A long trip through mountains and forests

Also this tour starts by Lake Altevatn and goes through Swedish territory southwards in the direction of Jukkasjärvi passing the small Sàmi village at Vouskojaure.

After about two days the expedition leaves the mountain and comes into an area with hills. At the same height as Lake Vittangijärvi the first pine forest appears. This is the area that we like to call the Scandinavian Alaska. It is a medium high mountainous area with pine trees lying between the snow-covered mountains in Norway in the west and the Finish flatland in the east. As the expedition moves deeper into the Swedish primeval forest, the wood gets denser. In the last months of winter, reindeer herds come here before they go westwards in the spring. The distance that the reindeer lay behind in 12 months, we do in 10 days.

At the small place Jukkasjærvi, just south of Kiruna, the expedition turns in the north-west direction to the ice on the river Torneelva. Following this river we move slightly uphill again. Depending on the weather and snow, we reach the Norwegian side either over Vouskojaure or over the mountain between Torneträsk and Altevatn.

The Sàmi’s snow scooter tracks make up a main part of the route. Therefore, we can count on progress, even though the weather may vary.

The area that this expedition goes through is not accessible for anyone. This means that the number of the cabins and shelters underway are limited. A warming campfire will guarantee comfort by the tents in the pine forest.

After a thorough briefing in dog sledding here on the huskyfarm, the participants handle their own sled and dog team on the tour. Usually, much sooner than expected the participant feel secure on the sled and with the dogs. The hardest part may be saying goodbye to the dogs after the 350 kilometre long tour through genuine nature comes to an end.

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What you should bring …

Below we have made a list of all equipment proven suitable during a stay in the winter. You should not bring much more, since a dog’s carrying capacity is not unlimited.

Before the tour starts, we will conduct a thorough check of the equipment to see that all necessary items are at hand, and, whether or not any excess stuff may be deposited at Innset. Your personal equipment shall be packed in a large sack and placed on the sledge. Therefore, you do not need to bring with you a big rucksack. It may prove better to divide it into two or three smaller packages.

Requirement list

  • Backpack or bag
  • Sleeping bag that can resist minus 30° C – or a regular sleeping bag that can be combined with one of our over-cover sleeping bags (that can be wrapped around yours)
  • Sleeping mat (width: max. 55 cm)
  • Underwear
  • Baselayer of wool (ski-shirts)
  • 1 pair of thin long johns (ski underpants)
  • 1 pair of thick long johns (wool or fleece)
  • 2 or 3 shirts or thin sweaters
  • 1 thick sweater
  • 1 even thicker sweater (wool or fleece)
  • 1 pair of trousers
  • 4 pairs of socks in different wool thickness
  • 1 pair of windbreaker pants/skiing pants
  • Windbreaker jacket with hood
  • 1 pair of thick windbreaker gloves
  • 1 pair of gloves to use when the dogs are being tied to or unfastened from the sled
  • 1 balaclava or something to cover your face in
  • 1 pair of really warm boots, like “Sorel Big Horn” (or better), including 2 pairs of thick socks (Can be provided by us)
  • Gaiters
  • 1 pair of shoes to use in the cabin
  • 1 or 2 winter-cap(s)
  • Sun (ski)glasses with UV filter
  • Sun protection with at least SPF 15 (in March) up to SPF 25 (April / May)
  • Sharp knife (sheath knife or pocket knife)
  • Unbreakable thermos flask (bottle)
  • Headlight with extra batteries. For rechargeable lamps: spare batteries and powerbank . If the battery is not replaceable: take 2 headlamps with you.
  • Camera with extra batteries
  • An extra pair of glasses for those who use them. The rim should not be of 100% synthetic material, since extremely low temperatures may deter use.
  • Earplug for a silent night

For those who wish, we lend free of charge: a warm overall, winter boots and an oversleeping bag, with which an autumn sleeping bag (to -5 °) becomes a super winter sleeping bag, a reindeer skin and snowshoes.
When buying and trying on the outer, windproof layer, it is essential to remember that with the number of sweaters and underpants worn, the body circumference increases significantly. Then the anorak and overtrousers must still fit light and airy and in no way restrict the freedom of movement.

The personal equipment (warming clothes, underwear for changing, sleeping bags, sleeping mat, headlamp + batteries, photo equipment, backpack or bag, etc.) minus the clothes you put on at about -10 degrees should not exceed the weight of 20 kg. That is, at -10 degrees you have a maximum of 20 kg of personal equipment on the sled.

The current season is fully booked.

Book this tour?

The current season is fully booked.

Book another tour

Tour-Info