The Arctic Dog Sled Challenge

 

DAY 1: Depart UK for colder climes

Depart UK and fly to Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. After a brief stop we will connect on to Kiruna, in the Northern Scandinavian region. You will be met at the airport and taken to the Mushers Lodge at Laxforsen where you will receive a full expedition briefing. You will then be given all the main items of equipment you need for dog sledding and protection from the cold. The evening is then yours to enjoy, perhaps watching the northern lights while sitting in an outdoors hot tub, before an early night in preparation for our forthcoming adventure.

 

DAY 2: Mushers Lodge to Jakalajarvi Cabin
From the lodge you will be taken to the start of our dog sledding experience. Here you will meet your team of Alaskan huskies, learn how to harness the dogs and use a dog sled for the first time. Today we will journey to Jakalajarvi cabins on the tobacco trail and cover about 30km. This day gives you a great introduction to dog sledding and how to handle a sled.

 

DAY 3: On to Soppero
This morning you leave Jakalajarvi and head onto the trail covering approximately 35 km of the most incredible landscape. You will travel across frozen lakes and in and out of the surrounding forest. The lodge you will stay in tonight dates back from the Sami period and is thus steeped in history. It is also run by Sami descendents.

 

DAY 4: Soppero to Jakalajarvi Cabin
Your journey today covers approximately 35km from Soppero to Jakalajarvi. Today you will sled through reindeer country, taking extra care to prevent the dogs chasing after these amazing, hardy creatures.

 

DAY 5: Jakalajarvi Cabin to Vakkara Wilderness Lodge
Today you will journey up onto the plateau overlooking the beautiful forests below. The Wilderness Lodge is a traditional log cabin perched on the edge of a frozen lake. A perfect location to reflect on the challenge thus far and also have a rewarding hot sauna!

 

DAY 6: Wilderness Lodge to Mushers Lodge
Our final day of sledding - returning to the Mushers Lodge, where we started our challenge. Once we arrive we will step into Sweden’s infamous ice hotel for a celebratory drink in the ice bar! After relaxing in an outdoor hot tub we will celebrate our dog sledding success over dinner, followed by a visit to the bar!

 

DAY 7: Head home
This morning (flight time dependent) you are free to enjoy your surroundings anyway you like, on snow mobiles, cross-county snow skiing or just relax at the Ice Hotel or wander around Kiruna, the choice is yours (extra activities own expense). You depart Kiruna at lunchtime, and fly via Stockholm to the UK, arriving home early that evening in time to celebrate your success and share the tales of your Arctic adventure with family and friends.