Matara Creek Homestead
The Wilderness Church
A full day on the trail — travelling deep into the forests and wilderness of Meltosjärvi with our sled dogs.
€370
Per person, includes VAT
- Total ProgramApproximately 6–7 hours (full day)
- Group SizeMaximum 8 guests · No minimum
The Wilderness Church is our longest husky tour, through the forests, frozen lakes and remote countryside around Matara Creek. Lasting approximately 6–7 hours, this is a full-day journey for guests who want to spend a substantial part of the day travelling with a working sled dog team and exploring the landscape around our home.
The day begins at Matara Creek, where we meet the dogs and prepare the team for the journey. Your guide will introduce you to the dogs, explain how the sled and team work together, and go through the practicalities of travelling safely on a longer winter tour.
The route follows parts of our shorter trails before continuing much further into the countryside. You will travel through forests, across frozen lakes and along quiet winter trails, including the route towards our old dairy farm and onwards towards the Wilderness Church.
The distance and changing terrain make this a more active day on the trail. The dogs do the work, but there may be uphill sections where you are asked to help the team by kicking with your feet or briefly getting out to push the sled. This is a normal part of travelling with sled dogs and gives you a more hands-on understanding of how a dog team and driver work together.
After several hours on the trail, we arrive at the Wilderness Church — a traditional Finnish wilderness shelter, or kota. Here, the dogs are given time to rest while your guide prepares lunch inside the kota.
The lunch is cooked by your guide and enjoyed together around the fire. It is a chance to warm up, eat, talk about the journey so far and simply enjoy being in the wilderness. The dogs remain close by, resting after their work before we begin the journey back to Matara Creek.
The return journey gives you another opportunity to experience the changing winter landscape and the rhythm of the dog team. Weather, snow and trail conditions always influence the exact route and timing, and our guides will adapt the day according to the conditions and the wellbeing of the dogs.
Back at Matara Creek, there is time to meet the pack, take photographs and warm up after your day on the trail.
Fitness and age
A reasonable level of physical fitness is recommended — you should be comfortable spending several hours outdoors in winter conditions and helping with the sled when needed. Due to the length and physical nature of the tour, The Wilderness Church is not recommended for young children.
The Wilderness Church includes
- Husky tour
- Approximately 6–7 hour full-day program
- Introduction to sled driving and safety
- Professional guide
- Meet the Huskies
- Forest and frozen lake trails
- Journey through the remote countryside of Meltosjärvi
- Visit to the Wilderness Church
- Lunch prepared by your guide in the wilderness kota
- Hot drinks
- Time to rest and warm up by the fire
- Time to interact with the dogs
- Time for photographs
Maximum 8 guests · No minimum.
What to Wear
Winter in Finnish Lapland can be very cold, especially when travelling by sled for several hours. Please arrive dressed in warm winter clothing suitable for prolonged time outdoors and physical activity.
We recommend
- Warm winter jacket and trousers
- Warm base and mid layers
- Wool or thermal socks
- Warm hat
- Warm gloves or mittens
- Winter boots suitable for very cold temperatures
Warm Clothing Rental
If you do not have suitable winter clothing, we can provide a warm clothing set for €15 per person.
The rental set includes
- Warm winter overall
- Winter boots
- Warm hat
- Warm gloves
Please let us know in advance if you would like to rent a clothing set.
Ready to Book The Wilderness Church?
Send us an enquiry with your preferred dates and group size, and we will confirm availability.
Prefer your own private group?Make it exclusive