Husky Sled and Northern Lights Expedition
Mush your husky pack across Norway's remote Finnmark plateau and sleep under the stars in a luxurious A-frame cabin
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with expert, local, English-speaking guideMountain Cabins
2 nights in a luxurious A-frame cabin and 2 nights in a mountain lodgeMeals
All breakfasts, 2 lunches and all dinnersTransfers
To and from the airport and everything in betweenEquipment
All your dogsledding clothing and equipmentSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 10 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
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What's it like?
Drive a husky pack across the snow-blanketed Finnmark Plateau – 22,000 km2 of untouched wilderness
Warm up in an outdoor hot tub, eyes to the sky – this is one of the best places on earth to see the aurora borealis
Sleep in a luxurious A-frame cabin with a cosy fire and a 5-metre tall window so you can look at the stars as you fall asleep
Featured as one of the ‘Best Northern Lights Tours’ by The Times
Key Information
Day 1
Settle in to an Arctic wonderland
Meet your host at the airport and head to their husky lodge near the fjord-side city of Alta, known for its views of the northern lights. The modern, comfortable lodge is designed to integrate with the untamed wilderness that surrounds it. Settle into your stunning wooden A-frame cabin – with striking 5-metre tall windows, the cabins beautifully merge with the forest, immersing you in the beauty of the Arctic. If you’re feeling brave, take a dip in the outdoor jacuzzi and warm up in the sauna before sitting down for a delicious dinner of local dishes with your fellow travellers. Return to your cabin to watch the stars through the floor-to-ceiling window and if you’re lucky, get a glimpse of the aurora.
Day 2
Ride to a remote mountain hut
Dog Sledding
After fuelling up with a hearty breakfast, you’ll meet the pups, climb into a thermal suit and learn how to safely handle a dogsled. Thoroughly briefed and ready to go, you’ll embark on your first sledding journey on the old post route of Beskades across the Finnmark Plateau. Crossing the plateau will take around 3-4 hours, then you'll arrive at camp where you will learn how to tend to your dogs after the long journey, before tucking into lunch. You'll spend the next two nights at the rustic Suolovuopmi Mountain Lodge, one of the oldest mountain cabins in Finnmark – keep your eyes peeled for the northern lights.
Day 3
Immersed in the wilderness
Dog Sledding
After breakfast – for you and the huskies – prepare your dogs and spend the next few hours sledding towards Kautokeino, diving deep into the Arctic's beauty and enjoying lunch along the trail. Back at Suolovuopmi Mountain Lodge, wrap up an epic sledding experience by tending to your team of dogs, ensuring they’re well-rested for tomorrow. You can then kick back and unwind in the sauna and jump in the frozen lake before sharing a hearty dinner with your fellow mushers.
Day 4
Circle back to the husky lodge
Dog Sledding
Wake up, have breakfast and then prepare your team of dogs to sled back across the plateau. Take in the beauty of the Arctic wilderness before arriving back at the husky lodge, where you can relax in the sauna and the jacuzzi and settle back into your luxurious A-frame cabin. Enjoy a final celebratory dinner together and reflect on your unforgettable journey, before one last chance to catch aurora from the window of your forest abode.
Day 5
Time to head home
Enjoy the Arctic view from your window one last time, before tucking in to breakfast at the lodge. Say your goodbyes to the dogs before heading back to the airport (or Alta city centre) and home.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Alta City Airport or Alta City Centre
Arrive by 17:00 on Day 1
Ends
Alta City Airport or Alta City Centre
Depart any time on Day 5
Transfers
Arrival transfers from Alta Airport to the Husky Lodge are included at any time on (or before) Day 1. However, if you wish to join the welcome dinner at approximately 18:00 you should plan to arrive no later than 17:00. Departure transfers from the Husky Lodge to Alta Airport are included at any time on (or after) Day 5 although you will need to check out of your cabin after breakfast.
If you would like to be collected from (or dropped at) Alta city centre instead please let your host know.
Travel options
There are no direct flights to Alta from the UK but connections are available from both Oslo and Tromsø. From Oslo, the flight time is just over 2 hours, while the flight time from Tromsø is 40 minutes.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
The Husky Lodge serves a variety of food, much of it made from local ingredients, including moose, reindeer and fish. Most dietary requirements, including vegetarian and vegan, can be catered for – just let your host know in advance.
What is the accommodation like?
Husky Lodge
The Holmen Husky Lodge is a warm, inviting base where modern, luxurious amenities meet the untamed wilderness. Equipped with all the necessary facilities for a comfortable and memorable stay (including a sauna and a jacuzzi), its design seamlessly integrates with the natural surroundings, providing an immersive Arctic experience. You’ll stay in stunning 50-square metre wooden A-frame cabins with 5-metre windows, inviting the forest inside and offering breathtaking views – the perfect spot from which to catch the northern lights. The cabins include a cosy living room, a comfortable bedroom and a well-appointed bathroom.
Rooming is on a twin-share basis. The cabins have a double bed upstairs and a sleeping couch in the lounge area which transforms into a comfy double bed. You'll stay here on your first and last night - we suggest that solo travellers who are sharing a cabin switch over on your return stay so that you each spend a night in the main bedroom.
Note: Images of the A-frame cabins are artist's illustrations. The new cabin construction is scheduled to be complete by 1 November 2024.
The Finnmark Plateau
The Suolovuopmi Mountain Lodge stands as one of the oldest mountain cabins in Finnmark, and has the rustic charm to match. Warm and welcoming, it has essential modern amenities as well as a connection with the region’s history and cultural heritage, including showers and a sauna. You’ll stay in a cosy lodge with multi-share bedrooms (2-4 people per room).
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private cabin at the Husky Lodge can be booked for an extra charge on Day 1 and Day 4 (subject to availability). Private rooms are not available at Suolovuopmi Mountain Lodge on Days 2 and 3.
Should you wish to extend your stay, additional nights at the Husky Lodge are available on request (subject to availability).
See Optional Extras for prices.
This trip has been rated as Moderate
No previous dog-sledding experience is needed, just a reasonable level of fitness to handle the sled. Your host will ensure that you learn all the skills you need throughout the trip. Once your guide has given you sufficient instruction, you'll drive for around 5-6 hours per day, with two people per sled. You will also learn to take care of your pack by putting on their harnesses, feeding them and most importantly, keeping them motivated.
The cold season in Alta lasts for over four months, from mid-November to mid-March, with temperatures reaching lows of -15°C or colder, however, you can expect an average temperature of -6°C
Arctic Dog Sledding
Still buzzing from the experience. So much more than just a holiday! Everything, from the food to the accommodation, the guides to the sled dogs, were wonderful. The scenery was simply breathtaking & it really did feel like we were on an expedition. I had the best, most amazing & incredible time! Thank you for enabling me as a single traveller in my 50’s to have this amazing experience. I felt safe on my own, enjoyed be part of the group & everything was very well organised throughout. Definitely recommend Much Better Adventures to anyone with a taste for adventure!
Great Trip
Really cool to sled around with the fantastic huskies. Fun accommodation with sauna and hot tub. Really loved the food and met some great people. Our guides Erasmus and Nicholas were brilliant and so available to help. Definitely recommend.
Practically perfect. From the pick
Practically perfect. From the pick up to the drop off I felt we were well taken care of. There were 12 guests and 2 guides. Plus the owner did a bit of the driving around. The whats app group did help in the beginning for logistics, and was very useful throughout the trip for tipps and photosharing. We had a varied group in age and composition. from the mid 20s to late 50s. We had 4 couples and 4 singles. Americans, Danish, Brits. Well mixed, and helpful people & fun to be with. Our guides, Nick and Rasmus were excellent. Both Swedish, both experts with huskies and being outdoor guides. They were exceptional in their behaviour, their way to kick start the conversation, and keep the group happy. Always stressing that many things (like feeding the dogs) are really optional. You felt in safe hands. The lodge and equipment itself were first class. Suits, goggles, shoes, sleds, huskies, accommodation, communal area. All brand new, or super well maintained. Akin to a wonderful mountain chalet or hotel. Food was plenty, well cooked, local, and highly appreciated by the group. We tried everything from reindeer, to deer tongue to whale and Norwegian waffles (because they are heart shaped...) and famous Norwegian caramelised cheese. The pacing was relaxed, some of us could have gone on longer on each day. Starting off with getting onto the sleds straight away is great. We came off the airport, changed into pro gear and off we went. Dogs were already mounted on the lines. First day we practiced 5k, so it was important to get used to it. Made us hungry for dinner, and the guides used the time well to explain what we needed to pack for the next couple of days. The trail itself was great, it was in huskey terms super easy, still meant 3-4 hours on the sled. The overnighter in the hut was excellent, the lady there was so kind, did everything for us and served Arctic shark. That night the guides lit a fire and we saw the best Northern lights. We saw some the night before, but on track they were special. You cannot legislate for that, so it's I am sure just luck. Following day getting up was easy. Ride back was equally awesome. Landscapes, snow, sun was shining, no more than -15 degrees. Shades out, shout at Huskeys by name and off we go.
Amazing tour, every single detail was perfection.
This tour lived up to every high expectation I had and more. The guides made sure all of our questions were answered and I felt safe and tended to. At the same time, they were funny, engaging and it was like hanging out with friends. They went above and beyond at every moment (they even got the Northern Lights to come out each night for us ;) ). The food was exceptional- as a vegetarian, I had concerns, but the food was plentiful and delicious. The accommodations were much nicer than expected and hot water was plentiful. I have so many happy memories from this tour. Most of the time, once I've done something, I cross it off my list and move on to the next adventure, but I can definitely see myself doing this tour again, and I've definitely made adventure friends for life.
Would do again
This was one of the best experiences I have been on! When we arrived the facilities were amazing, these stunning cozy tipi’s where you can see the wilderness. The guides were incredibly helpful and patient in teaching us and answering all our questions. Then there was the dogs and sledding! Absolutely fantastic!
Everything I'd hoped for and more.
Incredible few days in Alta, the hosts were friendly, informative and accommodating, giving everyone chance to get involved. Accommodation was cosy, comfortable and warm (the mountain cabin does have showers). The dogs are so friendly, well looked after, and love cuddles. Incredible scenery, we got to see the northern lights. Couldn't recommend it more.
Holmen Husky Lodge
What a lovely 4 days of peace and relaxation. From the moment we arrived to the afternoon of leaving we have enjoyed ourselves. Learning to sled and mush is an awesome experience. The overnight sled journey was a mix. Day 1 headwinds, freezing winds, and tough uphills, contrasted to clear blue skies and downhill runs on the return leg. The highlight was the Northern Light show, along with the knowledge you had a sauna, jacuzzi and Nordic Ice Bath to dip into on return. The food is all locally made and prepared. Cod stew, Reindeer Stew, fresh deserts, coffee and tea always available. The facilities are second to none, and every member of staff (including the dogs) are very welcoming.
Go on this trip!
This was one of the best trips of my life! Our guides, Niklaus & Rasmus were brilliant, they’re experts at what they do, funny, friendly and put all of us at ease. I loved learning how to work with the dogs, the accommodation was great, and sledding the plateau & the campfire with the northern lights were a dream come true. My group got so lucky with the weather and the aurora and I was genuinely sad to leave the trip & my dogs when it was over. Highly recommend.