Husky Safari in Finnish Lapland

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 dogs pulling the sleds along, but there is so much more also available. Apart from the actual dog 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 page 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 dogs. 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 safari, 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 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.

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 of 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 their reproachful 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 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 week, 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.

 

Destination 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, and below. 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 for further details.

 

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