Looking for something special up north? Enjoy a wonderful husky safari in Lapp winter wonderland.
A husky safari in Finnish Lapland
Definitely on the top of my list in Lapland: driving a sleigh pulled by huskies.
And so we went for it.
The choices are endless. You can choose a short 2 kilometer ride or go up to 20 kilometers or more. A kennel visit is included, with or without pick-up.
We did a 5 kilometer tour with the children and my husband and I took a 10 kilometer one. Both were worth the money.
Before the actual safari, both husky farms allowed you to meet the dogs. You prepare for the safari by harnessing the dogs. You also test the sleighs. More important, listen to some basic information. This included steering, instructing the dogs and, very handy, keeping your balance and braking!
Usually, one persons sits down and the other is taking the reins, steering and, more important, managing the speed. Huskies can run up to 20 kilometers per hour. As you can imagine, you are up for a pretty fast ride. This is especially true at the start and when going down.
Keeping the sleigh in balance takes some strength. Still, this is no problem for adults. Older children, around 12 years or more, can also handle it.
All sleighs follow each other, with some distance. A snowmobile headed the 5 kilometer ride. The 10 kilometer one was led by a sleigh steered by the owner. An electric snowmobile brought up the rear. After both rides, we had time to visit the kennel and meet the beautiful and friendly dogs.
Both rides went through Lapp wilderness and were superb.
We preferred the 10 kilometer safari organized by Maglelin Experience. It’s run by a small family-owned company with 44 long-distance racing huskies. The safari took us under a clear blue sky. We ventured into the wilderness at the edge of Finland’s oldest National Park. We glided on a track on fairly flat terrain of frozen and snowy marshland and forest. It was perfect to enjoy the peacefulness of the Lapp wilderness. The owners ran upfront in a sleigh. In the other safari, this was done by snowmobiles.
We took a break around 5 kilometers to capture the magic of Lapland’s landscapes and take some photographs
Upon arrival, the joyful barks of the Huskies will greet you at the local husky farm. Take the opportunity to meet these friendly dogs and gain insights into their fascinating lifestyle.
After the ride, we enjoyed a hot berry juice and a snack in a Lapp hut around an open fire. The experienced owner shared interesting information about life in a husky kennel and their races. Absolutely worth it !
Practical information
We enjoyed a husky safari in Levi, high up north in Finnish Lapland.
Levi is an excellent gateway for winter wonderland activities.
It’s a cosy town, easily reachable by plane and taxi, with a small center: everything (shops, ski rental, supermarket, lake, …) is within walking distance. This is certainly a plus, if you arrive by plane. You don’t really need a rental car to drive around, unless ypu choose accommodation outside the center.
Levi has excellent accommodation in and close to the town center. You can perfectly book it yourself, ranging from stand-alone wooden cabins over apartments of even houses.
We booked a small cottage through Levi Alppitalot apartments. It includes a sauna, washing machine, and dryer. It is within walking distance of the supermarket, the tourist information center, and the lake.
The price for flights in the high season can rise, so it’s good to book as early as possible. Also, some flights in economy only include hand-luggage. Ensure you have enough checked luggage. Ski and other warm clothes take up much more space than summer outfits.
General information
Levi offers a wide range of winter activities. The town has excellent ski slopes for great ski fun with superb views over the endless forests and frozen swamps.
On top, it’s the ideal place to enjoy the fantastic Northern lights.
There is an excellent website bundling all information on Levi, ranging from accommodation over skiing and husky safaris. Everything you need to know is is there.
Also, we found the local Levi tourist information very helpful. They are reachable per mail, are very friendly and respond quickly.
Our recommendations
Hereby our tips for a splendid husky safari
- decide which safari you want: a short one or rather a long one. Safaris of 2 or 5 kilometers offer the basics. A 10-kilometer safari gives the feeling of really being part of the Lapp wilderness.
- book upfront, in particular in the high season.
- check the location of the start of the safari and the pick-up options. Some safaris offer free pick up from the Levi tourist center.
- check the website of the Levi tourist center for rides. It’s an excellent website. You can also contact the center by mail. They are very responsive, friendly and offer decent advice.
- wear warm clothes, in layers. It may be sunny weather but ice cold, minus 10 degrees is not an exception.
- driving is not difficult and really pleasant. Just listen to the instructions, so you know how to balance the speed and yourself and to brake.
Leave a Reply