Travel into the world of dog sledding during your stay at the Villmark Husky Farm and enjoy the unforgettable experience of driving your own sled through the spectacular scenery of Norway's highlands. You will have your own sled especially designed for the needs of handicaps and a team of 2 - 4 huskies. It will be an experience of your lifetime to drive the sled all by your own without external help and in one group of handicapped and non-handicapped through this fantastic environment.
During a three day basic instruction course in dog sledding with shorter daytrips of 15- 25 km length you will learn the essentials on handling the dogs and the sled and in building a good rapport with your team. The last two days will be the highlight of your dog sledding adventure. Led by a guide you will drive your sled as “certified musher” into the spectacular and unspoiled mountains providing an unforgettable experience and many breathtaking views.

Itinerary:

Day 1, Saturday:
Make your own way either by car directly to Ljørdalen or by coach from Oslo City Bus Terminal or Airport Oslo Gardermoen to Trysil. In Trysil you will be met by our driver. Transfer to Ljørdalen where you will be warmly welcomed at the Villmark Lodge. The Villmark Husky Farm where your dog-sledding tours will start from is situated just a few kilometres outside the village of Ljørdalen in the hills. Duration of transfer between Husky Farm and Villmark Lodge is approx. 10 to 15 minutes.

Day 2, Sunday:
Today you will receive a comprehensive introduction into dog sledding and you will be able to familiarize yourself with the dogs. You will learn their names and all about training and care of the dogs as well as the handling of the dogs and the purpose built handicap sled that is extremely safe against tipping over. Soon you will be able to drive your “own” dog sled all by yourself on a short tour.

Day 3 and 4, Monday and Tuesday:
In the next two days our experienced guides will give you a great insight into the world of dog sledding. Slowly you will become a “team” with your assigned dogs and you will find that it is the dogs themselves and the special relationship with the dogs you develop over the days that becomes the greatest of your experiences. Step by step the length and level of the tours will be increased. Accompanied by our guides you will drive your “own” sled with 2 - 4 huskies on prepared trails through the Norwegian winter wonderland. Our guides are always there to assist you.

Day 5, Wednesday:
Today is a free day. If you don't want to simply relax there are plenty of optional activities to choose from: What about cross country skiing or alpine skiing with a especially developed cross country sled or an alpine mono-ski ? Maybe you fancy a skiing course in Nordic or Alpine style held by Karl Einar Henriksen, the Norwegian world champion and Paralympics double gold medal winner in Nordic style (not included) ?

Day 6 and 7, Thursday and Friday:
The highlight of the week. On these about 20- 40 km long tours you will explore the wilderness with your dog sled. You will pass through deep forests, cross frozen lakes and rivers and discover the stunning scenery of wild mountains and endless tablelands. While enjoying the spectacular scenery and breathtaking views on these tours you will also further improve your handling of the sled and will almost become an inseparable team with your assigned dogs. Friday night unfortunately will be the last night of your dog sledding adventure. You will receive your “musher certificate” and we are sure you will have a great last night together with your co-travellers and new friends before you leave next morning with unforgettable memories.

Day 8, Saturday:
You depart either with your own car or will be transferred by our guide to Trysil where you will join the coach back to Oslo.

Information & Dates

Departure dates:
Every Saturday from November 20, 2010 to April 23, 2011 (last departure)

Minimum people:
None. Guaranteed departures!

Maximum group size:
7 guests

Included:

• 7 nights accommodation at Villmark Lodge in a spacious apartment (double house half, approx. 63 m²) with en-suite bathroom (shower/WC)
• Extended MAP (half-board): 7x breakfast, 7x lunch package, 7x dinner. Lunch packages must be prepared by the guests themselves at breakfast.
• Equipment: thermo overall, thermo shoes (oversize please advise at time of booking)
• Sled and a team of 2-4 dogs per each guest
• Transfers and tours as per itinerary
• Musher certificate
• Well experienced multilingual (English, Norwegian, German) guides, well trained in providing services for handicapped people

Accommodation:
You stay at cosy Villmark Lodge, nestled amongst lush forest right at the banks of the Ljøra river and built out of wood and glass. The Lodge consists of 10 free-standing cottages (double houses) with 2 private apartments each and a central building with reception, a cosy restaurant with fireplace and bar. The spacious apartments (double house half) of approx. 63 m² are furnished in typical Norwegian style and offer private entrance, 2 bedrooms, bathroom (shower, WC), a cosy living area, TV, fully equipped kitchenette and an open gallery. Apartments are serviced once per week.
Booking of single rooms: 2 single rooms share an apartment (double house half). Each guest has his own private bedroom. No single supplement!

Important note for wheelchair users: One apartment (double house half) of the resort is fully accessible and equipped for disabled. It features ramp access at the entrance, no thresholds inside the apartment, doors that have been extended in width and a bathroom (shower)/toilet suitable and accessible for handicaps. In other units (double house halves) mobile facilities such as mobile ramps for the entrance or shower wheelchairs are provided. Between the rooms in those units there are however thresholds of a few cm height between the rooms. The centrally located main building and restaurant of the Villmark Lodge features a handicap toilet and entrance doors wide enough for wheelchairs. At the entrance of the main building there is a small ridge of about 10 cm height. A mobile ramp can be installed here, too, if required.
 

Please note:

• Requirements: In order to participate in all our activities a full psychic and physical function of head and arms is required. The tours are not suitable for people with any kind of psychic handicap. If you have any doubt about fulfilling our requirements please do not hesitate to contact us. We are pleased to assist you and to answer all your questions.
• The tours will be adjusted in length and grade to the skills of the participants.
• Minimum age: 18 years. 16 years if accompanied by an adult.
• All tours, all facilities and the whole equipment (sleds etc.) have been developed in close cooperation with handicapped people and are constantly tested by handicaps themselves if they are built to the needs of and are suitable for disabled people.
• Itinerary and touring content are subject to change due to weather conditions and skills of the group.

RATES (in EURO per person/week):

Nov 20, 2010 – Dec 17, 2010
In Double/Twin room: 1.099,- EUR
In Single room: 1.099,- EUR
(Booking of single rooms: 2 single rooms share an apartment (double house half). Each guest has his own private bedroom. No single supplement!)

Dec 18, 2010– Dec 31, 2010
In Double/Twin room: 1.349,- EUR
In Single room: 1.349,- EUR
(Booking of single rooms: 2 single rooms share an apartment (double house half). Each guest has his own private bedroom. No single supplement!)

Jan 01, 2011– Apr 29, 2011
In Double/Twin room: 1.299,- EUR
In Single room: 1.299,- EUR
(Booking of single rooms: 2 single rooms share an apartment (double house half). Each guest has his own private bedroom. No single supplement!)

Optional transfer from Oslo to Trysil:
Return coach transfer to Trysil:
from/to Oslo City Centre (return): 610,- NOK
from/to Oslo-Gardermoen Airport (return): 530,- NOK

Extension week (excl. any additional touring, incl. 7 nights at Villmark Lodge Ljøratunet and extended MAP (half-board) including 7x breakfast, 7x lunch package and 7x dinner):

Nov 20, 2010 – Dec 17, 2010 & Jan 01, 2011– Apr 29, 2011
In Double/Twin room: 499,- EUR
In Single room: 499,- EUR
(Booking of single rooms: 2 single rooms share an apartment (double house half). Each guest has his own private bedroom. No single supplement!)

Dec 18, 2010 – Dec 31, 2010
In Double/Twin room: 549,- EUR
In Single room: 549,- EUR
(Booking of single rooms: 2 single rooms share an apartment (double house half). Each guest has his own private bedroom. No single supplement!)