Reindeer and husky safaris
Lappish tradition and new highlights
Lapland is known for its nature: weather worn rock covered fells, tree covered hills gleaming on the horizon, wild water passages, primal forests, reindeer herds grazing on the open fell slopes, salmon and trout in the rivers, the clean berries of the fell slopes.
Reindeer herding has been a tradition in Lapland for many, many years – it is the oldest of the northern livelihoods that is still viable. On reindeer tours, we get to know not only the reindeer but also how the people of Lapland lived and moved in the past.
On husky tours, we get to know about the life of Alaskan huskies and experience the thrill of speed with the help of eager four-legged friends. This exhilarating experience is, according to many, one of the highlights of a holiday in Lapland.
Reindeer ride to the wilderness *
After a twenty-kilometre car drive we will meet reindeer, these adorable semi-wild animals. When all the reindeer are harnessed, we sit down in sleighs and wrap ourselves up in warm fur blankets. The three-kilometre ride allows us to experience the true wilderness of Lapland and the magical tranquillity of the forest. After half an hour reindeer ride, we enjoy homemade berry juice by an open fire in a Lappish tepee kota, and hear stories of reindeer and their annual cycle of life. You will also have the possibility take photos with your arctic travelling companion.
Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes / 3 km reindeer sleigh ride
Departure: on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday at 13.30
Price:
165 € / adult
115,50 € / child (4–12 y.)
Snowmobile safari to reindeer ***
Many families in the Ylläs region still make a living from reindeer. We drive by snowmobiles about one and a half hours to meet reindeer, these adorable semi-wild animals, who will take us for a three-kilometre ride. After the enjoyable half an hour reindeer ride coffee and homemade berry juice will be served in a traditional Lappish tepee where we will be told stories of reindeer and their annual cycle of life.
Duration: 4½ hours / 40 km snowmobiling / 3 km reindeer sleigh ride
Departure: on request
Price:
210 € / adult (sharing snowmobile)
275 € / adult (single driving*)
147 € / child (7–12 y.) on the snowmobile.
*Single driving prices apply only to the snowmobile part of the safari. The reindeer sleigh ride will be shared.
Husky farm visit and sleigh ride **
We will head fifteen kilometres by car to a husky farm where over a hundred Alaskan huskies are waiting for us. Our guide will show and tell us how to steer a dog-team before we head for a nine-kilometre husky safari. Adults can swap driving turns at the half-way point so that every adult participant gets to steer the sleigh. After the ride we will have a hot drink in a Lappish tepee with the husky farm guides, who will tell us a lot more about these magnificent dogs. You will also have time to take photos of the dogs and greet them.
Duration: 2,5 hours / 9 km Husky sledding
Departure: on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 12.00
Price:
185 € / adult (sharing husky-sleigh)
129,50 € / child (4–12 y.)
Snowmobile safari to husky farm ***
This snowmobile safari will take us to a husky farm about fifteen kilometres from Äkäslompolo. At first, the husky guide will introduce us to a hundred Alaskan huskies and the art of mushing. When we master the mushing technique, we will head off for a nine-kilometre husky safari. Adults can swap driving turns half-way around so that every adult participant gets to steer the sleigh. After the ride we will have a hot drink in a Lappish tepee with the husky farm guides who tell us a lot more about these magnificent dogs. You will also have time to take photos of the dogs and greet them.
Duration: 4 hours / 30 km snowmobiling / 9 km Husky sledding
Departure: on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 11.00
Price:
229 € / person (sharing snowmobile)
299 € / person (single driving*)
160,30 € / child (7–12 y.) on the the snowmobile
114,50 € / child (4–12 y.) in sleigh
* Single driving prices apply only to the snowmobile part of the safari. The husky sleigh ride will be shared.
Half day husky adventure ***
Exploring Lappish nature with huskies is an unforgettable experience. When we arrive at the husky farm, we can hear dogs howling and barking already from a distance and it’s obvious that they are eager to start running! After an introduction into dogsledding, it is time to release the musher in us. Dashing through snow-covered pine forests and over plains, hearing only the breathing of the dogs and our own heartbeat will surely create a memory of a lifetime. When we arrive back at the farm, we will warm ourselves up in the hut with some hot drinks and hear many stories about these magnificent animals. Every adult participant has the opportunity to steer the dog-team.
Duration: 4 hours / 19 km Husky sledding
Departure: on Tuesday and Saturday at 9.00
Price:
260 € / person (sharing husky-sleigh)
440 € / person (single husky-sleigh)
182 € / child (4–12 y.)
Full day husky safari ****
Mush your own team of Alaskan huskies through the snowy landscape! When you arrive at the husky farm you will be greeted by your guide and the other owner of the ranch, Juho. After driving instructions, you are ready to meet your team of well-trained Alaskan huskies. You will follow the guide one after another, all driving your own sleds pulled by three to four dogs. The trail heads first south of Kurtakko village where you can take a peek at Europe’s biggest wetland, Teuravuoma, and then you continue east to old taiga forests. At the half-way point it’s time to take a good break. The dogs get their halfway prize first – frozen meat snacks. After this you will be served a delicious lunch by an open fire! When the break is over it’s time to head back to the kennel along a scenic route. After the safari you will have plenty of time to say goodbye to your eager team-mates. Before returning back to the resort there’s still time for a cup of hot chocolate at the ranch.
Duration: 6-7 h – Departure: on request, starting from Äkäslompolo at 9.30
Group size: 2-5 persons – Age limit: 18 years
Price:
Weeks 49-50: TBA / person – Weeks 51-9: TBA / person
Additional information: 35-45 km of driving. Everyone driving their own sled. On this safari you have to be in reasonable fit condition.
