Snow Hounds Riding Dog Kennels

Snow Hounds is a riding dogs kennel located three kilometres away from the city of Petropavlovsk. The Semashkins, who have founded and are running the kennels, have more than once won awards from Beringia, the dog sled race. Visitors will hear stories about dogs and get acquainted with charming puppies and the wolf-like dog whose name is Smely (Brave). There are about eighty dogs of various breeds kept in the kennels, including sportive crossbreeds from Norway, Siberian and Alaskan huskies, malamutes, and Samoyeds.

Once at the premises, you will be able to set out on a dog-sled journey. The specially designed and well-marked track overlooks picturesque views of the Avachinsky and Koryaksky volcanoes. You sled will be escorted by a snowmobile dragging another comfortable sled, seating four to five passengers. Every visitor will get a chance to try it out being the musher!

In addition to the warm welcome, you are guaranteed a treatment of tasty traditional tea and a dinner of fish or venison soup. Stories of everyday life and traditions of Kamchatka’s indigenous populations will go really well with the food!

The way of the musher 

Time available: November through May
Duration: four hours
Price per person: 5400 RUB for adults, 4400 RUB for children aged under 12

Itinerary:

- snowmobile transfer to the kennels;
- a warm welcome in a traditional house, stories of the Far North indigenous peoples and their culture and everyday life;
- tour the kennels; you will be introduced to a range of breeds and meet award-winning racers; more stories about competitive races and the dog’s lives;
- visit reindeer herders’ camp where you can feed the deer and take pictures;
- mushing lesson, safety briefing, track overview;
- ride the track with a snowmobile for escort;
- tea and dinner in the traditional house, souvenir stalls, taking picture in ethnic costumes; musher’s licences will be offered before farewell;
- departure.

Price includes: tour around the kennel, safety briefing for drivers and passengers, the ride, hot dinner and tea, the mushers’ fees

Price does not include: transfer to where the snowmobiles are to be mounted. Transfer costs listed imply a group of one to six. Petropavlovsk to assembly point and back: 1500 RUB; Yelizovo to assembly point and back: 2500 RUB; Paratunka to assembly point and back: 3000 RUB

Quick itinerary with just a dog-sled ride

Time available: November through May
Duration: four hours
Price per person: 4900 RUB for adults, 3900 RUB for children aged under 12

Itinerary:

- snowmobile transfer to the kennels;
- tour the kennels; you will be introduced to a range of breeds such as sportive crossbreeds from Norway, Siberian and Alaskan huskies, malamutes, and Samoyeds; meet award-winning racers and hear stories about competitive races and the dog’s lives;
- visit reindeer herders’ camp where you can feed the deer and take pictures;
- mushing lesson, safety briefing, track overview;
- ride the track with a snowmobile for escort;
- tea and dinner in the traditional house, souvenir stalls, taking picture in ethnic costumes; musher’s licences will be offered before farewell;
- departure.

Price includes: tour around the kennel, safety briefing for drivers and passengers, the ride, hot dinner and tea, the mushers’ fees

Price does not include: transfer to where the snowmobiles are to be mounted. Transfer costs listed imply a group of one to six. Petropavlovsk to assembly point and back: 1500 RUB; Yelizovo to assembly point and back: 2500 RUB; Paratunka to assembly point and back: 3000 RUB

What to pack: warm boots, sporty wind- and waterproof jacket, warm gloves and cap, sunglasses