Description
Description
We are offering a unique possibility to get to know the life of a real gold prospector, living in the middle of remote wilderness in Finnish Lapland. When you think you’ve seen everything, this is for you! The adventure combines hiking on one of the best hiking trails in Europe and gold digging, all-inclusive for your easy holiday experience.
Did you know there is more gold in the soil of Finnish Lapland than anywhere else in Europe? So pack your axe and pan and become a pure gold prospector with us! The history of gold prospecting in Lapland goes back to the 1860s, when an expedition was sent to investigate possible gold areas in Lapland. Promising gold nuggets were found in Eastern Lapland and soon there was a rush of bearded diggers with their brimmed hats digging especially around Lemmenjoki and Ivalojoki rivers. Now you have the opportunity to get a taste of the olden days and head in the wilderness of Lapland in our safe guidance. Be prepared – you might actually go home with some gold in your pocket!
How and where to find gold?
We have joined forces with a local professional gold prospector, who will teach you all he knows about the art of gold digging. An age old question of course is, where is the best place to dig gold? An old answer to this question amongst the gold diggers is: “The best place to dig gold is where you find it”. This frustrating sentence will be our guideline during this exclusive experience.
After a night at a hotel in Inari, the 4-day adventure starts by a boat ride up the river Lemmenjoki. On the one hour journey you have time to admire the breathtaking views of Lemmenjoki National Park as we make our way up the river, towards the remote wilderness. At the last harbour we hop off and start the hike, passing open arctic tundra areas and fells about 15 km to the claim of our own gold prospector Aki. We set up tents with air mattresses and comfy sleeping bags and dream about gold.
On this backpacking hike adventure you will get to know the Finnish gold digging history and see beautiful landscapes of Lapland. Next day we grab shovels and start digging. After half a day, we continue the process with panning. We separate the possible gold with Aki and hear stories about the people, area and gold culture. You wash the sweat off in a traditional little Finnish sauna and dip in a crystal clear stream.
The next day we hike again. We head to the most remote library in the world, situated on top of a small mountain, or fell as we call them, in the middle of Lemmenjoki National Park. You can take a book off the shelf and maybe bring another one to replace, in case you’re not around to return the loan. This unbelievable place is truly worth visiting. We hike about 10 km to a nice camping area and stay the night in tents. The last day is a short hike to the Lemmenjoki river, where we take a boat ride back to Inari.
Itinerary
Day 1. Arrival in Inari, dinner and night at a accommodation. Accommodation two persons per room.
Day 2. Boat ride from Ahkun tupa to Kultasatama, the Gold Harbour. There we start the backpacking hike to Karukorvenkuru, the Gold Prospector’s cabin, 13-15 km. Night in tents, two persons per tent.
Day 3. Full day of gold digging. In the evening a nice meal and sauna. Wild camping in tents.
Day 4. Packing and leaving Karukorvenkuru by hiking. On the way we visit the most remote library in the world. Night in tents in Ravadasniemi, hike length about 10 km.
Day 5. Short 3 km hike to harbour, where we catch a boat ride back to civilisation. Transportation to the accommodation. Dinner and some great sleep.
Day 6. Leaving Inari. Public transportation to Ivalo airport/ Rovaniemi.
Includes:
- Pihka Outdoors professional wilderness guide
- Experiencing one of the best hiking trails in Europe
- Video meeting with the group, Whatsapp group chat, help with packing
- Safety briefing
- Sleeping equipment: tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads
- Ski equipment: fell skis, poles, boots, pulka for gear
- Gold digging equipment
- Gold diggers fee
- Accommodation before and after the hike
- Dinner & breakfast at accommodation upon arrival and after the hike
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for each day on trail
- Gear list
Excludes:
- Flights/train/bus
- Transportation to the accommodation
- Backpacks
- Outdoor clothing (gear list will be provided)
- Own travel and accident insurance (mandatory on this trek)
Please note
Please note that during the digging clothes might get dirty and wet. We will help you to plan your gear.
Greetings from the Gold Prospector Aki: You keep 50 % of all fine gold and gemstones, meaning under one gram nuggets. If we find over one gram nuggets Aki reserves the right to make a decision of sharing.
Price
2499 € / person.
Departures 2024
August 10th – 15th.
You can also contact us for private departure for your own group!
