beavers, European brown bears, the rare Arctic Fox, majestic Moose and Scandinavia’s three types of reindeer led by specialist guides as they journey from Swedish Lapland to Northern Norway.
The seven-day Animal Encounter, available from May to August, has been created to showcase Scandinavia’s beautiful landscape and the animals that live there during the milder summer months.
Spend a night in the renowned Treehotel’s new Biosphere room, with a façade containing 340 bird’s nests, before the adventure really starts with a private guided tour of Storforsen waterfall and a stay in a secluded log cabin, where the first wild animals can be spotted – European brown bears.
These gentle giants inhabit the mountains and forests in Sweden, eating a range of foods, such as berries, bees and voles. They are a protected species in Sweden, and several conservation projects are helping with research into them, management and welfare.
From the comfort of a hide based at the log cabin, an expert guide will teach you everything you’ve wanted to know about Scandinavian bear activity, providing tips like avoiding wearing scents bears have an extraordinary sense of smell. The location is also perfect for viewing other wildlife such as Arctic foxes, martens, raccoon dogs and golden eagles.
“Africa is known for its safaris, but not many people get the opportunity to have a safari-style adventure anywhere else,” Jonny Cooper, founder of Off the Map Travel, said.
“This wildlife adventure enables people to see some of Scandinavia’s most magnificent animals, all in their natural habitat, with professional guides to help them track the animals, learn more about them and capture some amazing photos.”
Luxurious accommodation throughout the trip allows guests to relax while immersed in nature. For some extra luxury, some of the wilderness accommodations come with secluded hot tubs, which are ideal for spotting native birds under the Midnight Sun, including the Lapland bunting and rough-legged buzzard.
Then it’s off on a series of safari-type experiences to track more animals during the remainder of the program.
During the 7-day trip, guests will get to experience:
- A quad bike tour past crystal clear lakes and through arctic forests, home to moose, Arctic fox and native birds
- Zipping along forest trails on a cart pulled by a pack of huskies before meeting the dogs and their puppies
- Hiking to beaver dens and spot some of Scandinavia’s 150,00 beavers
- Meeting a local Sami family and their reindeer herd, learning about their indigenous lifestyle over a lunch of local and foraged ingredients.
- A drive along the Norwegian fjords to Narvik’s Polar Park, the world’s northernmost animal park, for a photography session of the park’s lynx, deer and wolves with a private wildlife guide.
Each day, picnic and evening meals will be provided comprising of regional cuisine, including locally caught fish and freshly baked cakes and pastries.
“There are so many different animals to see on this adventure that you don’t often get to see in real life, including the endangered arctic fox,” Cooper added: “The accommodation perfectly complements the experience, which is all about immersing yourself in nature.
“It’s the ideal trip for any animal lover, and the guides are so knowledgeable that guests are sure to leave with a new understanding of the animals they see, great memories and amazing photos to treasure.”
The seven-day, six-night Animal Encounter itinerary costs from £8259 per person, on a full board basis, based on two people travelling, not including flights.
The package includes one night’s hotel accommodation at Treehotel, one night’s accommodation in a secluded “bear cabin”, one night’s accommodation at the Arctic Retreat, one night’s accommodation at Arctic Bath, two night’s hotel accommodation in Narvik, private transfers, all activities and all meals. Flights are additional.
All accommodation is 4-star, excluding the bear cabin and hide.
If you would like more information on this Scandinavian adventure, please visit www.offthemap.travel.
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