Saariselkä: Husky Safari with Aurora Borealis Hunt

There is something special about taking a husky sleigh through Lapland at night, then looking up for the Aurora Borealis. This tour is built for that exact feeling, with a focused, hands-on ride and a warm break when the cold starts to creep in.

I particularly like the way thermal gear is handled, so you spend less time stressing about clothing and more time actually enjoying the ride. I also like that the experience is structured around a short but real husky distance, plus a tipi pause by a fireplace during the aurora hunt. One thing to consider is that this is not a sit-and-watch activity, the sled is self-driven, so you need to be comfortable driving in winter conditions.

Key highlights at a glance

• Thermal clothing included: overalls, boots, and gloves handed to you at Star Arctic Hotel reception
• Small group feel: limited to 10 participants, with an English-speaking live guide
• Real husky handling: you drive the sleigh yourself, while the guide monitors from a snowmobile
• Warm tipi break by the fireplace: a hot drink and a chance to warm up and chat
• Northern Lights hunt: you’ll search the dark Arctic sky, with results depending on weather
• Approx. 8 km husky ride: enough distance to feel like you left the roads behind

Husky Safari and Aurora Hunt in Saariselkä: what this night trip really offers

If your Lapland bucket list includes both huskies and the Northern Lights, this kind of tour makes sense. You are not doing huskies as a daytime detour, and you are not doing the aurora hunt as a cold, sit-and-wait affair either. You get a winter activity you can take part in, then a cozy break, then another stretch of sky watching.

The heart of the evening is the night husky ride through the Arctic pine forest. You’re guided by a husky setup that uses experienced Siberian huskies, and you stay with your guide long enough to learn the basics and settle into the rhythm of driving. That hands-on time is what turns it from a quick photo stop into something you remember.

Getting there: pickup, transfers, and why the timing matters

The tour is about 3 hours total, and you should plan for actual moving time, not just time on the sled. Pickup is included and you’ll be collected roughly 30 minutes before the starting time. Your pickup is at specific places around Saariselkä, including options like VALO Finland, Gáldu Hotel & Spa, Holiday Club Saariselkä, Lapland Hotels Riekonlinna, and Aurora Collection.

From pickup, you’ll ride by van toward the Star Arctic Hotel & Activities area for gear, then continue onward to the Wilderness Center Husky Farm. Expect multiple short van segments and passes on the way. The guide team keeps it organized, and in the end you are dropped back at five Saariselkä-area locations.

Why this matters: aurora trips live or die by timing and weather. The schedule is designed to keep you positioned for nighttime viewing without forcing you to handle long, complicated logistics on your own.

The thermal clothing handoff at Star Arctic Hotel: comfort beats guesswork

A big part of your success on a winter night tour is not fighting your clothes. Here, thermal gear is included. You receive thermal overalls, boots, and gloves at the Star Arctic Hotel reception.

Still, you should not treat that as permission to dress lightly. The tour notes that temperatures can change quickly, so bring your own warm layers too. Comfortable shoes help for walking around between the van, gear pickup, and the tipi area. Add a hat and gloves, because warm hands matter when you want to grab your phone for aurora photos or steady your camera posture.

Practical tip: wear layers you can adjust. If you get too warm during the transfer, you will feel miserable later in the cold when the adrenaline fades.

Safety briefing and self-driving rules you should understand first

This is a self-driven husky sled experience. Before you set off, you’ll get a safety briefing and driving instructions from your Husky Guide. Once you are on the sleigh, the guide stays close by monitoring your driving from a snowmobile.

Two other details are worth respecting early:

• You and your partner ride in one sled, with one adult driving. During the experience, a driver can be changed.
• Once you are on the trail, there are no shortcuts back to the farm. You are in the flow of the route until the scheduled return.

The tour also asks you to be physically fit. This is not about extreme fitness, but it is about handling yourself calmly in cold air, being able to sit/hold position comfortably, and being ready to drive the sleigh safely on snow.

One more thing you should know, because it affects your peace of mind: there is self-liability for accidents, listed as 2000 EUR per accident case. If you have any concern about your ability to drive in winter conditions, think carefully before booking. And if an injury or other reason prevents you from driving, the tour says you should inform them in advance. A driver can be arranged for an additional 100 EUR per person based on availability.

On the trail: the 8 km husky ride through Lapland’s night pines

When the sleigh finally rolls, that’s the payoff. You get an approximate 8 km husky ride, guided by the huskies and supported by the guide team. The feeling is active, not passive. You are not just pulled along like cargo. You are driving, which means you are paying attention, steering with winter caution, and learning how the sled behaves at night.

The sled route takes you through the Arctic pine forest, the kind of dark, quiet winter scenery that makes aurora watching more than a gimmick. On a clear night, the sky overhead becomes part of the experience, not something you only glance at during the “break.”

In terms of group vibe, the tour limits participation to 10 people, which helps keep the activity smooth. You’re not stuck waiting in a long line for your turn. It feels more like a shared adventure with enough space to breathe.

Tipi break with fireplace warmth: the clever part of the aurora hunt

The aurora hunt is not only about waiting outside. You get a break in a tipi with a fireplace. This is where your body resets, and your mood improves fast.

You’ll enjoy a warm drink and have a chance to chat with your guide. Even if the lights do not show right away, this stop gives you something real to look forward to. It also helps you avoid the most common aurora problem: staying cold so long that you stop noticing the sky.

Some departures include a little extra time around the husky area, like a chance to see puppies at the farm. Even without that extra moment, the tipi break is still the moment that turns a chilly night into a memorable one.

Northern Lights hunt: what to expect and what to do if the sky is stubborn

The tour is designed around hunting for the Northern Lights, but you should treat aurora sightings as weather dependent. When the sky is clear, the location and dark timing give you a real shot at seeing aurora borealis.

If the lights do not show on your night, you still get a full husky safari experience. That’s important. This tour is not a one-bullet gamble where everything hinges on the aurora arriving on schedule. The driving, the huskies, the forest ride, and the tipi warmth are the core of the evening either way.

Practical mindset: look up consistently, but also know when to warm up. The best aurora watching happens when you can focus, not when you are numb.

Photo and phone tips for a cold aurora night

You’re going to want photos. The tour specifically suggests recharging your phone so you can take nice pictures. That’s not a random tip, cold reduces battery performance quickly.

Also remember that aurora photos are not instant. You may need time to steady yourself, adjust your framing, and wait for the sky to do its thing. Bring whatever charging setup you have and keep your phone close to you, not out in the cold for long stretches.

Who this tour fits best in Saariselkä

This is a great match if you:

• Want an evening husky safari with hands-on sleigh driving
• Care about the Northern Lights hunt, but do not want to bet the whole night on aurora odds
• Prefer a small group and an English-speaking guide
• Appreciate that you receive thermal clothing instead of trying to solve cold-weather packing alone

This is not a good fit if you:

• Want to ride without driving. Here, one adult drives the sleigh, and the guide monitors driving rather than taking over for everyone.
• Have restrictions around self-driving in winter. If you cannot drive due to injury or other reasons, plan on the additional 100 EUR per person option for a substitute driver, if available.
• Are traveling with children under 11 years, or if you are pregnant. Those groups are listed as not suitable.

Price and value: is $306 per person fair for this 3-hour night?

At $306 per person, this is not the cheapest thing you can do in Lapland. But it also includes several value drivers that cut down your own costs and hassle:

• Thermal clothing (overalls, boots, gloves) supplied
• Roundtrip transportation from Saariselkä to the Wilderness Center Husky Farm
• Safety briefing and self-driving instructions
• The actual husky sleigh ride of about 8 km
• A warm drink during the tipi stop

When you add it up, the price feels more reasonable because the tour reduces the biggest hidden costs of winter activities: gear stress, extra transfers, and the risk of being underdressed. The small group size also helps, since you are not packed into a giant crowd.

The extra cost you might face is only if you cannot drive. In that case, a driver can be arranged with an additional 100 EUR per person. Alcohol is also not allowed in the vehicle, which can affect your budgeting if you were thinking of bringing something.

Should you book this husky safari with Aurora hunt?

Yes, if you want a real Arctic night adventure that combines self-driven huskies with a structured Northern Lights hunt, and you’re happy to meet Lapland’s cold head-on with included thermal gear. This tour is especially strong for people who want to do more than sit on a lookout bench.

Skip it if you want a passenger-only ride, if you’re not comfortable driving a sled in winter conditions, or if you fall into the listed non-suitable categories.

If you book, go in with the right expectations: the aurora is not guaranteed, but the husky safari itself is the main event, and the tipi warmth is there to make sure you enjoy the ride either way.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Saariselkä husky safari with Aurora Borealis hunt?

The tour duration is listed as 3 hours, and the exact timing may vary based on weather and the number of participants.

Do I get thermal clothing for the husky ride?

Yes. You receive thermal overalls, boots, and gloves at the Star Arctic Hotel reception.

Is the husky sled ride self-driven?

Yes. The sled is SELF-DRIVEN, and you will receive safety briefing and driving instructions. One adult drives the sleigh while two people share one sled, and the driver can be changed during the experience.

What should I bring for this Arctic night tour?

Bring warm clothing in addition to the thermal gear, plus comfortable shoes, a hat, and gloves. The tour also suggests keeping your phone charged for photos.

Is this tour suitable for children or pregnant travelers?

No. It is listed as not suitable for children under 11 years and pregnant women.

What if I cannot drive the sled due to injury or other reasons?

You should inform the operator in advance. A driver can be arranged based on availability for an additional 100 EUR per person.