The 8 days at the Villmark Husky Farm include a three day basic instruction course in dog sledding. You will learn the essentials on handling the dogs and the sled, on harnessing and care of your assigned dogs and in building a good rapport with your team. You will learn how to drive your own sled through the breathtaking scenery of winter Norway. Length and level of the tours will be increased day by day. Depending on the weather conditions and the skills of the group the length of the tours will vary between 15 and 50 km per day. At the end of the week you will receive a “musher certificate”. 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. 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, harnessing and handling of the dogs and the sled. Soon you will be able to harness the dogs by yourself and to drive your “own” dog sled 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 4 - 6 huskies on prepared trails through the Norwegian winter wonderland. Our guides are always there to help you. On Tuesday evening optional possibility to join an evening horse sleigh tour lit by torches (approx. EUR 49,- per person, min. 2 passengers).
Day 5, Wednesday:
Today is a day at leisure for you and the huskies. If you don't want to simply relax in the sauna of the resort or by a walk through the village or the close forest there are plenty of optional activities to choose from for today: e.g. a guided full day snowmobile safari into the Swedish fjell. (approx. 60 km, approx. EUR 149,- per person [2 persons per snowmobile, surcharge for single use: approx. EUR 95,-). Or what about a day at the nearby skiing resort Fulufjellet Alpinsenter. It is a small resort with 8 slopes of different levels and Norway's longest toboggan run (lift pass approx. EUR 30,- per day/equipment: approx. EUR 27,- per day). In addition there are quad bikes for rent for own discoveries (1/2 day: approx. EUR 90,- per quad bike, full day: approx. EUR 150,- per quad bike) as well as snow shoes and cross country skis (approx. EUR 20,- per day).
Day 6 and 7, Thursday and Friday:
The highlight of the week. On these 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 remote and endless highland plains. While enjoying the spectacular landscape 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.
Departure dates:
Every Saturday from November 20, 2010 to April 23, 2011 (last departure)
Minimum people:
None. Guaranteed departure!
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 with a team of 4-6 dogs per each guest
- Transfers and tours as per itinerary
- Musher certificate
- Well experienced multilingual (English, Norwegian, German) guides
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 a cosy restaurant with fireplace and wood burner and billiard table. 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!
Please note:
-
Level: easy / medium. The length and level of the dog-sledding tours will be adjusted to the skills of the group. The tours are suitable for everyone who has a reasonable level of fitness. An average level of fitness is required as dog-sledding can be quite exhausting for the musher himself depending on the weather and snow conditions. It might be necessary to assist the dogs when climbing up a hill.
-
This tour requires a sense of team spirit and your willingness to give a hand during the harnessing of the dogs. Together many things can be done easier and faster and while assisting each other you easily get to know your co-travellers and make new friends within the group.
- Please advise body weight and age at time of booking.
- Families, children & minimum age: Minimum age for steering an own sled is 18 years. 16 years if accompanied by an adult. This tour is however suitable also for children under the age of 16 years. Children younger than 16 years can then participate in the tour as passenger in the sled of one of the guides. Minimum age for participating as passenger in the sled of the guides: 10 years. The number of children who can participate as passenger in the sled of the guides is limited however to a maximum of 1-2 children per week due to technical reasons. Bookings for children as passenger in the sled of the guides are therefore only possible on request basis. Children under the age of 10 years unfortunately may not participate in the tours at all. Child care can be arranged upon request - subject to availability. Tipp: Parents with children under 10 years may book the full touring for one parent and the extension week (without any activities) only for the second parent. The parents can take turns at the dog sledding tours and at the child care then.
- 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!)
|
