Hetta Huskies Dog Mushing, Finland - Longer & Speciality Husky Safaris

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Longer and Speciality Safaris

We have a number of longer 1-day safari options available from January onwards, including our favourite 20km magic of winter safari, the 40km Winter Wonderland Safari and our unique Reindeer Fondue safari.

We need a little more notice for these safaris in order to make sure that the tracks are in good condition and that the wilderness huts and food have been prepared in advance for you.

20km Magic of Winter Safari inc. hot squeeky cheese in a wilderness cabin
30km Call of the Wild Safari inc. a break or two for hot drinks, sandwiches and some local food snacks in a wilderness cabin
40km Winter Wonderland Safari inc. lunch in a wilderness cabin
Reindeer Fondue Safari - a short safari with a luxurious meal in a rustic cabin
20km Wilderness Kota Safari - inc. sausages and snacks over an open fire

'Magic Of Winter' Safari

This c. 20km safari along arctic trails is one of the ones that the guides enjoy driving best because of its variety. At times you are whipping along tight tracks with lots of ups and downs and corners and at others, you are traversing marshes, forest glades and frozen rivers. About half way, you cross the area’s largest lake, Ounasjarvi, (with an ice cover is >1m thick each winter…there is no danger of falling in). As you cross to its Southern Shores you can truly marvel at the Arctic Landscape and the life of those who have lived here for eons.

We take a break, in this safari, in a local ‘Mokki’ to experience a little of the traditional lake-side holiday-home life of the Finns. Enjoy drinks, Finnish squeaky cheese & cloudberry jam in homely comfort before returning, by dog sleigh, to the farm. For those who wish, we can teach you how to actually look after your team during the breaks and once back at the farm, you will be welcome to help tuck your dog team back into their own kennels before saying goodbye.

Programme Duration: c. 3.5-hour
Price: Adults €125, Children (age 3 – 12) €70. Solo or guide-driven sleigh €150
Price includes: Farm visit, hot drinks, a snack and c. 20km safari.

Call of the Wild Safari

This fun 30km safari combines the best of the trails from our adventurous 20km safari with some of the beautiful and tranquil end trails from our 40km safari. Together, they form a wonderful half-day product which gives you the best of both worlds.

If you are a small group, this is the longest day-safari that we generally offer since the 40km tracks take a great deal of effort to open if they have not been opened for an alternative group whereas our 30km trails are all part of our standard route network.

Depending on the temperature and conditions, we may stop more than once in a wilderness cabin for warm drinks, local snacks (squeaky cheese, and forest cakes) and sandwiches.

Programme Duration: c. 5 hours
Price: Adults €160, Children (age 3 – 12) €115, Solo or guide-driven sleigh €175
Price includes: Farm visit, driving instructions, c. 30km safari and a sandwich lunch with local snacks and hot drinks in a wilderness cabin

Winter Wonderland Experience

This 40km safari covers one of the longest day-routes possible in the far North. What better way to spend your time in Lapland than by gliding seamlessly between frozen marshes, lakes and forest glens on one of the most ancient forms of Arctic transport known to man?

When you arrive at the farmhouse, the sound of excited dogs will guide you down a snowy forest track to the farm itself. Once there, you will learn a little about the way in which the dogs live, and will be able to greet some of the non-running adult dogs and pups, before meeting your own team of 4 – 8 dogs (depending on the snow conditions) and receiving detailed instructions on how to drive the sleighs. NB: We only offer this safari as a solo sleigh product since the distance is too great for the dogs to pull the weight of two people in one sleigh.

As you set off, your heart will no doubt be beating fast – matching, in anticipation, the excitement of the dogs in their lines. Once they settle down to a comfortable running pace, you will be able to breathe once more and to enjoy the snowy tracks and winter wonderland scenery of one of the last great wilderness areas in Europe. Riding a dog team in such a setting is a truly unique experience and a very pure way of enjoying Lappish nature.

Your guide will let you know when you have arrived at the area’s largest lake, Lake Ounasjarvi. Once it is frozen each winter, its ice cover is >1m thick. Hence, when you zip across to its Southern Shores, you can be sure that there is no danger of falling in! On its far side, nestled amongst the fells of Ounastunturi, on the outskirts of Finland’s most beautiful national park, you will find a small Finnish ‘Mokki’ - a traditional lake-side holiday home - where we will break for lunch.

During the lunch break, you will be free to either relax or to help the guides with the dogs. Those with excess energy are always welcome to ascend a nearby ridge by snowshoe for a panoramic view of Enontekio. Once back at the farm, we will be happy to teach you how to put your dog team ‘to bed’. Many people like to give the dogs treats at this point and to spend a little more time with the pups before being driven back to their hotel. For many, the dog journey is the highlight of their time in Lapland.

Programme Duration: c. 6.5 hours inc. farm transfers
Price: Adults €195 (solo price or with child), Children €125
Price includes: Guided farm visit, wilderness lunch and a 40km safari.

Mokki Safari with Reindeer Fondue Dinner
Where Arctic and Alpine Traditions Meet

On this c. 12 km safari, your enthusiastic dog team will pull you across frozen marshes, rivers and forest glades before zipping you down to the Southerly end of Lake Ounasjarvi where a small Finnish Mokki lies nestled amongst the trees beneath the fells of Ounastunturi. On a clear night, this is the perfect place to relax and marvel at the Northern Lights since the Mokki’s terrace faces North.

Over dinner, enjoy fillets of reindeer served with game stock, (for dipping), sour-cream flavoured with garlic & blue-cheese, pickled cucumber, carrots, forest mushroom salad, lyngenberry jam and fresh mushrooms. Wine will be served with the meal but we caution that dog mushers need to keep their wits about them, whilst driving, so moderation is key.

Whilst dinner is being laid out for you, you may want to burn some energy by ascending the ridge behind the house by snowshoe or helping the guides with the waiting dogs. Alternatively, feel free to enjoy the lights in solitary isolation. After dinner, you will be whisked back home across the lake by your patient dog team.

Programme Duration: c. 4 hours
Price: Adults €150, Children (age 3 – 12) €90, Solo or guide-driven sleigh €175
Price includes: Farm visit, driving instructions, c. 12km safari and an exclusive dinner in a wilderness setting

Wilderness Kota Safari

On this safari, you will head off into the one of Europe’s last true wilderness areas accompanied by your eager team. The soft light of mid-morning is the best part of the Arctic day. Marvel at the tracks of reindeer herders (and maybe reindeer themselves), the hidden gems in the wilderness landscape and the seamless driving transitions from marsh to forest, river and lake. There will be plenty of time to stop to take photos along the way.

At c. the mid-way point, we will climb to a remote wilderness kota (traditional circular log cabin) hidden amongst the trees. There, you will have a chance to de-thaw, chat with the guides about their lives with the dogs and to grill sausages over an open fire. (Buns and drinks also provided).

Once back at the farm, you will be welcome to help tuck your dog team back into their own kennels before saying goodbye.

Programme Duration: c. 3.5-hours (only possible in daylight)
Price: Adults €130, Children (age 3 – 12) €75, Solo or guide-driven sleigh €155
Price includes: Farm visit, hot drinks, sausages, a bun and a c. 20km safari