The Ähijärv tour

Two days sledding, two traveldays

This magnificent tour leaves from Karulas Wolftrail in northern direction, to the hart of Karula national park, where lays the lake Ähijärv. Over meandering forestpaths and through spacious pineforests we reach the hilly area southwest of the lake. We spend the night in a half open cabin at the lake, or in tents on a tiny island in Ähijärv. The first day we sled about 17 km and the second day 45 km. Including the testdrive on the first day the whole roundtour covers about 70 km.

Day 1

You are being picked up at the airport of Riga, Tallin, or the bus- or trainstation in Valga or Võru. In the early evening you arrive at Karulas Wolftrail, where we together enjoy a nice diner near the woodstove in our authentic livingkitchen. You spend the night in your own rustic loghouse.

Day 2

After a good breakfast we give the dogs their morningbouillon. Also cleaning up the droppings is part of the dayly care. Next you get an extensive explanation about how to drive the sled, harness the dogs and the progress of the tour. We fit the complete winteroutfits and then its time for the first mushing experience.
After you have harnessed up your own dogteam you individually leave with the guide for a testdrive of 7 km. On the way you learn how to block your sled and several handly mushing tricks. After lunch we prepare ourselves for the expedition and travel to the first bivouacplace at a desolate lake. There we shop wood, make a campfire, feed the dogs, prepare our diner and make up the beds. We work together as a team and everybody pitches in. The cold has made us tired, but in a warm arctiv sleepingbag in the wildernis shelter under the open sky you can dream of sunny, tropical beaches.

Day 3

A good breakfast gives us the energy needed for a long drive to the heart of Karula National Park. We pass through lakes and hilly landscape. When the sun sets we return to Karulas Wolftrail, where awaits us a hot sauna and a blessing of delicacies and domesticity.

Day 4

After the overnight stay in your loghouse, a nice shower and breakfast we say goodbey to the dogs and head back to the Riga airport.

Included in the price

Not included in the price

Prices

Packing list

Dayly temperatures can vary between + 3 and -25 C. To sled comfortably at -15 C we offer you the nescesary clothes, as described above. In addition, you have to bring yourself:

Best is to use the layersystem, so that you can remove layers when its warm. All clothes are best from synthetic material or wool. We advise strongly against cotton, because this absorbs sweat, which makes you cool off fast.

Important: for whom this trip is suitable

There is no agelimit. Do realise that during the sledding a good sense of balans and concentration are important. Possibly extreme cold, fallen trees and other obstacles on the trails, pushing up steep hills and the responsibility of your own dogteam make the tour physicaly and mentaly chalanging.