FINNISH DOGSLEDDING WEEK

8 days at GBP1,845 including flights

Tripcode: CFD

Itinerary

Day 1: Fly Gatwick to Kuusamo with Thonson Fly. Transfer by road (30min) to Motel Rukatupa.
Day 2: Today is the first day of our five-day expedition. We pack the sleds with our personal things. After breakfast we are issued with winter clothing and then transferred to the husky farm (50min), followed by a tour of the kennels to explain the different breeds. There will be an hour or so of theory and instruction on how to drive a sled, how to break and when to help the dogs. We pack the sleds with dog food, sleeping straw for the dogs and you can take 1 small bag (5kg) with your personal belongings. You will learn how to harness your team and then you are ready to begin the expedition (about 22 km today). The journey travels through nature reservations and along the Finnish Frontier Zone Trail towards Russia, crossing the Arctic Circle before heading to our accommodation for the evening – Niitselys Former Frontier Guard Station.
Day 3: By now you are already familiar with your dogs and you can harness your own team. You know how to handle the team and how to react, when a problem occurs during the tour. Building on our skills we travel 45 km through the wilderness and snow-covered forests of Lapland towards Salla. We spend 2 nights in Hirvasvaara (formerly a school) with the option to relax with a sauna each evening.
Day 4: After giving drinks to the dogs and enjoying breakfast you head out for a long day tour around the Hirvasvaara area returning to your cottages for the evening.
Day 5: We prepare the dogs for the next leg of their journey heading south on a 55km journey towards the Kayla area.
Day 6: By now you will have become accustomed to the usual preparation in the mornings but after the journey back to Ruka, it will be time to bid farewell to your faithful dogs.
Day 7: It is possible to choose from a number of optional activities including reindeer safari, snowshoe hiking or snowmobile safari. See the extra expenses section for details of activities available locally
Day 8: Transfer back to Kuusamo airport. Fly from Kuusamo to Gatwick.