Husky Holidays

Introduction

Husky holidays are available from November to April and the most popular destinations are Finnish Lapland, Norway and Sweden. For many people, a husky holiday is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and because of that, it is important to have the holiday perfectly tailored, which is what Medway Travel specialise in.

For most people, husky holidays are all about combining the beautiful snowy scenery with the power of the huskies pulling the sleds along, but there is so much more also available. Apart from the actual husky sledding, you can optionally include cross-country skiing, tobogganing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and so much more. There are even husky holidays ideal for whole families. Just contact us to find out all the options available to you as part of a husky holiday.

The illustrations on the following Overview and Example Itinerary pages are purely a taster to give you an idea but every husky holiday is different because we create the husky experience you desire. In short, we provide you with insights into what options are available, and you select those that you desire and that fit within your budget. 

 

During your husky safari, your own team of huskies will pull your sled through the beautiful winter scenery. You will pass through forests, across fells, over frozen lakes and rivers. Only the "swish" of the sled's runners breaking through the snow will disturb the perfect silence and you very quickly realise that you have well and truly left behind the hustle and bustle of everyday life. 

Overnight stays are generally in simple but cosy wilderness cabins with no showers, indoor WC or electricity. However, you can relax in some style while dinner is cooking on an open fire and sometimes even a sauna is available.

Everybody takes care of their own huskies. Breakfasts and dinners are prepared together. Lunches are eaten by open fires on the trail if weather permits. Generally there is a great chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis and with no light pollution whatsoever the night time sky may provide a picture show that will remain imprinted in your mind forever.

An experience never to be forgotten!

Overview

There are numerous destinations in which to enjoy a husky holiday, with durations spent out on trail ranging from a few hours to nine days, depending on which holiday itinerary is chosen.

Below you will find a description of each destination and the experiences that are offered to visitors.

Harriniva

Situated 230kms north of the Arctic Circle, this wilderness resort in Finnish Lapland combines Scandinavian style accommodation, the warmest of welcomes and a great range of activities designed to take you to the very heart of Lapland's winter wilderness. 

A four and eight night husky adventure is available from Harriniva, and you will be provided with all the necessary equipment, including thermal clothing. You will be taught how to handle your team and the sled and then you will depart into one of Europe's few remaining wilderness areas.

The huskies will pull your sled through the beautiful winter scenery close to the Pallas-Ounas National Park in Western Lapland, covering up to 40km per day, stopping to prepare and cook lunch over an open fire.

On our husky safaris you spend some nights in shared safari houses or cabins close to the main building. Naturally, you will have access to all the hotel's facilities. Each safari house has its own shower, toilet and sauna and provides the perfect place to bond with your fellow adventurers before setting off into the wilderness on your safari. You will eat all your meals in one of the main building's restaurants.

Any holiday which includes an overnight safari will include at least one night in a wilderness cabin.

Some of the cabins can be basic (no electricity or running water) but they are all comfortable and cosy, especially once dinner is cooking and the fire burning. Sleeping arrangements are in dormitory style areas.

The cabins are generally so remote that there is little or no light pollution creating the best possible chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis.  Despite their far-flung locations, there is always a sauna in the cabins - after all, this is Finland!

Please note that we can never specify which cabin you will stay in as routes may change subject to local weather and trail conditions.

Saija

Peace, quiet, silence and calm, Saija encapsulates them all. A sauna or a stroll along the banks of the snow covered lake is about as lively as it gets in the evenings. Take a few good books and unwind in the silence. Bliss!

You will be provided with safari equipment and receive instruction on how to manage your team of dogs, then leave on a training circuit of 13km with your own 4 to 6 huskies, sledding along the Narnia-like trails of Finnish Lapland. Following the training run, you will enjoy a full-day husky safari of around 30km, and then set off on an overnight husky safari.

By this time, you will be used to the "swish" of your sled cutting through the snow, the panting of the huskies and the irreproachful looks when you let them do all the work on the inclines. They expect you to provide some momentum by pushing off with your feet when the going gets tough. Anything less can be rewarded with a somewhat disdainful lack of effort from your team.

You are entirely responsible for the care of your team of huskies when you arrive at your overnight base. They must be fed, watered and made ready for the night before you enter the cabin to help prepare dinner.

During your husky holiday, you will spend a night at the Harjajarvi wilderness cabin. Regardless of its remote location, the cabin is warm and cosy despite having no electricity or running water. This is exactly what wilderness safaris are all about, escaping the last vestiges of everyday life and experiencing a totally unspoilt environment. The cabin does have a sauna providing the perfect opportunity to wind down while dinner is being prepared by your guide.

Karasjok

Upon arrival in Karasjok, which is nestled deep in the heart of Norway's Sami Lapland, you will be provided with all your protective winter clothing including a thermal snow suit and boots before meeting the huskies.  The dogs will be organised into teams of four or six depending on the strength of each participant and you will receive a full briefing regarding the care of your animals and driving the sled.

Once the sleds have been carefully packed your safari will start. You will almost immediately encounter a hilly stretch which gives you a great chance to earn both the respect and confidence of your team. You can help your team by pushing off with your feet, especially on the upward slopes and there is a certain satisfaction as they redouble their efforts in response to your assistance.

Base Camp Lodge is situated next to the Karasjohka river just 6km from Karasjok. It plays host to a husky farm with approximately 50 sled dogs who have been highly trained for both long distance racing and safaris.

Accommodation is in hand built log cabins which you will share with other mushers. The cabins are as cosy as cosy can be and sitting in front of an open fire chatting with your fellow adventurers is a lovely way to spend a winters evening. Each cabin has been individually designed, decorated and furnished to create a unique and personal atmosphere. Generally speaking, there are two bedrooms and additional loft sleeping spaces.

Meals are eaten together in the main building (again log-built) or in the specially constructed barta, a special turf covered log house where you gather around the open fire sitting on luxurious reindeer pelts. To help you while away the evening, there is a wood heated sauna and even a dog mushers library.

The above information is just an outline of what to expect but of course there are a huge number of optional extensions available to this style of holiday, including stays in an IceHotel, Snow Mobiling, Snow Shoeing, Ice Fishing, a Reindeer Safari and more.

For details of what other activities and experiences you can enjoy with a Husky Holiday, please see the Pick and Mix tab.

Itinerary

Below you will find a day-to-day description of our most popular husky holiday itinerary, which is a 7 night trip in total, with 4 of these nights spent in the beautifully remote winter wilderness. This particular husky holiday is suitable for those aged 18 and over and a reasonable level of fitness is required.  

Harriniva Wilderness Husky Safari Holiday

Situated 230kms north of the Arctic Circle, Harriniva, a wilderness resort in Finnish Lapland, combines Scandinavian style accommodation, the warmest of welcomes and a great range of activities designed to take you to the very heart of Lapland's winter wilderness. 

A four and eight night husky safari is available from Harriniva, and you will be provided with all the necessary equipment, including thermal clothing. You will be taught how to handle your team and the sled and then you will depart into one of Europe's few remaining wilderness areas. 

Sunday : Flights, arrivals and transfers

On arrival at Kittila Airport you will be driven to the Wilderness Hotel for a get together with your guide and a briefing about the week ahead.

Monday to Friday: Five day husky safari 

After breakfast on Monday you will be provided with all the necessary equipment, including thermal clothing, before meeting the huskies. You will be taught how to handle your team and the sled and after lunch you depart into one of Europe’s few remaining wilderness areas. The huskies will pull your sled through the beautiful winter scenery close to the Pallas-Ounas National Park in Western Lapland. You will pass through forests, across fells and over frozen lakes and rivers covering up to 40km per day.

Only the ‘swish’ of the sled’s runners breaking through the snow disturbs the silence and you very quickly realise that you have well and truly left behind the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Overnight stays are in simple but cosy wilderness cabins with no showers, indoor WC or electricity. However, you can relax in some style while dinner is cooking on an open fire as a sauna will be available.

Everybody takes care of their own huskies. Breakfasts and dinners are prepared together and depending on local conditions, lunches are eaten by open fires on the trail. This far north there is a great chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis and with no light pollution the night time sky may provide a picture show that will remain imprinted in your mind forever. Sometimes we have to drag people back into the cabins!

After lunch on Friday, the final leg of your wilderness journey takes you back to the relative civilisation of the Wilderness Hotel.

Saturday: Free day, optional activities or Lainio Snow Village 

After the exertions of your wilderness adventure you may just want a day to relax in the spa and reflect on the experience of the last few days. Alternatively, you can book additional activities. Many people choose to end their holiday with a memorable night in Lainio Snow Castle. 

Sunday: Departure, transfer and flight 

If you would prefer a tailor made experience, please visit our Pick and Mix selection.

Prices for this 7 night trip, including a 4 night wilderness safari experience, start at £1,665 per person. This includes return flights from the UK, return airport transfers, all accommodation, 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 7 dinners, cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay, plus the company of fully qualified wilderness guides and instructors.

For further information about the accommodation options, departure dates and prices, please Contact Us and our experienced travel consultants will be delighted to help arrange a memorable husky holiday experience just for you.

Pick & Mix

As well as suggested holiday itineraries, Medway Travel are delighted to be able to also create bespoke holiday experiences.

If you are a traveller who is looking for something completely different to the suggested itinerary on the previous tab, picking and mixing the activities and excursions that you specifically wish to enjoy might be a fantastic solution for you!

Contact Us with information of when you are looking to travel and what adventures you would like your holiday to include, and our expererienced travel consultants will put together a personalised itinerary especially for you!

For ideas and inspiration of what there is to see and do during an ultimate wilderness holiday to Lapland, please take a look at the below details...

Activities

Introductory Husky Safari
An introductory 9km safari lasting approximately one and a half hours. Two people share a sled and dog team. Guides, instruction and equipment included.


17km Husky Safari
A 17km safari. Two people share a sled and dog team. Guides, instruction and equipment included.

25km Husky Safari
A 25km safari includes lunch by a campfire out "on the trail". One person per sled and dog team. Lunch is included.

Husky Safari (Overnight)
Take control of your own team as you drive out to a wilderness cabin and spend the night miles from anywhere. This is without doubt the most popular safari at Harriniva. Approx 40 kms.

Snowmobile Panorama Safari
A truly exhilarating way to experience the winter wilderness. All of our snowmobile safaris whether 1 or 24 hours long include a full safety briefing and instruction.

Snowmobile Northern Lights Safari
With headlights on full you enter the snowy forest for a two hour night safari but with any luck it will be the Northern Lights that illuminate your path. Hot drinks will be served around a campfire. Approx 20 kms.

Snowmobile and Ice Fishing
The perfect introduction to the snowy winter landscape and a great way to acquaint yourself with the area surrounding your accommodation. You will travel 30kms and try your hand at ice fishing.

Snowmobile Extreme Safari
A 5 hour trip covering approximately 80kms of snowy landscape.


Lappish Culture and Short Reindeer Safari
You will visit the Lapland Manor where you will learn about the Lappish way of life and a year in the life of a reindeer. This is followed by a 3km safari with lunch, coffee and cake served in a warm kota (teepee). Approx 4 hrs.

Reindeer Farm & Safari
You will visit a local reindeer farm where the herders will tell you about the animals and their importance in Lapp culture. After learning to lasso your reindeer you start a 10km safari pausing for coffee and cake by an open fire.

Snowshoeing
An opportunity to explore the wilderness. Snowshoes allow you to move amongst the trees very quietly enhancing the possibility of spotting the local wildlife.

Cross Country Skiing
You will receive ample tuition before trying a short skiing trip. A hot drink included.

Ice Fishing
You may wonder what the appeal of sitting by a hole in a frozen lake is – well this can easily be explained by the excitement of your first catch! Add in some stunning scenery and great company and you have a great arctic outing!

Lainio Snow Village & Kellokas Nature Centre
Round off your tailor made winter activity holiday in style. We will arrange a taxi transfer from Harriniva to Lainio Snow Village.
Each year it takes around 1000 truck loads of snow to create the Snow Village. This magnificent complex constructed from ice and snow changes shape every year but the artistry, handicraft and breathtaking design always leaves a lasting impression.
The Snow Village covers an area of approximately 7,500 square metres and consists of a restaurant, bar, lobby, hotel rooms and suites.


Visit Santa (Christmas Week)
Depart from Harriniva in a snowmobile sled, sing along as you drive through the beautiful snow covered forest. After approximately 10-15minutes drive you will see a candle lit path to a log cabin in the middle of the forest.
Santa’s elf will greet you in the sled and guide you one family at the time by foot the last meters to the cabin. Santa will spend a moment of his precious time with your family in the warmth of the fireplace in his cabin, you can leave him your wish list or just give him a hug, he would like that!

Overnight in an Igloo
The temperature outside may be -30 degrees and your bed made of snow but insulated by a reindeer skin, an expedition grade sleeping bag and hot berry juice you'll be warm and comfortable inside your igloo. 

Essential Information

Weather

Finland and Norway, particularly in the north of the countries, do get affected by severe cold weather (and lots of snow!) during the winter months.  Temperatures can be extremely low and if you visit in winter you should come prepared for these harsh conditions with lots of warm layers to wear underneath the thermal overalls you will be provided with whilst in resort.

The winter is long (from mid November through to April) and temperatures can drop to minus 25 degrees Celsius, andbelow. There is also wind chill factor to take into account, particularly in unsheltered areas (i.e. mountain ranges).

Passports and Visas

Visas are not required to enter Finland or Norway, but you need a valid British passport. There is no minimum validity required but you should ensure that your passport is valid for your return journey.

Health

You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK, which is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Finnish and Norwegian nationals.

For the latest medical requirements for travel to Finland and Norway, please consult your GP.

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions from the policy, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake whilst on holiday. Medway Travel can provide you with a quote for this - please contact a member of the Leisure team or use our Online Insurance Quotation System.

Other important information

Please note that a full valid British driving license is required to drive a snowmobile in Finland.

Testimonials

“Dear Mel,

Our trip was wonderful and met all our expectations. I am very pleased to add that you have been ever so helpful from day one and would like to thank you for it.

I was touched when you wished us a happy holiday.

Many thanks for all your help”

Harriniva – February 2010  

 

"Hi Mel, 

Wow, what an absolutely amazing experience! Well worth every single penny.

I would definitely recommend it to my friends and family. I would also recommend the time of year we went as perfect.

It was not too cold (max cold it got was -25. Normally was around -5 to -10 with about -16 wind chill factor when on the sleds)

There was still plenty of snow (we were waste deep when we jumped in it)

Sun is out, and can wear sunglasses, and can only sometimes needed to wear a balaclava, so we could really experience the fresh air.

Food was good. The staple diet is reindeer and salmon, but even if you aren’t very fond of either, there is still plenty of other food to eat. Some days were chicken, sausage, lamb. There were potatoes, pasta, eggs and bacon for breakfast. Or muesli and yoghurt. Basically, something for everyone!

The wilderness cabins let you experience life in a completely different way, and they are clean and cosy. I loved the saunas!

The dogs are friendly, and once you got to know them, there was always a cuddle available!

Our guide was Petri, and he always entertained us with stories, and his sense of humour is something we all missed as soon as we said goodbye to him once we were back at the main resort. He is also a very good cook! Looked after us well.

The main resort was also very accommodating. One our first night, we were driven a few km’s away from the main hotel, as it was full, and we stayed in cabins. This did not bother us- it was only for one night, and we were picked up for breakfast first thing in the morning.

On the Friday, when we arrived back from our 4 nights in the wilderness, we were put in another house/cabin- which was BEAUTIFUL! Wow, I’d love to have a house like that. It was right on the river. We walked into Muonio the next morning, and then in the afternoon we moved into the hotel for the last night. They had a rock band playing on the last night which was a lot of fun.

The flight back was well organised, and on time. 

Very very happy with the entire experience.

Kind regards,

Fiona"

Harriniva - February 2011