Winter week "Plus" - 8 days/7 nights

Winter vacations in Eräkeskus - an experience for those who want something more!

Immerse yourself in a world of snow and silence! If you long for pure winter magic, endless expanses and the magic of the Finnish wilderness, you’ve come to the right place. Experience a great time where the energy of the sled dogs inspires you and the nature touches your soul!

  • Do you dream of leading your own dog sled team through snow-covered forests?
  • Would you like to feel the magical silence while the snow sings under your runners?
  • Are you looking for a break from everyday life that makes you feel free and alive?

Then our “Plus” winter week is just the thing for you!

What to expect:

  • Two guided sled dog tours where you steer your own team and experience the incredible power and joy of the dogs up close.
  • A cabin night: We glide out into the snow-covered wilderness on a dog sled to a cozy cabin where you spend the night surrounded by nature – a great adventure! The next morning, “your” dog team will take you back to the lodge.
  • A snowshoe hike through enchanting winter landscapes – decelerating, quiet and of breathtaking beauty.
  • Time for yourself: explore the snow-covered nature on your own, enjoy the absolute peace and quiet or accompany our adorable dogs on a relaxing walk.

Look forward to a winter week full of magical moments and loving encounters, and the intense experience with our sled dogs.

Send a non-binding inquiry

Day 1: Arrival and welcome

Your journey begins with your arrival in Kuopio or Joensuu, where we will give you a warm welcome and then drive towards Eräkeskus. After checking in and moving into your cozy room, you will have the opportunity to get to know our team personally. We will end the evening with a delicious dinner in the cozy atmosphere of our lodge – the perfect start to your winter adventure.

Day 2: Learn the Basics of Dog Sledding

After a hearty breakfast, you will receive your equipment and take part in a theoretical introduction to dog sledding and working with our dogs. Then it’s time for the real adventure: together, we harness the dogs – an intense and rewarding experience that helps you build a connection with your team.
Afterwards, we head out on our first, relatively easy sledding tour (approximately 1–1.5 hours, depending on the group’s driving skills). Back at Eräkeskus, we first take care of and reward the dogs before gathering for lunch and sharing the experiences of the ride.
The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your own pace – relax in nature, explore the surroundings, or warm up with a cup of tea.

Day 3: A more challenging dog sled tour

Today we will hone your skills on a technically challenging trail. We’ll harness the dogs together before setting off on a 2 to 2.5-hour ride on more challenging trails – glistening snow, quiet forests and endless expanses included. On the way, you will learn how to handle the dogs during breaks and solve minor problems on your own. Back at the lodge, you provide your team with reward soup before we have lunch together in the restaurant, where we discuss the overnight tour. Afterwards, you have the afternoon at leisure – perhaps you accompany our oldies on a leisurely walk or simply enjoy the soothing peace and quiet or relax in the sauna.

Day 4: Setting off into the wilderness and cabin life with the dogs

Today is an exciting stage with the dog sleds: over 30 kilometers deep into untouched nature. Our destination is the Aittokoski forest cabin – a rustic, remote hut with a very special charm. We fetch water from a separate anteroom and heat the hut itself with firewood, as well as the sauna, which is about 50 meters away and is also supplied with water manually. Here you are in the middle of the Finnish wilderness – and our dogs are also happy to have their own huts and some will spend the night together with us in the forest house.

The focus is on teamwork: together we provide the dogs with snacks, bones and a warm soup, prepare a soft straw bed for them and then make ourselves comfortable in the hut. We even heat up the sauna! Then we cook a delicious dinner together and round off the day with a convivial evening in the hut.

Day 5 - Return home to Eräkeskus

After a hearty breakfast for both humans and dogs, we begin our cabin routine: cleaning up, restocking firewood, and preparing everything for our departure. Once everything is ready, we load our sleds and set off on the journey back to Eräkeskus.
The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy as you wish – perhaps a walk with one of our dogs, a well-deserved nap, or simply some time to relax and soak in the peaceful surroundings.

Day 6 - free day

Today is entirely yours to enjoy. Explore the surrounding wilderness on snowshoes or cross-country skis – both are available for you to use free of charge. Or simply spend a relaxing day by the fireplace or in the sauna.
Our dogs are always happy to join you for a walk, and especially our senior dogs appreciate the extra attention. If you are interested, you are also welcome to help us with the morning or evening feeding routine – a wonderful opportunity to experience daily life with sled dogs and get to know them even better.

Day 7 - Snowshoe hike

Today, we head out on a snowshoe hike through the protected wilderness surrounding the Änäkäinen Lakes. You’ll discover another traditional Nordic way of travelling and experience the quiet beauty of winter from a completely different perspective.
Along the way, we stop to prepare lunch over an open fire, surrounded by nature – a truly authentic Finnish outdoor experience. In the afternoon, we return to the lodge, where the rest of the day is yours to enjoy. Relax in the sauna, unwind by the fireplace, or simply take in the peaceful atmosphere of the wilderness.

Day 8: Farewell & journey home

After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye. We will organize your transfer and bid you farewell with our best wishes. You travel home with many new impressions, touching moments and extraordinary memories in your luggage.

Note: This program is an example. Depending on the weather, our group dynamics or other circumstances, the days and activities may change slightly. Flexibility is part of the adventure – but one thing is certain: every day will be special!

Prices:

  • Per person: € 2,390 in a double room.
  • Single room supplement in the Eräkeskus guest house: € 400.
  • Reduction 3rd person in extra bed: 200,- €.
  • Booking of a ½ double room (up to 4 weeks before departure): On request.
  • Seasonal reduction: 120,- € per person, for arrivals on 27.03.2027, 28.03.2027, 03.04.2027, 04.04.2027.
  • No child discount available.

Optional:

  • Full Sled Damage Protection: € 50.

  • Available dates: from 02.01.2027 – 11.04.2027
  • Arrival only possible Saturday – Saturday or Sunday – Sunday

Included:

  • Transfer: From/to Kuopio/Joensuu or Lieksa and all necessary tour transfers.
  • Accommodation:
    • 6 nights in the Eräkeskus guesthouse (double room with private shower/WC).
    • 1 overnight stay in the Aittokoski forest house (shared room) with 1x sauna.
  • Meals: Full board from day 1 dinner to day 8 breakfast (breakfast, lunch, dinner with 3-course menu).
  • Weekly program:
    • 2 x dog sled tours with your own team of sled dogs.
    • 2-day tour with sled dogs and overnight stay in a hut.
    • 1 x snowshoe hike with lunch by an open fire.
  • Drinks: coffee/tea included.
  • Daily sauna: alternating between the electric sauna in the lodge and the traditional wood-fired lakeside sauna.
  • Free use of skis and snowshoes, subject to availability.
  • Guide: German, English, Finnish speaking guide.
  • Final cleaning: Included.
  • Bed linen and towels: are provided.
  • Overalls and winter boots are provided. Available sizes for overalls range from XXS – XXL, and for boots from size 36 – 47.
  • Winter equipment for the tours: snowshoes.

Not included:

  • Travel: Flight, train ticket.
  • Drinks: Except tea, coffee and water.
  • Clothing/equipment: gloves, hat, thermos flask, headlamp. Please be sure to take a look at our equipment list.
  • Daypack: For snowshoe hikes and overnight stays in huts.

Tips:

  • Savings tip: The train route Helsinki – Joensuu/Kuopio/Lieksa is significantly cheaper than the domestic flight Helsinki – Kuopio/Joensuu. Train schedules are usually available at www.vr.fi about 2 months before the start of your trip. If you wish to travel by train, please coordinate your arrival with us in advance so that we can plan the transfer accordingly.
  • Pro tip: We recommend taking out cancellation and return travel insurance.

General Terms and Conditions:

Our General Terms and Conditions apply.

Eräkeskus 2

This week is designed for guests who enjoy exercise and want to be active. Your help is particularly needed on the journey to the hut: with more than 30 kilometers to cover, you have to actively support the dogs again and again – on inclines or when fresh snow makes the route more difficult.

If you enjoy being outdoors, hiking, cycling or jogging, you have the best prerequisites. The most important thing is that you enjoy being active and are willing to lend a hand when needed.

The “Plus” winter week is ideal for anyone who wants to experience winter nature intensively – with long but manageable daily stages, real teamwork with the dogs and the wonderful feeling of having achieved something together.
Not sure whether the tour is right for you? Then just get in touch – we’ll be happy to help you!

Eräkeskus stands for authentic experiences in the untouched wilderness of Finland – far away from mass tourism and in a family-like atmosphere. You can expect real adventures, a deep connection to nature, and a truly relaxing slowdown.

  • Familiar atmosphere – With only 10 to a maximum of 16 guests at a time, you will experience personal care, genuine warmth and the feeling of being part of a small community.
  • Small groups, big experiences – Our dog sledding tours take place in small groups of 2 to 5 guests – for intensive, individual experiences close to nature.
  • Untouched wilderness instead of mass tourism – In North Karelia, you will hardly encounter any scooter traffic or overcrowded trails – instead you will find endless expanses, deep silence and pure nature.
  • Get as close as possible to the dogs – Our dogs are not just part of the tours, but part of the family. You can accompany them in everyday life, cuddle with them and learn more about their lives and training.
  • Gentle tourism & respect for nature – We focus on sustainable experiences with minimal impact on the environment – for adventures in harmony with nature.
  • Peace & relaxation – Experience winter in a different way: without the hustle and bustle, but with cozy evenings by the fireplace, Finnish sauna and plenty of time to take a deep breath.
First and Last Name
DD.MM.YYYY - DD.MM.YYYY