Mountain Tepee Expedition: A wilderness husky safari staying in tents and tepees. A trip for those who are fit and want to maximise their time out in the nature!
Enjoy spectacular mountain scenery as this independent expedition crosses vast lakes, climbs mountain passes giving views of the Kebnekaise and more. Tough rewarding experience. Superb wilderness experience.
Dates: Mountain Tepee Expedition starts on a various dates through the season on set departures (Feb – April). Please contact us with your preferred dates for availability at info@huskyholidays.co.uk.
Kiruna International Airport, Sweden
Arrival at Kiruna airport. You will meet you at the airport and transferred to the kennels where you will be equipped with extra clothes and sleeping bags (or Friday morning if arriving late evening). Overnight at the kennels base in simple cabin – or one of the nearby camps for overnight stay. Here we will prepare for the coming tour. Dinner.
We start the day with breakfast and then we take care of our dogs. After breakfast we will learn the basics on how to handle the dogs, sleds and harnesses. We will then pack the sleds with all the necessary equipment and set off on the tour. Each participant will drive his or her own sled with a team of 5-6 dogs, following the guide who will lead the way. Car transfer to Nikkaluokta or start in our kennel depends on weather situation. Today we go to Vieksalahti or Kebnekaise area.
We start the day by watering the dogs, after which we eat breakfast. The day’s stretch will be easy-going, following lakes and rivers to Torneträsk or Kebnekaise area to Kungsleden a stretch of approximately 35-40km. Overnight stay in tents out on the Ice of lake Torneträsk.
The morning routines are the same every day. The rest of the day, however, will be characterized by the route chosen. Today’s destination will be Abisko or the area around Kungsleden, Sälka. An easy going, 50km journey along Torneträsk or 45km along Kungsleden. Overnight in tents.
Today we will enter the true mountain world. The famous Kungsleden (The King’s Trail) starts here in Abisko, and this is the route we will be following for the next few days. Our destination for today will be area around Alesjaur, a spot well known for its immense natural beauty. This 44km stretch is mostly easy-going, with a few uphill sections. Opposite it will be Sälka to Allesjaure only 26km but it’s a hard day with a lot of hill’s to pass over.
Our destination for day six is area around Sälka or Singi chalets. In this stretch of approximately 26-38km, we will pass through the Tjäktja pass, the highest point on the tour at 1100 metres above sea level. Sälka or Singi depends on weather and trail conditions. The opposite trail is down to Vistas valley 25-30km.
On our next-to-last day, the destination is Nikkaluokta. A 35-45 km stretch through valleys at the foot of Kebnekaise, having reached Nikkaluokta, we will be picked up by cars and driven back to the kennel where the dogs will be kennelled and equipment checked and stored. The night will be spent in same camp as first night.
Before your flight home you may have time for a guided tour of the Ice Hotel (paid locally) time allowing, before your transfer to the airport.
In true expedition style the accommodation on this trip is basic. Everything you need over the next few days will be carried on your sleds. Anticipate sleeping in warm tents and/or traditional lavus (tepees).
Length and route of tour can vary depending on circumstances beyond our control such as weather, trail access and seasonal variations. Sleeping in a shared 2 person tent, you will eat your meals in the lavu (tepee) where can sit around chatting as well. Everyone participates in the cooking (usually over the open fire), washing up, collecting wood and water and feeding the dogs etc. Saunas can possible if a STF cabin is nearby.
All the tents, lavu (tepee), dog food, your food and your gear are carried in the sleds.
