Private Journeys into the North With Nature & Animals as Your Guides.
Resilience & Lust for Life
Most of the animals that you will meet at Lighten Up North were given a second chance or life as part of the Striders Adventures family and their stories are inspiring and uplifting.
They incarnate resilience and lust for life. Genuinely authentic, cheerful, playful, affectionate, full of life, a bit cheeky sometimes, they live fully in the Here and Now. If they know when to rest and recharge, they are always up for any new activity or adventure.
Lighten Up at Granberget View Lodge
We, Rachel & Marc, wanted to create a place where people would get to experience this amazing energy and connection with animals, could reset and re-energise in a beautiful, natural setting, feel at home away from home, get to explore wide open spaces and discover life up north. A place that would Lighten people Up and from which you’d leave fully refreshed.
We found this place at the foot of the mountains in Swedish Lapland. A place with a huge potential if only it would be given a second chance. A challenge made for us (!): to turn this Norrland wilderness camp into a feel-good place, simultaneously relaxing & buzzing with good vibes.
International nomads with a Swiss touch
Throughout our career path in different areas, we both always had a sweet spot for private customers and small groups and have privileged quality over quantity. Rachel was active in the physical and mental preparation for outdoor activities and self-defense, and had set up on her own and with dogs several Arctic races and expeditions. Marc had a long career as a specialist in Toyota Land Cruiser and Hilux, and has participated in many car rallies, such as the Dakar. When our lives took a different turn some years ago after the sled dogs entered our world, we were able to successfully transfer a lot of our knowledge and experience into the mushing world and sled dog races.
We have also seen and experimented a lot during our numerous travels alone or with the animal tribe.
The activities and stays that we offer are a perfect blend of our gathered experience, core values and belief in alternative tourism.
Looking forward to welcoming you!
A wonderful corner of paradise, ideal for recharging our batteries. In a very cozy lodge, lulled by the sound of silence and cracklings of the fire.
“Avec Rachel, Marc et toute leur formidable équipe, nos vacances d’hiver en Laponie suédoise ont été bien plus qu’un séjour : c’était un rêve éveillé.
Accueillis avec chaleur et bienveillance, dès notre arrivée, leurs sourires et leurs attentions nous ont fait sentir comme chez nous, au cœur de ce paradis nordique. Ces vacances ont été bien plus qu’un simple voyage : chaque détail, chaque sourire, chaque moment passé avec Rachel et Marc témoignait de leur générosité et de leur passion. Merci à eux d’avoir réalisé nos rêves et de nous avoir offert un séjour aussi merveilleux que magique. Nous repartons le cœur rempli de souvenirs inoubliables, avec une seule envie : y revenir.”
Incredible holiday haven hatched in the wilderness of Swedish Lapland. Wonderful dogs and hosts.
Haute-Couture Mushing ! Indeed a unique experience!
