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Sweden - Hårkan Canoe Expedition
- Arrival Day -
- Paddling Days -
- Departure Day -
- Total number of days - 8 days
- Accommodation - Timber Cabin and Wild Camping
- Last date to book on -
- Ability level - Intermediate
This trip is temporarily on hold due to Brexit uncertainty*
The Harkan River
Escape into true wilderness and reconnect with nature on our 5 day Swedish Canoe expedition.
Join us as we head down the Harken river in the heart of Jamtland county.
We’ll head into true Swedish wilderness and into the boreal forest also known as the northern forest which encompasses much of Canada, Alaska, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Russia, Mongolia, Japan and Northern Kazakhstan.
This area of Sweden is further north than the Shetland islands and inhabits bears, moose, reindeer, beaver, elk, osprey and golden eagle to name a few. There is no better way to experience this wilderness than via canoe.
“What sets a canoeing expedition apart is that it purifies you more rapidly and inescapably than any other. Travel a thousand miles by train and you are a brute; pedal five hundred on a bicycle and you remain basically a bourgeois; paddle a hundred in a canoe and you are already a child of nature.” – Pierre Trudeau, P.M.
Itinerary break down:
Day 1:
Arrive at Ostersund airport where we will collect you and head to the shops to pick up all the food and supplies we will need for the next few days.
Shopping done, we will take you to your timber log cabin, so you can relax and start getting to know people on the trip.
Day 2:
We will spend the morning on the water next to our cabins building our confidence and relationship in our canoes with our paddling partners and going over basic skills. The afternoon will be spent organising our kit and preparing for our departure the following day.
Day 3 to 7:
The big day and we head off for five days of paddling through the stunning Swedish Wilderness. We will be dropped off high up the river at a dam where the adventure will begin. Over the next 5 days we will paddle a total distance of 90km through grade 2/3 rapids across gentle sections of touring river and across large sections of open water travelling at a pace which allows us to appreciate our surroundings and keep an eye out for the wildlife that inhabit the wilderness.
We will spend our nights wild camping next to the water you can either bring a tent with you or if you want it to fully immerse yourself in your surroundings we’d suggest bringing a hammock and tarp (maybe spend a night in one prior to the trip). During this time of year, it can get cold at night with an average low of about 4 degrees however there will be fires each night to keep everyone cosy and warm.
At this time of year days are starting to get shorter but with this brings the chance of seeing the Northern Lights.
We will end our trip back at the log cabins where we will wash away the smell of wood smoke, sort out our kit sit, reflect on the journey and prepare for our journey home.
Day 8:
Departure day. We will load up the minibus for one last time and drive you to the airport where we will say our goodbyes and fly back home.
You will be guided down the river but along the way you will work with the guides to help make decisions. This will help you start to understand why they are doing certain things and enable you to take these decision making skills home to practice yourself. These decisions will be made to keep both you and your equipment safe, which could mean paddling down a rapid, lining or even portaging. We will also help improve your canoe skills on open and moving water, looking at different techniques and tactics to make you more efficient paddlers.
Off the water we’ll help to improve your campcraft skills to ensure you’re comfortable in the wilderness. You will also have ample time to relax, fish, wild swim (if you’re brave) and relax around the campfire.
This trip is suitable for people with a basic understanding of canoeing and comfortable paddling long distances.
You should be comfortable sleeping and living outdoors. Each night we will be at a different camping spot and you will need to help collect fire wood, setup your sleeping arrangement, prepare food, cook, collect water and also help us tidy away and leave no trace before we depart each day. During this time of year it will be colder, however this means there are no mosquitos/bugs around.
Accommodation off the water:
You will be sharing an 8sqm Camping Cabin next to the Harkan river which are equipped with beds, fridge, table, microwave, coffee maker, kettle and is fully insulated with heating. There is toilet block and showers with communal kitchen close to your cabin. On site they have volleyball courts, tennis courts, table tennis, walks through the woods, miniature golf and even Saunas, some of these come at an additional cost.
What’s included:
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6 days of coaching/guiding on the Harkan river
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Campcraft skills
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Transfers to and from Ostersund Airport
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Camping Cabin off the river.
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Canoes, paddles, packing barrels and canoe trollies.
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Cooking equipment on the river
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Photos/Videos from the trip
What’s not included:
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Food and drink (self-catered trip)
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Flights
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Personal Insurance
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Bar/entertainment bills
Your guides on the trip:
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Joshua Telling – owner of Rapid Skills.
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Ollie Sandeman – owner of Sandeman Canoe Company.
£800
Pay £150 deposit now and then pay remainder before the 00/00/00.