Dates: July 28 – August 7, 2008
Starting Place: Svinøya Rorbuer, Svolvaer, Norway
Ending Place: Bodø, Norway
Price: $2,900.00 per person
Latitude Svolvaer 68°N
Day 1: Welcome to Scandinavia and Svolvaer, Norway! Our trip starts 7:00 p.m. at Svinøya Rorbus (dinner is not provided this evening), we will meet you in the lobby or in “Rorbu” (cabin) number 18. You are welcome to check in earlier. Please contact us if you need assistance or your travel schedule does not get you into town until later this evening. Tonight we are all staying at the Svinøya Rorbus. These traditional fishermen huts were originally built to give early seafarers shelter from the storms. Many have been renovated into lodging for modern day travelers.
After introductions and an evening snack we will make sure everyone has all the necessary equipment for the expedition. This will be our last chance to purchase quality outdoor gear. Please read through the Equipment List for recommended clothing. We will also pull out the charts and take a look at our route.
Tonight we will pack up our personal gear in water tight bags. The weather in this region can be warm and sunny, but rain and wind are not uncommon. We should expect the best, yet be prepared for the worst. Luggage you don’t need on the trip can be stored at the Svinøya Rorbus.
Svinøya Rorbuer Gunnar Bergs Vei 2, PO Box 74, N-8300 Svolvaer, Norway
Phone: +47-76 07 08 80 Fax: +47-76 07 21 11 Email: svinoya.rorbuer@svinoya.no
Day 2: Following a hearty breakfast we will drive an hour along the fjords to where our kayaks are waiting. This trip does not require previous paddling experience, though we recommend that you have an interest in the great outdoors and a an adventurous spirit. Our female leaders will demonstrate some basic sea kayaking techniques including a capsize and assisted rescue so everyone is familiar with our basic rescue procedures. During our first day we will take our time to ensure that each participant demonstrates safe and proper paddling techniques.
While loading our kayaks we will double check all food, camping and sea kayaking equipment. We'll take a final look at the nautical charts prior to leaving and confirm our destination for the day. The weather and the group’s paddling ability will help us determine our speed of travel.
From this point on most of our meals will be cooked on our camping stoves and our nights will be spent sleeping in tents. We also have our "lavu" (a teepee look a like tent) where we gather for meals and to socialize. This tent is great if it is drizzling or windy.
Day 3 to Day 6: During our trip we encourage your input while making decisions on where to camp, how far to paddle and what areas to explore. Working together and making new friends is what makes a Crossing Latitudes trip unique.
If weather allows we hope to paddle to the Trollfjord where the famous battle over cod fishing rights took place in 1890. This spectacular fjord cuts deep into the mountains. Here we can collect blue mussels for dinner. There is a sandy beach near Trollfjord that makes for an excellent campsite. Here you can sleep soundly and dream about Norwegian Trolls.
The archipelago of Svellingen protects the fjords from storms in the more open Vestfjord. After circumnavigating the Island of Arstein we will paddle through this unique archipelago. We have been told about a Viking chieftain’s treasure hidden in a cave on a small island. Maybe we will have time to search for it!
The northeastern part of the Lofoten Islands is wild, but not a wilderness. During our paddle we will encounter a few fishing villages and small towns. We will make stops to purchase fresh produce and sea food or to simply enjoy the atmosphere. We might spend more than one night in the same camp to allow for visiting and exploring the neighboring islands. At times the weather may dictate these decisions.
There will be areas with extremely rocky cliffs offering few landings and also some stretches with sandy beaches. There are some agricultural areas where we might have to share camp with grazing cows or sheep. We will pass a few fish farms where the Norwegians raise Atlantic salmon.
You can count on paddling between 4-6 hours each day. Though our staff are flexible and if you want to spend more time in the kayaks we'll gladly go out again and again and again… Expect impressive mountains, waterfalls and lots of laughter!
Day 7: Today we will get picked up and taken back to Svolvaer. Here we will check into our cabins at Svinøya Rorbus again. After cleaning up gear and loading kayaks on the trailer your well deserved shower awaits you.
In the afternoon you will have the chance to walk through the Svolvaer town center. At the town square there is usually an open market where the local artists and native Saami sell reindeer skin, arts, crafts and other curios. Our dinner will be served at one of the many excellent restaurants downtown.
Day 8: After breakfast (served by our staff at the cabins) we will board a mini-bus and drive south to the community of Borg and the Lofotr Viking museum. We can stop along the road any time and take in the spectacular scenery where the Mountains meet the Sea.
At the site of the Lofotr Viking museum, archaeologists have excavated the largest Viking Age house ever discovered. The farm of one of the mightiest North Norwegian chieftains was discovered during an inter-Scandinavian research project 1986-89. Today's museum is a full scale replica of the Viking settlement. This impressive 83 meter long "living museum" is designed to look like an up-side-down Viking ship. Here you'll see folks dressed in traditional clothing re-enacting the daily life of the Vikings. You can learn about traditional weaving, making rope, shoes and other necessities. You can even experience what it was like to row a Viking ship. The ship in the harbor is a replica of the 1,000 year old Gokstadship displayed in Oslo. We will also enjoy a traditional Viking lunch complete with a mug of mead.
The next destination for today is Nusfjord, a small traditional fishing village tucked in a narrow fjord rimmed within sheer granite walls. Tonight we will stay in the traditional rorbus of Nusfjord.
Nusfjord, like most fishing villages on Lofoten, is still flourishing due to the excellent winter cod fishing. Cod is the main staple in Arctic Norway and is one of Norway's greatest natural resources.
The cod is caught in the mid-winter, gutted and hung to dry on large wooden drying racks along the coast. The cold, salty air dries out the cod (which at this point is referred to as "Stock fish"). It the Spring it is packed up and exported to Portugal, Nigeria and Japan. In order to make the fish edible all one has to do is put it in water to re-hydrate it. According to the experts the stock fish retains 97% of it's nutrients and minerals, and if cooked right, it is quite tasty!
In the center of the Nusfjord we'll find the old historic Trading Post. This is where fishermen and tourists alike gather to exchange thoughts on the weather and the day’s events. Near the Trading Post is "Oriana", the one and only local restaurant and pub. Another excellent spot to gather and tell stories. Baccalau, a traditional stew cooked with Stockfish, tomatoes and onions is the specialty!
Nusfjord Rorbus N-8380 Ramberg, Norway
Phone: +47-76 09 30 20 Email: nusfjord@ rica.no
Day 9: Rise and shine! After breakfast we will pack our day packs. Load the rest of the luggage in the van and then we hike off. Our destination is Nesland village. The trail winds it way through a rolling landscape, below imposing mountains and along the open coastal waters of Vestfjord. The trail is well trod and the views are spectacular. We should be able to reach Nesland in 3-4 hours. We will enjoy a picnic lunch along the way.
The van will pick us up in Nesland and we continue our journey south along the Lofoten Islands. A visit to the Fishery museum and the iron smith in Sund is a must. Here we can enjoy both history and fine art at the same time. The Blacksmith is quite a character and we might see him in action creating his art at the forge.
Our destination for tonight is the island community of Reine. At Reine Rorbus will once again check in to traditional cabins (two nights). Dinner will be served at Loftet Restaurant.
Reine Rorbuer N-8390 Reine, Norway
Phone: +47-760 92 222 Fax: +47- 760 92 225
Day 10: After breakfast we pack our daypacks again and walk down to the harbor. The Reine community is surrounded by spectacular mountains. The fjord carves deeply through the mountains.
If weather allows this might be the day that we dress in floatation suits, board the Zodiacs and venture out around the very southern tip of the Lofoten Islands. This will bring us within view of the most famous and potentially fiercest ocean current in the world – The Maelstrøm. The current offshore can run up to 20 knots accompanied by standing waves and whirlpools large enough to swallow fishing boats. Don’t worry, the captain has lots of experience and he won’t take us out into the dangerous waters.
Once around the cape we will be on the outer coast of Lofoten. Here we’ll find remains of settlements dating back thousands of years. The gigantic coastal cave in Refsvika Bay contains cave paintings approximately 3,000 year old. This is truly a remarkable spot to visit. We will enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach before we return to Reine.
If the weather gods aren’t with us we will board a tour boat and travel into the fjord instead. At the very end of the Bunesfjord arm there is a trail winding up to the mountain pass of Bunes. From the pass we can see and smell the open Norwegian Sea. The trail continues down to Bunes beach, this kilometer long white sandy beach is excellent for beach combing. Take off your shoes and let your feet run wild. Huge waves pound this shore during winter storms leaving all sorts of treasures. One year we found the full skeleton of a Sperm Whale here. We will spend the greater part of the day on this remote and wild beach.
Tonight we will enjoy our last dinner together at a local restaurant.
Day 11: This is our last morning together. We will help you get to the ferry which will take you across the Vestfjord to Bodø. Please don’t make reservations to fly out of Bodø until late afternoon this day.
General Information: Travel Insurance: We recommend that you protect yourself from unforeseen circumstances while traveling. The Travel Guard "Protect Assist" insurance plan protects you in the event that you have to cancel your trip for a variety of reasons. It covers you for everything from your cancellation to Trip Interruption, Travel Delay, Lost, Stolen or Damaged Luggage, Baggage Delay, Medical Expenses, Emergency Medical Transportation and more. This plan is ideally suited for adventure travel.
Pre- and post-trip accommodations: We recommend EDMONDS TRAVEL outside Seattle. They specialize in travel to Scandinavia. “KJ” is our primary contact person, she will help you book tickets. Call: 1-800-261-3868. Email: kj@edmondstravel.com
Weather: The coastal weather of Arctic Norway can bring strong winds and rain. Count on clouds and drizzle for at least half the time. Sunny days will be a welcome exception. Here the average temperatures range between the low 50's to 70’s. The coastal weather of Sweden is usually warmer and sunnier than Norway, but be prepared for some strong winds or heavy rain. Summer temperatures in Sweden can reach into the 80's. At times, the elements can prohibit us from paddling or hiking but not from enjoying these spectacular places. Good rain gear and footwear will also enable us to explore the mountains, forests, coast and villages by foot. The weather in the mountains is variable like in most mountains. One day can be warm and sunny with the next being windy and drizzly, it’s even possible to see some snowfall.
Currency: Each Scandinavian country has its own currency. Exchanges can be made at banks, airports, train stations and most hotels. Scandinavian currency is not interchangeable between countries as each has a different exchange rate value. Major credit cards are widely accepted throughout Scandinavia. Sweden and Denmark are part of the European Union but have chosen not to use the Euro. Norway is not part of the EU. Travel checks are not used in Scandinavia. The banks will charge a stiff fee if you want travel checks cashed.
Language: English is Scandinavia's second language and is almost spoken fluently throughout. We encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to speak the native tongue. Phrase books and dictionaries are a great help. All our staff are bilingual and speak English as well as Norwegian or Swedish.
Last minute assistance: If you need assistance shortly before departure or while traveling to Scandinavia, you may call the following number for Crossing Latitudes in Sweden: 070-670 11 53 (within Sweden) or 46-70-670 11 53 (from outside Sweden). Please leave your name, a message and a number where we can reach you.
We are looking forward to our adventure together!
Crossing Latitudes, Inc.
420 West Koch Street, Bozeman MT 59715, USA
USA:1-800-572-8747 Europe: +46-70-670 1153 www.crossinglatitudes.com
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