Dog Sledding Challenge

Drive your own team of huskies, mushing over 200kms through beautiful, frozen landscapes!

What could be more satisfying than silently guiding your own team of loyal huskies through snow covered forests and into the glorious mountains in Swedish Lapland? The only noise you will hear on your expedition is the true silence of nature and the gentle crunching of snow as your sled glides across the white surface. Your challenge includes opportunities to see the spectacular Northern Lights and local wildlife, such as elk and reindeer.

You arrive into Kiruna, the northernmost city in Sweden, situated in Lapland province and 145kms north of the Arctic Circle. The area is home to the Sami people, indigenous to northern Europe. The Sami are among the largest indigenous ethnic group in Europe and have traditionally plied a variety of livelihoods, including coastal fishing, fur trapping, and sheep herding and their best known means of livelihood; semi-nomadic reindeer herding. The Sami people are integral to your sledging challenge as you travel through their land, with their four legged friends.

You can hardly get closer to nature than when you travel in the company of animals. The camaraderie, trust and respect you quickly feel for your dogs is a rare experience that enhances the pleasure and adventure in exploring the great, wild mountain expanses.

+44 208 557 0000

Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1 - International travel
Meet at the airport for your flight to Kiruna, Sweden. Our Charity Challenge representative will be there to assist you with check-in and any last minute questions. Upon arrival you will transfer (1.5hrs) to the local Sami village. You will then meet your challenge leader and receive a full briefing on your challenge ahead and gain an insight into Sami life. Dinner and overnight will be spent in a local Sami house.

Day 2 - Dog sledding approx 35-40kms
Today your challenge begins and it is in at the deep end! You will begin with a full safety briefing and demonstration on how to drive and harness your dogs - you will be given your own team of dogs to harness and be responsible for. Today you will set off with the dogs for a day tour to get into the swing of things and to ensure you feel comfortable on your sleds. Lunch will be taken en-route. You will drive around 35-40kms today. The track is a local Sami route and not a tourist trail although the actual route may vary depending on the position of the reindeers. Late in the afternoon you will arrive back at the Sami village where you will need to take care of your dogs ? fetch water, make a fire, chop meat and feed your dogs (your challenge team with show you how to do all of this). For dinner you will all get together and prepare a sumptuous team meal. Accommodation will be spent in a traditional Sami teepee! NB: The teepee is located beside last night?s house. We want you to enjoy the experience of sleeping in a teepee, however temperatures can drop intensely (i.e: -40C). This can get uncomfortable and can be challenging and strenuous. So for safety reasons, you have the opportunity to sleep inside the first night?s accommodation if necessary.

Day 3 - Dog sledding approx 45kms
This morning you will need to prepare food and feed your dogs before preparing your own breakfast. After breakfast you will pack up all your belongings onto the sleds. You will harness your dogs and set off into the Swedish wilderness! Today you will be driving approximately 45kms, enjoying a warm lunch en-route. In the afternoon you will arrive at the wilderness cabins where you will spend one night. Wilderness huts consist of a sleeping area, small kitchen space and dining area and have outside toilets and a sauna.


Day 4 - Dog sledding approx 30kms
Today begins in the same way as yesterday; taking care of your dogs? food and water needs first. You can then take breakfast. After breakfast, you will pack up and take your dog team across the beautiful lake Sautusjarvi (10-12kms on the lake) From here you will head into the forest towards our next wilderness camp, crossing swamps along the way. Here we spend the next two nights in a cozy cabin with two sleeping quarters at each end and the dining and kitchen area in the middle. There are lots of activities to take part in at this cabin; chopping wood, fetching water, making fire, heating water and of course, taking care of your dogs dinner, dishes, etc. Here there is also the possibility of a little time to relax in the sauna!

Day 5 - Dog sledding approx 45kms
Today begins in the same way again; taking care of your dogs needs first. After breakfast, you will pack your sleds for a full day tour and explore the area. You will be driving towards a deserted Sami Village and lunch will be served en-route. You will drive around 45kms and weather permitting you can have lunch on top of a hill enjoying beautiful views of Kiruna. Upon arrival at tonight?s camp you will take care of the dogs before settling into the wilderness cabin. There is the option for another sauna tonight!

Day 6 - Dog sledding approx 55kms
After an early breakfast you will pack up and head towards the kennels. Today you will be put to the test with a long and challenging drive towards the kennels. The route is beautiful traveling alongside the Torne River where you have the chance to see open water stretched before you. You will stop for a short lunch break in the wilderness before arriving at the kennels. Along this route you will have a good opportunity to see moose and reindeer. Before you say goodbye to your canine companions you will un-harness them, put them into their yards and feed them. From there you will take all your belongings and transfer to your last nights? accommodation. Your accommodation is situated on the banks of the River Torne across from the famous Ice Hotel; there will be a late afternoon guided tour of the Ice Hotel. You will then have the chance to shower before enjoying a celebratory dinner with your team, reflecting on the amazing experience of the last week!

Day 7 - Return to the UK
After a final group breakfast you will transfer to Kiruna Airport for your flight home.

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

Sun 20 March 2011 - Sat 26 March 2011

self funder payment option
deposit + balance
£500 + £1889 (?100 will go to your chosen charity)

minimum sponsorship payment option
deposit + minimum sponsorship
£500 + £3975

flexi payment option
deposit + minimum sponsorship + balance
£3500 + £2865 + £500

+44 208 557 0000