Stunning adventures await above the Arctic Circle in Norway with International Veterinary Seminars!

From the northern cultural hub of Mosjøen to the towering peaks guarding the City of Roses, Bodø, we’ve created an adventure that brings you stunning hikes, Norway´s most exciting zipline flying across the Vefsna river, sea kayaking in the turquoise waters of Helgeland, tastes of the nomadic Sami cuisine and culture, whitewater rafting through rugged river canyons, sea-eagle RIB safaris in the Nesna archipelago, glacier hiking in the wild Okstindan national park, traditional boat fishing in the Norwegian Sea and much more in the land of the Midnight sun.

We will soak in all this majestic landscape has to offer from the UNESCO world heritage site of Vega to charming villages in inland Helgeland. We will stay in unique hotels and lodges and enjoy a fine cuisine wherever we go. This adventure is a grand mix of inland culture and the open-hearted way of the coastal people, dosed with a good portion of rich Scandinavian history.

A word about our host:
Mariann Saether is born and bred by the shore of the Otta river in Norway, and has spent 25 years kayaking on rivers all over the world. She is the current, and two time World Champion in extreme kayaking, owns property by the Futaleufu river in Chile and spends winters in the Patagonean Andes together with many of Bio Bio´s guides.

She has been in the adventure tourism industry for two decades, working for companies in Norway, Chile and Canada, along with running her own rafting company, RiverNorth rafting, with her longtime partner Ron Fischer in northern Norway. She loves her country and especially the north, and with a master´s in history from her nine-year university degree she will be sure to let you know all about the rich history in this part of Norway.

In this seminar series, Dr. Catriona MacPhail (soft tissue surgery) and Dr. Michael Lappin (internal medicine and infectious diseases) will use the CE time to present the most current hot topics in their 2 specialties. The speakers plan to focus on new information or opinions generated over the previous 2 years. Multiple topics will be covered, including hot topics in the management of diseases of the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and urinary systems. We also will discuss hot topics in fever as well as prevention of infectious diseases.

Day 1: August 31 – Arrival Day

Welcome to Norway! Arrive by train or plane to Mosjøen. Mosjøen can easiest be reached by plane from Oslo, Trondheim and Bodø, and train can be from Bodø (5 hours), Oslo (12 hours) or Trondheim (5 hours). The airport Kjærstad in Mosjøen is only a 10 minutes drive from the city centre and we will pick you up. Please arrive well before 16.00 in the afternoon.

We will meet at 16.00 at Fru Haugans hotel, our splendid accommodation with views of the river and mountain. The hotel is Norway´s oldest hotel and is situated on the shore of the Vefsna river, right in the city centre of Mosjøen.

There is no time to waste! A short hike brings us to the starting point of north Norway´s longest zipline. Our guides will get us secured to sail across the river and back down to the hotel garden of Fru Haugans. Here we will celebrate the start of our fantastic journey together with a welcome drink in the hotel garden.

The evening will be spent enjoying a three-course dinner in the hotel restaurant, then everybody is free to roam the city or relax in the multiple lounges of the hotel.
Dinner: 3 course dinner in Fru Haugans hotel – alcohol not included.

Zipline
Mosjøen
Fru Haugans hotel
Train tickets
Domestic airlines

Day 2: September 1
After a yummy breakfast, we pack our lunch and drive 1.5 hour to the start of today’s hike. It will bring us to the famous cabin “Rabot-hytta”, located in front of a spectacular glacier in the Okstindan mountain range. The hike is about 3-4 hours of walking on a trail, taking us straight through the rugged beauty of the northern mountains. We need to pack light as you will have to carry a small backpack with your belongings for the night.

At the cabin we will settle in and enjoy traditional Norwegian lunch-spread made by our guides. The afternoon is free for everybody to roam this amazing glacier scenery, while your guides prepare a great dinner.

Please note that this cabin is a part of the national Norwegian Tourist Associations cabin-series and is not a private cabin. Therefore, we need to be prepared to meet other hikers staying the night at the cabin, enjoying the spectacular surroundings in an international atmosphere as the Rabot cabin is one of the most popular destinations in northern Norway – for good reasons as you will see! With this comes the fact that we need to share facilities within our group, so bring your good spirits for a social experience in outstanding surroundings.

About Rabot Cabin

Day 3: September 2
Today we will embark on a glacier adventure as we get equipped with crampons and ice axes to explore the ice next to the cabin! Our guides will lead us through the ice for a 2–3 hour adventure. Once back at the cabin, we will have lunch then walk back down to car and go back to Fru Haugans to enjoy the modern comfort. Dinner of choice in the city of Mosjøen (not included)

About Okstindan Glacier

Day 4: September 3
Get ready for our most adventurous day! After breakfast, we pack up and head to the small town of Trofors. We will raft the world class Austervefsna river. We will raft the wilderness section of the river which takes us right through the nature reserve with its wild scenery and stunning views of canyons, forests and rapids. There, we will enjoy a delicious lunch.

After, we Drive to Brønnøysund, 2.5 hours drive. We will stay in cozy little cabins with views of the ocean, where you can experience the ultimate combination of comfort and nature at this unique pier hotel. Wake up to a spectacular west-facing view of the beautiful Toftsundet, and enjoy a distinctive accommodation experience with all the modern facilities you need for a comfortable stay. There is an ocean facing sauna to enjoy in the evening, with the opportunity to swim in the ocean. Dinner will be at Svang restaurant in Brønnøysund.

Rafting
Accommodation
Sauna
Dinner
Brønnøysund

Day 5: September 4
After breakfast, we head to the Torghatten hike. Mount Torghatten is best known for its characteristic rock hole that runs through the middle of the relatively large mountain – the 160 meters long, up to 35 meters high and 20 meters wide opening you can not only see through, but also walk through. On this hike you will pass the famous Torghatthullet on your way to the top. The further up you go, the more of the surrounding coastal landscape is revealed.

We will have a late lunch in Hildurs Urterarium, outside of Brønnøysund (4 – course meal but drinks not included). We then drive to the ferry which will carry us to the legendary island of Vega, a UNESCO world heritage scenery for good reason at it is representative of “the way generations of fishermen and farmers have, over the past 1,500 years, maintained a sustainable living in an inhospitable seascape near the Arctic Circle, based on the now unique practice of eiderdown harvesting.”

In Vega we will stay at the Vega Havhotell, which is located on north-west side of Vega, at Viksaas between forests, mountains and seas.

Hildurs urterarium
Vega islands
Vega havhotel

Day 6: September 5
After breakfast we climb the world famous Vega Stairs followed by lunch at a renovated local bar.

The afternoon will bring us to the Vega World Heritage Center with the option of walking back to the hotel across the island (45 min, easy hiking). Dinner will be at the Vega Havhotell.

Vega stairs

Vega World heritage center

Day 7: September 6
After a scrumptious breakfast, we board a ferry to Tjøtta. Then, we will stop by the museum of Petter Dass, one of northern Norway´s most colorful poets living in the 16th century. He is regarded as a highly influential and important historical person in Norway, working as a priest but with steady ties into the hearty northern Norway culture.

Lunch and beer tasting will be at Nesna with RAUS brewery followed by an afternoon panorama hike.

In the evening, we arrive at Til Elise”, with a fine dinner of 8 courses, also where we will spend the night.

Petter Dass Museum
Raus brewery
Til Elise accommodation
Til Elise dinner

Day 8: September 7
Get ready for a breathtaking journey! Today we will drive up the coastal highway, which by many is described as the world’s most beautiful coastal route! Then we will take the Kilboghavn-Jektvik ferry that will cross the Arctic Circle. Lunch will be in Råkkehuset at Tjongsfjord

This afternoon brings exciting sea kayaking outside of the Svartisen glacier and this evening’s accommodations and dinner will be at Støtt Hotel.

Coastal road
Sea kayaking
Støtt hotel and restaurant

Day 9: September 8
This morning we will tour of the village fishing museum and enjoy lunch in Støtt. Afterwards we hop on bikes four a tour of the island, or have time on your own to explore. Dinner in Støtt, drinks included with dinner

Fishing museum

Day 10: September 9
After breakfast, we take to the sea to enjoy some deep sea fishing or other activity like RIB excursion (depending on group size/weather). After we work up an appetit, we lunch in Støtt. This afternoon is free to explore the area. We then meet for dinner in Støtt with drinks included.

Deep Sea fishing
RIB excursion

Day 11: September 10
After breakfast we embark on the ferry to main land and lunch by the Saltstraumen tidal current (the worlds strongest tidal current). Arrival at newly opened Wood hotel in Bodø and have the opportunity to explore the area to enjoy lunch in Bodø.

The afternoon brings a RIB safari to Saltstraumen to watch the current and sea eagles. Our farewell dinner is at Tuvsjyen, traditional stone age experience on authentic site. Drinks for dinner included.

Saltstraumen tidal current
Tuvsjyen
Hotel in Bodø

Day 12: September 11
Today we enjoy a lazy breakfast before driving to the airport and say goodbye. (B)