Tour programme 2007 1
Content Page 3 Welcome to The Silent Way Page 4 The days out on your adventure Page 5 Tour program 2007 Page 6 9 Tours Page 10 Maps and Travel Page 11 Booking Information 2 Foton: Anna Karin Drugge 2
Welcome to The Silent Way Welcome to The Silent Way, Lapland - Sweden. Experience the Northern light, Mountains and Forests. Come closer to nature, the great expanses of wilderness. We travel in Europe s biggest nature reserve Vindelfjällens Nature reserve. Our tours are high quality tours, we mush in small groups there all our guests mush their own team of dogs. Our guests get around 5-8 dogs to mush. On our tours you will learn all the basic rules and all the commands a musher need to know. Believe us, after a dogsledding adventure you will have many friends with four legs and a lot of great memories to bring home. The Silent Way as company is now 11 years old. The Silent Way is quality marked by Natures Best. Natures Best is the first national ecotourism quality label in the Northern Hemisphere Best for the visitor, best for nature. Grand Travel Award Ecotourism Award 2005 to The Silent Way. Motivation: The Silent Way is one of the foremost companies arranging dog sled adventures in Sweden and in the world. During the last ten years Catrine and Kenneth have created breathtaking dog sled adventures in pristine Nordic Wilderness where mountains and forest are coloured and dressed by the Nordic Light and the glittering snow. These hosts to the free North are professionals in handling and caring for their dogs and through when it comes to safety and quality. As a guest you will be cared for and you will enjoy well-prepared local food. Why The Silent Way? All the nature you can imagine... dense forests... proud mountain birch... wide stretched mires... bare white mountains with deep valleys... pure clean lakes with trout s and char and beautiful social dogs... On our tours you ll mush a team of our friendly Huskies along beautiful wilderness trails every day. Each evening you ll enjoy a new cosy mountain lodge with great Lapland meals. You ll be accompanied by our expert guides who provide complete dogsled training, share stories and tails about the winter mushing, fishing, wildlife, northern lights, and more. Our sledges are hand made at The Silent Way by Kenneth, your leadmusher, who knows what the best to use on our mountain tours. Our experience is beneficial on any tours. Dogs at The Silent Way are very sociable, kind and friendly to people. They are all named and come to you if you call them. They love to be patted almost as much as they like you to put on their harness and pull you wherever you wish... may that be challenging stormy weather... through cold winter days... while northern light dance for you... warm and beautiful sunny days when the mountain is kind. We have adventures for small and large groups, conference groups, customised individual tour... if you like we tailor to suit your requirements. On our mountains tours we work with small groups, that means more dogs for your team and more personal service. We offer complete free rental clothing and boots. You can be sure you ll stay warm. We re the experts on cold weather comfort. 3
The days out on your adventure As a guest you will enjoy the expert help of our professional guides who will take care of you in every possible way. You will be in charge of your own team of 5-8 dogs. The guide will manage a team of 8 to 12 dogs and carry most of the food and equipment. Your personal belongings some dog food and equipment will be in your own sledge. We travel between 30 to 55 kilometres each day. The day begins around 7.30 when we feed the dogs. After that we will have a nice breakfast. Around 10.00 are the sledges packed and we harness the dogs. Now it is time to embark the tracks. After about 15-30 kilometres we will find a suitable place to stop, where the dogs and we have a nice lunch and rest. After lunch we proceed again for another couple of hours until we reach the lodge where we will stay for the night. After taking care of the dogs, we will bring water, chop wood, warm up the lodge and make ourself comfortable for the night. The dogs get their food before or after our dinner and the evening is rounded off with a warm drink and a sandwich before snuggling into our sleeping bags. During the day you can enjoy the vast expanses of our gorgeous landscape. We travel very quietly and if we are lucky we can spot mountain birds, eagles and animals such as reindeer and elk, which are common, and, of all Sweden s wild creatures, these are the ones you re most likely to spot. The shyer creatures such as lynx, wolverine, bears and wolves we often see tracks from in the region we travel. The terrain we travel through varies immensely. From dense forests and mountain birch covering the ground to open highlands with breathtaking views and deep valleys with lakes full of white untouched snow. The light, the colours, the smell of nature and the silent are something you have to experience because this can not be explained by words alone. The first and last day you stay in our Village Umnäs and sleep in a very nice Swedish home, beside your hosts and all the dogs. On our mountain tours we will be sleeping in warm and cosy lodges, one of the lodges have electricity. All mountain lodges are comfortable, nice and warm, whit beds and wooden stoves. All the lodges have an outside lavatory. On tour we sleep in group rooms, 2 6 in each room. The meals are home made Swedish food. You can expect all meals to taste exceptional good. We can guarantee you will not be hungry on our tours. You may let us know if you have special food and diet requirements. Breakfast and dinner are prepared in lodges whilst lunch normally are held outdoors, and the fact that we are using dogsleds means that we can take a little extra with us to make our trip even more comfortable. We will collect water from nearby fresh mountain streams and lakes by chopping and drilling a whole in the ice. 4
Dogsledding Tour program Schedules tours 2007 Crystal lodge-to-lodge 7 days 5 Jan 11 Jan Arctic Colours & Light 7 days 13 Jan 19 Jan Stars & Northern Light 7 days 22 Jan 28 Jan Sunshine Awakening I 7 days 31 Jan 6 Feb Sunshine Awakening II 7 days 8 Feb 14 Feb Training & Competition 22 days 16 Feb 9 Mar Northern Silence I 8 days 16 Mar 23 Mar Northern Silence II 9 days 27 Mar 4 April Sound of Silence 10 days 13 April 22 April Spring Adventure 10 days 26 April 5 May Tour Programme 2007 All tours are included two days for arrival and departure. We also have one rest day in a mountain lodge on each tour. This day you can do ice fishing, enjoy the nature around you or just take it easy. The Silent Way also provide Custom Tours. These tours can be from 4 16 days out in the mountains. These tours are for those that like to have a private tour or our guests that has been out with us before and like to do something special. Example: A 12-day tour that goes from Umnäs and going North and cross the Polar Circle and travel in to some of Sweden s biggest National Park. We can also transport the dogs with the car to special areas that you like to see, for example start in an area close to a National Park. You can book a custom tour if you are from 1 8 persons. In the autumn from October to December we have a period where we train the dogs from our home. This time is open for you if you like to have a working holiday with the dogs. Here you have the opportunity to learn the basic of training sled dogs, you will also learn to make pulling lines and build a sled, depending on how long your stay will be. Foton: Anna Karin Drugge 5
ours 2007 Crystal lodge to lodge 7 days 5 Jan 11 Jan. The temperature is around 10 to - 30 C Is there a better adventure holiday out there? I don t think so. Great equipment, fabulous food, eager welltrained and enthusiastic dogs and of course excellent leaders who made this trip. Kieran Spillane Ireland I really can t describe how fantastic these last days have been. It s hard to believe that I will ever be able to top The Silent Way experience. Whether I was huffing and puffing up hills or holding on for my life coming down them, I was always having a fantastic time. Thanks to all the fantastic dogs without them I still be sitting at the bottom of a hill somewhere in the beautiful Swedish wilderness. Becky Smith United Kingdom What a fantastic adventure this has been. I have always wanted to try a dogsledding adventure but the experiences of the last six days have exceeded my wildest dreams. I have become addicted to the mountains, the company, the snow, but most of all the dogs. They are a joy and I have made a lot of new friends. I will be coming back! Brett Gardner United Kingdom Foto: Anna Karin Drugge Arctic Colours & Light 7 days 13 Jan 19 Jan. The temperature is around 10 to - 30 C Beyond Imagination. A 1000 dreams, a 1000 journeys this trip with The Silent Way has been the best. A true romantic with nature, great people and oh so fantastic dogs. Thank you! Laura USA O God, new people again. After one rest day we are going to have to work again. They look very inexperienced. It will be fun to throw them off the sledge! Hello! Let go of that brake! Let us run! But still those people grow on us, its nice to be petted by them and to see that we are giving them a fantastic time. It turned out to be a wonderful adventure. We hope to see Inge and Robert again. Pumba, Smart, Harley, Itzak, Honda, Thruimph, max, Ullis, Hoppans, Dennis, Sinbad, Spej, Henke och Jet. Robert & Inge The Netherlands 6
Stars & Northern Light 7 days 22 Jan 28 Jan. The temperature is around 10 to - 30 C I had always dreamed of going on a dogsledding trip, but my wildest fantasies could never have prepared me for the wonderful adventure The Silent Way had in store for us. Shay Weiner Florida You have found something special, and your hospitality and kindness to your guests is something few people have the privilege to enjoy in today s world where we spend too much time on what is valueless.to travel silently over pristine snow by the light of the moon and stars. To travel through forests under clear blue skies. To watch while the sun sets the sky on fire and to glide silently over frozen lakes. Louis Owens, Ireland At first when we arrived to the dog yard I was a little bit nervous because I have almost no experience with dogs. Fortunately they were incredible peaceful and I quickly got used on sledding with them. Daniel from Switzerland Foto: Anna Karin Drugge Foto: Staffan Widstrand Sunshine Awakening I 7 days 8 Feb. 14 Feb. The temperature is around 10 to 25 C We will never forget this. For five days I was one with my relentless team. I return to Amsterdam as a rich man. Rogier Amsterdam I will never forget this week, the crystal snow, the colours in the stars, the northern lights, the sun through the trees as we did our last downhill to Umnäs and, of course, the strength and diligence of the dogs! Thank you! Mel Hall United Kingdom Sunshine Awakening II 8 days 27 Feb 6 Mar. The temperature is around 5 to 20 C Loved every minute of our trip even the scary starts and very icy downhill s! Thanks for looking after us so well Kenneth and Catrine, and to Hoppans, Honda, Tanja, Melon and Snö. Thanks! Ruth Jones United Kingdom Awesome, amazing, outstanding, fantastic that goes for the dogs, mountains, Kenneth, Catrines cooking and hospitality. Certainly a trip of a lifetime, one that everyone should try to undertake. Many thanks, love! Julie United KingdomLouis Owens, Ireland But what really made this whole thing for me was the sheer exhilaration of being pulled along by seven supremely fit + strong dogs day after day, never slowing. Thanks Kenneth + Catrine for a lovely fantastic experience. John United Kingdom Really a mind-blowing experience in many respects. What a dog experience what wonderful animals, so powerful and wild, yet so friendly! And of course Kenneth and Catrine looked us after superbly. Thanks for a lifetime experience! Pete United Kingdom 7
OURS 2007 Training & Competition 22 days 16 Feb 9 Mar Femund 300 Dogsled Race in Norway Sometimes it is difficult to describe to someone what you have experienced, words may not be enough, except maybe one BRILLIANT! I have to thank Ken the belief in me that I could complete the race. I have to thank Catte for being my doghandler, the friendly face who helped and encouraged me through the checkpoints, especially during the night. The real thanks must also go to Nitro, Zucki, Max, Diesel, Jet, Crocker, Boris and Pumba who pulled me through forests, over frozen lake, over mountains and crossing the finish line! I think of them as real friends! Phil - England Foto: Anna Kar Foto: Staffan Widstrand Northern Silence I 8 days 16 Mar 23 Mar. The temperature is around 5 to 20 C This was our first trip to Sweden and it was amazing. We like it very hard! The dogs, the weather, the food and the group just everything was perfect! It s the first time we feel us so relax and we really enjoyed it. Katrin & Jo Belgium Northern Silence II We really want to steal a couple of dogs to take home so that we can live The Silent Way every day! This was one of our greatest adventures! Tom & Julie USA 9 days 27 Mar 4 Apr. The temperature is around + 5 to 15 C We had a fantastic time and enjoyed every minute of our trip. The scenery was impressive and the dogs lovely. We learned about strange Swedish traditions like egg throwing and ice fishing. Petra & Uwe Scotland We enjoyed the lovely landscape and specially to know our dog teams, we will miss the dogs, the breakfast and delicious evening meals. Thanks again for such a memorable vacation. Jim & Jimi USA 8
Foto: Jörgen Dan Isacsson in Drugge Foto: Anna Karin Drugge Sound of Silence 10 days 13 April 22 April. The temperature is around + 5 to 15 C In the fairy tale wilderness of Sweden I have caught an attack of poetry fever. Wizards are wizards. Trolls are Trolls. Goblins are Goblins, Deep in their holes Elves in the woods. Men on the sea. But the back of the dogsled. That s the only place for me! There can be no better way of enjoying the wealth of outdoor-winter than from the back of the dogsled. I like to think that the dogs themselves have become friends and for me Umnäs with Catte & Kenneth feels like a second home. When a tour ends there is a certain feeling of sadness but memories and laughter shared through these last days make me look forward to new adventures next year! Phil Gretton England Ps/ Thanks to Zucki, Momo, Jet, PHIL, Crocker and my old friend Diesel Spring Adventure 10 days 26 April 5 May After so many years our dreams have finally come true! Our tour was fantastic! Friendly, sociable dogs that make you think you re their best friend ever. Those experiences & images will be forever imbedded in my mind. Bruce & Liz South Africa Just completed a wonderful tour with exceptional dogs and guides. Breathtaking scenery with nothing but the sound of dogs paws on snow. Followed by cosy nights in the mountain huts with good food and fantastic coffee! The Silent Way is definitely the Best Way! Heather and Bill United Kingdom Thank you so much for this amazing adventure... once again it was really fabulous! I will miss the dogs so much and my team particular, they are so sweet and strong. Lot of love! Sophie London Dear Kenneth + Catte Wow!! Those were some of the most unique, wonderful and tough days of my life. It s hard to explain why, but I really needed those ten days out in the mountains that only The Silent Way could provide. This was food for my soul, so thanks you so much. I feel more alive by a long way than when I arrived. Love to all! Leon London Foto: Anna Karin Drugge 9
Aps & travel Foto: Staffan Widstrand The Silent Way is located in south Lapland Sweden, between two small towns called Storuman and Tärnaby, Surrounded by beautiful scenery by the foot of the mountain Gardfjället, lays the little village Umnäs. How to get to Umnäs - Lapland The easiest way to come to us at The Silent Way is by travelling by air. You should let us know how you wish to travel, so we may help you to make your trip to Lapland as easy as possible. Bromma or Arlanda airport in Stockholm is the nearest international airport. If you fly with Ryan Air you will land on Skavsta airport and have to take a bus to Arlanda airport, it takes around 2 hours. By Air (Domestic) From Stockholm most of our foreign visitors travel by air from Arlanda airport to our local airport, Storuman or Hemavan. You can book your domestic ticket directly on www.skyways.se About Skyways Skyways alliance with SAS. Skyways is located in terminal 3 at Arlanda Airport, Stockholm. Skyways Holding AB, box 915, 195 86 Arlanda Stad Tele: + 46-8-59513500, fax: + 46-8-59513590, www.skyways.se Foto: Anna Karin Drugge UMNÄS SILENT WAY UMEÅ UMNÄS SILENT WAY STOCKHOLM GOTHENBURG 10 Foto: Anna Karin Drugge
Foto: Staffan Widstrand BOOKING BOOKING INFORMATION The Silent Way accepts direct bookings or bookings from travel agents. Book a tour by e-mail or fax: Email: booking@silent-way.com, fax: +46 951 520 43. Please include the following information: Name of desired tour (for Dogsledding please indicate if you wish to have your own dogsled or skijoring). How many people. Full name, gender and age of each tour member. Contact information: E-mail, Phone (home and work), Fax, and full address. Food allergies and/or preferences, and physical limitations/concerns. How did you learn about the Silent Way? Additional information or questions. Book a tour by phone Tel & Voice mail: +46 951 52043. Mobile: +46 102580049 (Kenneth Gjemmestad). Mobile: +46 732771640 (Catrine Anderback). You can reach us daily from 09:00 to 20:00. You may also leave a message on our voice mail 24hr if we are not available and we promise to get back to you shortly. Availability Maximum eight sledges are available on tours. Group Rates & Discounts. If you wish information on group rates and travel agent discounts, please e-mail us: at info@silent-way.com or telephone us at +46 951 520 43 Payment All payments should be paid in US$, Euro or SEK equivalence 20% deposit (by transfer) is required two week after your booking has been confirmed by us via e-mail or phone. An additional 30% (by transfer) deposit is required 10 weeks before the tour date. The remaining 50% (Cash or Credit Card, credit card can be difficult up here) should be paid in full after your arrival at The Silent Way. Money Transfer (SWIFT) Payment Made out to: The Silent Way Nordic Wilderness Adventures. Bank Name & Address Nordea, Box 7063, 103 86 Stockholm SWIFT Code NDEASESS Account Number 38060001833. Our IBAN number is SE98 3000 0000 0380 6000 1833, if you like pay with that. Cheque/Money order Payment made out to: The Silent Way Nordic Wilderness Adventures, Catrine Anderback, Umnäs 48, 92397 Lapland, SWEDEN All Prices includes Full accommodation all the days. Hotel Accommodation (double room or what s best for the group). Lodge Accommodation (group room sharing). Individual huskies Team. Lectures / training - Guide(s). Gear and clothing. Taxes & MOMS (25%). All prices excludes: International and domestic air fare. Travel insurance. Bar-drinks Gratuities and items of personal nature. If you have any other questions feel free to contact us. 11
www.dogsledding-adventures.com 12 Linjalen 3.0 / Storumans Tryckeri. Foto Framsida, Anna Karin Drugge & Staffan Widstrand. Foto denna sida, Anna Karin Drugge & Staffan Widstrand.