FROM $2,238.82
June 9 - 15 2021
Sweden
A 7 day journey by sea kayak, foraging and sourcing local produce and supporting the conservation of Goldeneye ducks.
TALK TO US ABOUT THIS TRIPWHAT'S INCLUDED
6 nights
Norrköping / Norrköping
Sweden
You’re at one with nature and happy to be taking on a proper challenge that has elements of the unknown. 8 hours on feet per day over 2-3 days or 3-5 hours on feet over 4 days.
THE ADVENTURE
This is as much a culinary adventure as a sea kayaking expedition from the north to the south of the Gryt archipelago. With gorgeous sunsets, birdlife, vibrant greens, lush scenery and amazing solitude, you'll be far from the madding crowd on this adventure.
Our conservation efforts will focus on the Goldeneye duck, which has seen a big population decline in the Gryt archipelago. We will build simple birdhouses and wander the islands or kayak to closeby islands to put them up. The birdlife out here is fantastic and there are good chances to spot Osprey, White-Tailed Eagles and a large variety of ducks.
Sea kayaking, foraging, solitude and wild camping in the stunning Gryt Archipelago.
Protect the Goldeneye duck by assembling and installing bird boxes to protect their habitats.
Live like a Swede... fika, sauna, wood carving and smoked fish!
Wild camping in beauty and solitude amongst these Swedish islets. The perfect opportunity to "switch off"! First night in Lamp Hotel.
Day 1 - Arrival in Norrköping
Today is arrival and travel day into Norrköping and the Lamp Hotel where you will be met by your IGO host. We suggest getting the train from Stockholm, which is very straightforward. We can advise on timings.
Accommodation: Lamp Hotel
Meals: None, as guests will arrive at different times
Day 2 - Begin the Kayak
The day starts early with a transfer from Norrköping and up the winding countryside roads towards Nedre Yxnö on the coast, where we will load the kayaks and go through the plan for the day.
After lunch, we'll head east and then north through the passage between Vrango and Riso, where the foraging is excellent. The towards Styrso and Tjarholmen where we'll camp and have dinner.
Accommodation: Dome tents, inflatable mattress
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activities: Sea Kayaking (10-12km)
Day 3 - Supporting the Goldeneye Duck
We'll start the day by paddling north through the islands and islets south of Aspoja before collecting the Goldeneye nest boxes and establishing them on remote islands to help protect this indigenous duck species.
You'll notice distinctive ice age features as we make our way to Inre Brunskar, which is a great place to camp.
Accommodation: Dome tents, inflatable mattress
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activities: Sea Kayaking (10-12km)
Day 4 - A Long Sea Kayak is Rewarded
A long sea kayak is in the order of the day, searching for grey seals, Arctic Terns and foraging wild chives. All this effort will be rewarded with a 3-course dinner, beer and schnapps at the old sea dog's, Mats, rustic pub.
Kupa Klint is in our sights and offers a fantastic view of the surrounding archipelago. We'll set up camp to the west amongst many beautiful narrow passages - a very different landscape than the one we left behind at the horizon.
Accommodation: Dome tents, inflatable mattress
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activities: Sea Kayaking (18-20km)
Day 5 - Meet Gunvor & Wood-Fired Hot Tubs
We sleep in a little this morning and make brunch before we pack up our camp and make a loop northwest through a very beautiful area to Tyrislot. There, you'll meet Gunvor, the shop keeper, and try the local fika. There's also the chance to forage orpine and enjoy a wood-fired hot tub.
We've now entered the Gryt archipelago and northern Väggö arguably offers some of the most dramatic scenery of the whole area.
Accommodation: Dome tents, inflatable mattress
Meals: Brunch, Dinner
Activities: Sea Kayaking (12-14km) & Hike (1hr)
Day 6 - Häradskär Lighthouse
Today will be a nice challenging paddle - we're hoping to get to the Haradsskar lighthouse all the way south at the bottom of the sea chart!
The lighthouse at Häradskär is the last outpost of the Gryt archipelago. You’re at the edge of the open sea and all you can see is the endless horizon. It's very exposed out here! We head back north to the beautiful clusters of islands south of Fango to find a campsite for the night.
Accommodation: Dome tents, inflatable mattress
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activities: Sea Kayaking (20km)
Day 7 - Back to Norrköping
We pack up our camp for the last time and head towards the Fyrudden on the mainland for about 1pm and then drive back to Norrkoping (1.5hrs).
Accommodation: n/a
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Activities: Sea Kayaking for fun
Dome Tents
Dome tents with cosy sleeping bag, inflatable mattress and comfy pillow.
Lamp Hotel
Boutique hotel based on two sharing unless the solo supplement ticket is purchased.
START
Norrköping
You will be picked up from the Lamp Hotel where you will have stayed the night before, at 10am to begin the adventure. You need to make your own way here, but it's super easy and we can advise the best options.
END
Norrköping
We will drop you off in Norrköping at 5pm on the last day, which is ample time to get a train back to Stockholm or your airport.
Rob
Rob is originally from England and has spent many years guiding multi-day kayaking expeditions in the Saint Anna and Gryt archipelagos, from late spring into the autumn. In the wintertime, he leads arctic wilderness and northern lights photography excursions in Abisko, northern Sweden. Rob is an accomplished photographer and an excellent wilderness cook, forager and woodcarver. His love for the outdoors and the Swedish archipelago is truly contagious, and spending time with him in the wild is always a fun and inspiring experience.
A feeling of being a part of the community of like-minded people, a purpose-driven, active, outdoor and nature-based experience that will not only be remembered forever, but also, very probably, repeated. IGO Adventures are really exceptional - run by real adventurers, who would go an extra mile to help you wake up one in yourself! Totally recommended!!!
Monika
An absolutely incredible experience, led by wonderfully talented people.
David
Amazing set up. Great experience, very well looked after and something I will never forget. Well done IGO Adventures
Charlie
Expert Guides
Friendly, local, English-speaking and highly knowledgable
Delicious Meals
Whatever your dietary needs - healthy, delicious meals will be provided throughout, except where made explicit in the itinerary
Transfers
We put on transfers to and from Norrköping
Equipment
Everything you need for kayaking, cooking and camping will be provided
Transformative Experience
Through collective achievement and giving back to the places we visit
Accommodation
1 night at the beautiful Lamp Hotel. 5 nights in quality dome tents, inflatable mattresses, cosy sleeping bags
A full kit list is available on request and will be sent to all guests ahead of travel. In short, it includes:
It is a requirement of travelling with us that you take out personal accident insurance. In the unlikely event of an emergency, this will cover you for any need of evacuation as well as medical attention.
Guests will paddle slim fibreglass double kayaks. They are stable, yet fast to paddle with the momentum of 2 persons and can carry lots of gear for a multi-day journey. No guests in are allowed in solo kayaks for safety reasons.
Mid June: Very long hours of daylight, abundant birdlife, very green and lush, amazing solitude. The water is still on the chilly side and very likely too cold to swim comfortably in.
Late August: "Normal" hours of daylight. Gorgeous sunsets, swimmable water, less birdlife, amazing solitude. More stable weather than earlier in the summer with less wind.
Mid-late September: Shorter hours of daylight, gorgeous sunsets, water on the chillier side, likely too cold to swim comfortably in. Most birds have migrated south. Incredible solitude, barely a soul around. Often stabler weather than earlier in the summer with less wind. If unlucky with stormy weather will feel colder since the temperatures are lower than earlier in the summer. We supply thicker sleeping bags during this trip.
Swedish style cuisine using lots of local and some foraged ingredients. You won't see a basic camping meal at all!
Yes, we store all luggage safely at our base and bring it to the endpoint on the last day.
Norrkoping:
The Lamp Hotel is a chic little place located 700 meters from the train station, right in the city centre, only a couple of minutes walk from restaurants and sights. Breakfast is included. All rooms have WC and Shower, TV and Wi-Fi. Go to thelamphotel.se to book your room.
Pronova Hostel is located in the city centre and is a more budget option. Sheets/Towel and breakfast buffet included. pronovahostel.se/en-GB
There are also many Airbnbs.
Link to our visitor's guide for Norrkoping: https://dothenorth.com/blog/a-visitors-guide-to-norrkoping/
Stockholm:
There are so many great places see and stay at. Easy to find info online.
Yes!
We provide solo tents for anyone travelling alone and doubles for friends or couples coming together.
We provide fibreglass double kayaks, which are perfectly suited for multiday expeditions. They're fast to paddle with lots of space for gear and stable.
We can cater for vegetarian, pescatarian and lactose-free, but not vegan or gluten-free.
Nomads travel insurance.
Of medium fitness. We'll be kayaking 3.5-6 hours per day. Sometimes, especially in the outer archipelago, conditions can be windy. Max weight around 120 kilos to be able to fit comfortably into spray skirt, paddle jackets and life jackets.
This is an example itinerary and each element can be tweaked to suit your needs.
Get in touch to plan your trip and dates.
Prices from $2,238.82 per person