Sarek Grand Circuit Expedition

Max 8 persons
Age limit 18

Experience sixteen days in the roadless wilderness of Sarek — a demanding, self-contained expedition through one of Europe’s last great mountain landscapes.

Max group: 8 persons | Minimum age: 18

Overview

Join us on an exceptional sixteen-day wilderness expedition through Sarek National Park in Swedish Lapland.

Starting and finishing in Kvikkjokk, we make a large clockwise circuit through Tarradalen, the remote western valleys of Sarek, the central mountain region around Skárjá, the dramatic landscapes of Rapadalen and the high plateaus above Aktse.

This is a fully self-contained wilderness journey. We carry our food, shelter, sleeping equipment and other supplies for the entire expedition. There are no resupply points, no planned nights in mountain huts and no luggage transfers. With the exception of one scheduled commercial motorboat crossing at Aktse, the journey is completed entirely on foot.

The planned route covers approximately 250 kilometres of demanding mountain terrain. Much of the expedition takes place outside marked trails, far from roads and settlements.

This experience is designed for strong and experienced hikers seeking a genuine expedition where uncertainty, changing plans and adapting to the conditions are essential parts of the journey.

Tour Facts

Duration: 16 days (Saturday–Sunday)

Dates: 17 July–1 August 2027

Group size: Up to 8 participants

Season: July

Starting and finishing point: Kvikkjokk

Accommodation: Wilderness camping

Languages: English (other languages on request)

Minimum age: 18 years

Fitness level: Extremely demanding

Planned distance: Approximately 250 km

Terrain: Mountain paths, unmarked terrain, wetlands, boulder fields, steep slopes and river crossings

Support: No resupply, luggage transfers or vehicle support

Boat crossing: Scheduled commercial motorboat across Lajtavrre at Aktse

Tour Highlights

A Grand Circuit of Sarek: Complete an ambitious circular journey from Kvikkjokk into the heart of the national park and back.

One of Europe’s Wildest Mountain Areas: Travel through a vast roadless interior with very few established routes or facilities.

The Central Sarek Mountains: Reach the remote region around Mihkájåhkå and Skárjá, surrounded by some of Sweden’s highest mountains.

Rapadalen: Descend into Sarek’s legendary river valley before climbing back into the high country.

True Expedition Travel: Carry everything needed for more than two weeks in the wilderness.

Built-In Flexibility: Two additional expedition days allow us to adapt to weather, water levels and the condition of the group.

Small Guided Group: Travel with a maximum of eight participants and professional expedition leadership throughout the journey.

Planned Itinerary

The following programme describes our intended route, not a fixed daily schedule.

Weather, river levels, terrain, bridge conditions, visibility and the wellbeing of the group may require changes to daily distances, campsites or the route itself. The expedition includes two flexible days, which may be used at any stage of the journey.

Day 1 – From Kvikkjokk into Tarradalen

We meet in Kvikkjokk, distribute the expedition equipment and begin our clockwise journey through Tarradalen. We pass Njunjes and establish our first wilderness camp farther along the valley.

Day 2 – Beyond Såmmarlappa

We continue through Tarradalen, passing the Tarrekaise area and travelling beyond Såmmarlappa. The valley gradually becomes quieter as we move farther from Kvikkjokk.

Day 3 – Tarraluoppal and Vássjájávrátja

We pass Tarraluoppal and continue towards the mountain lakes around Vássjájávrátja. We leave the easier valley approaches behind and enter increasingly remote terrain.

Day 4 – North towards Álggajávrre

Our journey turns north towards Álggajávrre and the historic Alkavare area. The route takes us through open mountain country where water levels and ground conditions begin to play an increasingly important role in our decisions.

Day 5 – Låvdakjávrásj

We continue towards Låvdakjávrásj. Lakes, streams and river channels influence our exact route, and some crossings may require substantial detours.

Old bridges or crossing structures cannot be assumed to be present or usable.

Day 6 – North of Gisuris

We travel into the valley country north of Gisuris. This is isolated and largely unmarked terrain, far from the more commonly travelled approaches to Sarek.

Day 7 – West of Niják

The expedition continues through the valley west of Niják. Our progress depends on terrain, river crossings and the condition of the group.

Day 8 – Towards Mihkájåhkå

We approach the central Sarek region near Mihkájåhkå and Skárjá. Surrounded by high mountains and glaciers, this is one of the most remote stages of the journey.

Day 9 – Descent into Rapadalen

We descend from the mountain interior towards Rapadalen and aim to establish camp in the Skårki area.

The terrain changes significantly as we enter the valley, with thicker vegetation, wetlands and major river systems replacing the open high country.

Day 10 – Climbing above Rapadalen

From the vicinity of the reindeer-herder cabin, we make a sustained climb out of Rapadalen.

Our intended camp is on the high ground south of Vássjábákte. This may be one of the most physically demanding stages of the expedition.

Day 11 – High Plateaus towards Njunjes and Skierffe

We cross open plateaus towards the Njunjes and Skierffe region.

If weather, timing and the condition of the group allow, we may make an optional summit or viewpoint excursion. No summit is guaranteed.

Day 12 – Aktse and the Lajtavrre Crossing

We descend to Aktse and continue to the boat landing.

A scheduled commercial motorboat takes the group across Lajtavrre. After the crossing, we continue south and establish camp along the Kungsleden near the southern side of Tjahkelij.

The boat service is weather-dependent. Its schedule and operation may affect the day’s programme.

Day 13 – Towards Pårte

We follow the Kungsleden south towards the Pårte region and establish our final planned wilderness camp.

Although we are now travelling on a marked route, the expedition is not over. We still carry our complete equipment and must remain prepared for changing conditions.

Days 14–16 – Return to Kvikkjokk and Expedition Reserve

The intended final hiking stage takes us from the Pårte region back to Kvikkjokk.

Two days are reserved for weather delays, difficult crossings, route changes, shorter recovery stages or an optional summit. These days are not fixed rest days and may be used anywhere along the route.

If the expedition progresses efficiently, we may return to Kvikkjokk before Sunday. All participants must nevertheless remain available until 1 August 2027.

Difficulty

Solitude: ★★★★★
Vast roadless landscapes, remote valleys and long sections with few or no other hikers.

Challenge: ★★★★★
Approximately 250 kilometres, more than two weeks of food, a heavily loaded backpack, river crossings and highly demanding off-trail terrain.

This is one of our most demanding summer expeditions.

The route includes mountain paths, unmarked terrain, wetlands, dense vegetation, loose rock, boulder fields, steep ascents and potentially difficult river crossings. Weather can change rapidly, and prolonged rain may cause water levels to rise.

Every participant carries personal equipment, food and a share of the group equipment. The initial food allocation is expected to be approximately 11 kilograms per participant, depending on the final menu.

A very carefully optimised setup may allow a starting backpack weight of around 17 kilograms, but this cannot be guaranteed. Actual pack weight depends on personal equipment, clothing, water and the distribution of shared supplies.

Participants need excellent endurance, previous multi-day wilderness hiking experience and experience carrying a loaded backpack over difficult terrain.

Included in the Tour Price

€2,490 per person, VAT included

• Professional wilderness guiding and support throughout the expedition

• A second guide when travelling with the maximum group size

• Expedition food

• Tent accommodation

• Sleeping bag and sleeping pad

• Shared cooking equipment and necessary group gear

• The guides’ safety, navigation and communication equipment

• Scheduled commercial motorboat crossing at Aktse

• Route planning and expedition organisation

• Pre-expedition information and equipment consultation

Participants may bring a reasonable amount of their own favourite snacks or personal trail treats.

Not Included

• Travel to and from Kvikkjokk

• Accommodation or meals before and after the expedition

• Personal backpack

• Personal clothing, footwear and items listed in the packing list

• Personal medication and hygiene products

• Personal travel insurance

• Personal purchases or unplanned services during the expedition

• Costs arising from personal withdrawal or changes to onward travel

Equipment

The tour price includes a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, group cooking equipment and the necessary group safety equipment.

Participants must bring their own properly fitted and tested backpack. The backpack must have sufficient capacity and carrying comfort for personal equipment, a share of the group equipment and food for the entire expedition.

Participants also bring their own hiking footwear, waterproof clothing, insulating layers and other personal items listed in the packing list.

A detailed packing list will be provided before the expedition. We will review equipment choices with participants in advance, as keeping pack weight manageable is essential for completing the journey.

Food

All planned expedition meals are included.

Food is selected specifically for a long wilderness journey, balancing energy, nutrition, weight and practical preparation. Our planning target is approximately 700 grams of food per person per day, with the final amount depending on the menu and the timing of the first and final days.

Participants carry their own food allocation and an agreed share of common supplies.

Dietary requirements must be discussed before booking. Many requirements can be accommodated, but the limitations of a sixteen-day wilderness food system must be understood.

Practical Information

This is a wilderness camping expedition. We do not plan to sleep in mountain huts or rely on hut shops, food supplies or other services.

There are very few facilities along the route, and for most of the journey there are no easy exit points. Mobile phone coverage cannot be expected.

The group carries appropriate navigation, communication, first-aid and emergency equipment. However, outside assistance may be far away, and reaching help or arranging assistance from the central parts of Sarek can take considerable time.

Participants are responsible for arranging suitable personal travel insurance. We recommend checking with the insurer that the policy is valid for a guided multi-day wilderness trek in remote mountain terrain.

The scheduled boat crossing at Aktse is included in the tour price. Boat traffic may be delayed or cancelled because of strong winds or other conditions, and the expedition schedule will be adjusted if necessary.

Getting There

The expedition starts and finishes in Kvikkjokk, Sweden.

Participants arrange and pay for their own travel to and from Kvikkjokk. Detailed arrival instructions, meeting times and current public transport information will be provided before departure.

Participants should arrive early enough for the final expedition briefing, equipment check and distribution of group supplies.

Because the actual return time may change, onward travel should not be booked too tightly. Participants must remain available until Sunday, 1 August, even if we expect to return to Kvikkjokk earlier.

A Genuine and Flexible Wilderness Expedition

This programme is intentionally approximate.

In Sarek, it is neither realistic nor responsible to promise exact campsites and fixed daily distances several months in advance. Weather, water levels, snow, bridge conditions, terrain, visibility and the condition of the group may all require changes.

The guide may change the route, daily distances, campsites or overall plan whenever required by weather, water levels, terrain, group wellbeing or safety considerations. Planned areas may be omitted, stages shortened or extended, and recovery days introduced when necessary.

Flexibility is not an exception to the programme. It is an essential part of travelling safely through Sarek.

Participants must accept that:

• Daily plans may change at short notice.

• Campsites cannot be guaranteed.

• Optional summits may be omitted.

• Some days may be considerably longer or shorter than expected.

• The planned circuit may need to be changed.

• Group safety and responsible expedition decisions take priority over individual objectives.

If you have questions about your experience, fitness, equipment or suitability for this expedition, please contact us before booking.

€2,490 per person

To book, please select the starting day of the expedition in the calendar. This expedition runs from Saturday, 17 July to Sunday, 1 August 2027.

This is a fixed annual departure with a maximum of eight participants.