Drive your own team of sled dogs to a relaxing stay at the Fjellborg Wilderness Lodge. 3-day Program.
Day 1
This program begins at Kiruna Airport where we greet our guests upon their arrival to the magic world 200 km north of the Arctic Circle. After a short transfer of about thirty minutes we reach the village of Poikkijärvi where the Fjellborg family live together with their big pack of friendly huskies. Beautifully situated in the snow clad pine forest overlooking the magnificent Torne River, the Homestead is an ideal gateway to the vast wilderness of Arctic Lapland. The ice of the Torne River is a musher’s highway in winter and in the surrounding forests are numerous trails winding through the picturesque landscape.
Your visit to the Fjellborg Homestead begins with a welcome lunch during which we will present the itinerary and introduce you to the basics of sled dog mushing and the art of dressing for the Arctic. After lunch you will change into expedition gear, re-pack your tour equipment and get ready to meet the dogs!
The Fjellborg Alaskan Huskies are exceptionally friendly animals. We select our breeding stock based on their working qualities, their ability to endure the Arctic climate and, above all, their friendly and easy going temperaments. These canine athletes know nothing better than to hit the trails together with their team-mates but most are pretty keen on some individual attention and a tummy rub too!
Before we set out on our excursion you will be introduced to your own team of sled dogs and receive instructions on how to handle and care for your dogs, your sled and other equipment.
In the afternoon it is time to embark on our excursion which will take us from the Homestead in Poikkijärvi to our comfortable Wilderness Lodge, situated by Lake Väkkärä, 15 km further north. On our journey we will travel through the boreal forests of northern Lapland and leave the civilization behind.
When we reach the Wilderness Lodge your dogs are treated to a well deserved rest in their private doghouses, which you will help fill up with fresh straw before enjoying a relaxing wood heated sauna. In the evening we enjoy an outstanding dinner in the main cabin. Menu items include Lapland specialties such as reindeer, arctic char and salmon and desserts made from locally picked blueberries or cloudberries to name a few (Vegetarian diets can be accommodated with advance notice.)
Far from busy roads and city skylines, our Wilderness Lodge provides a peaceful rest from everyday life and the silence of nature brings you fast to sleep.
Day 2
The next morning we enjoy a big breakfast before it is time to feed our four legged friends. Today the dogs enjoy a well deserved day off while we have a number of activities to choose from in and around the Wilderness Lodge. You can try snowshoe trekking, cross-country skiing, ice fishing or going for a shorter sled dog excursion, developing your mushing skills further. Or why not spend the whole day in the cosy Wilderness Lodge, enjoying a glass of wine and a good book by the open fire?
The wood-heated sauna provides great relaxation after a day in the wild and in the evening we all gather for an outstanding meal in the main cabin. On a clear evening the bright stars of the northern hemisphere and the amazing Aurora Borealis will provide spectacular late night entertainment before it is time to go to sleep in your cosy log cabin
Day 3
After breakfast we re-pack our sleds and prepare for departure. On this final day of mushing we have plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful scenery and chances are we will encounter moose, reindeer, ptarmigans and other wildlife during our journey.
Around noon we stop for a delicious lunch served inside a kåta, which is the name of the wooden tipi so typical of Lapland. The construction of the kåta is inspired by the portable dwelling place of the Sami people, a semi-nomadic people indigenous of Lapland. During a heavy snowfall the cosy kåta provides a welcoming break from the trail, and nothing tastes better than a meal served by the warming fire.
The last leg of our journey takes us back to the Fjellborg Homestead in Poikkijärvi where it is time to say goodbye to the dogs. The program is completed in the early afternoon and guests who are departing from Kiruna Airport on the same day will receive a transfer to the airport.
It is worth noting that Fjellborg Homestead is situated very near the world famous ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi. A popular choice among our guests is to add a few extra days to their holiday in Lapland by including a visit to ICEHOTEL. During most of the season, an Ice Road is open between the villages of Poikkijärvi and Jukkasjärvi on opposite sides of the Torne River, so this spectacular hotel is only a few minutes away.
Tour Info:
The 3-day Wonders of the Wilderness Excursion is suitable both for novice and experienced mushers wanting to combine a hands-on dogsled adventure with a relaxing and comfortable stay in the heart of Arctic Lapland. The extra day in the Wilderness Lodge allows you to fully enjoy the many wonders of the wilderness. A thorough introduction to sled dog driving will be provided before departure and our experienced guides will be available at all times for support and instruction.
Price: 10340 SEK per person.
Min Persons: 2
Max Persons: Large groups are welcome!
Departure Dates: Dec through April.
Fee includes:
Transfer from Kiruna Airport to Homestead, Arctic expedition clothing and mushing gear, all meals including beverage, quality accommodation and activities at Wilderness Lodge, the services of Fjellborg Arctic Journeys staff, individual dog teams, transfer to Kiruna Airport for guests departing upon completion of the excursion on Day 3.
