This is a themed week’s tour with a programme designed specifically to give you a good knowledge of the area where the wild reindeer live. You will also be introduced to the old hunting culture and look at some of the original pitfalls that were used and hear stories of life long since gone. Maybe you will also be lucky and glimpse the wild reindeer, however they are very shy and not easy to come across, as they react quickly to any noise or smell and we do our best not to disturb them. We will walk in the open landscape, over the vast plateau where the reindeer live, and where they have lived for the last 10.000 years. The wild reindeer in Rondane are under special international protection as they are the only pure descendants of the European tundra reindeer who followed the icecap when it withdrew. This week we will spend most of the time above the tree line and discover the lichen covered plateau where the reindeer find its food. You will also see the breath taking peaks of Rondana. We take the whole day on this tour so we have plenty of time to enjoy the landscape. The walks are 15-25kms and require a good level of fitness and participants who are used to walking. We start at 9 am and return to the hotel about 5 pm.
There are also interesting activities indoors: Sunday evening the host at Venabu shows his pictures and gives a talk about Ringebu and Rondane mountains. The boundary of Rondane National Park is only 4 kms north of the hotel. This is Norway’s first National Park and was opened in 1962 and is celebrating 50 years this year. Monday evening you may join a one hour talk on “how to take better photos during the week”. Tuesday is the day for the old summer farm where we have a traditional lunch served in the old house or an alternative tour with a picnic around the camp fire. Wednesday evening you can taste reindeer, elk and other local specialties during the Norwegian buffet and you will have an introduction to Norwegian food and the dishes served. After the meal, the hostess will show macro pictures of the mountain flowers and talk about the local flora. Friday there is an aperitif before the evening meal, and we can enjoy each other’s company during the last evening.

Arrive: Saturday 30th June for dinner in the evening and depart after breakfast Saturday 7th July 2012. 7 nights NOK 8.550,- per person in twin room, including all meals and 6 guided walks. Supplement for a small single room NOK 490,- and for a bigger single room NOK 1.520,-. All rooms have en suite facilities.

There is a direct bus from Oslo airport Gardermoen to the hotel every Saturday, returning the following Saturday, NOK 420,- per person one way. Departure from Gardermoen is at 14.00 with the return arriving at the airport the latest 13.00. Transfers to Ringebu station from Venabu NOK 170,- per person one way when coming by train or express bus. (The last train from Gardermoen departs 19.05, except Saturdays, when the last train departs at 14.45)

We also offer an elk safari one evening by minibus at a supplement of NOK 350,- per person beginning at 20.00 till approx 23.30.

Venabu fjellhotell also offers several themed walks during summer 2012. Discover the long and bright summer nights in June, join us at the summer farms, discover the rich culture of the valley of Gudbrandsdalen, join the fantastic outdoor play of Peer Gynt accompanied by the music of Grieg, or join the organized walks and children’s activities. For further information or a visit contact the hotel or visit our web site http://venabu.no/, for a more detailed programme.

Accommodation: Venabu is a family-run hotel located on the mountain pass between Gudbrandsdalen and Østerdalen, south of the Rondane mountains. The hotel was established in 1947, and is owned and run by the second generation of the Tvete family. 56 rooms are available, all with bathroom and telephone. Six of the rooms are suitable for wheelchair users. Venabu is famous for its excellent kitchen. Every Wednesday, we prepare our special "Norwegian buffet", which is filled with delicious dishes made from fish, game and berries. Vegetarian dishes available.

1. Bereid je zorgvuldig voor
Zorg er voor dat je grondig bent voorbereid, een goede lichaamsconditie hebt en bent voorzien van goede uitrustingsstukken voor je aan je geplande tocht begint.

2. Laat informatie achter over je tocht
Veel hutten, hotels en andere accommodaties beschikken over kistjes of busjes waarin geschreven boodschappen kunnen worden achtergelaten met informatie over tocht die je wilt gaan maken.

3. Houd het weer in de gaten
Let goed op waarschuwingen voor slecht weer en vertrouw niet blindelings op voorspellingen van goed weer.

4. Zorg voor spullen tegen slecht weer en vorst
Neem altijd een rugzak mee met spullen waarmee je kunt wapenen tegen slecht weer en vorst.

5. Luister naar de plaatselijke bevolking
De bevolking ter plaatse kan je vaak vertellen op welke paden je de meeste kans hebt op lawines, over wind- en sneeuwcondities en over de veiligste routes.

6. Gebruik een kaart en een kompas
Zorg dat je altijd een kaart en een kompas bij je hebt – en zorg ervoor dat je weet hoe je ze moet gebruiken.

7. Ga niet alleen op pad
Als je er in je eentje  op uittrekt is er niemand om zo nodig eerste hulp te verlenen of een reddingsdienst in te schakelen

8. Keer op tijd om – stoppen is geen schande
Als de omstandigheden zo snel verslechteren dat je twijfelt of je het doel wel kunt bereiken, draai dan om en keer terug naar je uitgangspunt.

9. Bewaar energie en maak zonodig en schuilplaats in de sneeuw
Hoe sterker de wind, hoe moeilijker het is om te lopen of te skiën. Stem je snelheid af op de zwakste in de groep. Bouw zonodig een sneeuwhut.

Kijk voor meer gedetailleerde veiligheidsinstructies op de Noorse Berg Code (Noors: Fjellvettreglene of in het Engels: Norwegian Mountain Code).