Day 1: Flights, arrivals and introduction
You will be greeted on arrival at Kuusamo Airport and transferred directly to Saija Lodge. After settling in, it’s a short walk over to the main building for dinner.

Day 2: Husky training run
This husky week is ideal for those who want to develop their mushing skills gradually whilst still experiencing a great wilderness experience.

After breakfast on day one you will meet your guide and the all important huskies. After instruction on managing your team and sled you leave on a training circuit of around 13km driving your own team of 4 to 6 dogs through scenery reminiscent of Narnia.

It’s difficult to explain the contrasting emotions as you encourage your dogs on this first safari. There’s the thrill and excitement as you leave the husky farm and venture into the wilderness and on the other hand the silence is so intense that it is also a very tranquil experience.

Day 3: Full day husky safari
After yesterday’s training run we step it up today on a full day safari. You will drive your team through snowy forests and across frozen lakes and rivers. You will have lunch around an open fire and by the time you arrive back at the lodge your team will have covered between 25 and 35km.

Day 4 and 5: Overnight husky safari
Howls of excitement make it plain that the dogs are as anxious as you to be on the trail. By now you will be used to the “swish” of your sled cutting through the snow, the panting of the huskies and their reproachful looks when you let them do all the work on the inclines. They expect you to provide some momentum by pushing off with your feet when the going gets tough. Anything less can be rewarded with a somewhat disdainful lack of effort from your team.

You are entirely responsible for the care of your team when you arrive at your overnight base.

They must be fed, watered and settled for the night before you enter the cabin to help prepare dinner. It’s not all hard work though and the sauna provides somewhere to relax and share tales of the day’s adventures. The cabin is also remarkably cosy with the fire ablaze and the silence of the wilderness means you should get an excellent night’s sleep.

You will be awoken early by the dogs and after breakfast your adventure continues. Once again, you will have lunch around an open fire before the final leg of your journey brings you back to the lodge. A hot shower and dinner are a welcome treat after your time in the wilds.

Day 6: Free day or optional activities
Today is free so you can try some of the other Nordic winter sports and tailor the end of your holiday. Why not try snowmobiling, snowshoeing or cross country skiing?

Day 7: Departure

Please note this programme is also available over the Christmas and New Year period with a slightly different itinerary.

Saija Lodge

If a wild nightlife is your thing then there’s little point in reading more about Saija as you certainly won’t find it here. This remote lodge typifies traditional Finnish style and is constructed entirely from wood. Located on the shores of Lake Jokijarvi, Saija is ideal for combining activities with rest and relaxation.

There are 19 suites here which are situated within winter cottage style buildings. All suites have a living area with TV, shower and toilet room and the obligatory sauna. Bedrooms are typically situated on a mezzanine level.

It’s a very short walk from the cottage to the main building which houses the cosy restaurant where you will experience local and international cuisine throughout your stay.

On the site itself, there is a husky farm and 25km of managed cross country ski trails leading almost directly from the main building into the surrounding countryside.

Kalle Päätalo, a famous Finnish author was born close to Saija and wrote about life in this region. He captured the essence of Kuusamo Lapland in his book and we feel that Saija is the best place to experience a little of what he writes about.

Wilderness Cabins

During our husky week, you will spend a night at Harjajarvi wilderness cabin. Regardless of its remote location, the cabin is warm and cosy and despite having no electricity or running water there is a sauna.

This is exactly what wilderness safaris are all about, escaping the last vestiges of everyday life and experiencing a totally unspoiled environment.

Everyone will look after their own team of dogs and help prepare dinner for the huskies and the humans. Your meals are cooked over an open fire and served in the cabin.