Day 1: Flights, Arrivals and Transfers
You will be met at Kittila Airport, before being transferred to the Harriniva Hotel where you can truly get into the spirit of the Finnish lifestyle with a warm sauna and a meal in the hotel restaurant.

Day 2 - 10: Nine day husky safari

After breakfast you will have a meeting together with the whole safari group and your guide. This is a brilliant opportunity to meet others in the group and for the guide to explain the itinerary and answer any questions you may have. You will then be issued with your cold weather clothing equipment and visit the Husky Farm at Harriniva, which is home to more than 400 dogs. It will then be time to begin to pack your sleds and have a short demonstration on riding the sleigh along with a safety briefing before you set out on your expedition.

Your husky safari will take you from Muonio in Finland on a journey North West to Kilpisjarvi. Lake Kilpisjarvi extends to the point where the three countries of Norway, Finland and Sweden meet. You will cover between 30km and 70km per day depending on the weather conditions and the skill and ability of the participants. The beauty of a long husky safari such as this is that the group will get to know, not only each other, but the guides and most importantly the huskies incredibly well. You are completely responsible for your own team of dogs and you will quickly learn that they need to be fed before you are!

The scenery you will come across on this trail is jaw dropping. It’s almost as though no one has ever been there before you. You will follow special trails over the vast frozen lakes and through the snow covered forests. Your guide will use his vast experience to ensure that you are completely safe at all times.

The days are long and quite warm at this time of year in Finland, in fact, you will probably have longer daylight hours than in central Europe. The temperature does drop at night; however this is vital to maintain the snow conditions. You will be cosy and warm in the excellent sleeping bags which are provided.

During the safari you will spend the nights in small wilderness cabins and tents. Do not worry about being cold in the evenings as you will be provided with an arctic level sleeping bag when packing your sleigh ready for departure. The accommodation is not the most luxurious we offer by any means, however, it truly is a wonderful authentic wilderness experience. Your meals will be cooked by your guide and will be simple, delicious and filling, Most of the time they will be cooked over an open fire, which is where you will spend your evenings after a day on the sleigh.

Day 11: Transfer to Harriniva

After breakfast you will transfer back to Harriniva by bus for a well deserved shower and sauna. After you have recovered and are feeling slightly more human again, the group will come together for one final time for a delicious farewell dinner. After your meal you can enjoy a few more drinks in the hotel pub and recall stories from your journey well into the night.

Day 12: Departure
You will have breakfast and, after saying your goodbyes, you will be transferred to Kittila Airport for your return flights home.

Harriniva Wilderness Hotel

Situated in the heart of Lapland near the remote town of Muonio, Harriniva encapsulates the very best of Finnish Lapland. This family run hotel has 64 Scandinavian style en suite bedrooms. Most of the rooms accommodate two or three people but there are some larger bedrooms suitable for families (subject to availability).

The hotel has three cosy dining rooms (including one with a log fire) and a pub ideal for a relaxing drink after your activities. Naturally, this being Finland, there are two large saunas and a family sauna within the main building. For a bit of pampering, the Aurora Wellness Centre offers therapies such as massages and a variety of facials. On the riverbank there are two jacuzzis, two steam baths and an ice hole - for the very brave!

Safari Houses and Cabins

On our longer overnight husky and snowmobile safaris you spend some nights in shared safari houses or cabins with full access to all the hotel’s facilities. Each safari house or cabin has its own shower, toilet and sauna and provides the perfect place to bond with your fellow adventurers before your safari. All of your meals will be served in the main building.

Wilderness Cabins

Any holiday that incorporates an overnight safari will include at least one night in a wilderness cabin.

Some of the cabins can be basic (no electricity or running water) but they are all comfortable and cosy, especially once the fire is burning and dinner is cooking. Sleeping arrangements are in dormitory style areas. Despite their far-flung locations, there is always a sauna available - after all, this is Finland!

The cabins are generally so remote that there is little or no light pollution creating the best possible chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis.

Lainio Snow Village

Lainio Snow Village is built and run by our good friend Rami Kurtakko and is approximately 200km North of the Arctic Circle. In the Snow Village, you can spend a night in the SnowHotel, have a dinner in the IceBar or enjoy the igloo disco with drinks served in ice glasses. Or you can just marvel at the magnificent sculpture art all around the area.

Snow Village is located in the Western part of Finnish Lapland, in close proximity of Ylläs and Levi ski-resorts and easily reachable from the international airport of Kittilä.

An overnight in one of the cold bedrooms or suites is an unforgettable experience.