Indian Summer, Musherworkshop and Early Winter

Nature starts to prepare for winter season, the colours in the forests reach the most spectacular level, the temperatures drop down and the first freezing nights let the leaves fall to the ground. On standing waters appears the first light ice, birds are assembling for their journey south, soon there is the first white cover in the morning! Late autumn and early winter are the calmest seasons in North-Carelians nature. Nowhere else you can find this peaceful silence, this balance in nature and nowhere else you feel so relaxed from the first day on! Welcome to be our guest in this special season – we promise you unforgettable moments and a highest possible recreational value!

Day 1

Arrival at Joensuu Airport and guided transfer to Eräkeskus (135 km)
dinner and overnight in our guesthouse in rooms with private shower/toilet.

Day

2 - 7

Create your personal holiday according your own needs and wishes!

Take active part in the live on a Huskyfarm, help with the daily works in the kennels and learn how to handle, train and correctly take care of sleddogs. Or discover North-Carelia with different outdoor-activities, with or without guide.

Musher-Workshop: The autumn-training is the most important part of preparation for coming winter season. It’s held first on sandy forest roads, later (normally starting from November) on snowy trails and gives you plenty of opportunities to be active together with the dogs. As soon as possible, we train the dogs with the sleds and you will have the chance for daily excursions with your own team. Young lead-dogs have to be trained to understand the orders, teenagers get their first training and are prepared for their first working winter-season, puppies are taken out for daily walks. See the difference between Siberian Husky, Alaskan Husky or Hounds. Take a slow ride with our veterans and feel the speed and pure adrenalin when our racing teams get trained.
In the evenings, sitting in front of the fire, we like to tell you about our passion that turned from a hobby into our profession. Learn about the differences between the breeds, which harness to which dog, how to make your own tugline-system, feeding of dogs in the different stage of training, how much care and how much daily activity needs a dog, costs for an own team, and lot more. We can also introduce you to animal medicine, dog’s psychology and breeding. But be careful… the virus might jump from us to you! And it is difficult to heal…

Indian Summer/Early Winter: Birches shine in a golden yellow. Blueberry-bushes change to a deep red. Pure white some spots of lichen on the ground or special grass looking like cotton. Cranberries, shining red, wherever you go and plenty of mushrooms to collect. On top of you a clear blue sky, maybe some white clouds, and nothing around you than lakes and the dark green nordic pines. That’s how one of the typical Indian Summer days in North Carelia look like! They last normally until end of October; if the night-temperatures drop below zero earlier, then the leaves start to fall from the trees earlier as well. During Indian Summer, all hiking trails are open and easy to hike on, all the paddling routes are open, bikes are available for exploring the area and of course you find at your disposal also an electric mushroom-drier to make sure you can take them back home with you. Enjoy an active day outside in the beautifully coloured nature and relax in the evening in front of the open fire in the lodge.

2 days with guided activities: For 2 days, we invite you to join us for exploring the wider area. Depending on the chosen holiday-week and weather, this can be a hiking or paddling trip, a tour with the mountain bikes, or then later a ski- or snowshoe-excursion. During the trip we light a fire and prepare a tasty wilderness lunch. As all trips depend on weather and it can change rather fast in our area, turning from autumn to winter, we decide here together with you, which activities are best and which day we go out. Of course, tours with sleddogs are possible on a daily base, as soon as snow and ice are good enough – and this without any surcharge!

Every day you get a tasty breakfast-buffet in the morning, we serve a hot soup or an easy lunch (or you make your own sandwiches from the buffet to eat outdoor) and in the evening we enjoy a 2-course-dinner with specialities from Finland and our home countries.

Day 8

Breakfast-Buffet and transfer to Joensuu Airport according to your flight-schedule

Included

· Transfers from/to Joensuu Airport

· 7 overnights in Eräkeskus in rooms with shower/toilet

· full board from dinner 1^st day to breakfast 8^th day

· coffee/tea à discrétion

· free use of snowshoes, cross-country skis, bikes, canoes, kayak or rowing boats

· 2 days with guided activities

· possibility to take part in the dog-training and dog-works

· 3 x evening-sauna

· German and English speaking assistance

Not included

· thermos flask for warm drinks outside

· additional guided activities

Activity Profile: grade “0”

For this program, no special fitness level is required. Being a nature’s lover and/or having an interest in sleddogs in widely enough!

Why Eräkeskus?

· Because North-Carelia is one of the most silent places in whole Europe

· Because we like to share our passion with you and introduce you to the world of sleddogs

· Because here you are part of the “family” already on your first day

· very simple: because late autumn and early winter are fascinating seasons”

Dates:

daily arrival possible, 8 days/7 nights or more, 25.09.2011 – 15.12.2011

Rate per person € 625.—

Extra-night € 65.—

No supplement for single room

No children reduction

Other supplements:

Transfer from/to Kuopio/Kajaani € 30.—/way

If arriving with your own car:

reduction without transfers € 90.—/person

Details about provided winter-equipment and what to bring yourself, you find on our webpages.

Please refer also to our booking, payment and cancellation terms, published on our webpages.

We strongly recommend you a special travel insurance, as no insurances are included in our packages

Peaceful: Christmas and New Year in Eräkeskus

These are the special days…. we celebrate them peacefully, in the relaxed atmosphere of the wilderness centre in North Carelia. During the days we have fun on trips with sleddogs or snowshoes, in the evening we enjoy the famous cooking of Eräkeskus and sit together in front of the open fire. Enjoy Christmas and New Year for once in a different way: calm, quiet, peaceful, without fireworks or other modern traditions. Find your way back to nature and discover a beautiful white landscape!

Day 1

Arrival at Joensuu Airport and guided transfer to Eräkeskus (135 km)
dinner and overnight in our guesthouse in rooms with private shower/toilet.

Day

2 - 7

Breakfast-buffet and a tasty 3- or 4-course-dinner are included every day. For lunch we serve a hot soup in the lodge or eat outside during the activities according to the program below.

In the Christmas-week and the New Years-Week we have included several guided activities:

Husky tour for Beginners: We show you our kennels with our about 130 4-legged friends, then you get detailed driving instructions, before we start out on a first tour of about 15 km. You drive your own team of 4 – 6 sleddogs and are part of a small group of only 4 – 5 guests.

Snowshoe-hiking in the Koli National Park: We cross the Lake Pielinen on the ice-road and arrive on the famous Koli National Park, where we start for a snowshoe-hike of 3 – 4 hours. During the trip we have lunch from the open fire nearby a Finnish wind-shelter and enjoy the beautiful scenery from the Koli-mountains down to the frozen Lakeland. If ever the ice-road is not yet open, we keep the right to change location of this tour to the Nature-Reserve Ruunaa.

2-Day-Tour with Sleddogs and 1 Overnight in Wilderness Cabin: after the tour for beginners, you are ready for an overnight-trip. We load our sleds with food for dogs and ourselves, sleeping bags and our own little bags, then we start for our 2-day-trip with sleddogs. We overnight in a wilderness cabin, where we heat with wood and cook with gas. Together we feed the dogs, who sleep outside, cook our dinner, heat the sauna and get water from the well.

Snowshow-hiking in Änäkäinen Nature Resort: The small Nature Resort Änäkäinen is only 7 km away. We drive there by car and then explore the area around the 3 lakes with its old pines and typical Carelian topography by snowshoes. We prepare lunch on open fire, before heading back home.

1 day is for own activities. Optionally you can book an additional day with sleddogs or a tour with snowscooters.

breakfast buffet and 3-course-dinner in the lodge

lunchbag for picnic during your own activities or hot soup-lunch at Eräkeskus

Day 8

Breakfast-Buffet and transfer to Joensuu Airport according to your flight-schedule

Included

· Transfers from/to Joensuu Airport

· 6 overnights in Eräkeskus in rooms with shower/toilet

· 1 night in wilderness cabin

· full board from dinner 1^st day to breakfast 8^th day

· coffee/tea à discrétion

· 5 days guided activities incl. needed transfers and equipment

· snowshoes and skis for free use

· daily evening-sauna

· German and English speaking assistance

Not included

· thermos flask for hot drinks during the activities

· head-light or pocket lamp

· optional sled-breakage insurance € 25.--/guest

Activity Profile: grade “1”

For this week-program you don’t need any special fitness level. The activities included are planned according your capabilities!

Why Eräkeskus?

· Familiar atmosphere with only 12 – 18 guests

· Almost no scooter traffic in North Carelia

· Far away from mass tourism you experience the true Finland

· Because here you can celebrate these days for once without fireworks and commercial traditions

Dates:

Thursday – Thursday, 8 days/7 nights, 22. – 29.12.2011 and 29.12.2011 – 05.01.2012

Weekpackage extra-night with fullboard

Rate per person: € 1355.— € 100.—

Suppl. single room € 280.— € 40.—

Booking of ½ twins possible

Reduction 3rd person in x-bed € 280.— € 40.—

Other supplements

Transfers from/to Kuopio/Kajaani € 30.—/way

Children reduction – 15 yrs

2 children in twin room € 20.—/child/night

1 child & 1 adult in twin room € 30.—/child/night

1 child in x-bed in parents room € 40.—/child/night

Child in single room no reduction

Arrival & departures on other days than Wednesday:

An earlier arrival for the Chrismas-week is possible.

A later departure after the New Years-Week is possible.

Details about provided equipment and what to bring yourself, you find on our webpages.

Please refer also to our booking, payment and cancellation terms, published on our webpages.

We strongly recommend you a special travel insurance, as no insurances are included in our packages

Feel free: create your winter week individually

Winter holiday on a husky farm is an unforgettable experience for everyone! You like to be in the middle of untouched nature? You want to explore the nature by your own, still not missing good advice about tours from experienced persons and you like the comfort of a warm room, a good dinner and a hot sauna in the evening? Then Eräkeskus is the right place for you!

Day 1

Arrival at Joensuu Airport and guided transfer to Eräkeskus (135 km)
dinner and overnight in our guesthouse in rooms with private shower/toilet..

Day

2 - 7

Individual winter week at Eräkeskus Wilderness Lodge.

Included:

Guided Husky tour for Beginners: for an unforgettable winter experience. We show you our kennels and the different types of sleddogs. After a detailed driving instruction and theory, we harness the dogs and start out for our tour. You drive your own team with 4 – 5 dogs or – if you prefer – sit as a passenger in the sled driven by one of our experienced guides.

Guided Snowshow-Tour of about 3 hours incl. lunch on open fire in the nature resort of the Änäkäinen Lakes

Snowshoes for individual discoveries in the untouched winter wonderland of North-Carelia

Cross-country skis for individual skiing on the husky trails or along the old forest routes

Ice-fishing-equipment: try to catch a fish through an ice-hole and we will prepare it in our kitchen.

breakfast buffet and 3-course-dinner in the lodge

lunchbag for picnic during your own activities or hot soup-lunch at Eräkeskus

Optionally can be booked in addition:

Other guided skitours, husky- or snowshoe-tours, snowscooter-safaris, excursions to Nurmes or Lieksa, overnights in wilderness cabins including transportation of food and baggage.

All activities should be pre-booked, as we cannot guarantee to have guides/sleds/dogs available if you want to book on spot!

Day 8:

Breakfast-Buffet

Transfer to Joensuu Airport according to your flight-schedule

Included

· Transfers from/to Joensuu Airport

· 7 overnights in Eräkeskus in rooms with shower/toilet

· full board from dinner 1^st day to breakfast 8^th day

· coffee/tea à discrétion

· snowshoes, skis and icefishing-equipment

· 1 husky-tour for beginners with own huskyteam and equipment

· 1 guided snowshoe-tour

· daily evening-sauna

· English and German speaking assistance

Not included

· thermos flask for hot drinks during the activities

· head-light or pocket lamp

· additional day-activities with guide

Activity Profile: grade “1”

For this week-program you don’t need any special fitness level. Both included activities are planned according your capabilities and the rest of the week you create yourself!

Why Eräkeskus?

· Familiar atmosphere with only 6 – 12 guests

· Almost no scooter traffic in North Carelia

· Far away from mass tourism you experience the true Finland

· Because here you find silence and peace and will be 100% relaxed after your holiday

Dates:

Thursday – Thursday, 8 days/7 nights, 15.12. – 22.12.2011 and

Sunday – Sunday, 8 days/7 nights, 08.01.2012 – 08.04.2012

Rate per person: € 890.—

Suppl. single room € 280.—

Booking of ½ twins possible

Reduction 3rd person in x-bed € 280.—

Other supplements

Transfers from/to Kuopio/Kajaani € 30.—/way

Children reduction – 15 yrs

2 children in twin room € 20.—/child/night

1 child & 1 adult in twin room € 30.—/child/night

1 child in x-bed in parents room € 40.—/child/night

Child in single room no reduction

Arrival & departures on other days than Sundays

Being a small Wilderness Lodge with only 8 guest rooms, we depend on having a best possible occupancy from Sunday to Sunday. If you cannot arrive or depart on Sunday due to flight connection problems or others, we try of course to give you a room at our guesthouse also for the needed extra nights. But you will understand that we can guarantee it only shortly before arrival (2 weeks). We recommend you to book necessary additional nights in Joensuu or Helsinki.

Details about provided equipment and what to bring yourself, you find on our webpages.

Please refer also to our booking, payment and cancellation terms, published on our webpages.

We strongly recommend you a special travel insurance, as no insurances are included in our packages

On the Bear’s Trail

Since 2003 the most popular program in our offer. 5 nights in the comfortable Eräkeskus Guesthouse, 2 nights in cosy wilderness cabins. 5 days with your own husky team, distances between 20 and 55 km per day. Lots of free time to explore the beautiful nature around by your own, with skis, snowshoes or simply by walking.

Day 1 Arrival at Joensuu Airport and guided transfer to Eräkeskus (135 km)

dinner and overnight in our guesthouse in rooms with private shower/toilet.

Day 2 Breakfast-Buffet

After breakfast you get your equipment. Then we show you around our sleddog-kennel, explain you the different breeds and have about 1 hour of theory and instructions how to drive a sledge, how to brake, when to help the dogs, etc. After that, you help harnessing the dogs and we get ready for our first easy tour through the forests and on the lakes around Eräkeskus, about 20 km. A hot soup is served after returning back to Eräkeskus in our restaurant.

Evening-Sauna, dinner and overnight.

Day 3 Breakfast-Buffet

You are already familiar with our dogs, harnessing goes faster than last day. You know how to handle the team and how to react, when a problem comes up during the tour. We make a sled-tour of about 30 km through the North-Carelian forests towards the Russian Border, we cross frozen lakes, rivers and swamps. Hot lunch after returning back home to Eräkeskus.

Evening-sauna, dinner and overnight.

Day 4 Breakfast-Buffet

We pack the sleds with our personal things and then get the dogs ready for a 3-day-tour which is held in the area of the famous Bear’s-Trail “Karhunpolku”, near the Russian Border, and leads through the most beautiful areas in North-Carelia. The daily distances may vary between 30 and 55 km, depending on weather and snow-conditions. We have overnights in typical wilderness cabins, which have own wood-sauna, but normally no running water and no electricity. You are welcome to help feeding the dogs, getting water from the well, heating the sauna, cooking (gas or wood), etc.

Day 5 - 6 Second & third day on tour, one more overnight in a wilderness cabin, then heading back to Eräkeskus

Evening-Sauna, dinner and overnight.

Day 7 Breakfast-Buffet.

Day for own activities. You find snowshoes and/or crosscountry-skis for free use. Explore the area by your own or just sit in front of the fire-place in our restaurant, enjoy a resting day, read a book and remember the last days full of experiences! Depending on weather conditions, this free day can be changed to Tuesday as well.

Evening-Sauna, dinner and overnight.

Day 8 Breakfast-Buffet and transfer to Joensuu Airport according to your flight-schedule

Included

· Transfers from/to Joensuu Airport

· 5 overnights in Eräkeskus in twin rooms with shower/toilet

· 2 overnights in wilderness cabins

· fullboard from dinner 1^st day to breakfast 8^th day

· coffee & tea à discrètion

· own huskyteam and complete equipment (overall, shoes, sleeping bag with liner)

· snowshoes and/or skis for free use during the whole week

· daily evening-sauna

· German and English speaking guide

Not included

· cloves and mittens, hat

· thermos flask for hot drinks during the sled-rides

· headlight or pocket lamp

· optional sled-breakage insurance € 35.--/guest

Activity Level: grade “2”

This weektour is suitable for beginners and recommended to those who want to combine comfort and adventure. Participants from 11 to 75 years have so far successfully completed the tour. A normal, good physical condition (similar to 1 hour quick walking or an easy 3-hour-hike with backpack) are recommended to enjoy the longer distances with ups and downs, even at (for you) unused temperatures below freezing point. And of course it helps if you like dogs and nature!

Why Eräkeskus?

· small groups with only 4 to 5 guests

· almost no scooter-traffic in North-Carelia

· no scooter-guiding during the trip

· every date with guaranteed departure, no minimum participants needed

· Because here you get in direct contact with the dogs and can spend a lot of time with them every day, before and after the trip

Dates:

Thursday – Thursday, 8 days/7 nights, 15.12.2011 – 05.01.2012 and

Sunday – Sunday, 8 days/7 nights, 08.01.2012 – 08.04.2012 and

Thursday – Thursday, 8 days/7 nights (Easter-Week), 05.04. – 12.04.2012

Rate per Person: € 1490.—

Suppl. single room in the guesthouse € 280.—

Bookings of ½ twins possible

Reduction 3rd person in x-bed € 280.—

No children-reduction

Other supplements:

Transfer from/to Kuopio/Kajaani € 30.—/way/person

Tourstart on 22.12. and 29.12.2011

(Christmas & New Year) € 100.—/person

Other reductions:

Tourstart on 15.12.2011 as well as

08.01. and 01.04.2012 € 100.—/person

Tourstart on 15.01., 22.01. as well as

18.03., 25.03. and 05.04.2012 € 50.—/person

Arrival & departures on other days than Sundays

Being a small Wilderness Lodge with only 8 guest rooms, we depend on having a best possible occupancy from Sunday to Sunday. If you cannot arrive or depart on Sundays due to flight connection problems or others, we try of course to give you a room at our guesthouse also for the needed extra nights. But you will understand that we can guarantee it only shortly before arrival (3 weeks). We recommend you to book necessary additional nights in Joensuu or Helsinki.

Details about provided equipment and what to bring yourself, you find on our webpages.

Please refer also to our booking, payment and cancellation terms, published on our webpages.

We strongly recommend you a special travel insurance, as no insurances are included in our packages!

Eräkeskus Border-Trail

A demanding tour through the North-Carelian Wilderness for participants in good physical condition.It is necessary to help the dogs over long distances. 3 overnights in simple wilderness cabins, mostly without electricity and running water; 4 overnights in the comfortable Eräkeskus-Guesthouse. 5 days with your own husky-team, distances from 30 to 70 km per day. The tour chosen by those who already have experience with sleddogs or who look for a bit more adventure and outdoor-experience.

Day 1	Arrival at Joensuu airport and guided transfer to Eräkeskus (135 km) Dinner and overnight in our guesthouse in rooms with private shower/toilet.
Day 2	Breakfast-Buffet. After breakfast you get your equipment (overall, shoes). Then we show you around our husky-kennel, explain you the different breeds and have a detailed theory and instruction how to drive a sled, how to brake, when to help the dogs, etc. After that, you help harnessing the dogs and we get ready for our first easy tour through the forests and on the lakes around Eräkeskus, about 30 km. A hot soup is served after returning back to Eräkeskus in our restaurant. Information and preparation for the 4-day-tour. Before dinner you will have enough time to enjoy a sauna. Dinner.
Day 3	Breakfast-Buffet. We pack the sleds with our personal things, food for humans and dogs, stake-out and everything needed for the overnights in the cabins. Then we get the dogs ready for a 4-day-tour which leads us through EU-protected forests and swamps, across rivers and lakes to a romantic situated cabin, where we have our first overnight. First we prepare the overnight-place for the dogs and feed them, then we heat up the cabin, prepare our dinner and have sauna.
Days 4 – 6	We continue the tour. Through forests covered with snow we follow our trail and enjoy this fantastic winter land, which is only found in our degree of latitude. Being one with mother nature and with the dogs unruly desire to run you will have some unforgettable moments on your trip. Daily distances between 40 and 70 km. The complete equipment is carried on the sled, that’s why we have to help the dogs quite a lot, especially in uphill-parts or on soft snow. In the afternoon of the 6^th day we return to Eräkeskus. Dinner.
Day 7	Breakfast-Buffet. Day for own activities (depending on weather situation and cabin-availabilities, this day can be switched to day 3). You find snowshoes and/or crosscountry-skis for free use. Explore the area by your own or just sit in front of the fire-place in our restaurant, enjoy a resting day, read a book and remember the last days full of experiences! On request and advance booking we can also organize a trip with snowscooter for you or get you a pro-massage to relax after the challenging trip.
Day 8	Breakfast-Buffet and transfer to Joensuu Airport according to your flight-schedule.

Included

· Transfers from/to Joensuu Airport

· 4 overnights in Eräkeskus in twin rooms with shower/toilet

· 3 overnights in wilderness cabins, shared room

· fullboard from dinner 1^st day to breakfast 8^th day

· coffee/tea à discrétion

· own huskyteam and complete equipment (overall, shoes, sleeping bag with cotton liner)

· snowshoes and/or skis during the stay on Eräkeskus

· English and German speaking guide

Not included

· gloves and mitten, hat

· thermos flask for hot drinks during the sled-rides

· headlight or pocket lamp

· optional sled-breakage insurance € 35.--/guest

Activity Profile: grade “3”

For this tour you need a good physical condition and sturdiness. If you are a very active person or have successfully completed a weektour before, then this is the right tour for you! The physical requirements are about similar to 90 minutes marching or 5 hours hiking with backpack. Keep in mind, that you need to help the dogs a lot as the sleds are rather heavy loaded! Of course it’s appreciated a lot if you bring a good team-spirit as well as love for animals and nature with you!

Why Eräkeskus?

· small groups with maximum 4 participants

· almost no scooter-traffic in North-Carelia

· no scooter-company during the trip

· no minimum participants needed

· Because our guides live all year around here, have been educated by our-selves and will bring you safe through this adventure-week

Dates:

Sunday – Sunday, 8 days/7 nights, 15.01.2012 – 25.03.2012

Rate per Person: € 1575.—

Suppl. Single room in the guesthouse: € 280.—

½ twin bookings possible

Reduction 3rd person in x-bed € 280.—

Not suitable for children under 15 years / no reduction for children

Other supplements:

Transfer from/to Kuopio/Kajaani € 30.—/way

Arrival & departures on other days than Sundays

Being a small Wilderness Lodge with only 8 guest rooms, we depend on having a best possible occupancy from Sunday to Snday. If you cannot arrive or depart on Sundays due to flight connection problems or others, we try of course to give you a room at our guesthouse also for the needed extra nights. But you will understand that we can guarantee it only shortly before arrival (3 weeks). We recommend you to book necessary additional nights in Joensuu or Helsinki.

Details about provided equipment and what to bring yourself, you find on our webpages.

Please refer also to our booking, payment and cancellation terms, published on our webpages.

We strongly recommend you a special travel insurance, as no insurances are included in our packages

Sleddog-Driving without limits for advanced drivers

East-West-Transit from North-Carelia to North-Savo

A demanding tour through Eastern Finland, needing participants with a very good physical condition and sturdiness. Only for very active persons with mental strength who have already completed a weektour before. Total distance is close to 400 km, overnights in simple wilderness cabins, comfortable loghouses or wilderness lodges.

Day 1	Arrival at Joensuu Airport and guided transfer to Eräkeskus (135 km). Dinner and overnight in our guesthouse in rooms with private shower/toilet.
Day 2	Breakfast buffet. After breakfast you get your equipment and a refreshing course in driving a sled. Training-Tour of about 30 km to get used to sled and dogs again and get back the feeling of steering. A hot soup-lunch is served after the tour in our restaurant. Preparations and information about the tour, then time for a hot sauna. Dinner and overnight in Eräkeskus.
Day 3	Today we pack the equipment that will be carried on the sleds or brought to the one food-depot on route: food for us and for the dogs (meat, dryfood, snacks), lines & harnesses with spare parts, stakeout-chains, bowls, cleaning tools, emergency-sets, straw, etc. On half way we will have a food-depot to make the load on the sleds less heavy. Information about the tour, last instructions and rest of the day for free use. Dinner in the lodge.
Day 4 - 9	Breakfast buffet, then start to our No-Limit-adventure. Our trail is leading us from Eräkeskus to the northern end of the Karhunpolku, then we are heading west to reach the big Lake Kuohatti, where often footprints from wolf-packs can be seen. Further on passing by the city of Nurmes, heading south on to Lake Pielinen and the Koli National Park, before turning west again and reaching the border North-Carelia > Norh Savo near Jukka and then reaching our “Check-Point” in the untouched wilderness of Panja. Here we have 2 overnights to give the dogs a long rest, let them run loose to relax their muscles, before we start to the last part of our trip, ending in the nice area of Metsäkartano. We have overnights in different types of cabins: easy wilderness cabins without electricity or gas, just using fire for cooking and heating, melting snow and using a nice tent-sauna; more comfortable cabins with gas-stove and water-pump, wood-sauna in same building and gas-light; but we use some really comfortable holiday houses with shower/toilet and electricity as well. Daily distances are between 45 and 85 km, depending on snow conditions and temperatures we may vary some days distance or use the colder early morning hours for driving the dogs, enjoying then a lazy afternoon in the cabins. 1 or 2 overnights might be in wind-shelters as well, depending on how well we make the longest days.
Day 9	We arrive in Metsäkartano, our final destination. Here, situated directly on the lake, a warm room and a hot shower as well as fresh food is waiting for us. Evening sauna and farewell dinner.
Day 10	Breakfast and then transfer to the airport of Kuopio.

Included:

· Transfers from Joensuu and back to Kuopio

· 3 overnights in Eräkeskus in rooms with private facilities with breakfast buffet, lunch-soup and 3-course-dinner

· 5 overnights in wilderness cabins and loghouses, shared rooms, with simplier, expedition-like meals, light to carry and quick in preparations

· 1 overnight in the Lumberjack’s Forest Lodge in Metsäkartano in an apartment with shower/toilet

· all meals from dinner 1st day to breakfast 10th day

· Own huskyteam with 6 - 8 dogs, winter equipment (overall, shoes, sleeping bag with cotton liner)

· Baggage transportation from Eräkeskus to Rautavaara on day 9

· 1 food- and equipment-depot in the middle of the tour, where we can exchange also our clothes and get fresh straw for the dogs

· Transportation of dogs and equipment back to Eräkeskus

· German- and English speaking guide (1 or 2 guides depending on group size)

Not included

· gloves and mitten, hat

· thermos-flask for hot drinks during the day

· head-light or pocket lamp

· optional sled-breakage insurance € 35.--/guest

Activity Level: grade „4“

This tour needs a high level of physical and mental sturdiness. If you are a very active person and already got experiences on a weektour with sleddogs at Eräkeskus you are well prepared for this adventure. The daily distances are long and there is not a lot of time for relaxing; own handling of your dogteam and teamwork in the overnight-cabins are a “Must” of this tour. You have to be able to change f.ex. necklines during the trip, untangle dogs, safely secure your team before street crossings, control dogs feets, etc.; you get a stock of spare parts for the lines, harnesses and booties and basically take care of your team alone during the trip. The main target is to get One with your team during the trip, so you can “read” your dogs and they can “read” you. Also the tour has a expedition-like style, sleds are heavily loaded and as we travel from A to B and get further away every day from our base Eräkeskus, program changes might be necessary and everyone has to be flexible. After a certain distance, we reach the “point of no return”.

Why this tour?

· Because Eräkeskus does not offer only the standard-weeks Bear’s Trail and Border Trail

· Because you and we are open for new challenges

· Because you are not searching for a physical relaxing holiday, but for a challenging new adventure

· Because this tour offers comfort, adventure and fun, all in one!

Dates:

Sunday – Tuesday, 10 days/9 nights, on following start dates:

19.02., 26.02., 04.03. and 11.03.2012

Min. 2 participants / max. 4 participants

Other dates on request – early booking recommended!

Rate per person: € 2050.—

booking of ½ twins in Eräkeskus possible

Program changes caused by new arranged trails and deforested areas in North-Savo possible!

Details about provided equipment and what to bring yourself, you find on our webpages.

Please refer also to our booking, payment and cancellation terms, published on our webpages.

We strongly recommend you a special travel insurance, as no insurances are included in our packages

Exclusiv: on route for 1 week with your „private“ guide

all according your wishes

You do not find the suitable program for you, the program that fulfills all your wishes? You want to be alone with a group or with only your partner or friend? No problem for us – rent a guide for a week and create an exclusive week only for you!

Day 1

Arrival at Joensuu airport and guided transfer to Eräkeskus (135 km)
Dinner, get-together with your guide and overnight in our guesthouse in rooms with private shower/toilet.

Day 2 - 7

These days are planned together with you. Maybe you wish to participate only in daytrips and enjoy comfort and dinners in the lodge? Or you are tempted by only 1 overnight in a wilderness cabin at the end of the week? Or you want to include a skitour or showshow-tour in the week, maybe even at night with torches to an open fire for apéro? A delicious candle-light-dinner in a cosy wilderness cabin?

To be able to arrange your exclusive-week, we need some ideas from you right at the booking. The detailed program we will discuss/arrange here with you.

You get guide-services for 6 days (average of 5 – 7 hours per day) and you can basically choose from all our own activities (sleddogs, skis, icefishing, snowshoes). Other services like snowscooters, massage, other needed transfers, etc. we will invoice you separately.

Day 8

Breakfast-Buffet and transfer to Joensuu Airport according to your flight-schedule.

Included:

· Transfers from/to Joensuu Airport

· 7 overnights in Eräkeskus in twin rooms with shower/toilet

· if wished optionally overnight(s) in wilderness cabin

· fullboard from dinner 1^st day to breakfast 8^th day

· coffee/tea à discrétion

· 6 days private guide (5 – 7 hours per day), German or English speaking

· all needed equipment for the chosen activities

· daily evening-sauna

Not included

· gloves and mitten, hat

· thermos flask for hot drinks during the sled-rides

· headlight or pocket lamp

· optional sled-breakage insurance € 35.--/guest

Activity Profile: grade “?”

As this week is arranged according to your own wishes and capabilities, there is no activity profile defined. To get an idea about needed fitness level, please refer to the other programs.

Why Eräkeskus Exclusiv?

· Because you want a tailor-made program only for you

· Because you have a special day to celebrate

· Because we do our best to fulfill all your wishes and create your week as a real exclusive event

Dates:

Sunday – Sunday, 8 days/7 nights, 08.01.2012 – 08.04.2012

Rate per person € 1590.— if 4 persons

€ 1790.— if 3 persons

€ 1890.— if 2 persons

€ 2190.— if 1 person

Suppl. Single room in the guesthouse: € 280.—

Reduction 3rd person in x-bed € 280.—

Other supplements:

Transfer from/to Kuopio/Kajaani € 30.—/way

Arrival & departures on other days than Sundays

Being a small Wilderness Lodge with only 8 guest rooms, we depend on having a best possible occupancy from Sunday to Sunday. If you cannot arrive or depart on Sundays due to flight connection problems or others, we try of course to give you a room at our guesthouse also for the needed extra nights. But you will understand that we can guarantee it only shortly before arrival (2 weeks). We recommend you to book necessary additional nights in Joensuu or Helsinki.

Details about provided equipment and what to bring yourself, you find on our webpages.

Please refer also to our booking, payment and cancellation terms, published on our webpages.

We strongly recommend you a special travel insurance, as no insurances are included in our packages!

Carelian Explorer: by dogsled up north to Kuhmo

A tour for advanced drivers, seeking for the special challenge

A very demanding tour through Eastern Finland, needing participants with a very good physical condition and mental sturdiness. Only for very active persons with mental strength who have successfully completed a weektour at Eräkeskus before. Total distance is close to 300 km, overnights in Eräkeskus, in simple wilderness cabins and hotels.

Day 1	Arrival at Joensuu Airport and guided transfer to Eräkeskus (135 km). Dinner and overnight in our guesthouse in rooms with private shower/toilet.
Day 2	Breakfast buffet. After breakfast you get your equipment and a refreshing course in driving a sled. Training-Tour of about 30 km to get used to sled and dogs again and get back the feeling of steering. A hot soup-lunch is served after the tour in our restaurant. Preparations and information about the tour, then time for a hot sauna. Dinner and overnight in Eräkeskus.
Day 3	Breakfast buffet, then we pack our equipment and load the sleds. As we will have dogfood, our own food, spare material, stake-out and sleeping bags for the whole tour in our sleds, the weight of our own bag has to be limited to the absolute minimum! Start to the tour at around noon. The first overnight we will have in a simple wilderness cabin situated directly on famous „Karhunpolku“, after about 40 km.
Day 4	A longer daytour today, that’s why we get up early, feed the dogs and continue the tour. After about 90 km we reach the area of Kainuu/Saunajärvi, where we have overnight in a wilderness cabin.
Day 5	We continue the tour in northern direction. Today we cover about 50 km through forests until we reach the Ruoti-area, where we have overnight in a wilderness cabin.
Day 6	Furthermore heading north, until we reach the Hotel Kalevala outside Kuhmo after about 75 km technically demanding trails. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 7	Free day in Kuhmo. Enjoy the beautiful location of the hotel facing the lake, rent a pair of skis or simply enjoy a massage and a sauna in the hotel. Dogs and equipment will be transferred back to Eräkeskus today; bags that you left there will be brought to you today.
Day 8	Breakfast and then transfer to the airport of Kajaani

Included:

· Transfers from Joensuu and back to Kajaani

· 2 overnights in Eräkeskus in rooms with private facilities

· 3 overnights in wilderness cabin, shared rooms

· 2 overnight in Hotel Kalevala in rooms with private facilities

· Full board from dinner 1st day to breakfast 8th day

· Own huskyteam and winterequipment (overall, shoes, sleeping bag with cotton liner)

· Baggage transportation from Eräkeskus to Kuhmo on day 7

· Transportation of dogs and Equipment back to Eräkeskus

· German- and English speaking guide

Not included

· gloves and mitten for sleddog-tour

· thermos-flask for hot drinks during the day

· head-light or pocket lamp

· optional sled-breakage insurance € 25.--/guest

Activity Level: grade „5“

This tour needs a high level of physical and mental sturdiness. If you are a very active person and already got experiences on a weektour with sleddogs at Eräkeskus, this might be your tour. The daily distances are long and there is not a lot of time for relaxing. Interrupting the tour in the middle is not possible, due to the chosen routing. Also the tour has a expedition-like style and as we travel for A to B and every day get further away from our base Eräkeskus, program changes might be necessary and everyone has to be flexible.

Why this tour?

· Beacause you are looking for a tour “not for everybody”

· Because you are 2 – 4 friends sharing an idea of adventure

· Because you and we are open for new challenges

· Because you are not searching for a physical relaxing holiday, but for a challenging new adventure

Dates:

Saturday – Saturday, 8 days/7 nights, between mid-February and end of March 2011

min. 2 persons, max. 4 persons

Let us know your preferred dates and we arrange the tour!

Rate per person € 1890.—

no single rooms in Eräkeskus possible!

Booking of ½ twins possible

Program changes caused by new arranged trails and deforestation areas in Kainuu-area possible!

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Indian Summer, Musher-Workshop and Advent-Season

Christmas & New Year

Individual Winterweek

On the Bears Trail

Border Trail

East-West for Advanced Drivers

Eräkeskus Exclusiv

Carelian Explorer