Overview
What's included?
- Flights: return flights from London to Kajaani via Helsinki (flight routes subject to change
- Transfers: return airport transfers
- Accommodation: 5 nights in double room. Upgrade to lake or hill view suites on request, subject to availability
- Meals: 5 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 5 dinners
- The following activities are included in the holiday: 12km husky safari, Northern Lights husky safari, 30km husky safari (the order of activities is subject to change)
- Fully qualified guides and instructors during activities
- Winter clothing for duration
This holiday focuses on the delights of dog sledding. Based in a very comfortable hotel in the small ski village of Vuokatti, you will venture into the wilds of Finnish Lakeland on three safaris. We’ll get you eased in with an introductory 12km tour, chasing the Northern Lights during an evening safari, and you’ll end the holiday with a full-day trip into the wilderness.
Dog sledding is an unforgettable experience and it is impossible not feel a sense of excitement and adventure as the dogs are being harnessed and leap around in eager anticipation of the trail. If the sleigh wasn’t anchored to the ground at the start, they’d be off in a shot.
The first time the anchor is released on your sled will be truly memorable as there will be no hanging around, the dogs will set off at a pretty pace and it always seems remarkably quick at first. They do soon settle down into a steady pace though and you relax into the journey and their excited howls are replaced with the sound of the sled’s runners on the snow.
Each of the safaris is designed to offer something different and to build on your skills. Full instruction will be provided of course and your expert guide will lead the way of each of the trips. The itinerary is designed to build your skills and confidence, culminating with your full-day adventure.
In some cases, holidays which are more focused on dog sledding involve shared accommodation and a compromise on the comfort levels, but that is not the case here. Each night you will return to welcoming hotel accommodation where you can relax and enjoy your evening, relaxing in a sauna and dining in a very good restaurant.
Image credits: Vuokatti Safaris, Matt Robinson
Key facts
Duration: | 5 nights |
Pace: | Active |
Suitable for: | Anybody over the age of 15. See our terms for further information. |
Dates & Prices
Thank you for your interest in this Artisan Travel experience.
We have found that this holiday is better tailored exactly to your requirements, so please email our Travel Experts at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact us on 01670 785 085 to discuss the various options available to you.
Our Travel Experts have been to all the destinations we feature and love to share their experiences and insight. We want to match you with your perfect trip, so if you have any questions please get in touch; we will be happy to talk through the destinations and itineraries with you.
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Agenda
Agenda
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DAY 1
Arrival and Welcome
On arrival at Kajaani Airport, you will be transferred to the ski village of Vuokatti, which is nestled amidst the forests and fells of the Finnish Lakeland.
After checking into the hotel your evening is free for you to settle in. The hotel has three saunas in which you can relax after your journey and you can then enjoy dinner in the impressive hotel restaurant.
Included Meals: Dinner -
DAY 2
Meet the Huskies and 12 km Safari
Following breakfast, you will be transferred to the husky kennels which are around 5km away. Your local guide will go over the itinerary for the coming days and you will be given your warm winter clothing, which you will keep for the duration of your stay.
After the briefing, you will be taken to meet the huskies, who will no doubt greet you with an assortment of excited howls. You will learn about the lives of these working sled dogs before your expert guide shows you how to harness the huskies and set up the sleds. Full instruction on how to control the team and sled will then be provided and then your adventure can begin.
The anchor on the sled will be released and you will set off on the trail, travelling two people per sled (you’ll have the chance to swap drivers). The first few 100 metres always feel lightning fast, but you soon settle into a steady pace and relax into the journey.
You’ll be able to enjoy the wilderness landscape in all its glory as you cover around 12km, breaking for a warm drink during the trip to soak up the atmosphere. This activity typically lasts around three hours.
Back at the hotel, the rest of your day is free for you to spend at leisure.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner -
DAY 3
Free Time and Northern Lights Husky Safari
After breakfast, your day is your own. The sauna facilities and gym are at your disposal at the hotel, or we can arrange a variety of additional activities so you can experience other adventures during your stay. Snowmobiling, snowshoeing and ice fishing are all available so please see the ‘Personalise’ section of the holiday page for more details.
As the light fades this afternoon, a completely new dog sledding experience awaits you as you head out under the cover of darkness in search of the Aurora Borealis. Travelling at night, with only the headlamps illuminating the forest is a thrilling experience.
After travelling across a frozen lake with unobstructed views of the night sky, you will stop at a yurt and keep warm by a cosy fire.
Here you will dine on a ‘musher’s burger’ (typically a reindeer burger – vegetarian options are available) as you keep watch on the sky for any sign of the Northern Lights.
During the tour, you can choose to either drive your own sled (2 people per team) or be driven by the guide whilst wrapped in a warm reindeer hide. The tour will last for approximately 4-5 hours.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner -
DAY 4
30 km Wilderness Trail
Today you will need a hearty breakfast ahead of your final and most adventurous safari; a 30km full day trip into the wilderness.
By now you should be confident in handling a sled and you can focus on enjoying the experience. You will get a sense of the true scale of this landscape as you explore with your own dedicated team.
During the tour, you will stop at a traditional Mongolian yurt where warm drinks and lunch will be served by the fire. The tour will last for approximately 5-6 hours and you will return to the hotel feeling like a seasoned musher.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -
DAY 5
Free Day
Today is free for you to simply relax after yesterday’s adventure or enjoy other experiences in the village.
Vuokatti has a selection of ski slopes for those who may want to enjoy some downhill action and it is also well known as a cross-country skiing destination (it even offers an indoor ski tunnel!). All equipment can be hired locally.
For those looking to enjoy guided winter activities we also have a number of options listed in the ‘Personalise’ section of the holiday page. These include sedate snowshoes, ice fishing, snowmobile tours and much more.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner -
DAY 6
Departure
Today you will enjoy a final breakfast in Vuokatti before being transferred back to the airport with some great stories to tell and the title of ‘musher’ to add to your CV.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation
Accommodation
Included in price
Vuokatti Hotel and Suites
Nights: 1-5
Hotel Vuokatti enjoys a prime location close to Lake Nuasjärvi in the Kainuu Province of Finnish Lakeland. This small boutique hotel has 18 spacious rooms and 29 modern suites which offer a high quality, peaceful environment from which to enjoy your holiday.
Within easy reach of shops and the ski slopes of Vuokatti (both around 500m), it is an ideal base. A ski bus stops at the hotel and is free of charge so getting around is nice and simple.
Hotel facilities
- You will enjoy your breakfasts and evening meals in the hotel restaurant, which has an impressive outlook over Lake Nuasjärvi. Here a range of local ingredients such as moose, pike and reindeer are served alongside some more international options
- There is also a small café and lobby bar area which serves coffees, drinks and snacks
- The hotel has numerous saunas for guests to use. There is even a large sauna with panoramic glass windows looking out onto the frozen lake. NB: the panoramic sauna is not open every day (reception will provide details) and so we cannot guarantee access to this during your holiday
- There is a small but well-equipped gym for guests to use should you wish for some indoor exercise during your stay
- Free Wi-fi is available throughout the hotel
Room Type
Double/Twin Rooms
The rooms at Vuokatti Hotel and Suites are well equipped, spacious and modern. All rooms are en-suite and the bathrooms have a shower as well as hairdryers. The rooms all have a flat-screen TV, a desk, safety deposit box and mini-bar.
Other options
Vuokatti Suites
Two Bedroom Suites
These well-equipped, two-bedroom suites were completed in 2014 and offer a high standard of accommodation. All units have a kitchen with modern appliances (dishwasher, oven, microwave, coffee machine), a spacious living room, a bathroom and a private sauna. Each of the suites has a stunning view of either the frozen lake or the forested hills, which can be enjoyed from the terrace.
Personalise
Personalise this tour
Our pick
Snowmobile safari to Vuokatti hills
Vuokatti is situated against a backdrop of snow-covered hills and there are amazing views to be had from the top. This safari will see you ascend the slopes on snowmobiles during a thrilling safari on forest trails. Once at the top, the trees disperse and a wilderness winter landscape appears before you. Hot drinks and snacks are included.
Read moreFull driving instruction will be provided and you will travel two people per snowmobile. The driver must be 18 years or older and hold a full driving license.
Duration: 2 hours (approx)
Minimum: 2 Pax
Image credits: Vuokatti Safaris
Other options
Activities
Snow and ice snowmobile safari
This snowmobile tour showcases the very best of Vuokatti and its surroundings. You will follow your guide up into the hills which offer stunning panoramic views. This region is known for its wealth of lakes and during the winter months these freeze, forming pristine snow-covered plains on which to drive your snowmobile. You will stop for hot drinks and snacks en-route. Full driving instruction will be provided and you will travel two people per snowmobile. The driver must be 18 years or older and hold a full driving licence.
Duration: 3 hours (approx)
Minimum: 4 Pax
Image credits: Vuokatti Safaris
Ice fishing and snowmobiling
This combined tour will begin at the safari centre in Vuokatti. You will follow an experienced fishing guide on snowmobile towards the frozen lake.
Ice fishing is a hugely popular pastime locally. It is slightly more labour intensive than normal fishing though as your first task is to drill a hole in the in order to get to the water below! You will then drop your line and wait patiently for a fish to bite.
Following your fishing experience, you will then hop back onto the snowmobiles and make your way back towards Vuokatti. Hot drinks and snacks are included. Full driving instruction will be provided and you will travel two people per snowmobile. The driver must be at least 18 years old and hold a full driving licence.
Duration: 2 hours (approx)
Minimum: 2 Pax
Image credit: Vuokatti Safaris
Snowshoe hike
Snowshoeing is a perfect way to explore the snow-covered landscapes here as you are able to really appreciate and admire your surroundings in peace and quiet. The snowshoes also allow you to walk on deeper snow, meaning you can explore off the beaten trails with your guide. Venturing into the hills there will be spectacular landscapes to enjoy during this short hike.
Duration: 1.5 hours (approx)
Minimum: 2 Pax
Image credits: Vuokatti Safaris
Snowshoeing adventure
Explore the pristine wilderness surrounding Vuokatti during this snowshoe tour. After a transfer into the hills, you will travel deep into the forest as your guide provides details on the surrounding nature and wildlife. You’ll walk in the deep snow, enjoying the silence of this winter landscape and keeping an eye out for local flora and fauna. Halfway, you will stop at a wooden cabin and assist your guide in making a fire before snacks and warm drinks are served. You will then hike back to Vuokatti.
Duration: 4 hours (approx)
Minimum: 4 Pax
Ice-bathing
For those looking to try something very Finnish then look no further than ice-bathing. The idea of jumping into a hole in a frozen lake can be quite intimidating, but it is actually really invigorating and you will be given a waterproof survival suit before you do it. It is an exhilarating feeling and the temperature in the water can actually be less cold than standing on the ice. In fact, the water is never below zero degrees as anything less than this would cause it to freeze solidly. This activity is great fun and very memorable.
Duration: 1 hour (approx)
Minimum: 4 people
Image credits: Vuokatti Safaris
Ice fishing
Ice fishing is a favourite pastime among locals and you’ll soon see why when you’re out on the peaceful frozen lake, waiting for the fish to take a bite.
Before you sit and enjoy your serene surroundings, you’ll walk through the small snowy forest to meet your experienced fishing guide.
Next, it’s time to cut a hole in the thick frozen ice to see if you could catch trout, perch and pike perch.
You will change fishing spots several times so you really get to grips with the activity. Hot drinks are also included.
Duration: 1.5 hours (approx)
Minimum: 4 Pax
Image credit: Vuokatti Safaris
Reindeer Sleigh Ride
Reindeer are synonymous with Lapland and herding is incredibly important in the region. During this activity, you’ll learn all about reindeer herding and the lives of these wonderful animals.
After a short transfer, you will meet with a local reindeer herder who will talk about their life here in the Arctic and how herding is of cultural and economic significance in Lapland.
You will try lassoing – one of the herder’s favourite tools, before enjoying a short sleigh ride (approximately 200-300m).
Afterwards, you can enjoy hot drinks and snacks around an open fire.
Duration: 2 hours (approx)
Please note: this activity is not available during Christmas and New Year
Misc.
Northern Lights chase by snowmobile
It is difficult not to feel a sense of adventure when you venture out into the dark winter night in search of the Aurora Borealis. Snowmobiling is a thrilling way to hunt the Northern Lights and, after full instruction, you will follow your guide to the trails to commence your hunt.
Away from the village, there is very little light pollution and your expert guide will use their local knowledge to determine which location offers the strongest Aurora potential.
Hot drinks and snacks are included. Full driving instruction will be provided and you will travel two people per snowmobile. The driver must be 18 years or older and hold a full driving licence.
Duration: 2 hours (approx)
Minimum: 2 Pax