Arctic Circle Fat Bike Expedition

Why it's much better

• Self-powered expedition crossing the Finnmarksvidda mountain plateau to Alta
• Cruise through the snow trails as you enjoy the freedom of riding a fat bike
• Travel with a team of reliable huskies who will carry your luggage
• Stay in the dreamy Aurora Canvas Dome, woodburner and all
• Share the plateau with migrating herds of reindeer and indigenous Sami people
• Bed down in cosy remote mountain lodges with a post-ride sauna
• Optional half-day of dogsledding and learning about the huskies

• Guides Expert, English-speaking local guides and a bike mechanic
• Accommodation 3 nights in a Aurora Canvas Dome, 2 nights in mountain lodges
• Meals All your food is included
• Equipment Nakamura Big Bob 6.0 fatbikes, huskies and sleds
• Transfers All airport transfers
• Permits All permits and entry fees
• Happiness Guaranteed We're so confident that your holiday will be your best yet, we actually guarantee it
• Feel Good Vibes We mitigate 4x the carbon emitted by all our travellers and support important conservation projects

Day 1: Welcome to the Arctic Circle

Your adventure starts in the remote coastal town of Alta, Norway's most northern county, that lies in the inner reaches of the Altafjord. You'll be collected at the airport before heading to your overnight spot just outside of town: the Aurora Canvas Domes. Settle into this unique spot, before heading to meet the rest of the group for dinner. Over your meal, 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

Time to get fitted with your trusty steed (read: bicycle!) that will power you through the next few days. Er, okay you will be pedalling, but you get the idea. Once you and your bike are a match, you'll head off on a ride for a couple of hours, stopping for a log fire and lunch en route.

Next you'll get prepared for the expedition ahead. You'll work through all the final points with your guide including a weather update, plotting the best route on a map, learning about cycling in the snow and of course a final run through of equipment before you meet your husky team. Then you'll head back to the Aurora Canvas Dome for a final night's rest before the big day tomorrow.

Distance: 15km / Ascent 100m / Descent 50m

Day 3: To the Finnmarksvidda Plateau

There'll be an early breakfast today before you transfer to the start point of the expedition, either Jergul or Assebakthe (weather dependent). You'll set off on snowmobile tracks and head towards a remote cabin for lunch. Cycling through mountain birch forest and willow thicket, you'll slowly make your way to the open plateau.

You'll arrive at tonight's mountain lodge in time for a sauna to warm you up. This age-old tradition is worth getting involved in and will be a welcome relief after your first day on expedition.

Distance: 25km / Ascent 100m / Descent 100m

Day 4: Rolling through the snow

Today is a longer day on the bikes as you cover 30km of mostly flat ground. You'll cross the frozen lake, Iesjavri, the largest lake in Finnmark - on a bicycle! There will be a slight elevation towards the end of the day, that is rewarded by a small downhill straight to the overnight lodge.

Keep your eyes peeled for herds of reindeer today; Finnmarksvidda is where indigenous Sami people engage in reindeer herding. The reindeer start to migrate northwards in Spring and the calving season takes place during this journey, generally in late April and early May.

Distance: 30km / Ascent 100m / Descent 300m

Day 5: To the Finish Line

Today is the final push of your expedition: you'll cover 40km on snowy tracks. There'll be a pause for another log fire and lunch before you start to pass a few settlements and cabins. The Sami village of Masi, roughly midway between Alta and Kautokeino, has about 300 inhabitants. Arriving back into Alta during late afternoon, you'll have time for another sauna before raising a celebratory glass of wine with your teammates and heading to sleep for one last night, aurora spotting from the dome.

Distance: 40km / Ascent 100m / Descent 150m

Day 6: Optional Dogsledding, flights home

There is the option to have a go at dogsledding this morning for those keen. You'll meet your team of dogs and head off on a speedy adventure through the snow-covered pines next to the river. This is an extremely peaceful experience, the silence only disturbed by the sound of many paws in the snow and of energetic dogs panting.

If you would rather not dog-sled, this morning is free to relax and have a wander around Alta before heading to the airport for your flights home.

Alta

In Alta you will stay in the Aurora Canvas Domes. These are purpose-built aluminium and canvas domes that get you as close to nature as possible. You are able to open up as much of the dome as you like to make the roof transparent. Perfect for Aurora watching.

There is underfloor heating and a large wood-burning stove which keeps the whole dome warm. The beds also have electric blankets and there is an external sauna for all to use. All electricity used is 100% renewable hydro-electrical power, produced by the Alta River.

You will be sharing twin-share in the domes.

On Expedition

The mountain lodges are traditional lodging houses offering basic accommodation in cabins and dormitories with 2-6 bunks. They have permanent keepers (hosts) and all meals are served in a shared dining room. Dormitories are equipped with bunks, mattresses and pillows and each has a sauna for the guests to use.

Due to the nature of the trip and restricted space, there is no chance to upgrade to a private room on this trip.

Finnmarksvidda is Norway’s largest plateau, covering an area of more than 22,000 km². It is in the very north of the country and is closer to the Arctic than Iceland/equidistant to Greenland.

Most of the plateau is 300-500 m above sea level. Mountain birch forest and willow thicket grow in the lower areas of the gently rolling landscape, while bare plateau dominates above 350 m above sea level. The relatively flat landscape creates shallow fishing lakes and rolling undulations. This is remote Norway and perfect for a self-powered expedition.

Your trip starts at 14:30 at Alta Airport on Day 1 where your host will collect you and take you to your overnight hotel.

Your trip ends at 12:00 noon on Day 6 at Alta Airport, your host will drop you off.

If you would like to arrive earlier or later, you can book a private transfer with your host.