Lapland Wilderness Tour: This wilderness tour is designed as a fun week for someone on their first safari tour or expedition. Explore the remote undulating wild open forest terrain of the frozen north. Stay at chalet cabins at base camp, then simple wilderness cabins on safari for 5 days. Great for the Aurora and a true wilderness tour.
An average level of fitness is required as, especially at low temperatures and in difficult snow conditions, it will still be necessary to carry out some physical work. You should be able to help the dogs ascend some areas of steep terrain and also carry out communal work at camp. Team spirit is (as on all tours) absolutely key. Your nights on tour will be spent in wilderness huts without electricity or running water. There is only one outhouse for use as a toilet, and a sauna is available instead of a shower. The work at the camp (dog care, cooking, etc.) is carried out collectively by the group.
Dates: Husky Safari Lapland run every Saturday – Saturday and Wednesday – Wednesday of the season (December – April). Please contact us with your preferred dates for availability at info@huskyholidays.co.uk.
Pricing:
Kittila Airport, Finland
This itinerary can run Saturday to Saturday or Wednesday to Wednesday*.
Sat-Sat: 4 nights at husky base, 3 nights in wilderness cabins
Wed-Wed: 3 nights at husky base, 4 nights in wilderness cabins
*Wed tours: No practice day tour on Wed tours – out to wilderness cabins Thursday to Monday.
Arrive at Kittilä airport, and transfer to base camp for dinner. Each log cabin has 3 rooms, each with 2 single beds, a lounge/kitchenette, and 2 showers and toilets. The huskies are very nearby to the cabins so you can visit them and say hello! This evening we will have a briefing on the week ahead.
After breakfast you will meet your guide and after a short briefing, enjoy your first trip with your huskies of approximately 35km. Upon returning, lunch will be provided in the Kota after which you are transferred back to base for a relaxing sauna and dinner.
Now the Wilderness Tour begins. The safari takes you through the wild wide rolling landscapes of northern Lapland. Here the landscape changes from large swamps, lakes and rivers to extensive woodlands and towering mountains. These mountains are around 1000 metres above sea level. Much of the area is now declared a national park so that it can be preserved for future generations. We spend the nights in “cabins”: log cabins with gas lamps, gas stove and wood heating. Water is carried from a nearby lake or river. Together we will prepare the meals, feed the dogs, chop wood and heat up the sauna … and there will still be enough time to enjoy the silence of the wilderness.
The daily stages are between 40 to 60 kilometres (4 to 6 hours mushing): including time for harnessing and unharnessing, you will spend about 8 hours with the dogs.
On Thursday you will return to base during the afternoon. Here you will say goodbye to your huskies and will be looking forward to a hot shower, followed by dinner with your guide. Your first beer after the tour will taste especially good! A small gift from your guide as a celebration of your tour.
After returning your equipment the rest of the day is free. The lodge will be happy to help you in the organisation of activities (snowshoeing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, riding etc. Please ask for costs).
Group transfer to Kittilä airport after breakfast. Checkout 10.00am
During your stay at the base, accommodation is on a twin-share basis per room. Each cabin has 3 rooms along with a living room with kitchenette, 2 showers & toilet.
For overnight stays in the wilderness cabins please bring a sleeping bag liner or summer sleeping bag. All cabins are equipped with warm bed clothing. However, this cannot be changed after each overnight stay.
A basic level of physical fitness is necessary. Every guest must be able to help their own dog team. For example, on longer passages or during difficult snow conditions you might need to hop off the sled and walk for short sections / help push! You don’t need to run marathons but a certain amount of regular sports is recommended. You always have to keep in mind that there can be extreme temperatures of less than -40°C. You need to keep your body warm through intensive moving and the most effective way is to run through the deep snow.
The minimum age for this trip is 16 years. Those aged under 18 can only participate if accompanied by an adult taking responsibility for them, this is also on special request. Due to safety reasons, the decision on whether or not the minor can drive their own dog team is made by the guide after arrival and can be changed during tour.
Due to our experience we have learned that the physical requirements of this tour often cannot be made by guests older than 70 years. However, upon special request some leniences can be made.
Lighter guests can sometimes find difficulty in controlling their team of dogs, especially in more challenging terrains. With too much weight however, the burden for the dogs can be too high. That is why we ask you for your understanding that bookings of guests who do not match the weight limits can only be accepted on special request.
To be equipped for the tour and ready for cold temperatures we provide you with special equipment for the sled dog tour. That includes a jacket, over-trousers, hat, over-gloves and winter boots. Under those clothes you should wear woollen under clothes and woollen socks, fleece pullover, ski or outdoor trousers and fleece gloves.
Our clothes sizes available are as follows:
Clothes: S-XXL
Shoes: 37-46
If you don’t match these sizes please let us know before booking.
Airport to lodge: 11:00, 14:00, 17:00
Lodge to airport: 8:30, 12:30, 15:00
