Wilderness Dogsled Adventure in Vindelfjällen (Sweden)

Top racing huskies make up the teams for the tour

You will be driving your own dogsled with team of 4-6 huskies and taking care of and working with your team during the tour is very much part of the experience. You will also be participating in the various tasks that are required at the cabins/camp in the evenings.

The dogs you will be using on this tour are highly trained athletes, including many members of competition-winning teams used in Europe's longest sled-dog race, the 1200km Finnmarkslöpet.

The route you will take for your husky tour is flexible depending on weather conditions and other factors, but sledding days may be more demanding and the distances travelled on some days may be further than on other tours.

You will normally be dog sledding both in the wilderness of Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve and along parts of the famous King's Trail (or "Kungsleden"). Vindelfjällen is the largest protected area in Europe, yet is very little-known and very little-visited.

Stay in wilderness cabins with optional winter camping

Accommodation is in a combination of wilderness cabins and winter camping in tents and/or snow bivouacs (snow holes). Tents will be taken at all times on the tour to allow for flexibility in the itinerary due to weather conditions and you will often spend at least two nights under canvas during the tour. All camping equipment as well as specialist winter outer clothing is provided.

To participate in and enjoy the Wilderness Dogsled Adventure, you should have a good level of fitness and be used to and enjoy the outdoors. As group size is very small, Wilderness Dogsled Adventure is also an ideal option for small groups of friends wishing to arrange a challenging private dog sledding expedition.

The element of winter camping further increasse the level of challenge and adventure! Group sizes are very small, with max. just 4 persons + guide, ensuring a personal and unique husky adventure in the Swedish wilderness.

For the "special" tour dates, your guide for the tour is a Swedish dogsled racing champion, who will be happy to regale you with stories of the challenges and excitement of sled racing in the evenings! This tour will typically have an increased level of challenge, possibly covering up to 80km on some days depending on weather conditions and the ability of the group.

Getting Involved

As with all our dogsled tours, you will be involved in all aspects of the trip, and this is very much part of the experience. You will assist with caring for your dog team, including harnessing, feeding (and, yes, picking up poo!), as well as tasks around camp such as fetching water, chopping wood, preparing food, washing up, etc.

Note that the itinerary below is preliminary and being a more advanced tour is particularly subject to amendment due to weather conditions. A number of route variations are available to provide the best possible sledding experience and guests will also be involved in the discussion with your guide of the most suitable options.

Dates marked as "Special Tours" are intended to increase the level of challenge further compared to the standard itinerary, and may have a number of variations. Distances may be greater, perhaps up to 80km on some days, and may extend the outline itinerary below, for example crossing the whole of the Vindelfjällen reserve to the source of the Vindel river, and perhaps sledding over the border into Norway.

Arrival

Transfers will be included (approx. 2.5 hours) from Arvidsjaur airport in connection with fixed flight times. NB: Flight times vary depending on tour dates. Details for your chosen tour dates will be provided in response to your enquiry.

Guests arriving by flight to Arvidsjaur will be at the kennels in the evening or late evening (depending on dates). A light soup dinner will be served before retiring for the night, with the main tour introduction the following morning.

It is also possible to travel to Umeå and travel independently by bus to Slussfors. The bus then stops just 5 minutes from the kennels and you will be met from the bus for transfer to your cabin. You can travel to Umeå from Stockholm either by domestic flight or night train.

Guests arriving by bus will be at kennels earlier in the day than guests arriving by flight. A light soup lunch will be served, followed by an introduction to the equipment, meeting the dogs and helping to prepare for the tour ahead. Dinner is served around 18.30 and you then have the opportunity to enjoy a sauna at the cabin in the evening if you wish.

Following Days

As with any outdoor experience, itinerary may of course be subject to change depending on factors such as weather conditions, access to trails and seasonal changes.

Day 2:

After breakfast, you will pack and prepare for your tour, then head off into the wilderness, crossing the river Kirjesån into the Kirjesålandet Nature Reserve, part of the larger 5500 square metre Vindelfjällen reserve. You will normally plan to camp this night in the area of the Väretsfjället mountain or, if conditions are suitable, you may continue further across the mountain to reach a cabin.

Everyone assists with pitching camp and taking care of the dogs before dinner.

Day 3:

Your goal for the day is the cabin at Syterstugan, which lies along the King's Trail (Kungsleden), one of Sweden's best-known trails for hiking in summer and also ski touring in winter. This region has some of the highest peaks in Sweden, including Syter at 1768m.

Day 4:

This day is flexible depending on what itinerary alterations have been necessary on the tour so far. It may be a "catch up" day if you are lying behind schedule due to weather, or in good weather you may use this day for a day tour in the surrounding area - this is a wonderful opportunity to run with lighter sleds and really stretch your new mushing skills, before returning to the cabin for overnight or possibly camping at a different location.

In good conditions, you may end up crossing the entire Vindellfjällen Nature Reserve, following the Vindell river to its source, crossing into Norway or camping on the Arctic Circle!

NB: This built-in "buffer day" may not necessarily take place on this day and may be adjusted to any part of the tour.

Day 5:

You continue your dog sledding tour, with many different routes possible depending on the itinerary of the previous days. The kennels will by now seem very far away! It's time to consider planning a suitable route towards home.

Day 6:

If weather and trail conditions are suitable, you will aim to reach the area of Lake Överst today, a large and impressive lake taking 2 hours to cross at its full length. Alternatively, you may spend the night winter camping along the trail.

Day 7:

You sled back towards the kennels across frozen lakes and through ancient forest, where you will unpack your equipment and see to the dogs before your final evening together with your guide and group. Accommodation in cabin near the kennels, with a relaxing sauna and dinner to end the trip and reflect on your experience of this unique adventure!

Departure

Breakfast and departure.

Transfers are included (approx. 2.5 hours) to Arvidsjaur airport in connection with fixed flight times. NB: Flight times vary depending on tour dates. Details for your chosen tour dates will be provided in response to your enquiry.

Depending on tour dates, guests departing by flight to Arvidsjaur will be back in Stockholm either in the afternoon (in which case it may be possible to plan for onward travel from Stockholm that day) or in the evening (when an overnight in Stockholm will be required).

It is also possible to travel independently by bus from Slussfors to Umeå. You will be transferred to the bus stop, just 5 minutes from the kennels. You can travel from Umeå to Stockholm either by domestic flight or night train.

Standard Prices
Standard price/person	GBP

Included

Accommodation:

Two nights' accommodation in cabin near the husky kennels, five nights' accommodation in combination of wilderness cabins along the route and tent/snow bivouac. Cabin accommodation during the tour is simple but cosy and comfortable, with no electricity or running water in the wilderness cabins. Everyone assists with tasks such as fetching water, chopping wood, preparing meals, etc.

Accommodation at the husky camp is in 2-person twin rooms. Sleeping accommodation on nights at cabins along the route is shared. Cabins have bunk beds/sleeping lofts.

Guests have access to sauna and shower for nights at the guest house.

Meals:

All meals from lunch on arrival day to breakfast on departure day (breakfast, lunch, dinner + coffee/snacks, etc).

There is a focus on provided foods sourced from local ingredients, including moose, beef and home-made cakes. Please let us know in advance if you have any special dietary requirements.

Equipment and Clothing:

• All necessary equipment during dog sledding tour including sleds with own dogsled team. Each participant drives their own sled with 4-6 Alaskan Huskies.
• Warm winter clothing for all activities: snowscooter overalls, winter boots and gloves (normally Hestra Army Leather Expedition Mittens). Warm hat is available to borrow locally if required.
• Tents, bivvy bags (water/windproof cover for sleeping bags), insulated sleeping mat, cooking/kitchen equipment and snowshovels are provided for tours featuring camping. Tents used are 4-person tents used for max 3 persons in each tent.
• Working gloves for working with the dogs.
• Warm winter sleeping bag with liner.
• Headtorch.
• Thermos (1 litre).
• Waterproof, hardwearing holdall for carrying your personal packing on the sled during the tour.
• Towel.

Guide:

• Instruction in harnessing and sled handling.
• Services of local guide.

Transfers:

• Transfer is included between Arvidsjaur airport and the kennels (approx. 2.5 hours) in connection with fixed flight times as per itinerary.
• Local transfers for activities during the experience as required.

Not Included

• Travel: We do not arrange flights or domestic travel, but are happy to advise on suitable connections and assist you with any aspect of planning your journey. See under "Getting There" for general travel information.
• Alcoholic drinks.

Required

Health requirements/experience:

This tour has a general high level of challenge and participants should have good level of fitness, endurance and self-discipline. Min. age 18 years.

It is recommended that guests have previous outdoor experience for this tour. Previous dog sledding experience is not required, but will be beneficial. Dog sledding can be physically demanding and to drive your own sled you must be able to brake the sled when going downhill 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 and participation in these aspects is an essential part of the tour. Any nights spent winter camping will also add to the challenge level.

You be used to and enjoy living in close proximity with others - all sleeping accommodation, including nights in tents, is shared.

If weight >95kg, please contact us to discuss suitability.

The "Special" tour dates (guided by Swedish racing champion musher) will have an additional hard+ level of challenge. These tours may cover greater distances, possibly as much as 80km in a day, depending on terrain, weather conditions and the ability of the group.

What makes this "Hard"?

This tour is planned to feature winter camping for some nights, which significantly adds to the level of challenge compared to a cabin tour, and also takes place in a mountain landscape, where you will normally need to assist your dogsled teams on uphill sections more than when sledding in lowland terrain. As with any mountain experience, weather conditions can be very changeable.

NB: Perception of difficulty is very subjective. What is hard to one person may be easy for another and vice versa, depending on factors including level of fitness, age and previous experience. Weather conditions/temperatures can also dramatically affect the actual level of challenge encountered.

Equipment/clothes needed:

For information on any equipment and/or clothing included as standard for this experience, please see under "What's Included".

A detailed recommended packing list for personal items to bring will be sent with your booking documentation.

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. Note of course that the most appropriate clothing to use as well as the level of challenge experienced during any outdoor activity may vary significantly depending on factors such as the time of year and the particular weather/temperature conditions during your trip.

Preparing for your trip:

For further reading, we also have a number of general information articles to get you ready for your trip, covering a wide variety of topics from what to do on a city break before/after your tour, advice on packing, eyewear for winter and considerations for female travellers.

Minimum number:

This experience has no minimum. Scheduled tours are guaranteed to run from the first booking.

Groups

Maximum group size 4 persons for public tours. For private tours, up to max. 6 persons may be possible.

Eco Info

Food served during the tour is mostly homemade and with a strong focus on ingredients harvested from the local area. Your local host has a small-scale farm in a remote village community.

This provider has a written environmental policy.

Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve

Vindelfjällen is one of largest protected areas in Europe. It contains almost all types of regions that can be found in the Swedish mountains, from primeval forests with spruces and pines, to the moors, marshes and the alpine bare mountain regions. The area has many lakes, loved by a wide variety of birds. In the reserve there is extensive reindeer herding. The main river in the reserve is Vindelälven, with many rapids and waterfalls.

Wild, striking rapids rush through Vindelfjällen. The River Vindelälv is a National River, protected from being regulated for hydro-electric power.

"I chose your company after an internet search, I liked what I read, and had confidence from my first correspondence with you that I would get what I was looking for. In fact the trek exceeded my expectations. Pick-up and drop-off at airport - great. Kit we were lent - great, fit for purpose, in very good condition. Accommodation - great very comfortable, easy-going atmosphere created. Getting organised and out on the trail - enjoyable chaos (energetic dogs, pre -match nerves). Out on the trail - fantastic landscapes, beautiful trails, dogs that love to run, fellow travellers that were good fun and great companions to share the experiences with. Trail food - fantastic (even the porridge!) Trail accommodation - loved it. Guide - great guy, passionate about his dogs, full of knowledge and willing to share. I enjoyed every minute of my time in Sweden, I can't wait to be able to go back. This wasn't my first time dog sledding, but I think this was the best. Thank you." Fred

"We had a wonderful time. The guide was really excellent and his lovely wife looked after us very well, as well as preparing terrific meals for us. The equipment they provided was truly first class and the dogs were of course absolutely brilliant. And we even broke the tour record for a day's sled travel. Lovely scenery and great cabins at the end of each day. Would highly recommend this tour." Stephen