Other FAQs

A combined reference of safari, booking and kit & clothing FAQs in one place, including the cancellation policy, group sizes, conditions and a sled-dog reading list.

Our FAQs gathered in one place: the most common safari questions (accommodation, food, experience, fitness, temperatures, safety and the northern lights), booking questions (insurance, cancellation, group sizes, languages) and kit and clothing guidance.

One-stop combined safari, booking and kit FAQ reference
Cancellation: 45+ days 90% refund; 45-20 days 50%; <20 days none
Min. 2 pax (2-3 day tours) / 4 pax (longer); max. 6 (up to 8 by request)
Solo teams of 4-6 dogs; up to c. 40km per day at c. 10km/h
Temperatures from -5C in April down to -40C nights in deep winter
Includes a sled-dog and polar-exploration reading list

Kit & clothing in brief

We supply extreme-climate thermal snowsuits and snow boots on multiday tours (hireable for shorter tours). Layering is key, multiple thin layers of wool or synthetic and never cotton.

Base layers: start with one or two sets of thermal underwear
Mid layers: Polartec 100, powerstretch or merino, plus at least one thicker insulating layer (Polartec 200/300, Thinsulate or primaloft)
Outer layers: we issue snowmobile suits as the outer layer and sallopettes for the legs
Boots: choose snowboots several sizes too large to allow for multiple sock layers and air circulation
Hands and head: bring 2-3 pairs of thin inner 'magic' gloves for handling the dogs and two thicknesses of hat
Jeans: cotton, so NOT OK

Booking, cancellation & group sizes

EU travellers should hold an E111 plus insurance specifically covering dog sledding. Cancellation no later than 45 days before departure: 90% refund of total cost. 45 to 20 days before: 50% refunded. 20 to 0 days before, or failure to meet up: no refund.

For the 2 and 3 day safaris a minimum of 2 people is needed, and anything longer needs a minimum of 4. Most wilderness cabins sleep 6, the maximum on individually booked tours, with larger family groups up to 8 accepted on request. Private tours are charged for a minimum of 4 pax in the non-peak season and 6 pax in peak season. Guides speak fluent Finnish, English, German and French, and often Dutch/Flemish, Spanish and Russian.

On safari: dogs, distance, food & accommodation

Solo-sleigh teams generally consist of 4 to 6 dogs, chosen using a computerised distance-tracking system. We hold a steady safari speed of about 10km per hour, rarely leave the farm at under 25km per hour, and generally ask the dogs to run no more than about 40km a day.

The cabins mix traditional Lappish kotas and typical Finnish holiday cabins, with a few high-tundra Alpine-style refuges. All meals are included: breakfast of bread, porridge or muesli, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and jam, lunch of bread, sandwiches and soups, and a guide-coordinated dinner. Special diets accommodated with notice.

Experience, fitness & conditions

No prior experience is required, the guides teach you everything, and the key rule is never to let go of your team. Most moderately active people manage fine, with a reasonable level of fitness, concentration and balance the key attributes. You will feel tired and sore after the first full day but like a professional after two or three.

In December-February daytime temperatures run -5C to -30C (nights to -40C), March -5C to -15C, April 0 to -5C. This region has the highest rate of Northern Lights occurrence in Finland, visible on average three out of four clear nights during the dark season.

Good to know

Team size: 4-6 dogs per solo sleigh
Cancellation: 45+ days: 90% refund; <20 days: none
Temperatures: Apr 0 to -5C; deep winter to -40C nights

Ready when you are

Real wilderness, 200+ huskies, eighteen winters in.

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