Winter Wolf Tracking

Overview

Duration: 3 days/2 nights.

Accommodation: 2-person rooms in guest house.

Required: Good general health. Participants should be able to walk on rough terrain through forest. Minimum age 12 for scheduled tours.

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A 3-day wildlife adventure with a focus on learning about and tracking wild wolves in the Swedish winter landscape.

The period between January and March is the optimum time for winter wolf tracking in this part of Sweden. By this time, the pups born the previous year have grown and learnt to hunt by themselves, so winter is a time of great wolf activity. Wolf tracks can be seen in the snow and you may even see the wolves themselves running across the frozen lakes (note that sightings are rare but wolves are more easily seen in wintertime than in summertime).

The tour is run in cooperation with a local wildlife research station and is led by experienced local guides. You will visit the station, Sweden's foremost research centre for predator studies including wolf, lynx and brown bear, to learn about more about wolves in Sweden from local staff with extensive experience in wolf research.

You will also spend time in the heart of the wolf territory, both in the early morning and late into the night, searching for tracks, listening for the wolves howling and with luck catching sight of these fascinating and mysterious animals. Your guides, who track and follow wolves in the area throughout the year, will choose the best locations for watching and listening based on latest data from the wolf research project.

You will return from your adventures in the wolf territory for overnight accommodation in comfortable rooms at local guest house. All meals are included.

Winter Wolf Tracking is a very special experience, ideal for those with an interest in learning more about wolves in Sweden in their natural habitat, searching for tracks and signs and feeling their presence in the winter forests.

Itinerary

Day 1

You should arrive at your guest house accommodation between 14.00 and 17.00. If travelling by public transport, you will be met in Skinnskatteberg for transfer to your accommodation (transfer time approx. 30 mins). Here you will have an instruction meeting for the tour and introductory talk on Swedish wildlife. You will have dinner with your guide before heading out to the wolf territory to listen for wolf howling until late into the night. Overnight accommodation at guest house.

Day 2

You will get up before sunrise to travel together to a local lake or moorland area (location depending on the current movements of the wolf pack). With luck, you may see wolves running across the frozen lakes and through the snow. You will bring some hot drinks to keep you warm as night draws to an end and the day begins. You return to the guest house for breakfast. Later in the day you will visit a wildlife research station, where you will have a lecture on Sweden's wolves from one of the country's leading wildlife researchers. In the later afternoon you will travel again into the wolf territory to search for tracks and listen and watch once more. Outdoor dinner by the fire before another late night in the wolf territory. Overnight accommodation at guest house.

Day 3

Depending on the events of the previous evening, you may rise again early once more for more wildlife watching. Your experience ends after brunch around 12.00.

Dates & Prices

Dates

01.02-03.02.13, 15.02-17.02.13, 01.03-03.03.13

Groups of min. 4 persons can also book experiences on other dates by arrangement between January and March.

The experience begins with arrival at guest house accommodation between 14.00 and 17.00 on Day 1 and ends after brunch around 12.00 on Day 3.

The Price

Prices are in British Pounds. If you wish, you are also welcome to make your payment by bank transfer in Euros or Swedish Kronor. If this would be of interest, please let us know and we will be happy to provide prices.

£437/person based on 2 persons sharing. Single supplement £20/person/night.

Group rates are available for groups of 5 or more persons. Please contact us for details.

What The Price Includes

Accommodation

Two nights' accommodation in 2-person rooms in guesthouse. Guesthouses vary depending on the current wildlife situation - your guide will arrange the most suitable option for the best wildlife experience. Bathroom facilities may be en-suite or shared depending on the accommodation used.

Meals

All meals from dinner Day 1 to breakfast Day 3.

Guide

Experienced and knowledgeable local guides.

Transfer

Transfer to/from Skinskatteberg, minibus transfer during parts of the tour.

Activities

Visit to wildlife research station, wolf lecture, wolf tracking/listening. The evening/night activities typically last 5-8 hours depending on factors such as weather conditions and the preferences of the group.

What the price does not include

Alcoholic drinks.

Optional Extras

• Additional night (bed and breakfast) in guest house: £54/person/night (based on 2 persons sharing).

Practical Info

Health requirements/experience

Good general health. Participants should be able to walk on rough terrain through forest. Minimum age 12 years for scheduled tours. For private groups, please contact us to discuss the suitability of the tour for younger children.

Depending on the wildlife situation in the area at the time, you may be awake until late at night and/or getting up early in the morning. Walking difficulty is medium, walking time during the tour typically 1-3 hours on surfaced tracks and on uneven terrian, including in darkness at night. Walks include many stops along the way.

Equipment/clothes needed

A detailed recommended equipment list will be sent with your booking confirmation.

NB: We advise you not to buy equipment or clothes for your trip or to incur other non-refundable expenses such as flights until you have received confirmation of your booking from us in writing.

Groups

Maximum 8 participants per guide. For tours with two guides there may be up to 15 participants.

Groups of minimum 4 persons can book this experience on other dates by arrangement. Group rates are available for groups of 5 or more persons. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Wolves in Sweden

Though extinct in Sweden in the early 1970s, from 1977 wolves began to reappear once more in Sweden with a new population being established from migrant wolves making their way into Sweden from Finland and Russia.

During the 1990s, the population increased by around 25% annually and now stands at around 150 individuals. While still endangered and in need of greater genetic diversity, with a recovering population and increased interest in wolf research and conservation, the future for wolves in Sweden now looks brighter than for many years.

Find out how Nature Travels supports wolf conservation in Sweden.

Additional Notes

This provider has received a prestigious Swedish Ecotourism award for its commitment to high standards to cultural and environmental sensitivity.

Location

Detailed information on travel options will be sent with your booking documentation. We are happy to advise on suitable connections and assist you with any aspect of planning your journey.

By Air

Fly to Stockholm Arlanda (ARN) or Stockholm Västerås (VST) airports for travel by train/bus to Skinnskatteberg (2.5-3 hours).

Without Flying

Ferry from Harwich to Esbjerg (Denmark) for onward connections to Skinnskatteberg.

Map of Sweden