Husky expedition through the forests of Karelia

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Test your strength in an expedition to the northern dense forests. You will overcome kilometers of snowfields by making your way through the impassable taiga like discoverers.

You will learn how to drive a dog sled, to cook over a winter campfire and to sleep in tents in the snowy forest.

Expedition features:

the route is intended for physically fit and hardy people accustomed to hiking and camping;
group of 6 to 12 people;
tour dates: any from late January to early March, available on request;
the tour cost is calculated on a case-by-case basis depending on the number of people in a group;
groups on the route have snowmobile escort;
the number of guides: 2-3 people depending on the group size.

Location

Petrozavodsk

Expeditions

from

Contact the tour coordinator

Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)

Or text us in messengers

Itinerary

Day 1 - Transfer to the husky kennel
Meeting of participants in Petrozavodsk and group transfer to the husky kennel in the village of Matrosy in 30 km from Petrozavodsk.
Check in to the tourist center.
Lunch.
Getting familiar with the leader of the expedition, tour through the husky kennel, getting familiar with the dogs to take part in the expedition.
Briefing on the upcoming route, safety instruction.
Dinner.
Free time.
Overnight in cabins at the tourist center.

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Day 2 - Training
Breakfast.
Getting familiar with the equipment and gear. Distribution of sleds. Training exercises for dog sled driving.
Lunch.
Training ride within the territory of the husky kennel and around the village.
Dinner.
Free time.
Overnight in cabins at the tourist center.

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Day 3 - The dog sled expedition
Breakfast.
Transfer from the village of Matrosy to the village of Chalna.
Start of the dog sled expedition with snowmobile escort along the route from the village of Chalna to Pertruchey (about 25 km per day).
Lunch at the midcourse.
Making a tent camp.
Dinner.
Overnight in winter tents.

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Day 4 - The dog sled expedition
Breakfast.
Riding from Pertruchey to the river of Malaya Suna (about 32 km per day).
Lunch at the midcourse.
Making a tent camp.
Dinner.
Overnight in winter tents.

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Day 5 - The dog sled expedition
Breakfast.
Riding from the river of Malaya Suna to the lake of Peldo (about 34 km per day).
Lunch at the midcourse.
Making a tent camp.
Dinner.
Overnight in winter tents.

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Day 6 - The dog sled expedition
Breakfast.
Riding from the lake of Peldo to the village of Maselga (about 28 km per day).
Lunch at the midcourse.
Making a tent camp.
Dinner.
Overnight in winter tents or in the log cabin.

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Day 7 - The rest day
Breakfast.
The rest day. Walking around the neighborhood.
Lunch.
Russian sauna.
Dinner.

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Day 8 - The dog sled expedition
Breakfast.
Riding from the village of Maselga movement to the cape of Inzhunnavolok (about 25 km per day).
Lunch at the midcourse.
Visiting the shores of the lake of Syamozero.
Making a tent camp.
Dinner.
Overnight in winter tents.

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Day 9 - The dog sled expedition
Breakfast.
Riding from the cape of Inzhunavolok to the village of Kungozersky through the village of Syargilakhta (about 22 km per day).
Lunch.
The finishing point of the expedition.
Transfer to the village of Matrosy.
Check in to the tourist center.
Dinner.
Summary of the expedition.
Overnight in cabins at the tourist center.

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Day 10 - Additional day
Additional day in case of changes in the weather conditions.

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Day 11 - Departure
Breakfast.
Transfer to Petrozavodsk.
Departure of the participants.

Difficulty

Does not require specific skills, but one must be in good health

Accommodation

Comfort

Basic

Please, check the actual cost and dates when booking.

More info about accommodation in the husky kennel:

It is located 30 km from Petrozavodsk. It is a picturesque location in just 200 meters from one of the most picturesque and popular rafting places, Bolshoy Tolli on Shuya river. The eco-complex includes a barn, a kennel for northern sled dogs (90 animals), a pine forest, a park, guest houses and a bath complex. All dogs in the kennel located on the territory of the tourist complex take part in well-known international expeditions in the Arctic.

Polar Explorer Guest House

It is designed to accommodate up to 12 people at a time. The house has two triple and one double room, two bathrooms and a shower. Typically, its guests prefer not to cook but to order meals from the local kitchen. There is the tourist complex administration is located with the saloon, a cozy fireplace lounge with a large TV and Wi-Fi.

Husky Guest House

It is designed to accommodate up to 14 people at a time. The house has 5 rooms, a well-maintained toilet with hot water a shower and a kitchen, a TV and Wi-Fi. Usually, its guests prefer to cook their own meals by themselves.

Tour conditions

Group

up to 20 tourists

Minimum age

14 years old

Duration

11 days 10 nights

Group meets at

Petrozavodsk

Included in price

Meals from 1 to 10 day (hot breakfast and lunch, lunch snack at the midcourse, dinner);
Accommodation:
- Accommodation at the tourist center (3 or 4 nights);
- Tent camp (5 or 6 nights);
- One night in the log cabin is possible.
Rental of group equipment:
- Dog sleds;
- Snowmobiles;
- Campfire equipment;
- Group first aid kit;
- Crockery (mug, bowl, spoon) for each participant;
- Wet wipes, toilet paper;
- Winter tents;
- Arctic sleeping bags;
- Mats.
Gasoline for snowmobiles;
Transfers from Petrozavodsk to Matrosy (the husky kennel) and back;
Medical insurance and accident insurance;
Support from professional guides and instructors (2-3 persons) on the route;
Consultation on the preparation of documents for obtaining a visa to the Russian Federation;
Invitations for tourists from the tour company to obtain a visa.

Paid extra

Flight/train tickets to Petrozavodsk;
Rental of warm jackets and pants during the tour (provided at the Matrosy tourist center) at the rate of 200 rubles per day;
Additional excursions, meals, accommodation and services that are not included in the program;
Expenses related to obtaining a Russian visa (visa fee) and other documents;
Additional payment for an English-speaking translator is RUB 10 000 per day per group.

It's important to know

Big bag (a bag or a soft backpack) for belongings + a small backpack
Warm (e.g. feather) jacket of durable fabric
Windproof jacket (membrane fabric is recommended)
Warm pants
Windproof pants (side-zip pants are recommended)
Two sets of thermal underwear
Thin fleece jacket
Thick fleece jacket
Fleece pants
Four sets of warm (thermal) socks
Three pairs of thin fleece gloves
A pair of warm mittens (can be purchased in advance)
Warm hat
Thin windproof hat
Iron thermos of 1 L
Ski goggles
Shoes: Baffin boots with liners are recommended for -70 (with rubber overshoes and fabric top)
Felt boots (lightweight boots made entirely from fabric)
Or Russian felt boots with galoshes
Flashlight and batteries
Balaclava helmet
Photo and video recording devices
Personal care products
Personal medications

Equipment available to the group during the tour:

Arctic tents and sleeping bags (-70 degrees room temperature)
group first aid kit (a simple one, please take any personal medications you need with you): warmer, frostbite, burns, bleeding, headache remedies
Personal crockery: mug, bowl, spoon (are provided not to carry from abroad)
Wet wipes and toilet paper

From Moscow to Petrozavodsk

The most convenient way to get from Moscow to Petrozavodsk is to take train No. 18 or No. 92 from the Leningrad station. The ride takes all night from evening to morning. That is why it is necessary to leave the day before the meeting in the evening.

Travel time: 12-13 hours.

Train No. 18 from Moscow to Petrozavodsk departs from Moscow at 09:00 p.m. and arrives in Petrozavodsk at 08:55 a.m., the ticket price starts from 2411 rubles.

Train No. 92 from Moscow to Murmansk departs from Moscow at 07:50 p.m. and arrives in Petrozavodsk at 09:18 a.m., the ticket price starts from1655 rubles. Petrozavodsk is an intermediate station on the route of the train.

To Moscow (back)

Train No. 17 and train No. 91 (the same trains in the opposite direction).

Train No. 17 departs from Petrozavodsk at 09:00 p.m. and arrives at Leningradsky Station in Moscow at 08:53 a.m. of the next day.

Train No. 91 departs from Petrozavodsk at 09:10 p.m. and arrives at Leningradsky Station in Moscow at 10:36 a.m. of the next day.

From St. Petersburg to Petrozavodsk

The most convenient way is to take train No. 804 or No. 12. It is necessary to leave early in the morning or the night before (the ride takes about 5 hours).

Train No. 804 departs from Ladoga Station in St. Petersburg in the early morning at 06:32 a.m. and arrives in Petrozavodsk at 11:50 a.m. This train only seated tickets starting from 958 rubles

Train No. 12 departs from Ladoga Station in St. Petersburg at 11:20 p.m. on the night before and arrives in Petrozavodsk at 06:50 a.m. The ticket price starts from 773 rubles.

To St. Petersburg (back)

Train No. 11 at 10:40 p.m. arrives at Ladoga Station in St. Petersburg at 06:24 a.m. on the next day (~8-hour ride), the ticket price starts from 773 rubles.

You can buy train tickets here: https://eng.rzd.ru/

It is recommended to print your electronic ticket and show it with your ID document (passport) when boarding the train.

From Helsinki

The bus ride takes 10 hours, the ticket costs 2800 rubles.

Departure is at 07:00 p.m. of the day before, arrival is at 07:00 a.m.

Alternatively, you can leave Helsinki at 08:00 a.m. and arrive in Petrozavodsk at 06:00 p.m., spend a night in Petrozavodsk on your own and meet with the group on the next day.

Dates and Prices

The tour dates are not confirmed yet. Please, for clarification

Individual dates available on request

31 Jan – 10 Mar, 2025

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No need to pay now
$840

1 – 11 Feb, 2025 11 days 10 nights

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$840

16 – 26 Feb, 2025 11 days 10 nights

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No need to pay now