The Gateway to Adventures Museum – Pæskatun – Canyon Huskies – Alta Friluftspark

(Duration: 7 hours) Alta Friluftspark. On arrival, we set out on a trip in one of Alta’s traditional riverboats, which takes us far up-river to Our guide greets us at Alta Port, and while we are being the most famous salmon spots, in one of the finest and most welcomed and introduced to Alta the bus takes us to Alta beautiful salmon rivers in the world, the Altaelva River. Museum. Back at Alta Friluftspark – Alta Leisure Centre – we enjoy lunch in the «Laksestua» on the banks of Altaelva. «Lak- Alta Museum opened in 1991, and was awarded a prize as sestua» is built of wood and slate and is shaped like a Europe’s finest museum in 1993. The edifice is situated next Sami lavvu (tepee), with an open fire at the centre. to the vast and famous areas of rock carvings, discovered by locals as late as in 1973. These ancient drawings were (Please note that the carrying out of the boat trips depend inscribed into the UNESCO’S list of Global Cultural Heritage on the current water level in the Altaelva) in 1985. The outdoor area, overlooking the magnificent Alta fjord, is furnished with walking paths enabling visitors to explore the rock carving sites at leisure in the summer and autumn seasons. Among other things, the museum features permanent exhibitions on Sami religion, silver treasures, the Alta River and Finnmark in times of war and peace. There is also an excellent assortment of quality souvenirs on offer, and informative literature in many languages. In the attractively located panoramic café you may have a cup of coffee or tea, cookies or other snacks.

After a delicious meal we continue up to Pæskatun.

Pæskatun is a slate quarry situated approximately 15 km. from central Alta, far up one of the slopes of the Alta Val- ley. The slate miners represent a longstanding and impor- tant tradition in Alta’s economic life. In addition to traditi- onal slate extraction, they have built up a modern manufacture of gifts and souvenirs. In the production hall, After our visit to the Alta Museum and its surroundings we our hosts proudly introduce us to present-day slate indus- continue our tour, heading towards Alta Friluftspark. try from a historical perspective. The quarry has been adapted to facilitate visitor exhibitions. If you feel up to it, Canyon Huskies. On site, we are received by Roger Dahl, you get the chance to try your own hand in slate cutting! a former competitor in the world’s longest sled dog race, the To give visitors an idea of the hard work and rough living Alaskan Iditarod. He takes us with him to visit his huskies, conditions in the old days, miners have collected remnants who love being spoilt and patted on by visitors! from ancient slate extraction. They have also erected two old style mining sheds. From Pæskatun we get a fabulous Coffee and biscuits are served while Roger Dahl talks about view of the Alta Valley, seeing all the way to the fjord and winter-time dog-sledding, taking the time to demonstrate a its islands. few «tricks of the trade». He will also tell us about Finn- marksløpet, the longest sled-dog race in the North of Euro- pe, which starts and finishes here in Alta.

After our visit to Canyon Huskies we return to the ship.

After putting our slate mining skills to the test by cutting our own souvenirs, we continue our tour to the Canyon Huskies. Maze –

(Duration: 9 hours) After lunch, we drink coffee made on the fireplace and have «Maze-cake» to go with it. Here, we get to experience Our guide greets us at Alta Port, and while we are being wel- the Sami way of life, and learn about their history and culture. comed and introduced to Alta we start our journey across «Joik» (the chant-like song of the Samis) and the telling of the Plateau, towards Maze and Kautokeino. stories appear to be natural elements of our conviviality, as After about an hour’s drive towards the south we arrive at we relax around the fire on splendidly warm reindeer pelts. Maze, a genuine Sami village with around 350 residents. In the 1970s Norwegian authorities planned to flood Maze for the sake of a coming power plant construction. The plans were fortunately discarded after years of staunch resistance from a proud and culturally conscious community. This beautiful area is now a vital regional centre.

After our Sami hosts have welcomed us, dressed in the ’kofta’ (their handsome traditional costume) we stroll down together towards the riverside.

When our hosts have given us security instructions and we have put our safety vests on, we are ready to embark on a 20-minute trip on a riverboat. This includes a visit to the «old» church of Mazi, where we get a crash course in the Sami alphabet. After the boat ride we eat lunch in a «lavvu» (Sami tepee) on the river bank. The dish served is called «Biidos», a traditional Sami meal made of reindeer meet and potatoes, served with home baked bread. After our visit to Maze, we continue to the village of Kau- tokeino, 130 km south of Alta. One of ’s largest boroughs, it is also one of the smallest in terms of popula- tion, with a total of no more than 3100 inhabitants. Situa- ted in the heart of the Finnmarksvidda Plateau, Kautokeino is a center for Sami culture, research and education.

At Kautokeino we visit the Sami church and what many call the «Oasis of the Finnmarksvidda», the Juhls Silver Gallery, Finnmark’s first silversmith’s shop. We are given a guided tour through this very distinctive edifice, designed and constructed by the Juhls family, and built up over a long period of time. In this architecturally fascinating gallery there is both traditional and more exclusive modern jewellery on display. The Silver Gallery was founded and built by Frank and Regine Juhl, a Danish matrimony who arrived in Kautokeino after the war to work as servants for travelling Sami families.

The building’s highly original architectural design emulates the shape of snow dunes.

The handicraft workshop produces silver jewellery of exceptional quality, well known throughout Europe. The production ranges from traditional jewellery used by the Sami on their festive costumes to the artistic silver jewel- lery designed by Regine Juhls, whose «Tundra» series is of particular renown. A special section of the gallery hosts a collection of old Sami tools, and in a beautiful separate por- Next, we stop at the Kautokeino Bygdetun and Museum, tion of the gallery there is a large collection of Pakistani, which presents a compelling image of old Kautokeino, on the Indian and Afghan handicraft, along with selected arte- inside as well as on the outside. Before returning to Alta we facts from Norway, Sweden and . Of course, this is pay a quick visit to the «centre» of Kautokeino village and also an ideal place for buying exciting and unusual gifts. a short coffee/tea break. Alta Canyon – Sautso

(Duration: 4 hours)

Our guide mreets us at Alta Port, and while we are being welcomed and introduced to Alta we drive through the beautiful farmlands of Tverrelvdalen towards Stilla, and the so-called Zero Point, famous from the massive demon- strations against the dam construction in the Alta River. On the Finnmarksvidda Plateau we drive past the Joatka lakes, a few Sami summer habitations and onwards to Sautso, Northern Europe’s largest canyon, and its stunning natural scenery.

Having watched the Alta River precipitate itself dramatically On the other side of the dam we enter the «lavvu» (Sami into the valley’s bottom, we pay a short visit to the power tepee) of Cavzo Safari. Around the fire at the centre of the plant’s turbine hall, located 1 km into the mountain side, after tent we are served a so-called «Maze-cake», coffee and dri- which we drive up to the 110 meter high concrete dam. In ed reindeer meat. Our hosts talk to us about Sami culture the mountain next to the dam, we visit an exhibition room and history, and are happy to answer questions. With some with an audiovisual show about the dam construction and luck, we get to listen to a «Joik» (the chant-like song of the the surrounding areas. Finally, we enjoy a pleasant walk Sami) before getting on the bus back to Alta. across the top of the dam. You can also use combinations of visits to A Canyon Huskies, Tirpitz-Museum, Kåfjord or

Alta Museum (Duration: 1,5 hours)

Alta Museum opened in 1991, and was awarded a prize as Europe’s finest museum in 1993. The edifice is situated next to the vast and famous areas of rock carvings, discovered by locals as late as in 1973. These ancient drawings were inscribed into the UNESCO’S list of Global Cultural Heritage in 1985. The outdoor area, overlooking the magnificent Alta fjord, is furnished with walking paths enabling visitors to explore the rock carving sites at leisure in the sum- mer and autumn seasons. Among other things, the museum features perma- nent exhibitions on Sami religion, silver treasures, the Alta River and Finnmark in times of war and peace. There is also an excellent assortment of quality sou- venirs on offer, and informative literature in many languages. In the attracti- vely located panoramic café you may have a cup of coffee or tea, cookies or other snacks.

Transfer time Alta Museum to: Pier 15 min; Boazo Sami Siida 15 min; Canyon Huskies: 25 min; Pæskatun: 30 min; Tirpitz museum: 20 min

Boazo Sami Siida (Duration: 45 min)

At the Boazo Sami Siida, situated by the Alta River, you get to experience an authentic Sami «siida» (seasonal settlement). There will be entertainment and activities based on Sami culture on offer at the «siida». Among other things, you will listen to «joik», the chant-like Sami song, and there will be reindeer to look at and photograph at close range.

Transfer time Boazo Sami Siida to: Pier 20 min; Canyon Huskies: 15 min; Pæskatun: 20 min; Tirpitz Museum 30 min; Alta Museum 15 min

Canyon Huskies (Duration: 45 min)

Canyon Huskies. On site, we are received by Roger Dahl, a former compe- titor in the world’s longest sled dog race, the Alaskan Iditarod. He takes us with him to visit his huskies, who love being spoilt and patted on by visitors! Coffee and biscuits are served while Roger Dahl talks about winter-time dog- sledding, taking the time to demonstrate a few «tricks of the trade». He will also tell us about Finnmarksløpet, the longest sled-dog race in the North of Europe, which starts and finishes here in Alta. Transfer time Canyon Huskies to: Pier 25 min; Pæskatun 10 min; Tirpitz Museum 40 min; Alta Museum 25 min; Boazo Sami Siida 15 min Alta Museum, Boazo Sami Siida, r Pæskatun (Transfer times as listed)

Tirpitz-museum (Duration: 45 min)

The guide welcomes you at the quaiside and on the bus trip to Kåfjord you get a quick introduction to the history of Alta and Finnmark. Kåfjord is approxima- tely 15 km outside of Altas city centre and has played an important role in the his- tory of Finnmark. During the 19th century Kåfjord was Finnmarks biggest town, as a result of the Alten kobberverk, a copper mine. During the second world war Kåfjord also played an important role since the Ger- mans stationed the Tirpiz, Germany’s biggest battle ship, in the fjord just outsi- de Kåfjord. Join us on a historic walk through Kåfjord, which includes a visit to the Tirpiz museum in Kåfjord. Here you get to see an extensive photogallery of the battleship and an exhibition of different objects from WW2. Transfer time Tirpitz Museum to: Pier 30min; Alta Museum 20 min; Boazo Sami Siida 30 min; Canyon Huskies 40 min; Pæskatun 40 min

Kåfjord church (Duration: 30 min)

Visit the Kåfjord church (1836), which is a long church with an organ-gallery in the back and side galleries along the sidewalls. The church was built in an english inspired new gothical style, as one of the first churches with newgothical windows. The building and the early history of the church are closely linked to the copper mines. The church is furthermore the oldest standing church in the municipality of Alta. Transfer time Kåfjord church to: Pier 30 min; Alta Museum 20 min; Boazo Sami Siida 30 min; Canyon Huskies 40 min; Pæskatun 40 min

Pæskatun (Duration: 30 min)

Pæskatun is a slate quarry situated approximately 15 km. from central Alta, far up one of the slopes of the Alta Valley. The slate miners represent a long- standing and important tradition in Alta’s economic life. In addition to tradi- tional slate extraction, they have built up a modern manufacture of gifts and souvenirs. In the production hall, our hosts proudly introduce us to present- day slate industry from a historical perspective. The quarry has been adapted to facilitate visitor exhibitions. If you feel up to it, you get the chance to try also erected two old style mining sheds. your own hand in slate cutting! From Pæskatun we get a fabulous view of To give visitors an idea of the hard work and rough living conditions in the old the Alta Valley, seeing all the way to the days, miners have collected remnants from ancient slate extraction. They have fjord and its islands. Transfer time Pæskatun to: Pier 30 min; Tirpitz Museum 40 min; Alta Museum 30 min; Boazo Sami Siida 20 min; Canyon Huskies 10 min «Nature the Norwegian Way»; an excursion to the top of the Komsa mountain

(Duration: 2.5–3 hours)

Our guide greets us at Alta Port. After a five-minute ride, the bus leaves us at the foot of the Komsa Mountain in central Alta.

Here you receive a typical Norwegian «nistepacke», the pic- nic meal that Norwegians take with them on their habitual Sunday nature outings. We commence our ascent to the top of the mountain, at 203 meters above sea level.

Remnants of human settlements, estimated to be nearly 10 000 years old, have been found on the Komsa Mountain. While the majority of these extensive findings are kept in Oslo, in the «Oldsakssamlingene», a few items are on dis- play in the Alta Museum. These intriguing discoveries are the reason that the men and women believed to have once populated this area have been collectively named the «Komsa Culture».

The ascent is fairly easy, and takes approximately 30 minutes. Once at the summit we are able to enjoy a magnificent view of central Alta, the Alta Fjord and Kåfjord. It will also be pos- sible to see our ship at quayside in Alta Port. The guide will tell us more about the Komsa Culture and the scenery around us. Coffee and tea will be served with the picnic meal, and there will be a hot dog barbecue – an essential ingredient to a good hike.

After a pleasant hour or so at the top we start descending, this time on the other side of the mountain. Back on street level, the bus picks us up and drives us back to the port.

This is a perfect excursion for active people who like to expe- rience nature up close! Grafisk produksjon: Fagtrykk Alta as Grafisk produksjon: Fagtrykk

VIA Alta Tours / Alta Guideservice Sentrumsparken 4 P.O.Box 1114, N-9504 Alta, Norway

Phone +47 78 44 95 55. Fax +47 78 43 65 08 E-mail: [email protected]

For guide: Phone +47 90 19 27 76

Fagtrykk Alta as. Foto: John Arne Wilhelmsen, Amigo Studio, Alta Museum, Alta Friluftspark, Altaposten, Beate Juliussen/Finnmark Reiseliv, Finnmark Reiseliv, Alta Skiferprodukter, Nils Westphal, Jan Roger Eriksen, Henriette Bismo Eilertsen, FFR, Landbakk, Gargia Fjellstue, Trym Ivar Bergsmo, Alf Eilertsen, Alta Friluftspark, Nina Smedseng, Bjørn Moholt, To-Foto AS, Odd Magne Haugen, Tirpitz Museum, Harald Einarsson.