Husky Mountain Expedition in Lapland
Interested in winter multi-activity including dog sledding? See Experience Lapland
"We are safely back home after a magnificent couple of weeks in Lapland - including four excellent sightings of the Northern Lights, and wonderful weather in the mountains! Thank you very much for making the necessary arrangements, which worked faultlessly. I would be grateful if you would pass on our thanks to our guide, whose attitude and professional skill was key to our enjoyment of the Husky week. Once again, many thanks for organising the trip; I shall unhesitatingly recommend you to friends." Richard
"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
Sami Reindeer Expedition in Lapland (transfer available from Kiruna)
Not sure which of our dogsled tours is best for you? Compare our range of dog sledding holidays in Sweden here.
Photo: M.Rullander
Photos: M.Rullander
Due to the high popularity of the Husky Mountain Expedition this winter, a new tour has been added 11.04-18.04.12, a perfect time to enjoy "spring winter" in the Lapland mountains.
Scientists predict that the Northern Lights in Sweden this winter will be the strongest for 50 years, making it the ideal time for a winter holiday in Lapland!
You can also book now for winter season 2012/2013 at current prices. Dates will be as for winter 2011/2012, that is weekly Wednesday-Wednesday from beginning of March until early April.
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, along the frozen river of Torneträsk, through 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. The first days of the tour take you across frozen lakes and rivers to Abisko before heading 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 the route your husky tour follows 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. Your dogsled tour also includes one overnight in a "lavvu" (traditional tipi) or Ark. 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.
Arrival at Kiruna airport or Kiruna station. Kiruna lies deep inside the Arctic Circle in the far north of Swedish Lapland. You will be met for transfer to the your cabin accommodation for the night and a chance to relax after your journey before your dog sledding adventure begins. You will have dinner together and prepare for your dogsled tour ahead.
You will collect your specialist winter clothing for your dogsled tour and meet the dogs. 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 dogs. Your goal for today is Vakkakoski, giving you chance to get a feel for handling the sled and using the brakes. You will also begin to recognise the individual personalities of your dogs. On arrival at the 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 load the sleds and take to the mushing trail once more. Today's stretch will be quite easy-going, following the frozen lakes and rivers to Torneträsk. By now you will be gaining confidence in handling the sled and becoming more comfortable in the wilderness. Accommodation for the night is in a "lavvu" (traditional Sami tipi) or Ark (a small temporary cabin with wood burning stove). Distance 45-50km.
The morning begins with care of the dogs followed by breakfast. Each day will take on its own special character as you journey through the unique silence of the Lapland landscape. Your dogsled tour continues along the frozen river of Torneträsk, heading for your overnight accommodation in cabin at a lodge near Abisko. Distance approx 50km.
From Abisko, you will be travelling up into the real mountain world onto the world-famous King's Trail, which you will be following for the coming days. 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 44km.
Depending on weather and trail conditions, the destination for this day is either the Sälka or Singi cabins. This day is one of the toughest days of the tour, with a long uphill climb through the Tjäkta 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 either stay for the night or continue onwards to the cabins at Singi. Sälka has a lovely wood-fired sauna to relax your muscles after a hard day in the mountains! Distance 26-38km.
This day is a shorter day's dog sledding, descending from the mountain plains, crossing the tree line once more into the forests of mountain birch as you head for Nikkaluokta 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 an extended route and also includes some nights winter camping.
29.02-07.03.12, 07.03-14.03.12, 14.03-21.03.12, 21.03-28.03.12, 28.03-04.04.12, 28.03-08.04.12 (special 12-day tour), 04.04-11.04.12, 11.04-18.04.12
Groups of minimum 6 can also book private tours on other dates by arrangement.
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.
Two nights in cabins at base camp, four nights in mountain cabins along the route, one night in Sami lavvu or Ark as described above. 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.
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. 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.
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A husky holiday combining dog sledding and ice fishing from tipi base.
Choose your own husky for a comfortable winter adventure together in the frozen north.
An extended dog sledding expedition inside the Arctic Circle with your own team of Siberian Huskies.
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