SEA KAYAKING - ARCTIC NORWAY
2024

Arctic Norway paddle expeditions are generally 7 days in duration, running Sunday to Sunday. (dates below) and are limited to a maximum of 4 - 5 paddlers per expedition.

Travel & logistics: Start point is HEMAVAN in Sweden, this being the easiest regional destination airport that fits with logistics. Flights to here are 2 x daily (excluding Saturdays) and depart from Stockholm (Atlanda) I find that Stockholm has easier and most frequent flights from other destinations than transiting through Oslo (Norway). It is possible to fly into Mo I Rana (Norway) or to travel via the Norwegian intercoastal ferry system from Bergen if you have longer and want to see more of Norway. But generally, Hemavan is the preferable arrival/departure point. From here, its a 2 hr comfortable shuttle ride across the high tundra, crossing the border into Norway and finally dropping down into the Rana Fjord and out to our start point on the coast.

A typical itinerary will look like this:

Day 1: Arrive afternnon flight Hemavan. Transfer to the coast, shopping stop on the way if you want any additional items for the trip. Arrive at our base camp. Paddling and familiarization. Evening meals. Optional evening paddle.

Day 2: Breakfast. Camp breakdown, load kayaks ( we use a support boat to move most equipment camp to camp) with personal kit. Morning safety & paddle plan brifing then paddle to our mid day destination/lunch stop. Afternoon paddle to next camp. Camp set up. Rest, relax,hike, eat…or paddle again if you want !

Day 3: Each itinerary is a different. This region is a maze of small islands, beaches, coves and exciting places to explore. Day 3 we usually try and explore a unique group of islands featuring a brid reserve and many beaches that would rival anything anywhere in the World for white sands, crystal clear water and abundant sea life. The paddling is benign mostly but with something new around every headland or in each channel we pass through. Opportunities to fish, bird watch or hike. Again, distances and on water time will be tailored to the team and team abilities.

Day 4: By now everyone is comfortable with their kayaks, the routine and the feel of the region. We will now move further out in to the archipelago, visiting a far offshore group of islands that offer a wilder and more rugged feel at the saem time as openeing upo the backdrop of the mainland alpine peaks and iceaps. In calm weather, we can make the transit across a wide & deep fjord in our kayaks, roughly a 2-3 hour crossing. This we do with our safety boat in nearby proximity and usually when its calm, in the company of a group of portpoise that always seem to find us when we are at sea. In rough weather we have options to use the ferry system or our own safety RIB to cross to calmer conditions.

Day 5: Exploring the island chain by kayak or on foot. This group of islands is different from where we have so far explored, a lot more rugged & rocky (we often come here just to rock climb !) Great camping & lots of driftwood. We often spend two nights here and simply paddle out to exlore from here each day.

Day 6: We either take the RIB or ferry back to the mainland early morning, paddling from the arrival ferry dock to a very special fjord, spectacular camp below the big mountains for our final day. This day can include an exciting paddle along the base of towering cliffs and plunging waterfalls to our camp. A final group feast on a rocky promintory under the midnight Sun concludes our paddling….its now you everyone wishes they had signed up for longer !!

Day 7: Breakfast, camp breakdown and shuttle to Hemavan for flights back to Stockholm.

The itinerary above is a rough guide. Each trip is vastly different depending on the groups skill levels and conditions. My group sizes are small & personal and I do my very best to match suitable people with balanced skill levels on each trip. I want people to experience the Arctic in ways that they become as passionate as I am and leave feeling they have become a little part of what makes the Arctic special !

My expeditions are all camp based. I provide essential camp equipment such as a large communal dome tent for cooking and hanging out at each camp, a toilet tent, a shower (solar) tent and all neccesary cooking equipment. I also provide suitable, safe and well maintained kayaks and equipment , wetsuits, paddle jackets, lifejackets and mandatory safety items. You will be provided private tents but will need to bring your own sleeping bag & inflatable mat. A comprehensive kit list of what is provided/what you must provide will be sent to you when you book an expedition.

Meals are preparared as a group each day, these can be adapted to individual culinary preferences.

All my paddle trips are designed to be minimal impact, leave no trace and as environmentaly sustanable as I can manage. I also run an important sister project in this region called Arctic Plastic Project. All profits from Polarquest Expeditions also channel to support Arctic Plastic Project.

Kayak expeditions - Norway - Arctic circle - 2024 available dates- max 4-6 persons

COST Euro 1900 per person (SEK22,000)

Please contact me via the form below indicating the level of paddle trip you are interested in with dates of interest and I will do my best to match you with a suitable expedition. Feel free to also contact me via the same form for any questions you have or additional interests.
You can also email direct to: polarquestexpeditions@gmail.com

Finally, you may also have checked out the Arctic Plastic Project page. Perhaps you`d also like to consider joining one of our APP expeditions ? This also offers a great chance to paddle and explore this wonderful region whilst at the same time helping contribute to reducing plastics into the Arctic Ocean. You can contact me or Arctic Plastic Project with the same form above, just add “APP” in the title.