Description
Price for all-inclusive hiking tour in Finland
2600 € / person.
Lapland holiday in summer combining hiking & gold prospecting.
When you think you’ve seen everything, the Gold Prospecting Hike in Lapland is for you! We are offering a rare possibility to get to know the life of a real gold prospector, living in the middle of remote wilderness in Finnish Lapland. This unique adventure in Finnish Lapland combines hiking on one of the best hiking trails in Europe and gold prospecting, all-inclusive for your easy holiday experience.
History of Gold Rush in Lapland
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!
What happens on our Gold Prospecting hiking tour?
You arrive at Ivalo airport, from where you get a transport to nearby village, Inari. After a comfy 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 high quality hiking tents with thick air mattresses and comfy sleeping bags and dream about gold.
On the Gold Prospecting Hike in Lapland you will get to know the Finnish gold digging history and see beautiful landscapes of Lapland. Next day we grab shovels and start digging. We have joined forces with a local professional gold prospector Aki, who will teach you all he knows about the art of gold 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 for Gold Prospecting Hike in Lapland
Day 1. Arrival in Inari (nearest airport Ivalo, Finnish Lapland), dinner and night at a accommodation. Accommodation two persons per room, also single room accommodation is possible.
Day 2. Boat ride along the river Lemmenjoki, an experience to remember by itself! We start hiking from Kultasatama, the Gold Harbour. We hike through the beautiful National Park of Lemmenjoki, all the way to the Gold Prospector’s cabin, 13-15 km. Night in tents, two persons per tent (single tents at request).
Day 3. Full day of gold digging. In the evening a nice meal and sauna. Wild camping in tents.
Day 4. Packing and leaving the Gold Prospectors cabin by hiking. Today we visit the most remote library in the world, truly worth the visit. 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 together and some great sleep.
Day 6. Leaving Inari. Public transportation to Ivalo airport or Rovaniemi airport/train station.
Includes
- Pihka Outdoors professional and qualified hiking guide
- Experiencing one of the best hiking trails in Europe
- Sleeping equipment: tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mattresses
- Gold porospecting equipment
- Gold prospector’s fee
- Boat 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
- Video meeting with the group, Whatsapp group chat, help with packing
- Safety briefing
Excludes:
- Flights/train/bus to Finnish Lapland, nearest airport Ivalo
- Transportation to the accommodation (there are direct buses)
- 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.
If you would like to join on a proper wild camping hiking tour under the northern lights, click here
