Experience Dog Sledding and Winter Camping in Finnmark (Norway)

Choose tour duration 3-6 days depending on your travel dates and preference

There are three different tour lengths available:

• Option 1 (3 days/2 nights): Arrival + introductory dogsled tour and accommodation at the kennels Day 1, followed by two days of dog sledding with overnight winter camping Days 2-3. You can choose to depart with evening flight from Lakselv on Day 3 or, for a more relaxing end to your adventure, add an extra night at the kennels to depart on Day 4.
• Option 2 (5 days/4 nights): Arrival + introductory dogsled tour and accommodation at the kennels Day 1, followed by three days of dog sledding with winter camping Days 2-4 and final night at the kennels before departure Day 5.
• Option 3 (6 days/5 nights): Arrival + introductory dogsled tour and accommodation at the kennels Day 1, followed by four days of dog sledding with winter camping Days 2-5 and final night at the kennels before departure Day 6.

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 all expedition nights of the tour (often moving location for tours with more than one expedition 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.

Driving two persons per sled gives the flexibility and control needed. Photo: PIR.

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

Everyone takes part in the general tasks of camp life, including building the outside loo! Photo: PIR.

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.

The outdoors is not all about being on the move - sometimes you need to take time to enjoy where you are! Photo: PIR.

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.

The flexibility of arrangements allows families to also experience this challenging adventure. Photo: Kapil Singhi.

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.

With luck, the Northern Lights may add a magical extra dimension to your trip. Photo: PIR.

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.

After breakfast (for you and your dog teams!), you will make final preparations for the expedition part of the trip, before setting off into the wilderness.

You'll sled to the basecamp for overnight in heated "Gamme" tent. After taking care of the dogs and settling into camp, you'll have dinner together around the open fire before enjoying a night under canvas in the Arctic Wilderness.

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 the camp location.

The next day, you have breakfast and take care of the dogs before harnessing your teams and heading out for your second expedition day, sledding through the wild and beautiful landscape of Finnmark.

In the afternoon, you reach the kennels once more, where you unharness your team and say farewell to the dogs.

If you are departing today, transfer will meet flights departing Lakselv 18.20. If you are planning to visit Tromsø as part of your return journey, this can be a suitable option, as flights from Lakselv on Sundays only operate to Tromsø. Alternatively, we strongly recommend adding an extra night's accommodation (see under "Prices > Optional extras" for details). This makes for a more relaxing end to your experience and will also typically offer much better flight connections the following day, as flight connections on Mondays serve Oslo and onward destinations.

If you have chosen to stay the extra night, you will have dinner in the evening of Day 3 before spending a last night in the Lodge near the kennels. After breakfast on Day 4, you will be transferred to Lakselv for onward travel. Departure transfers meet Norwegian flight to Oslo departing 11.40 or Widerøe flight to Tromsø departing 13.40. Other flight times may also be possible by arrangement.

Days 2-4:

After breakfast (for you and your dog teams!), you will make final preparations for the expedition part of the trip, before setting off into the wilderness.

The itinerary for the next 3 days/2 nights is very flexible, depending on weather and temperature conditions and the composition of the group (whether an Adult or Family tour, for example).

There are a number of areas which can be accessed. You may head north along the coast, inland to the south, or towards the vast expanse of the Finnmark Plateau. The route will be chosen to offer the best and most enjoyable experience. As your tour is based on winter camping, the location of overnight stays each night is very flexible.

The intention is to spend the 2 nights of the tour in a "Gamme", a heated dome tent. The snowmobile which supports the tour will set up the Gamme in advance at each overnight location and prepare camp for you so that it's warm and cosy when you arrive!

Depending on weather conditions, the type of group and the itinerary for your tour, one of the camping nights may be spent in expedition tents.

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.

Your final day of sledding on Day 4 brings you back to the kennels in the afteroon, where you unpack and bid a (quite possibly tear-filled!) farewell to your husky teams. Dinner and accommodation for your last night at the Lodge.

Day 5:

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Lakselv for onward travel. Departure transfers meet Norwegian flight to Oslo departing 11.40 or Widerøe flight to Tromsø departing 13.40. Other flight times may also be possible by arrangement.

6-day tours will follow a similar itinerary to Option 2 tours above, but feature an extra day of dog sledding and overnight and have a higher level of challenge, typically covering around 40-60km per day depending on weather and trail conditions.

If conditions allow, the itinerary for 6-day tours will aim to reach the Finnmark Plateau, which offers a wide variety of sledding routes in various directions.

6-day tours may also feature a night in "expedition" tents in addition to accommodation in heated "gamme" tents as for 3-day and 5-day tours.

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 (Option 2 and Option 3 tours) or one night (Option 1 tours, unless adding extra night on Day 3) 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.
• 1-3 nights (depending on tour option chosen) wild winter camping in heated "Gamme" mobile tents. The tents are spacious and accommodate the whole group - depending on group size and composition, often two tents are used which together accommodate guests + guide(s). 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. For Option 2 and Option 3 tours, the intention is to move tent location during the tour, but depending on conditions and the most suitable arrangements for the group, it is also possible to stay nights in the same location. * Option 3 tours feature three nights winter camping, which may include a night in expedition tents in addition to nights in standard heated tents.
• 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.

Example of Lodge accommodation at start/end of tour. Photo: PIR.

Top: "Gamme" tents used during the tours. Bottom: Expedition tents may also be used for one night on some tours depending on preference and weather conditions. Photo: PIR.

Interior of "Gamme" tents showing camp beds, provisions box and heater. Photo: PIR.

Meals:

• Option 1 tours: All meals from dinner on Day 1 to lunch on Day 3. If adding extra night, dinner on Day 3 and breakfast on Day 4 is also included.
• Option 2 and Option 3 tours: All meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 5 (Option 2 tours) or Day 6 (Option 3 tours).

There is a focus on home-made meals from locally sourced and sustainable ingredients during the tour, such as reindeer stew and berries and mushrooms from the forests.

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. Your hosts have a great deal of local knowledge of the Arctic and life in Finnmark.
• 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 arrival day and on the last day of sledding if required).

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.

Option 3 tours will typically have a higher level of challenge, with longer daily distances and possibly one overnight in expedition tents in addition to nights in standard heated tents.

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 7 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!