Overview
What's included?
- Flights: flights from London Heathrow to Ivalo Airport (via Helsinki)
- Transfers: return group airport transfers are included
- Accommodation: 2 nights shared log cabin accommodation (in own private room), 2 nights wilderness camp/cabin
- Activities (order subject to change): 3-day husky safari
- Meals: 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
- Cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay
- Fully qualified wilderness guides and instructors during activities
Authenticity explains the popularity of the Karasjok husky safari, which was created by Sven Engholm, (Scandinavia's 11 times winner of the Finnmarkslopet longest dog sled race in Europe and also a top ten finisher in the Iditarod 1800km North American mushing race). The passion for mushing and the excitement of the trail is simply contagious in his company.
Your wilderness husky dog adventure lasts three days and two nights, covering up to 25km to 50km each day. With breathtaking winter scenery as your backdrop, look out for local wildlife such as reindeer and moose in their natural habitats.
Your accommodation is a mix of log cabins at Engholm Husky Farm (6km from Karasjok). A launch pad for some of the world's best dog sledding - life is all about the dogs and sledding here, where fifty resident huskies are the main form of transport.
Read moreIn keeping with the intimate and unique feel of this trip, there are only eight cabins at the husky farm. Each cabin has been built by hand and tastefully filled with handcrafted pieces, giving a combination of comfort with traditional Sámi decor. Whilst out mushing, if your host discovers a particularly unusual or useful piece of wood, he marks it on his GPS and it will be retrieved later. The wood is then crafted into something that adds to the unique beauty of each cabin. Admire lampshades made from bird feathers, seats and dining tables hung by ropes from the cabin ceiling and reindeer skin stool covers - everywhere you look there is something special that brings the great outdoors indoors.
Image credits: Engholm Husky, Oliver Kay (client Jan '17)
/25.511162,69.4718727,4/380x315.png?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoibXJ6ZW4iLCJhIjoieEplY044byJ9.tLmUFQLGRW3IziiK7fl9hA)
Key facts
| Duration: | 4 nights |
| Pace: | Active |
| Suitable for: | Ages 15+ with a good level of physical fitness. See our terms for further information. |
Dates & Prices
Thank you for your interest in this Artisan Travel experience.
We have found that this holiday is better tailored exactly to your requirements, so please email our Travel Experts at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact us on 01670 785 085 to discuss the various options available to you.
Our Travel Experts have been to all the destinations we feature and love to share their experiences and insight. We want to match you with your perfect trip, so if you have any questions please get in touch; we will be happy to talk through the destinations and itineraries with you.
VIEW ALL HOLIDAYS
Agenda
Agenda
-
DAY 1
Flights, Transfers, Welcome
Flights to Ivalo, Finland are followed by taxi transfer to the Engholm Husky Farm in Karasjok, Norway. The transfer takes approximately two to two and half hours.
On arrival, you will be invited to a welcome meeting, where your guide will talk you through the details of the exciting days to come. Dinner will be served at the lodge.
Included Meals: Dinner -
DAY 2
Preparation, Safari Departure
This morning is spent getting ready for your two nights in the remote wilderness of Norwegian Lapland. You have a chance to meet your team of up to six dogs that you are going to drive on your husky safari. The number of dogs you have depends on your guide's expert judgment. The guide needs to assess your ability to handle and drive the sled, whilst taking the likely conditions on the track into consideration. The guides reserve the right to make the final decision on a guest's handling ability. Initially, you may be asked at first to ride in tandem and then progress from there.
As soon as your sleds have been carefully packed and prepared, you're all set for your safari. On leaving the husky farm, you immediately come across a hilly stretch that instils confidence and respect for your team from the outset. You can help the dogs by pushing off with your feet against the upward slopes. This adds to the thrill of the adventure and gives a sensation of real satisfaction as the dogs respond favourably.
The journey to your accommodation across lakes and frozen marshland is a great introduction to the wonder of this winter landscape. For the next two nights, you will stay in remote wilderness camps or cabins depending on the weather conditions. Wherever you stay, there will soon be a fire blazing as your group work together preparing a delicious dinner. In this remote environment, you can enjoy the peace all around, miles and miles from the rest of civilisation.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -
DAY 3
Overnight Wilderness Husky Safari
On safari, the route remains flexible so that your guide can select the best trail, determined by the local weather. If it is deemed necessary to spend more than one night in the same camp/cabin, this allows you to pack light and potentially cover greater distances. Lunch each day is cooked over an open fire.
Along the trail, you are likely to encounter indigenous wildlife, as this area is an important winter pasture for the reindeer of the Sámi herders. The local guides love to share their knowledge of wildlife and outdoor living. For a real insight into your surroundings, just have a friendly chat anytime.
There are few experiences that compare to mushing your own team of dogs on their home turf. Travelling deeper into the wilderness, the gentle swish of the sled and the padding of eager paws as the only sound.
Tonight you will again stay in a wilderness cabin/camp where you will enjoy the heat from the blazing fire and prepare a delicious dinner together as a group.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -
DAY 4
Final Husky Safari Back to Engholm
After your time in the wilderness, you will set off on the long mush back to Engholm Husky Farm. The return route is well known for sightings of wild moose, so stay alert and you may well catch a glimpse of these magnificent beasts. Farewell dinner waits at Engholm Husky Farm on your last night - a relaxed evening usually spent reflecting back on the adventure and sharing stories of the trip.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -
DAY 5
Departure
Return to the airport for your flight out of this unforgettable landscape.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation
Accommodation
Included in price
Engholm Husky Farm
Nights: 1,4
Karasjok is the centre for Sámi culture in the wilds of Lapland and Engholm Husky Farm and cabins are located 6km from the main village. This accommodation, situated in the remote forests of North East Norway, provides a wonderful introduction to the Sámi culture within this remote region.
All cabins are decorated with local items that the owner (and resident interior designer) Sven has collected and crafted from natural materials scavenged from nature in the area around the lodge.
When out mushing, your host may see a piece of wood that would make a coat hanger, a shelf, a lampstand, anything really. He uses his GPS to pinpoint its location and then picks it up next time he’s passing and fashions it into something both useful and remarkable. Lampshades made from bird feathers, comfy seats and dining tables hanging by ropes from the ceiling, reindeer skin stool covers and much, much more. Everywhere you look there is something that reflects living here in the Arctic. Your stay is made extra special by dishes served in the cosy dining area including locally sourced reindeer and fish.
Aside from the unique collection of log cabins the lodge is also a working husky farm that is home to about 50 working dogs - so be prepared for the wolf-like calls of the dogs in the morning.
Hotel facilities
There are only eight individually designed cabins here, each with Wi-Fi access. Each of these cabins has sleeping facilities for between two and six people, with the majority having log fireplaces and their own toilet and shower - those without, have access to a large bathroom in the main building. The lodge also offers a sauna and a hot tub, with intoxicating views of the surrounding scenery.
Wilderness Cabins
Nights: 2-3
Wilderness cabin accommodation is reserved for those people enjoying overnight safaris. There can surely be few better forms of escape from the everyday stresses (which could include laptops, mobiles and your day job) than a night in one of these cabins. Their isolation also means that the views of the night sky are incredible.
The Northern Lights could well pay you a visit should conditions be right and, if the sky is clear, you will never forget the sight of the galaxy overhead.
The title is fairly self-explanatory as the cabins are located in the wilds. The cabins that you visit are determined by the conditions of the trails you are using. They are varied in their set up but all offer the same incredible experience of complete silence in the evening (not guaranteed if you are dog sledding as the huskies do like a howl now and then!).
Some of the cabins are more basic than others, as some have no electricity or running water. Everyone will join the guide to help set up camp by collecting wood and water if needed. Participating enhances the wilderness experience.
Once the fire is lit, the food is cooked. The guides prepare your meals over an open fire and our guests always provide exceptional feedback on the meals that the guides rustle up.
Should you have specific dietary requirements, please mention these at the time of booking.
There are no showers or bathroom facilities in the cabins but this is all part of the adventure. Scandinavia is renowned for its saunas and the wilderness cabins are no exception. Once heated, you can steam clean in the sauna. The toilet facilities are normally a short walk from the cabin and are compostable. We certainly recommend a head torch for any ventures to the toilet during the night!
In most cases, the sleeping arrangements are dormitory style. You will be given your own arctic-grade sleeping bag in which to sleep and, combined with your thermals and the open fire, this should keep you lovely and warm.
You will carry with you all that you need for any stay in the cabins, so luggage is typically restricted to the essentials. Your main bag will be securely stored back at the hotel and a safe is provided for your valuables.
There is something so refreshing about realising that you can strip back your belongings and enjoy such a simple but satisfying experience.
Depending on the weather conditions you might spend the nights in cosy and warm basecamp tents at one of the wilderness camps.
Image Credits: Antti Pietikainen
Personalise
Personalise this tour
Our pick
Extend your stay at Karasjok
If you can't quite bear to leave Karasjok just yet then we can arrange for you to extend your stay in order to take advantage of the other activities on offer here. Your extra night or nights will be spent in one of the cabins (based on two people sharing) and includes breakfast, a packed lunch and your evening meal.
Other options
Activities
Husky safari
Engholm Husky Centre is renowned for its enthusiastic sled dogs and racing heritage. During one of your free days, you may wish to further experience the joys of dog sledding and take the trails once again for another thrilling safari into the wilds. We will be more than happy to arrange an additional full day safari for you.
Cross-country skiing
If you book additional nights or have a free day during your holiday, you have the option to add on a guided cross-country skiing activity. This a much-enjoyed and traditional pastime in Scandinavia, and, once you have the hang of it, can be marvellous fun and a great way to travel across the snow-covered landscape.
Visit to a reindeer herd
Reindeer are of huge importance in Lapland and if you have a free day or book additional nights on your Karasjok Adventure we would strongly recommend this activity. It will give you a unique and valuable insight into the lives of Sámi herders in this region. You will spend time at the reindeer pasture and encounter the animals whilst also having the chance to ask the herder any questions you may have.
Reviews
Traveller Reviews
The dog sledging was excellent - very hands on and involved.
The husky safari was excellent; the dogs were big and strong and the wilderness was breathtaking.
Gallery
Photos (7)
Travel Website Development
