As part of our ongoing quest to find places to escape from it all, once more, we are heading to the natural beauty of Swedish Lapland. In this travel feature, we’re taking a close look at Geunja The Sámi Ecolodge where you can learn how to live a traditional life while enjoying nature.
Swedish Lapland is an amazing and unique place. Large parts of it make you feel like you are going back in time. It’s somewhere that makes you forget about the pressure and stresses of modern life, and it doesn’t even need to try thanks to its, wild and beautiful environment.
Watch the news on the TV or pick up a newspaper and it’s odds-on you’ll end up less happy than you were. At some point, we all need to get away from it all. This is one of the reasons why I am so interested in exploring what Geunja The Sámi Ecolodge has to offer.
It’s the ideal place to forget what a computer screen looks like, switch off the mobile and rediscover yourself while watching and listening to nature.
Geunja The Sámi Ecolodge, is such a unique property. It’s evident that this is somewhere you can turn your backs on the modern world, and we’re not the only ones that think this. Even the Swedish Royal Family decided it was the perfect place to escape modern life.
The ecolodge is situated in an area, first settled thousands of years ago and many of the traditions are still evident. As previously mentioned, it is one of the few places left in the western world you can experience ‘a time gone bye’. Just a glance at the photos in this article tells you that after a stay here, you will have a completely different outlook on life.
Geunja The Sámi Ecolodge will introduce you to a completely new way of life. Imagine having to catch your own dinner whether it’s game from the surrounding woodland of catching a fish in the lakes.
If you’re a little concerned that you’ll be slightly lost when left to your own devices, particularly when it comes to food prep, don’t be. During your stay, you’ll be looked after by Mikael and Ann-Kristine Vinka who’ll be there to make sure you have the best experience possible while sharing their heritage with you.
This incredible adventure begins in the small village of Ammarnäs. Here you’ll be met by Mikael or Ann-Kristine. There are no roads to the Sámi Ecolodge which emphasises your escape from the modern world.
To get there, you’ll embark on a 30-minute journey in a traditional long wooden boat, enjoying the stunning scenery surrounding lake Tjulträsk. This is, of course, based on the weather. As you’re probably aware, in winter, it does get colder, and if the lake is frozen, you’ll be making the journey by snowmobile!
The Accommodation
The accommodation at Geunja The Sámi Ecolodge consists of traditional Sámi goathie, a wooden tepee structure and Sámi log cabins, and every guest will be welcomed as members of the family, a philosophy that remains throughout the stay.
You can book a stay at Geunja The Sámi Ecolodge in the winter or summer, both of which offer different experiences, we’ve highlighted these below:
In the winter
During winter you’ll be given the opportunity to try Nordic wooden skiing and to snowshoe to track wild grouse. Also, what will likely be a first in your life, you can try your hands at Ice fishing using traditional techniques passed down through generations.
In the summer
The summer months bring the opportunity to experience tracking and nature conservation. You’ll be able to try some fishing without the need to cut a hole in the ice, try a traditional hot bath, learn how to maintain traditional buildings and understand the significance of the Northern Lights.
Stays at Geunja Sámi Ecolodge include everything from transfers, meals at the homestead, and all your experiences and guided activities. It doesn’t matter what time of the year you choose, you can be assured that you’ll quickly forget modern world woes while learning some Sámi knowledge and culture that has been handed down the generations for thousands of years.
I’d even go as far as saying that after spending some time here, you probably won’t want to go back to the modern world and get on that unforgiving treadmill!
For more information about Geunja The Sámi Ecolodge visit www.samiecolodge.com or to learn more about the region, visit www.swedishlapland.com.
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