Experience Dog Sledding and Winter Camping in Finnmark (Norway)

Depending on the itinerary, your own preference and the level of challenge appropriate for your tour, you will use the "Gamme" tents as your accommodation either for both expedition nights of the tour (often moving location for the second night but also with the option to have the tent as a base) or the tour may spend one of the nights in expedition tents, offering an extra level of challenge and the possibility to pitch camp in even more remote areas.

The terrain is awe-inspiring in its remoteness and scale - you tour will typically take you both through the forest and above the treeline, where the wilderness opens up before you to the horizon - and there'll be plenty of uphill and downhill sections to keep you on your toes!

Drive your team of huskies through the wilderness

This tour is ideal both for novice mushers and those who have been dog sledding before and would like the added adventure and challenge of a multi-day dogsled tour with the element of winter camping.

You will share sled one per two persons, taking turns to drive and changing driver/passenger role as you wish.

This tour takes place in remote and challenging terrain, where two persons are needed to maintain control of the sled, negotiate the physical challenge of steep uphills, provide stability during twisting decents, and sort out any tangles in the lines or other minor issues you may encounter.

You will be driving relatively large and powerful husky teams of up to eight dogs, depending on factors such as weight, terrain, trail conditions and the nature of the group. For family tours, children will also have the opportunity to drive as appropriate (see under "Prices > Dog Sledding for Families" for more information).

It's a wonderful experience to handle and work with your team! You will be working closely with your husky team and taking part in all aspects of their care and handling during the trip.

Sledding distances during the 3-day expedition part of the tour will typically be around 25-50km/day.

A wilderness adventure adapted for adults or families

The logistical arrangements for this tour give the flexibility to offer the best possible dog sledding adventure for you.

The tour is accessible to both adults and active families, but tour dates are either "Family" or "Adult" trips, allowing the husky experience to be tailored as necessary for the most appropriate and enjoyable dog sledding experience.

Adult tour dates are open to participants aged 17 and over only, while Family tour dates are open to adult(s) with child(ren) aged 8-16 only.

• As a camping tour, the itinerary is particularly flexible, since the tour is not dependent on reaching particular fixed locations or sledding in a specific area.
• The area in which you will be sledding will be chosen to offer the best and most enjoyable experience depending on weather and temperature conditions at the time, and on the needs of the group.
• You may head north along the Arctic coast, inland to the south or towards the wide horizons of the Finnmark Plateau. The locations of the camp nights are flexible, allowing the tents to be pitched further away in remote areas or closer to the kennels as appropriate. You will normally move location for the second expedition night of the tour, but there is also the option if necessary to use the tents as a base for day tours.
• The tour is supported by snowmobile. The snowmobile will not travel with you or disturb your experience of sledding in the wilderness, but is there for logistical support, safety and to offer extra flexibility. The snowmobile will normally meet the group at lunch stops, for example, and will prepare the tent camp in advance for you so that it's welcoming and cosy when you arrive. Should family guests become cold or need additional support, the snowmobile is on hand to assist.

It is unusual to be able to offer a challenging expedition-type tour of this kind for family participants. However, the unique flexibility of Experience Dog Sledding and Winter Camping in Finnmark means that the trip can be a wonderful adventure for families with children as young as 8 years.

For adults, the expedition component can be made more challenging, perhaps covering greater daily distances or camping in more exposed or remote areas.

Camp beneath the Aurora under Arctic skies

Wherever your dogsled adventure takes you, you will be far from light pollution and ideally placed to see displays of the Northern Lights (provided of course that it's dark, there is solar activity, the skies are clear and you're not asleep!). The Northern Lights can be seen anytime during the season for this tour, from December to early April, giving you very good chances to see a display during your trip.

But whether the Aurora dances for you or not during your time in Finnmark, the experience of dog sledding and winter camping in the Arctic will be an unforgettable one.

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.

Prices 2024/25

Prices include local transfers from Lakselv and winter sleeping bag.

Dog sledding for families

Experience Dog Sledding and Winter Camping in Finnmark is suitable both for adults and active families with children aged 8 and over, and the level of challenge of the tour is adapted appropriately.

Child price applies for children aged 16 and under.

Children will share sled with adult. Provided children have suitable size and strength to control and brake the sled effectively, and at the discretion of the guide depending on terrain and trail conditions, children will usually be able to take turns driving. Safety is of the highest priority and your guide will decide on the most appropriate option when you begin your tour - the "test" tour on the evening of Day 1 is a good opportunity to assess arrangements for the rest of the trip.

Included

Accommodation:

• Two nights in 2-person or family rooms in Lodge (a converted schoolhouse) near the kennels. Solo travellers will share 2-person room with another solo participant in the group or have own room at no extra charge in odd-numbered group. Rooms are simple but comfortable standard, with shared WC/shower facilities. Sauna facilities are available at the Lodge for use on these nights.
• Two nights wild winter camping (one or both nights in heated "Gamme" mobile tents). The tents are spacious and accommodate the whole group. The location of the tents will vary depending on the nature of the tour and weather/temperature conditions. The snowmobile supporting each tour will prepare the camp for the arrival of the group in advance. The "Gamme" tents are heated with wood-burning stove. Warm winter sleeping bag is provided and there are mats and reindeer skins for additional warmth. There are comfortable padded camp beds ("iFish Glamp Bed Luxury" or similar) for sleeping on. All members of the group will share one tent. The intention is to move tent location for the second night, but depending on conditions and the most suitable arrangements for the group, it is also possible to stay two nights in the same location.
• Depending on the nature of the group (more commonly for adult than family tours), the area in which you are sledding and weather/temperature conditions, one of the nights during the main tour may be in 2-person expedition tents, offering additional flexibility for camp location and increasing the level of challenge.
• There is no running water or toilet facilities when camping (unless camping near the kennels, which may be an option if appropriate for some family groups) - you will collect water from frozen lakes or open areas or rivers, or melt snow if appropriate. An outside toilet area is constructed at each camp location.

Meals:

All meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 5. You may wish to bring additional snacks for energy between meals when sledding, etc. Please let us know in advance if you have any special dietary requirements.

Equipment and Clothing:

• Husky sledding equipment including sled dog team and services of local guide. Each participants shares sled one per two persons, typically with 5-8 dogs per team depending on factors such as weight and trail conditions, changing driver/passenger role as required.
• Warm winter outer clothing: windproof, thermal outer layer (snowmobile suit), winter boots, hat and gloves. Goggles are available to borrow if you do not have your own.
• Warm winter sleeping bag, liner and sleeping mat/reindeer skin.

Guide and snowmobile support:

• Instruction in harnessing and sled handling.
• Services of local guide during the tour.
• Snowmobile support (the snowmobile does not accompany the group when sledding).

Transfers:

• Return transfer between Lakselv airport or local accommodation and the kennels in connection with start/end of the tour.

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 (beer/cider can be purchased from the village store on Day 1 and Day 4).

Required

Health requirements/experience:

General good level of fitness. You should enjoy the outdoors in wintertime and be comfortable living in close proximity with others.

This experience is ideal for families and is suitable for children as young as 8 years, provided they are used to the outdoors and you are confident your children will enjoy an extended winter experience of this kind.

No previous dog sledding experience is required - this experience is ideal both for those who are dog sledding for the first time and participants who have been sledding before.

All participants share sled one per two persons, changing driver/passenger role as required. The remote and challenging nature of the terrain and the size of the teams requires two persons per sled for effective sled handling.

Dog sledding is suitable for a wide range of participants, but can be physically demanding. You will need to assist your team when going uphill by pushing or "scooting", especially in deep or soft snow, and will need moderate strength and balance to brake the sled effectively when going downhill.

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

What makes this "Medium"?

The tour is based on winter camping, which increases the level of challenge compared to a cabin tour, and takes place in a remote area. However:

• The "Gamme" tents are set up in advance of the group's arrival at the overnight locations by the snowmobile support vehicle and are heated, which both reduces the level of challenge and increases level of comfort compared to a "full" winter camping tour.
• The itinerary for the tour and location of the overnight stays is flexible. A number of different areas are available for sledding and the camps can be pitched further or closer to the kennels depending on factors such as weather and temperature conditions and the needs of the group. This allows a good deal of flexibility to vary the level of challenge of the tour and the area you will travel in as appropriate.
• The provision of snowmobile support means that contingencies are always available should, for example, children in a family group become cold or uncomfortable. The snowmobile does not accompany the group while sledding, but maintains regular contact and will meet the group at certain points such as lunch stops, etc.

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:

Total minimum 2 persons (2 adults or 1 adult + child) needed for tours to be confirmed to run. You are of course welcome to book as a solo traveller.

Groups

Maximum group size 6 persons for public tours.

For private tours, slightly larger groups may be possible by arrangement. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Eco Info

This provider is a very small-scale, family-owned local operator.

Will I see the Northern Lights?

This experience is located in the far north of Norway, one of the world's best locations for seeing the Northern Lights, and offers good chances to see a display during your tour. Wonderful displays are regularly seen on the tours. However, it is important to bear in mind that the Aurora is a natural phenomenon and sightings can never be guaranteed in any location - it is not possible to search for a display. The skies may be cloudy, there may be no activity, or you may be fast asleep after a day of adventure on the trail!

"The best part was bonding with the dogs." James, February 2024

"The highlight was to experience and get very close with the animals." Isabelle, February 2024

"We had the best time ever. We have unanimously decided it was our best holiday experience. Thank you to all of you at Nature Travels for all your help in answering our queries and getting things booked. We can't also thank our local hosts enough. They went out of their way to make sure our time was as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. We really liked the fact that we could get so hands-on with the whole process of looking after the dogs and it made us feel much more a part of the whole experience. Everything was organised very well, the equipment was very good but most importantly the people were so friendly and accommodating. As for the dogs, what can we say. We miss them so much. They were just so lovable and so much fun. They are proper characters each one. We can't wait for when we will be able to go back to Finnmark." Kapil and family, February 2023