Northern Lights Dog Sledding in Lapland
Interested in winter multi-activity including dog sledding? See Experience Lapland
"I cannot say enough good things about my trip. Many Thanks for making my 'Mid-Life Crisis Tour' better than I could have imagined! [The highlight was] being honest, absolutely all of it." Ian
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
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 (except Christmas but including New Year) from mid-December to end of February.
Swedish Lapland is a unique wilderness region, occupying 25% of Sweden's land area but with just 1% of its inhabitants. Northern Lights Dog Sledding in Lapland is a challenging but accessible dog sledding tour taking you through silent ancient forests, across frozen lakes and river beds, in command of your own team of Siberian Huskies.
From your comfortable cabin base, you will first take a day to get to know your dogs and gain confidence in handling the sled, before heading off for an extended dog sledding tour in the wilds of Swedish Lapland. Along the route you will stay in simple but comfortable cabins, some with sauna facilities to soothe your muscles after a long day's mushing on the trail.
Swedish Lapland is also an ideal location to see the Northern Lights. The long, dark Arctic night provides good chances to see this spectacular natural phenomenon during your tour. Northern Lights Dog Sledding in Lapland runs between December and late February, midwinter in Lapland when conditions for viewing the Northern Lights are generally at their best.
The excitement and adventure of working closely together with your dogsled team of Siberian Huskies as you journey through the Lapland winter landscape makes Northern Lights Dog Sledding in Lapland an ideal tour both for novice mushers and those who have already discovered the joys for dog sledding. The tour is suitable for adults with general good health and level of fitness and all specialist winter clothing is supplied as standard.
The Lapland wilderness is waiting and the dogs are eager to be off!
Lapland is an excellent location to see the Northern Lights. The Northern Lights are spectacular curtains of colour in the night sky caused by the interaction of solar particles with the Earth's atmosphere. Dark winter nights with clear skies and a New Moon offer the best conditions for the most spectacular Northern Lights displays.
Arrival at Kiruna airport or Kiruna station. Kiruna lies in the far north of Sweden in Swedish Lapland, 150km inside the Arctic Circle. Transfer to dogsled kennel and your first meeting with the dogs and outfitting with winter clothing for the tour. The dogs used are Siberian Huskies, ideally suited to dog sledding in this Arctic environment. Dinner together with your guides and a chance to discuss the tour ahead. Accommodation in cabins at base camp.
The day begins by taking care of the dogs followed by breakfast. After breakfast you will receive basic instruction in how to harness your dog team and handle the sleds. Each participant will drive their own dogsled with own dog team of four Siberian Huskies. You will begin with a trial run to get acquainted with handling the sleds and head out for a day tour in the surrounding wilderness. Along the way you will stop at a suitable spot for lunch. At the end of the day you will return to the cabin where everyone assists with tending to the dogs, chopping wood and fetching water. The day ends with dinner a chance to reflect on your first full day in the Lapland landscape. Accommodation in cabins at base camp.
After breakfast for both 4-legged and 2-legged team members, you will load the sleds with essential items you will need for your extended tour. In addition to personal equipment you will be taking camping equipment, food (for humans and dogs!) and materials for the sleds and dog teams. After a final check it's time to head off. Over the coming days you will be covering between 20km and 50km per day depending on terrain, snow and weather conditions with the intention of sleeping in chalets along the route (actual itinerary can be subject to change depending on weather conditions).
Mornings begin with care of the dogs followed by breakfast - but here the similarity ends, as each day is characterised by the route taken. You will be travelling through the wide expanses of Swedish Lapland, often called "Europe's Last Wilderness", with very good chances to see the Northern Lights during the long polar night, glittering white snow during the day, pure air and a unique silence.
Each day you will travel to a different camp where you will spend the night. The majority of the cabins are located in remote wilderness areas. 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.
Depending on the exact route followed, the landscape varies greatly. Sometimes your dogsled team will be drawing you over a frozen river, at others through dense forests, over hills or across frozen lakes.
Your final day of dog sledding in the Lapland wilderness. A shorter day's sledding brings you to the kennels in the afternoon, where you will unload the sleds, say farewell to your dogsled team and return your equipment before your spending your final night together in cabin accommodation to reflect on the week's husky sledding adventure. If time permits, there is the option to visit the world-famous Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi (entrance fee payable locally if you would like a guided tour of the Ice Hotel) or take a tour of Kiruna.
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Kiruna train station or airport for departure. Transfers are timed according to your onward travel arrangements. If you are departing later in the day, you may wish to take some hours to explore Kiruna.
Please note that the above is a preliminary itinerary and may vary due to factors such as weather conditions, access to trails and seasonal changes and local reindeer herding activities. In the event of very bad weather, a reserve day itinerary is also possible including sight-seeing in Kiruna and a visit to the world-famous Ice Hotel.
14.12-21.12.11, 28.12.11-04.01.12 (special New Year tour), 04.01-11.01.12, 11.01-18.01.12, 18.01-25.01.12, 25.01-01.02.12, 01.02-08.02.12, 08.02-15.02.12, 15.02-22.02.12, 22.02-29.02.12.
Groups of minimum 6 can also book private tours at standard prices 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 or three nights in cabins at base camp, four or five nights in cabins 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 general 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. 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 for short distances. 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.
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