Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 6pm. In the off
season hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am
to 3pm.
Since 2000 the
Sametinget (Sami Parliament),
Sámediggi (
&
78-47-40-
00
), has had its headquarters at this impressive piece of modern architecture
encased in Siberian lark wood. To carry out this far-north theme, the interior is
also filled with native woods such as pine and birch. Unique among parliament
buildings, the assembly hall was constructed in the shape of a
gamma
(Sami
tent). Tiny bulbs, evoking the northern lights, illuminate the 35,000-volume
Sami library. Free tours are conducted Monday to Friday in summer from
8:30am to 2:30pm.
Samisk Kunstnersenter (Sami Artists Center),
Jeagilvármádii 54 (
&
75-
46-90-02
), is an art gallery devoted to Sami painters, with new exhibitions every
month. This is not just about folk art; many Sami painters are as modern as the
21st century. Sami art and handicrafts are also sold here. Admission is free, and
it is open Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm and on Sunday from noon to 5pm.
In summer it is also open on Saturday from 10am to 3pm.
Finally,
Karasjok Opplevelser
(
&
78-46-88-10
) organizes adventures in the
area, including everything from visits to a Sami camp to gold-panning and river-
boat trips. In winter you can even go reindeer sledding like Santa Claus. If you're
coming into the area, call in advance to see what type of adventure might be
offered at the time of your visit.
Many visitors come from all over the world to hunt and fish in the area. If
you'd like some fishing trips and wilderness adventure tours, the man to call is
Nils Rolf Johnsen,
Svenskebakken 35 (
&
78-46-63-02
), who makes arrange-
ments for such outings. He can arrange for you to stay in
lavvu
(Sami tents)
beside Finnmark's largest lake, Lesjavri, which is excellent for fishing.
SHOPPING
Most visitors who make it this far north like to come back with
some souvenirs, particularly handmade Sami knives, a craft and tradition going
back four generations. The best selection of Sami crafts is available at
Samel-
landssenteret
(
&
78-46-88-01
), a cooperative crafts store in the town center.
WHERE TO STAY
Engholm's Huskyi Lodge
Next to the Karasjohka River, lying 6km (3
1
⁄
2
miles) outside Karasjok, this is a real frontier outpost, which connects you with
local life more than any other lodging in the area. You cannot only rent a cabin
but can go on summer hikes with the huskies, or, when the weather turns, join
in a dog-sledding tour. Gold-panning, fishing trips, and wilderness tours are also
part of the action here. Accommodations are in cozy log houses, each personal-
ized and comfortable. Some of the cabins have private bathrooms; others are
shared. Most cabins contain a kitchenette as well. In the
Barta,
a special turf-
covered log house, guests gather around the open fire sitting on reindeer furs,
enjoying good food and drink. Lunch costs 100NOK ($14), with a dinner going
for 200NOK ($28).
N-9730 Karasjok.
&
78-46-71-66.
www.engholm.no. 5 cabins. 300NOK ($43) double, plus 100NOK ($14)
per person. V.
Amenities:
Restaurant; bar. In room: TV, no phone.
Rica Hotel Karasjok
This is the best hotel in the area. And with its cozy
bar and dining facilities, it's also the major social hub and entertainment venue
for the district. The two-story wooden building looks like a ski lodge. It was
built in 1983 but completely renovated in 2001 to offer contemporary bed-
rooms, with comfortable furnishings resting on wooden floors. The bedrooms
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