Tourism is now the most vital industry in the Kuusamo Lapland area and gives work to about 1000 people generating an annual total tourist income of over 104 million. Tourism has a positive impact both socially and economically on people living in these remote areas. Local authorities, tourism organizations and tourism providers all work together in various fields, continuously developing programmes which will ensure that tourism in the region is managed sensibly and impacts positively on local communities and the environment.

The philosophy in the region is to ensure that tourism providers use, to the greatest extent possible, local providers, be it for hotels, activities or employment and visitors are positively encouraged to try locally produced food and drink. Where activities such as snowmobiling may have a minor impact on the environment, such pastimes are carefully managed and are part of everyday life in these parts. Trails are clearly defined and managed with tourists only allowed to drive snowmobiles under the close supervision of fully qualified instructors. We adopt the same philosophy in this region, using locally or Finnish owned hotels and activity partners hence ensuring that the local community benefits.

Our suppliers follow a strict code of conduct with regards to responsible travel.

All the activities are completed in line with the 'leave no trace' principal. All trails are well maintained and marked, all local activity providers work to do this every year.

Local people are employed where ever possible and economic diversification is encouraged for local reindeer herders.

All materials where possible are recycled and brown field sites such as the disused ice rink have been reused, in the case of the ice rink it is now an ideal horse paddock.

Sunday: Flights, arrivals and transfers
On arrival at Kuusamo Airport you will be transferred by car to your hotel accommodation in Suomu. There will be a welcome dinner in the evening.

Monday to Friday: Five day husky safari
After a hearty breakfast on Monday you will be transferred by car to the husky farm just under an hour away. You will meet with your guide and discuss the adventures ahead. You will also meet with your companions for the days to come - your team of 4 - 6 huskies!

A full safety briefing and instructions on how to handle a sled and dog team will be given. You will also do a full kit check and pack your sleds ready for departure. You will feel the excitement building as the dogs become aware of the imminent adventure. The howls and barks will get louder and louder and the power of the animals, as they tug on the anchored sled, will become apparent.

Then suddenly you are off, your mushing adventure begins and the happy dogs will fall silent leaving you to listen only to the sounds of paws on snow.

Each day you will travel between 20 and 40km depending on the conditions. You will cross frozen rivers and weave your way through snow laden forests stopping for a picnic lunch before continuing to a wilderness cabin or in some cases, if conditions allow, a tent.

On arrival at the cabins you will take care of your own hungry team before heading inside to a cosy fire where everyone helps to prepare dinner. As a warming supper is cooking there will be time for a traditional sauna (yes there are even saunas in the wilderness in Finland).

After a deep and relaxing sleep you may find that you wake to hear a pack of starving wolves howling outside the cabin - don’t panic, it’s just the dogs anxious to be on the trail.

On Friday you will complete your well practiced departure routine and head off for your last day of driving with the dogs. You will have learned a great deal about the past and present of dog sledding and the personalities of each of your team.

In the afternoon your safari will end and it is time to bid farewell to your honest and brave team – hugs and hankies at the ready!

You will return to the comfort of the Arctic Circle Hotel in Suomu tonight.

Saturday: Free day
Today is free for you to relax and reminisce or perhaps try a different activity. There are many options to choose from such as snowmobile safaris, reindeer farm visits and horse rides in the snow. You can even visit the famous Pentik ceramic factory and studio.

Sunday: Departure
Today you will return to Kuusamo Airport for your flights home to the UK and no, you can’t take the huskies with you!

Enjoy five days and four nights in the wilds of Kuusamo Lapland with your own team of Alaskan huskies and experience the silent nature of the Arctic winter in a truly magical way.

This region is delightful. The snow laden forests, pristine frozen lakes and winter fells create the ideal backdrop for a fabulous dog sled adventure. 

You will stay on the outskirts of the village of Suomu, a tiny ski resort situated on the Arctic Circle (a great photo opportunity). It is a popular weekend retreat for Finns who want some relaxation. This is tourism but on a very small scale.

If tourism in Suomu is small scale then in Posio it is barely visible; all except for a fantastic husky farm at the home of our good friend Paivi. There are only 40 dogs here so it really is an intimate operation and the passion that Paivi and her team feel for their canine friends is almost tangible and we guarantee that by the end of your adventures you won’t want to say goodbye to them either.

Suitable for anybody aged 18 or over.