Safari to the Ice Hotel

The trip follows the old postal route between Karasjok and Alta. The tour starts from the comforts of Engholm Lodge — in the heart of Sámi culture — and heads north-west across the Finnmark plateau to Alta on the sea coast. We end the tour at the world's northernmost igloo hotel at Sorrisniva outside Alta. Everything is made from snow and ice, even down to details such as the glasses in the bar, and the hotel is decorated inside and out with sculptures. 25–50 km per day.

How we travel

You will have your "own" sled and be responsible for 4–6 dogs. Participants with previous dog-sledding experience usually drive a single team. Participants without experience normally start out on the first day with a tandem team — two sleds and 8–10 dogs — sharing the team with a partner or the guide. The guide and the participants decide together whether a double or a single team is best; the sleds are very easy to disconnect from each other, so that there are two single teams.

Who can join

A reasonable level of fitness, concentration and a sense of balance are the key attributes needed.

Good to know

GPS positions of the lodge and the mountain cabins are listed under Information → GPS positions.

Day by day plan

Day 1

The programme starts with dinner at 19.00. Then your guide gives you all the information about the tour.

Day 2

After a good Norwegian breakfast we provide you with warm outdoor clothes. The rest of the day is at your own disposal for interesting activities. There is always a lot happening on the farm — puppies learning to socialise — and many interesting books to read in our "Dog musher library". Smaller outings can be ventured on your own if you wish: snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, a tour with our kick-sleds or walking in the beautiful countryside.

You can book a day trip with the sled dogs or a snowmobile tour. It is even possible to visit a Sámi family and their reindeer herd on the plateau, or to take part in a reindeer race. Local handicrafts and shops are found in Karasjok, the Sámi village; the National Sámi Museum, a guided tour of the Norwegian Sámi Parliament, the Sámi art gallery, the Sápmi theme park and the local knife smith are also worth visiting.

Day 3

We organise the teams of huskies and learn the basics of caring for your team and driving the sleds. The long sled tour starts directly from the lodge. After a steep climb up to the mountain plateau we mush over a hilly stretch, crossing lakes, marshes and a stretch of barren land to Gardin mountain cabin.

Day 4

We reach the mountain plateau and the tundra, a fascinating landscape where the view is endless. Here the land is sparse and windswept. In the evening we arrive at Mollisjok mountain cabin — a "jewel" right in the middle of nowhere on the plateau.

Day 5

We cross Iesjavri, the largest lake in Finnmark. The view is endless in all directions. We spend the night at Jotka mountain cabin.

Day 6

We head north-west, and for the first time we can see the Arctic Ocean and look down at the fjords. In the evening we reach the special Sorrisniva igloo hotel outside Alta, where you spend the last night. The guide — and the dogs, with wagging tails — say goodbye in the afternoon before heading back to Engholm Lodge. In the evening a delicious à la carte dinner is served at the restaurant (extra charge, not included in the tour price).

Day 7

The programme ends after breakfast.

The price includes

• All meals from dinner at 19.00 on day one until breakfast on the last day
• All tour equipment
• Arctic clothing for mushing — see the equipment list
• Guide and activities according to the programme
• Design-cabin accommodation at the lodge
• Dormitory at the mountain cabins

Not included

• Personal equipment
• Individual services
• Insurance
• Transport to and from the lodge

The full terms are in the booking terms.