Husky Mountain Expedition in Lapland
Interested in winter multi-activity including dog sledding? See Experience Lapland. Or why not try your hand at reindeer sledding?
"Just being in the wilderness with the amazing dogs and beautiful scenery was the best holiday experience I have ever had! Thank you again for all your organisation and efforts to make this the most memorable experience of my life." Anneri
"I came away from my time with the sled dogs more genuinely entranced by the experience than on any trip for years." The Sunday Times
Wilderness Cabin at the Reindeer Lodge in Lapland (15 mins by transfer)
Not sure which of our dogsled tours is best for you? Compare our range of dog sledding holidays in Sweden and Norway here.
Photo: M.Rullander
Photos: M.Rullander
Displays of the Northern Lights are currently at a 50-year peak and this winter is a season of high activity, giving very good chances to see a display during your tour. Bookings are now also open for Husky Mountain Expedition in Lapland for the winter 2014 season.
The mountains of Swedish Lapland are a spectacular area for dog sledding. The majestic landscape provides the ideal backdrop for a real Arctic dog sledding adventure. Husky Mountain Expedition in Lapland is an 8-day dogsled tour taking you through some of Sweden's most beautiful natural landscapes, from the lakeside landscape of Abisko and up into the mountains along the King's Trail to the mighty Kebnekaise, Sweden's highest peak.
Your dogsled adventure begins at the kennels, where you will meet your team learn how to handle the sled and dogs before heading out into the wilderness in command of your own team of Siberian Huskies to get accustomed to your team and equipment in a lowland landscape of forest, frozen lakes and rivers, before heading to Abisko and up into the mountains towards the challenging Tjäkta pass, the highest point on the trail at 1100m. From here you descend through a stunning mountain landscape towards Kebnekaise to end at Nikkaluokta, where you will be met for return transfer to the dogsled kennels.
For part of your husky tour you will be following the world-famous Kungsleden, or King's Trail. The King's Trail is one of Sweden's best-known long-distance hiking trails in summer and is also ideal for dog sledding and ski touring in the winter. Each night you will stop at one of the cabins along the way, which offer accommodation of simple but comfortable and cosy standard. After seeing to the needs of the dogs each evening, you will retire to the warmth of the cabins for dinner and a chance to reflect on the day's dog sledding adventures. There are also wood-fired sauna facilities at some of the overnight stops - a wonderful way to relax after a hard day's mushing!
You will find that you quickly gain confidence in handling the sled as your mushing skills develop. You will be working very closely with your team of Siberian Huskies as you journey through the wilderness together, and should find that you have made some firm friends by the end of your time dog sledding in the mountains.
Husky Mountain Expedition in Lapland is a tremendously exciting dog sledding adventure. It is a challenging but immensely rewarding experience to mush your own dogsled team through the Swedish winter landscape. As a mountain dog sledding expedition, some aspects of the route can be physically demanding, but this husky tour is accessible to anyone with a general good level of health and fitness who loves the outdoors and the unique beauty of the Arctic winter world.
Read a trip report from this tour on the Nature Travels Wild Sweden blog.
On this tour you will be travelling far away from sources of light pollution, offering very good possibilities to see the Northern Lights. Displays are typically visible until around early April.
Arrival at Kiruna airport or Kiruna station. Arrival time is flexible - participants will arrive at various times throughout the day depending on travel plans. Kiruna lies deep inside the Arctic Circle in the far north of Swedish Lapland. You will be met for transfer to the kennels, collect your specialist winter clothing and equipment for the tour before and have an introductory meeting with your guide. Dinner and a chance to relax after your journey before your dog sledding adventure begins. Accommodation in cabin near the kennels.
You will meet your dogsled team and prepare the sleds and equipment before setting off. The sled dogs used are Siberian Huskies, powerful dogs well-suited to dog sledding in an Arctic environment. Your guide will show you how to harness your dog team and handle your dogsled before loading the sleds to begin your tour. You will be driving your own dogsled with own team of 4-5 dogs. Your goal for today is the area around Vakkakoski, giving you chance to get a feel for handling the sled and using the brakes on an introductory tour before heading into the mountains the following day. You will also begin to recognise the individual personalities of your dogs. On arrival at the wilderness camp, everyone assists in taking care of the dogs and duties around the camp, including feeding the dogs, chopping firewood and fetching water. Distance approx 30km.
After seeing to your team, you will load the dogs and equipment onto the trailer to return to the kennels and collect additional equipment before driving towards Abisko (approx. 1.5 hours) where you will begin dogsledding directly into the National Park along the King's Trail (or "Kungsleden"), one of Sweden's most famous long distance trails, which you will be following for the coming days. By now you will be gaining confidence in handling the sled and becoming more comfortable in the wilderness. You overnight at the first cabin along the route, Abiskojaure, a distance of approx. 15km, where you take care of your team before dinner together.
Each day will take on its own special character as you journey through the unique silence of the Lapland landscape. Today you enter the real mountain world of the King's Trail. Today's route includes some uphill sections, where you will need to assist your team by "scooting" with one foot or walking behind the sled for short periods. Your goal is the cabins at Alesjaure, known for their beautiful natural setting, where you can end the day with a relaxing wood-fired sauna before dinner. Distance approx 26km.
This day is one of the toughest days of the tour, with a long uphill climb through the Tjäktja pass, at 1100m above sea level the highest point on the tour. In clear weather you will be rewarded with stunning mountain views from the top of the pass before an exciting descent into the valley to reach the cabins at Sälka where you will stay for the night. Sälka has a lovely wood-fired sauna to relax your muscles after a hard day in the mountains! Distance approx. 26km.
You continue along the beautiful valley towards the cabins at Singi for your final night in the mountains. Distance approx. 30km.
Today's dog sledding route takes you down from the mountain plains, picking up speed and crossing the tree line once more into the forests of mountain birch as you head for Nikkaluokta, approx. 35km away, through the valleys at the foot of Sweden's highest mountain, Kebnekaise. Here you will be met, load the dogs and sleds and transfer back to the kennels to return your equipment and say farewell to your dogsled team. You will have been working very closely with your dogs and with your fellow mushers during your tour, and should find you have made some new friends, both human and canine! Accommodation for this night will be in cabin back at the camp, with a chance to share your memories of the tour and reflect on your experiences in the Lapland mountains.
Depending on departure times and arrangements, you may have time to visit the world-famous Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi (additional entrance fee applies if you would like to join a guided tour of the Ice Hotel, payable locally) or take a tour with your guide of the town of Kiruna before transfer to the airport or train station for departure.
Please note that the above is a preliminary itinerary and may vary due to factors such as weather conditions, access to trails, seasonal changes and local reindeer herding activities. For example, if weather conditions are unsuitable for crossing the Tjäkta pass, an alternative route is available via Vistasdalen.
The 12-day tour features is based on the above itinerary but features an extended route with 10 days' dog sledding.
26.02-05.03.14, 05.03-12.03.14, 12.03-19.03.14, 19.03-26.03.14, 26.03-02.04.14, 28.03-08.04.14 (special 12-day tour), 02.04-09.04.14, 09.04-16.04.14
Groups of minimum 6 can also book private tours on other dates at standard prices. Max. group size for standard tours is 6 persons, but for private tours larger groups can be accommodated. Groups of 10+ persons will each receive a free "Keep Warm" package, worth £93/person.
Prices are in British Pounds. If you wish, you are also welcome to make your payment by bank transfer in Euros or Swedish Kronor. If this would be of interest, please let us know and we will be happy to provide prices.
£1716/person (special 12-day tour £2420/person)
Two nights in cabins at base camp, one night in cabin at wilderness camp, four nights in mountain cabins along the route. Some overnight stops along the route have sauna facilities. The cabins along the route are located in remote areas, where standard of accommodation is simple (no running water or electricity) but cosy and comfortable. The cabins are heated by wood-burning stoves and lit by candles, and water is drawn from nearby rivers and lakes. Everyone assists with camp duties such as chopping wood, fetching water and washing/tidying up.
Sleeping accommodation on all nights during the tour is shared. Cabins will typically have one or two sleeping rooms, each with bunk beds.
All meals from dinner on arrival day to breakfast on departure day (breakfast, lunch, dinner + coffee/snacks, etc). Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements.
(additional items such as long-johns may be available on request - please ask if there is a particular item of clothing or equipment you require)
Alcoholic drinks.
"Keep Warm" winter clothing package including base layer, micro-fleece, balaclava, woollen socks and backpack: £93/person (note that this clothing is purchased, not hired, and is yours to keep). NB: Please provide height, weight and shoe size information when booking this option. Details »
You should have a good level of fitness and enjoy the outdoors. You should also be comfortable living in close proximity with others. Minimum age 18.
No previous dog sledding experience is required. Dog sledding can be physically demanding, especially in the mountains. You must be able to brake the sled when going downhill, which can be hard when you are working against gravity and the pull of four Siberian Huskies, and also assist the dogs during uphill sections by stepping off and running behind the sled. Tasks around the cabins (fetching water, chopping wood, etc) can also be physically demanding.
A detailed recommended equipment list will be sent with your booking confirmation.
NB: We advise you not to buy equipment or clothes for your trip or to incur other non-refundable expenses such as flights until you have received confirmation of your booking from us in writing.
A total of minimum two persons is required for scheduled tours to run. You are of course welcome to book as a solo traveller.
Maximum group size 6 persons for scheduled tours.
There may also be other persons staying at the overnight accommodation used during the tour.
This experience is also available as a private experience for groups. For private tours, larger groups can be accommodated. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
This provider has a detailed environmental policy and has received Swedish Tour Quality certification.
Detailed information on travel options will be sent with your booking documentation. We are happy to advise on suitable connections and assist you with any aspect of planning your journey.
Fly to Stockholm then onward to Kiruna by night train or domestic flight connection. Transfer from Kiruna airport or train station is included.
Ferry from Harwich to Esbjerg (Denmark) for onward train connections to Kiruna.
Hiking tour along Kungsleden from Abisko to Kebnekaise with accommodation in mountain cabins.
Discover Stockholm's southern archipelago islands on foot and by boat.
An accessible canoe adventure with guest house accommodation and luggage transfers.
A wilderness dog sledding adventure along the King's Trail in the Lapland mountains.
An extended dog sledding expedition inside the Arctic Circle with your own team of Siberian Huskies
Leave the 21st Century behind for an electricity-free cabin or tree house adventure.
A flexible self-guided sea kayak adventure from cabin base for adults or families.
About | Site Map | Privacy and Cookies
All information, products and prices on this website are subject to change without notice.
Registered Office: Nature Travels Ltd, 2 Leanne Business Centre, Sandford Lane, Wareham, Dorset BH20 4DY, United Kingdom
Email: admin@naturetravels.co.uk | Tel: +44(0)1929 503080 | © Nature Travels 2012
