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Adventures / Remote Rides

Arctic Circle Fat Bike Expedition

Cycle across an Arctic plateau alongside a team of huskies, sleep in remote huts and relax in saunas

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Trip Ref #10058

Adventures / Remote Rides

Arctic Circle Fat Bike Expedition

Cycle across an Arctic plateau alongside a team of huskies, sleep in remote huts and relax in saunas

DURATION
5 nights
LOCATION
Norway
ANNUAL LEAVE
3 days off work
SEASON
Apr, May
GROUP SIZE
Up to 10 people
MEETING POINT
Alta Airport, Norway
ACCOMMODATION
Glamping · Mountain hut
DIFFICULTY
Moderate

This trip is for cyclists of average fitness who are used to riding back to back days and up for trying something new.

Cruise through remote snow trails and enjoy the freedom of riding a fat bike across the Finnmarksvidda mountain plateau within the Arctic Circle

Travel with a team of huskies to carry your luggage and stay in the dreamy Aurora Canvas Dome - woodburner and all

Share the plateau with migrating herds of reindeer and indigenous Sami people and unwind with a post-ride sauna

Included

Guides

Expert, English-speaking guides and a bike mechanic

Accommodation

3 nights in the Aurora Canvas Dome and 2 nights in mountain lodges

Meals

Munch on tasty food throughout

Transfers

To and from the start point and everything in-between

Permits

All permits and entry fees

Equipment

Nakamura Big Bob 6.0 fat bikes, huskies and sleds

Not Included

Flights to and from the meeting point

Travel insurance

Personal expenses

The Area

Logistics

Starts

Alta Airport

14:30 on Day 1

Ends

Alta Airport

12:00 noon on Day 6

Transfers

Airport transfers are included for travellers arriving by 1430 on Day 1 and departing at 12:00 onwards on Day 6. If you would like to arrive earlier or later, you can book a private transfer with your host. See Optional Extras section for prices.

Travel options

There are regular flights to Alta from major airports across the UK and Europe.

What about all the carbon?

We mitigate 4x the carbon generated by all our customer flights annually through our partnership with Cool Earth.

Day 1

Glamping · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 2

Glamping · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 3 – Day 4

Mountain hut · Mixed dorm

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 5

Glamping · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 6

Departure day

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

What is the food like?

Thanks to the country’s rich history and well-placed location, Norway has a huge variety of unique and distinctive delicacies. On the trip you'll be eating mainly (very) local food ranging from salmon and moose to an array of vegetable dishes.

What is the accommodation like?

Alta

You’ll stay in the Aurora Canvas Domes. These are purpose-built aluminium and canvas domes with under-floor heating and a wood-burning stove to get you as close to nature as possible. You can even open the roof – perfect for Aurora watching. All electricity is 100% renewable and drawn from hydro-electrical power produced by the nearby Alta River.

On the expedition

You’ll stay in traditional lodging houses that offer basic accommodation in cabins and dormitories with 2-6 bunks, mixed share. Lodges have permanent hosts and all meals are served in the shared dining room. Dormitories are equipped with bunks, mattresses and pillows and each hut has its own sauna.

Upgrades

Due to the nature of this trip and restricted space, there are no options to upgrade to a private room.

Day 1

Welcome to the Arctic Circle

Head for the remote coastal town of Alta on the inner reaches of the Altafjord in Norway's most northern county. Settle into the unique Aurora Canvas Dome and meet the rest of the group for dinner where you'll hear more about the expedition ahead. Expect a feast of local delicacies, ranging from fresh cod, to moose and a variety of seasonal food.

Day 2

Expedition Planning

Cycling

15km · 100m up · 50m down

Time to get fitted out with your trusty steed (read: Fat Bike) which will power you through the Arctic Circle over the next few days. Once you and your bike are a match, head out for a test ride, stopping for a log fire lunch en-route. Next, get prepared for the expedition ahead. You'll work through the final points with your guide, including a weather update, plotting the best route and learning about cycling in the snow, before meeting your husky team. When you’re ready, head back to the Aurora Canvas Dome for a final night before the big day tomorrow.

Day 3

The Finnmarksvidda Plateau

Cycling

25km · 100m up · 100m down

Rise early and head to the start point at either Jergul or Assebakthe (weather dependent). Set off along the snowmobile tracks as you head to a remote cabin for lunch. Make your way toward the open plateau, cycling through birch forest and willow thicket, until you arrive at tonight's mountain lodge in time for a sauna to warm up. This age-old tradition is worth getting involved in and will be a welcome relief after your first day on the expedition.

Day 4

Rolling through snow

Cycling

30km · 100m up · 300m down

Cross the frozen Lake Lesjavri - the largest in Finnmark - on a bicycle! Keep your eyes peeled for herds of reindeer; Finnmarksvidda is where indigenous Sami people raise their herds. Reindeer start to migrate northwards in Spring and the calving season takes place during this journey, generally in late April and early May. Spend the night in a scenic lodge.

Day 5

Push to the finish line

Cycling

40km · 100m up · 150m down

Follow snowy track, passing remote settlements, Sami villages and cabins. Stop for another log fire and lunch. Arrive back in Alta during the late afternoon, where you'll have time for another sauna and a celebratory glass of wine with your teammates before one last night in your cosy dome, hopefully catching the end of the aurora season/spectacle.

Day 6

Optional dogsledding and then home

Relax in the morning or meet your dogs and head off on a speedy adventure through the snow-covered pines. This is an extremely peaceful experience, with the silence only disturbed by the sound of paws in the snow and some energetic panting. Take a last wander around Alta and then head back to the airport in time for your flight home.

Please Note

All our adventures take place in wild places. Things can go wrong in wild places. Your perfectly planned itinerary may change a bit (or a lot) if the weather turns, someone gets hurt, or a volcano erupts. Usually though, changes make it all the better.

15% Off Outdoor Gear

In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 15% discount on us to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock, Runner's Need, and Cycle Surgery.

What do I need to bring?

Bags

  • Soft overnight duffel bag or rucksack for the husky sled
  • Daypack (20-30 litres)
  • Waterproof liner for kitbag/rucksack or drybags

  • Clothes

  • Down jacket
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Waterproof trousers
  • Breathable wicking layers
  • Fleece jacket or similar
  • Thermals (merino is best)
  • Warm hat
  • Thick gloves
  • Buff or neckscarf
  • Underwear & warm socks
  • Cycling shoes or sturdy trainers
    • Something to sleep in

Other

  • Swimwear for sauna
  • Sunglasses
  • Cycle Helmet
  • Padlock for left luggage
  • Universal travel adapter
  • Power bank or solar charger
  • Passport
  • Earplugs
  • Personal first-aid kit
  • Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
  • Toilet kit (toilet paper, biodegradable bags to carry it out)
  • Quick-dry towel
  • Headtorch or torch
  • Reusable water bottle

This trip is suitable for cyclists of average fitness who are used to riding over back to back days and up for trying something new. Although the distances aren't huge and most of it is flat, the going can be tough due to the rugged terrain. For the most part you’ll be following snowmobile tracks on packed snow, which is very ride-able, but can be hard going.

Sure can! Over 50% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Spring on the plateau, although fairly cold, is usually sunny and bright. It is likely to stay around 0 degrees in the daytime and get a little colder at night. Although fresh snow and rain are unlikely at this time of the year, there is still a chance that you may get a little of both.

The trip runs in Spring as the snow is densely packed - perfect for fat bikes - with little chance of fresh snow to hinder progress. There is a small window before it warms up, however, our host has been running this expedition for a long time so the window is well-considered!

Sure - you can leave any excess kit you don't want to take with your on the Fat Biking at your accomodation in Alta.

We recommend checking out the country specific information here and also talking to a travel nurse.

We’ve teamed up with the guys at World Nomads to offer insurance designed for adventurous travellers across 140 countries that includes overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities. To get yours sorted, click here.

We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book the trip, just to cover you for any last minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!

For current advice about travelling in Norway, have a read of the UK Foreign Office pages here.

All of our group adventures are especially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded.

"I cannot recommend this highly enough! The people on the trip were amazing. Easily the best trip I've ever been on!" Charlotte, 2019, Trustpilot.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

Fat bikes have extra fat, knobbly tyres that are designed for riding on soft surfaces like sand and snow and little or no suspension. The super-fat tyres distribute the rider’s mass across a larger area, so you don’t sink in and gain more traction than you would with a standard tyre size. You can ride easily and with stability even over firm snow and ice.

You’ill be riding Nakamura Big Bob 6.0 fat bikes. These are light and easy-to-ride, with an aluminium frame and Sram XX1 specs. If you would like to bring your own saddle or pedals these can be fitted for you.

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