A late afternoon flight from London Gatwick Airport takes you on the first part of your Nordic Adventure.
You spend your first night in the Scandic Oslo Airport Hotel, were you can rest and get ready for your morning flight to Alta.
Other departures from other London Airports are available.
Economy Airfare to Oslo
Double Room with Breakfast
Today we fly to one of the most northerly points in Europe on our Mid Morning flight to Alta.
Your hosts at the Gargia Lodge will meet your flight and take you on the short 30 minute journey to the Gargia Lodge.
Check in and unpack this afternoon and explore Gargia Lodge.
Gargia Lodge has a history dating back to 18th century as an important lodge for the Finnmark County connecting the inland with the coast, and a place for the native Sami people to rest and repack their goods on their way to the market in Alta.
Only 30 minutes from Alta city centre, between the arctic tundra and the arctic sea you will find Gargia Lodge, close to nature, and is the perfect place to start your arctic adventure.
In the main house you will find a shared lounge with books, board games and puzzles. We have a fully licensed bar, a small souvenir shop and and our in house restaurant where you can enjoy the dish of the day. Enjoy a relaxing moment in our outdoor Jacuzzis.
All the rooms are equipped with modern facilities and have private bathroom with shower. Free WIFI is available in all rooms and common areas.
Gargia also played an important role for observing the Northern Light for scientific purpose. Norway's first Northern Light observatory was built on the mountain Haldde, Alta in 1912.
The lodge went through a major reconstruction around year 2000 where the place was extended to a modern mountain lodge with all facilities offering comfortable accommodation for those searching a unique place and at the same time exciting adventures year round; such as Northern Light hunt, snowmobiling, dog sledding, hiking both winter and summer.
Economy Airfare to Alta.
Transfers from Alta to Gargia Lodge.
Dinner Bed & Breakfast.
Wine Beer & Spirits.
After a leisurely Breakfast you can join a local guide for a Hiking tour to spectacular waterfall; Orvvosjohka.
Orvvosjohka is a river that spreads out into a beautiful waterfall on the edge of The hike starts from Gargia Lodge and we follow the trail heading southwest.
After around 2 km hike you will enjoy the view of the Orvvos waterfall. We continue above the waterfall where we will have a nice view over Gargia Lodge and the valley of Gargia.
Before returning back we take a break around the bonfire and enjoy lunch and something to drink.
This afternoon you can relax in The hot tub or perhaps take a Sauna.
Before meeting in the Bar for a drink before Dinner.
The trail leads us trough the oldest forest in this area and on your way up to the waterfall we will pass a nesting place for owls and also falcons.
This area is also a place for Mr. Moose, foxes and rabbits. So just keep an eye and you might be able to find their visit cards.
Lunch.
Services of a Local Guide
Wine Beer & Spirits.
Today after breakfast why not hire a mountain bike for use in terrain, gravel roads as well as asphalt roads.
Enjoy a bicycle tour across the plains to the next mountain lodge (25 km one way) Suolovoupmi Lodge. You will follow the old postal route direction south and on your way you will pass lakes, rivers and seasonal Sami settlements before you reach Soulovoupmi Lodge.
At Soulovoupmi it is possible to enjoy something to eat and drink in the cafeteria. Heading back to Gargia you can choose to return on the same route or follow the R93 towards Alta. We can help you recommend other trails if needed .
We recommend a bicycle trip on the plains of Beskades during evening/ night to experience the arctic summer and the midnight sun
Helmet and repairing kit for tires
Today why not take a trip in to Alta. Only half an hour from the lodge Dubbed the “town of the Northern Lights”, Alta offers a great day sightseeing.
Visit the Northern Lights Cathedral or visit the rock carvings in Hjemmeluft, which bear the traces of a settlement dating from around 4,200 to 500 BC. The rock art constitutes the most important piece of evidence documenting the existence of human activity on the fringes of the Far North in prehistoric times – hence its status as a UNESCO world heritage site.
Or just enjoy the shopping and take in some of the culture at the many cafes and restaurants.
After breakfast today we can go on a Hiking tour to Sautso Canyon; Northern Europes largest canyon.
This is a full day guided tracking tour with pack dogs, vaste plains and great views. The tour starts just above the tree line on Bæskades mountain plateau. The trail is easy going and follows the gentle waves of the landscape. Two small rivers have to be crossed before we approach the edge of the spectacular Sautso Canyon. From the viewing point you have a spectacular view over the canyon and Alta River. Over a hundred meters below you, you can hear the roaring of Gabofossen/ Gabo-rapids.
We take a rest around the bonfire and enjoy some hot beverage and lunch. After lunch and a short break we head back across the plateau in our old tracks.
On our way back we take our time to study the wildlife and sometimes we can see small herds of reindeers grazing in this area during the summer. Maybe we can see the white reindeer which is special for the Sami people and they name it Gabba (the white reindeer).
On our return relax in the hot tub or take a Sauna with a nice drink a look forward to dinner.
Lunch, local guide and pack dog/dogs
Today why not take a trip to the Halddetoppen Northern Light Observatory; 907m above sea level.
The hike starts from Gargia Lodge and we have to drive with car approx 30 minutes before reaching the starting point for the trail that will lead us up to Haldde. The first part of the trail approx 3 km goes through birch forests and as we get higher the view over the Altafjord gets better. The fjord from where the trail starts is called Kåfjorden and during the 2WW the big battle ship Tirpitz was anchored up in this fjord.
During the hike we will take short breaks to refill with energy and water. After around 300 height meters we pas the tree line and in front of us we can see the mountain of Haldde rising around 907 meters above sea level. The trail we are following was made around 100 years ago as Haldde played an important role in the research about the Northern Lights and the observatory was in use until 1926. On our way we will see remaining of old copper mines as the area was very rich in copper. The last part up to the Haldde is the steepest one as we zig zag our way up to Haldde.
It is demanding but on the summit if weather conditions are good you will be rewarded with a great view over the Altafjord and surroundings. On the summit we take a break, enjoy our lunch and hot beverage before returning back to Alta and Gargia.
On our return relax in the hot tub or take a Sauna with a nice drink a look forward to dinner.
Today
Spend a morning being a dog handler! Work one-on-one alongside a professional and active dog musher as she trains and cares for her dogs. Help do the work of feeding the dogs; cleaning and fixing gear, the yard and the dogs; and training dogs and puppies. At the end of the morning session, stop for lunch inside the mountain lodge before being returned to Alta. This is an exclusive chance to experience the world of dog mushing from the insider’s perspective.
This is a FULL participation tour – guests should bring energy and enthusiasm for the tour.
Price includes: Pick up and drop off Alta, thermal suit, mittens and winter boots, guide and training session with the dogs, lot of love from the dogs, hot beverage, cake and lunch.
Pick up in Alta at 09:30 and Drop off in Alta at 15:30
On your return relax and prepare for your last night and dinner at the lodge.
Today after breakfast your depart from the lodge and return to Alta International Airport to join the first leg of your flight home.
