Mushing in the Mountains

Overview

Duration: 5 days/4 nights.

Accommodation: 2 nights at Husky Lodge, 2 nights in mountain cabins/winter camping.

Required: General good health, good level of fitness, minimum age 18. Previous experience of summer camping.

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Mushing in the Mountains is a 5-day experience with 3 days' dog sledding, taking you up into the mountain wilderness of Jämtland for a mushing and winter camping adventure in the company of your own team of Siberian Huskies.

From your base at the comfortable Husky Lodge, you will be trained in dog sledding technique and navigation by your local guides before heading to the mountains for an unforgettable 3 days' husky sledding. Travelling around 20-35km a day, depending on weather conditions and terrain, you will journey by dogsled through the beautiful winter landscape of the Jämtland mountains, pitching camp each night and working closely with your dogsled team, tending to their needs and melting snow for them to drink.

Accommodation during your mountain tour is wild winter camping - a unique experience offering a real dog sledding adventure and expedition atmosphere! Peeking out from the warmth of a polar sleeping bag is a marvellous way to appreciate the wide skies and almost palpable silence of the mountains, while your dogs lay curled in their snow-holes gazing at the moon. The dogs will love sharing their winter world with you, offering not only their pulling power but their friendship and affection during the tour.

At the end of your three days in the mountains you will return for a night of comfort at the Husky Lodge. Mushing in the Mountains is the ideal dog sledding tour for those who would like to experience the excitement and adventure of winter camping and mountain dog sledding without the time commitment or additional challenges of a longer expedition. You may find as you bid farewell to your dogsled team that you are already planning your return to the Jämtland mountains!

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival at dogsled camp, check in to accommodation at Husky Lodge, located adjacent to the kennels. Introduction to the dogs you will be using during the tour. You will be shown how to harness the dogs, try the sleds and go through sledding technique. You will go through the other equipment for the tour and after dinner take a look at the map of the planned route. You will be shown how to navigate with both compass and GPS and will also discuss whether you will be staying in cabins or tents during your tour in the mountains - this will be dictated both by weather conditions and the preferences of the group, but the plan is to spend at least one night under canvas.

Day 2

Early in the morning after breakfast you will pack the vehicle for transfer to the start point in the Jämtland mountains, where you will unload and harness your dog team. You will be leading your own team of Siberian Huskies through a stunning mountain landscape. You should quickly gain confidence in handling the sleds as you get to know your team. After a few hours you will break for outside lunch at a suitable spot to give both humans and dogs a chance to rest before continuing your tour. Later in the day, when it's time to set up camp, some participants will see to the needs of the dogs while others put up the tents and assist in preparing food. Dinner under the open skies of the Swedish mountains.

Day 3

Waking for your first morning in the mountains, you may well find you are the only ones around! The silence and sense of space is a marvellous sensation. After breakfast and seeing to the days, it's time to harness your team and head off once more into the white winter wilds. By now you should have the right "musher feeling" and be in good control of your sled. At times the going may be hard for both humans and dogs, but the majestic views and the joy of the dogs is ample reward. When it's time to pitch camp for the night, you will check over the dogs - taking a close look at their paws, claws, legs and body and rewarding them with treats for the day's work. Together you will make dinner, some assisting with cooking, some melting snow for both humans and dogs to drink.

Day 4

Before breakfast, it's time to feed and care for the dogs - they will need to be well rested before continuing on their adventure. The route for the day will be decided by the weather - in mountain environments conditions can change quickly from clear blue sky to storm. Wind can make the going challenging for both humans and dogs. At the end of the day, you will head down from the mountains leaving nothing but sled tracks and paw prints behind you, to head back to the Husky Lodge where a hot shower awaits, before your last dinner together and a chance to reflect on and discuss your dog sledding adventure in the mountains.

Day 5

Following breakfast you bid farewell to the dogs, who will by now have become close friends, and are transferred to your departure point. Your head and heart should be full of impressions from your experience - you may already be planning your next visit to the Jämtland mountains!

Please note the standard itinerary may be subject to change depending on weather and snow conditions.

Dates & Prices

Dates

• 05.03-09.03.12
• 09.04-13.04.12
• 16.04-20.04.12
• Additional tour dates can be added on request for minimum 2 persons.

The Price

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.

Offer price £1186/person (normally £1269).

What The Price Includes

Accommodation

• 2 nights in shared 2-person rooms at the Husky Lodge, each with private TV room and WC.
• 2 nights in winter camping/cabin accommodation during mountain tour.

Meals

All meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 5. Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements.

Equipment and Clothing

• Your own team of Siberian Huskies with sleds and equipment.
• Warm outer clothing: jacket, trousers, cap, gloves (please let us know sizes in advance).
• Sleeping bag and sleeping mattress.

Activities

• 3 days of dog sledding.
• Distance travelled each day 20-35km depending on terrain and weather conditions.

Guide

• Instruction in harnessing and sled handling.
• Experienced local guide.

Transfers

• Transfer to/from Östersund airport or train station.
• Local transfers for activities during the experience.

What The Price Does Not Include

Alcoholic drinks.

Practical Info

Health requirements/experience

You should be in good health with a good level of fitness and enjoy the outdoors. Some previous of summer camping is required. You should also be comfortable living in close proximity with others.

Minimum age 18.

Equipment/clothes needed

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.

Groups

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 4 persons.

Mushers and Mushing

The term "mush" is thought to originate from the French "marcher", but the command itself, "Mush!", is rarely used in dog sledding. In English, the command "Hike!" is the most common equivalent.

However, "musher" (the person in command of the dogsled team and sled) and "mushing" (the activity of dog sledding) are commonly used. Mushing may be recreational, utilitarian (a method of transport for goods and personnel in some areas) or competitive.

Additional Notes

This provider is a member of the Swedish Ecotourism Society.

Location

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.

By Air

Fly to Stockholm then onward by train to Östersund (travel time around 5 hours). You can also travel from Stockholm to Åre Östersund airport by domestic flight connection. Transfer from Östersund airport or train station is included.

Without Flying

Ferry from Harwich to Esbjerg (Denmark) for onward train connections to Östersund.

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