Arctic Adventure Tours · Kvaløya
You and a partner share one sled behind a team of Alaskan huskies on Kvaløya, taking turns on the runners while a guide leads the line. Pick it for the sled time: the listing promises 70 to 80 minutes, about the longest run you get on a half-day trip from Tromsø.
Arctic Adventure Tours is a family kennel of about 130 Alaskan huskies on Kvaløya, the big island west of Tromsø. A black minibus picks you up outside the Scandic Ishavshotel and drives you out across the bridge. At the kennel you pull on a thermal suit and boots, get a short lesson on the brake and the commands, and help bring your dogs to the sled. Then the line of sleds heads out behind the guide.
The run is the reason this trip has more reviews than any other in Tromsø. The listing says 70 to 80 minutes on the trail, and guests report anywhere from an hour to 90 minutes, with two or three stops to swap driver and passenger. Compare that with the 30 minutes in total on the short Breivikeidet ride. Afterwards it's hot chocolate, coffee and homemade cake around the fire in a Sami lavvo, while the owners talk about the dogs.
Two caveats. It is a shared sled, so you drive for about half the time, and the person on the runners works: you brake hard on descents and push on the uphills. And the minimum age is 7, so families with small children are better off on a guided ride. If you book with the kennel directly, its own website lists the trip at NOK 3,350.
Wait outside the front entrance of the Scandic Ishavshotel. Look for the "Arctic Adventure Tours" logo in blue on the side.
Across the bridge and along the fjord to the kennel on Kvaløya.
Thermal suit, boots, wool socks and mittens on, then a demonstration of braking, leaning and the commands. Then you meet your team.
Follow the guide through open snow and birch, swapping driver and passenger at the stops.
Hot chocolate, coffee or tea and cake by the fire, and time with the dogs before the ride back to the hotel.
★★★★★An amazing day; from pick up, to suiting up and meeting the friendly and excited dogs, from orientation to being out on the snow with dogs, everything ran smoothly and professionally. [...] A great chat with the owner about their dogs, whilst we enjoyed cake and hot drinks.
★★★★★The transport from Tromsø to the camp was on time. [...] The dog sled tour lasted about 90 minutes. The scenery was truly amazing. During the ride, we were able to change drivers 2-3 times.
★★★★★The dogs are so friendly and love cuddles be for you get good training on how the drive the sled and work the dogs The guides are so friendly and informative [...]
★★★★★Smooth transport, excellent briefing and support during the ride, really friendly guides, fantastic dogs, beautiful scenery, the most delicious chocolate cake [...] My son says it was the best day of his life.
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The listing gives 70 to 80 minutes on the trail. Guests report anything from just over an hour to about 90 minutes, depending on snow and conditions. You share the sled with one other person and swap at stops, so you drive for roughly half of it.
From age 7. Children share a sled with a parent, and on Viator one family wrote that the guides let their 11-year-old take a turn driving with help. For younger kids, a guided sled ride has no minimum age.
Outside the front entrance of the Scandic Ishavshotel in central Tromsø. Be there 10 minutes early and look for the black minibus with "Arctic Adventure Tours" on the side. It brings you back to the same spot.
No full meal. You get hot drinks (hot chocolate, coffee or tea) and homemade cake in the lavvo after the ride. Eat a proper breakfast or lunch before you go.
Ready to book
Drive your own husky team on Kvaløya with a partner, then cake and a hot drink by the fire. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
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