Dog Sled & Snow Mobile Safari

A fantastic combination of a Dog Sled Safari along the Russian Frontier and a Snowmobile Safari across the frozen wilderness

Dog Sledding is an experience you will never forget. You will not believe the deafening silence of the snow encrusted wilderness where the sound of civilisation cannot penetrate. The cold will nip your nose, the dogs will break your heart and the crisp night sky goes on forever.

Snowmobiling is great fun, challenging and a modern means of travelling across the frozen tundra.

Our base is a luxurious lodge located 1,5 km from the Finnish - Russian border in the pristine wilderness of Kuusamo region of Finland, just a few miles south of the arctic circle. This is a remote part of Finland with only 18,000 inhabitants of which half live in the city. Bear, wolf, lynx and wolverine are all found along the Russian border and are more prolific in this region as many are crossing over from Russia. The border zone is a hunting free area where wild animals can retreat to safety. Elk, reindeer and an assortment of wild birds will almost certainly be sighted as we sled along the border. If you are looking for somewhere well off the beaten track with very few tourist where you will experience very good personal service - then this is your winter retreat.

The main lodge is situated in the centre of large fenced compound. The ground level has three double guest rooms. There is a large traditional Lappish stone fireplace in the main Takkahuone*. Adjoining the takkahuone there is a wood burning sauna for 10 persons and a double shower complex. The first floor of the lodge is the main meeting and socialising area. Here you will find the bar/restaurant with seating for 18 at the Kelo** wood table and 4 at the bar.

* = Fireplace room, normally next to sauna
** = A tree that dies in the forest, but it is still standing and ageing and can be 2000 years old

The guest cabin is situated 200 metres from the main lodge outside the compound. It is built with 9-inch Finnish red wood logs and is equipped to a very high standard. Downstairs there is a double bedroom, sauna and shower, cooking facilities and a traditional Lappish fireplace. Upstairs is open plan with 3 double beds and one single bed.

Flights 

We now are able to get good deals on direct charter flights to Kuusamo. They come in at around £250 per person which is considerably cheaper than scheduled flight price. However it is advisable to book early to make sure we can get you a seat!

 

The Dogs

There are 42 dogs, 37 working dogs and five house dogs. The working dogs are a mix of Siberian huskies and Alaskan huskies and there are even some Arctic huskies crossed with Irish setter. In the gold rush times in North America sled dogs were the best and most common form of transportation. From delivering the mail to transporting gold diggers and their equipment. In those days a sled dog was considered to be any dog that pulled a sled and could cope with the severe winter. Normally a European hunting or working dog was crossed with local Inuit dogs. A standard misconception is that the Siberian husky is the true and traditional husky that worked in the gold rush times, in fact the Siberian husky was brought over from Siberia nearer the end of the mad gold rush period and was intended to be used in racing as they were smaller and lighter with great stamina for long distance. Whereas the local dogs had been used for years to pull heavy loads long distance. Very soon more people started to use Siberians but in larger numbers. As before the mushers would have smaller teams of 5 – 7 dogs. Most North American racers now use what we call Alaskans, which is a mix of old style breeds with Siberians etc. Basically again any dog that pulls a sled (fast), but that can cope with the extreme weather conditions.

All the working dogs live outside in large fenced kennels. They have between 2 and 13 dogs in each kennel and this lets them interact with each other and act much more like a pack. The dogs are fed once per day. In winter they feed an average about 300 g of top quality sled dog dry food and 250 g of meat/fish per dog. If they are out on a long tour they also feed snacks during the day to the dogs.

You do not need to be super fit to dog sled, you need a sense of balance and a good sense of humour. The start are an exciting time, with up to 6 teams of dogs staining to to be on there way, the sled is tied to a tree and when it is your turn you slip the knot and whoosh - don't worry - the snow is soft and there is always somebody to catch a musherless team!!

Snowmobiles

They have two types of snowmobile. Single seaters and twin seaters. The single seaters are Arctic Cat 370 Z´s. They are light and easy to manoeuvre. Top speed is about 100 km/h and they weigh just over 200 kg.

The twin seaters are Polaris 440 Sport Touring. They have larger engines and are heavier by about 50 kg. There top speed is over 120 km/h. Driving on the frozen lakes is easier with these heavier models, but it is more difficult to manoeuvre these in the forest.

Anyone who drives a snowmobile must sign an own risk form which states that you are liable if you damage the machine upto €450.

The Itinerary

Sunday
Arrive Kuusamo via Helsinki and transfer by taxi to the lodge. Sauna and briefing on the programme.

Monday
Meet the dogs and take a 20km training dog sled tour to enable you to learn our dogs names and develop a working rapport with your dogs.

Tuesday/Wednesday
You will depart on a two day wilderness dog sled safari. Travelling north along the Russian Frontier you will cover between 30-40km per day with the sled. The scenery is breathtaking and if the dogs catch sight of an elk or a reindeer then the pace can also be breathtaking, but with well trained dogs and guides a simple command and the dogs will continue on the correct trail without any mishaps. Stops along the route will be made for photographs and snacks and rests for the dogs.

Evenings will be spent in wilderness cabins along the trail. The hut used has no electricity but has a wood burning sauna, an open fire and a lake nearby to get water and to take an ice swim (not compulsory!!).

Thursday
After returning to the lodge the previous evening and relaxing in the sauna, today is the start of the snowmobile training. You will take a 40km training safari to enable you to learn to handle these powerful machines proficiently.

Friday/Saturday
Start of a two day snowmobile safari where you will drive more than 100km each day through the arctic tundra, crossing frozen lakes and stopping for lunch by the open fire. The evening will be spent in a wilderness hotel with a sauna and great traditional fare.

Sunday
Transfer to Kuusamo airport for return flights.

Equipment
You will be provided with all extreme weather equipment. This includes winter suits which will keep you warm even at - 40C Boot's, gloves, hats, safety helmets for the snowmobile, sleeping bags etc. are also provided. Bring with you whatever you would take on any winter holiday and they will take care of the rest. Here are some tips:

Fleece clothing is very warm, light and dries faster than other products. Good quality thermal underwear, top + bottom. Wool or extreme weather socks. If you have your own winter jacket or suit feel free to bring this with you and we can check it for suitability. If you prefer to buy your own boots then we recommend Sorrel big horns or Dominators. Good winter gloves are also important, but mittens are better suited for driving dogs.

Battery operated equipment has to be carried on your person so should be kept to a minimum; also battery life is severely decreased in extreme cold conditions with lithium far out-performing other types of battery.

Food and Drink
You will enjoy a very active, outdoors lifestyle during their stay. At the end of a long tour, a sauna, change of clothes, an aperitif at the bar followed by a first rate meal provides the perfect end to a perfect day.

They use the best of the local produce – mainly fish and game – and keep the bar fully stocked to help ease away any aches and pains and to fuel some story telling around the fireplace.

Whilst we highly recommend the traditional menus they fully respect individual requirements – just let us know in advance.

On this holiday you are on the arctic circle so from mid-December until early January the sun does not rise but the twilight's have an incredible fantastic purplish light. However in late February/early March you will have about 12 hours of daylight. The temperature is likely to be between -5ºC to - 15ºC and if the nights are clear you have a good chance of seeing the northern lights.

The cost includes transfers to and from Kuusamo airport, all meals, accommodation guiding, six dog team per person, snowmobile per person, specialist clothing.

We can arrange this holiday for groups of upto 10 people or for individuals or couples for any dates from early December to the end of April.

Sorry - but in light of the recent fluctuations in the strength of the "£" we have had to increase the cost of this holiday. The new price is shown below.

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Please contact us if you would like more information on this holiday.

	Dog Sled and Snowmobile Safari 3 days dog sledding and 3 days snowmobiling. This trip can be arranged for any week from Mid December to mid April (Sunday to Sunday). Accommodation/Meals 5 nights luxury lodge, 2 nights wilderness cabin. Full board. Experience Required None required Cost Per Person 2008/9 Land only £1669.00 Insurance £31.00 How to Book Please contact us if you would like to book a place on this holiday.