Norway Dog Sledding SM4

A husky safari through Norway's Lappland and on to Alta near the Arctic shore. On the way passing over the Finnmark plateau - a great experience. You will be driving your own dog sled in Lapland. The husky safari experience is richer as you are close to nature with our guide, who likes to share his knowledge and passion of the outdoor life with you.

This dog sledding safari is on the famous old trail between Karasjok and Alta that was used for many hundreds of years by the postal service.

Fly in and out of Alta airport with a direct transfer to our lodge (outside Karasjok) and then mush back to Alta.

You will lead your "own" team of 4 - 6 dogs from wilderness lodge to wilderness lodge. 25-40km /day. The tour starts from the comforts of our lodge - in the heart of the Sámi culture and heads north west to Alta on the sea coast. We end the tour at the Igloo hotel outside Alta. Everything is made from snow and ice, even down to details such as the glasses in the bar. The hotel is decorated inside and out with ice sculptures.

Most of our trips in Lapland are suitable for novices through to experienced mushers, as the techniques are simple and are absorbed easily in a few hours. The difference between the options is the distance covered (and amount of effort) each day. So you do not need to experienced but it certainly helps if you are conditioned to moderate regular exercise, particularly for the more demanding (longer periods of sledding). A rowing machine is the best way to get conditioned as you need to concentrate on arms and back, while not forgetting the legs.

Day 2 The morning is spent getting equipped with snowsuits, boots and other equipment, plus time with the dogs and sleds. We organise the teams of huskies and go through the basics of caring for your team and driving the sleds. Checking that mushers are matched with their dog teams we set off on a short run with your "own" team of 4-6 dogs. You have time for a visit to the Sámi Museum in Karasjok. B, L, D.

Days 3 The long husky safari starts from the lodge and after a steep climb up to the mountain plateau we are mushing over a hilly stretch, crossing frozen lakes, marshes and a stretch of barren land to reach Gardin Lodge. B, L, D.

Day 4 We reach the mountain plateau and tundra, a fascinating landscape where the view is endless in all directions. Here the landscape is scanty and windswept. In the evening we arrive at Mollisjok Lodge. It is a "jewel" of a lodge located in the middle of nowhere on the Finnmark Plateau. B, L, D.

Day 5 We cross the frozen Lake Jiesjavrre, the largest lake on the Finnmark Plateau. We spend the night at Jotka lodge. B, L, D.

Day 6 We head north west and for the first time we can see the Arctic Ocean and look down at the fjords. In the evening we reach the unique Iglo hotel outside Alta, where we spend the last night. B, L, D.

Base currency is the Norwegian Kroner, please obtain an up to date quote in the currency you intend paying in.

What is Included
Accommodation in our Arctic coastal lodge, a guest house and tents as specified. Three meals daily as specified by the code (B, L, D.) - starting with evening meal on day 1 to breakfast on day 8. Special warm clothing and boots. Dog sled training from an English speaking musher and your own team and sled. English speaking guide on another sled. Transport from Alta airport (airport code = ALF) to our cabins.

Comprehensive personal insurance, including search and rescue is required on this trip. For UK clients we recommend the policies of the British Mountaineering Council, for their expertise in evacuation from remote areas worldwide. Details at www.thebmc.co.uk As Insurance is always provided by a company based in your home country, we are unable to suggest suitable insurance companies unless you reside in the UK.