Husky kisses are the main event. This private visit takes you to a husky kennel just outside Akureyri in North Iceland, where you can spend about an hour petting and cuddling dogs in a real home setting. I like that it feels personal, not like a production line, and I also like that you get coffee and tea along with photos and videos. One thing to weigh: at $666.78 per group (up to 8), it’s best value when you have a group spread out enough to share the cost.

You start at goHusky Dogsledding Tours at Glæsibær 3, or you can be picked up by the host from the airport, the harbor cruise terminal, or your hotel. Expect a warm welcome from hosts Gunni and Maria, plenty of dog time, and a chance to see different personalities up close. If you want a quick, low-contact stop, this may feel a bit too hands-on because the dogs are very social.

Key things to know before you go

• Private group time: just your group with the owners and the dogs
• About an hour outdoors: enough time for cuddles, play, and photos without feeling rushed
• Local hosting, not scripted: hosts share how their husky journey grew from 1 pup to 21
• Coffee and tea included: a small comfort break during a fun, active visit
• Family-friendly energy: adults and kids tend to love the friendly huskies and puppies
• Pickup options: airport, harbor cruise terminal, or hotels, with pickup 15 minutes before

A husky kennel visit outside Akureyri that actually feels local

This is one of those North Iceland experiences that doesn’t ask you to sit and watch. It puts you right in the kennel area with the huskies, so you’re interacting in real time. The best part is the setting: you’re not just meeting a working dog on a schedule. You’re spending time in a family-style environment, run by people who live and breathe huskies.

I like the tone of the visit. You can tell the owners treat the dogs like family, not just animals for tourism. You also get an easy, human connection from the start, especially when Gunni greets you and when Maria shares details about the dogs and husky sledding life.

One practical consideration: because the group is private and the dogs are friendly, the experience is very close-up. If you’re expecting a hands-off, you-only-look tour, this is not that.

Meet the hosts: Gunni and Maria set the mood

The hosts are a big part of why people come away smiling. In particular, Gunni and Maria are described as welcoming, personable, and genuinely excited to show you what husky life is like. You’ll likely hear how their husky setup grew over the years, including that shift from owning 1 pup to eventually having 21.

That kind of story matters because it changes the visit from a simple petting stop into something you can understand. When you know the owners actually run the kennel and think about the dogs every day, you relax. You also learn why huskies behave the way they do, and why it’s not just about giving kisses. It’s about routine, care, and personality.

Also, the hosts make it easy to be comfortable around dogs. The vibe is warm, and the dogs themselves mirror it. In reviews, the common thread is friendly tails, lots of attention, and a sense that the dogs are happy with guests.

The hour with the huskies: cuddles, kisses, and photos you’ll want to keep

The total time on site is about 1 hour, and that’s long enough to have fun instead of sprinting. The visit centers on direct interaction: petting, cuddling, and play in the kennel environment. This is one of those tours where you don’t need to be “a dog expert.” The dogs do most of the communicating, and the hosts help you feel confident.

Expect lots of up-close time

Huskies are curious and social, and in this setting they tend to approach you. That’s why this experience gets described as very personable and cuddly. If your idea of a good souvenir is a photo where you and a husky look like you’re in the middle of a friendship, you’ll get that.

Photos and videos are part of the fun

You can take as many pictures as you want, and the tour includes photos and videos as well. That combination is useful. You’ll likely get:

• your own close-up shots on your phone or camera
• extra captured moments provided by the hosts

If you’re traveling with family, this matters. Kids can focus on the dogs, while you still end up with photos that aren’t blurry or rushed.

You might see puppies if the timing lines up

One standout moment mentioned is seeing 9-week-old puppies during the visit. You can’t count on a puppy sighting every time, but the fact that it happened for at least one group suggests the kennel environment changes week to week. Even without puppies, you’ll still meet a lot of dogs at once. One review notes meeting 18 huskies in the same visit window, which gives you a sense of how lively the moment can be.

Coffee and tea add comfort and a slower pace

The included coffee and tea break up the petting time. It’s not a long café stop, but it gives you a chance to sit down briefly while you watch how different dogs interact with people. You’ll also be right there for conversations with the hosts, who can share practical knowledge about husky behavior and dog sledding in Iceland.

Where the tour starts and how pickup works from Akureyri

You have two ways to connect with the experience: meet at the main location or get picked up.

Meeting point

The tour starts at goHusky Dogsledding Tours, Glæsibær 3, 601 Akureyri and ends back at the meeting point.

That end-back detail is handy. You’re not stuck figuring out transport when the hour is done. You can plan your next stop with less stress.

Pickup options

Pickup is offered from:

• Akureyri Airport
• the Harbor Cruise Terminal
• hotels in the area

The host will pick you up 15 minutes before the tour. This is a sweet spot: you’re not waiting all day, but you’re also not late if there’s traffic or you take a wrong turn. If you’re on a cruise schedule, this kind of timing helps you avoid the classic land-visit scramble.

What this means for cruise travelers

Because pickup is specifically mentioned from the harbor cruise terminal, this is set up for people with tight timetables. Just keep your sense of urgency realistic. You’re adding an hour of dog time plus travel from the port or hotel, so plan your day with buffer.

Private time: why “up to 8” changes the feel of the visit

This is a private tour/activity, meaning it’s just your group. That’s a big deal for a husky petting experience. It keeps the attention focused, and it keeps you from getting squeezed into a crowd.

The price is $666.78 per group (up to 8). That creates two very different experiences depending on your group size:

• If you’re a small group, it can feel pricey per person.
• If you fill closer to the 8-person limit, the cost per person drops a lot and starts to look like strong value.

Because the core of the tour is close-up interaction, the private setup is part of the product you’re paying for. In a shared group, you might get less cuddle time. Here, you should get more. That’s the trade.

Price and value: when this makes sense in North Iceland

Let’s talk money the practical way.

You’re paying for:

• private access to a husky kennel outside Akureyri
• about an hour with huskies in an intimate setting
• coffee and tea
• photos and videos
• pickup from major points if needed

If you’re going solo or as a couple, you’re likely paying for convenience and intimacy more than raw cost. If you’re traveling as a family, it can feel more reasonable because kids often get the most joy from hands-on animal encounters.

If you can group up with friends or other travelers and share the total, it becomes a better deal quickly. Also, people tend to book this kind of experience in advance, and the average booking time here is 44 days. That’s a clue that limited availability can be real in the north during peak seasons.

Who will love this (and who might want a different style)

This experience fits best if you fall into one of these categories:

Families who want interaction, not watching

Huskies are intelligent and friendly, and the visit is designed so children and adults can enjoy it together. The social nature of the dogs helps kids feel included. The private format also means the visit usually feels calmer than a bigger crowd scenario.

Couples and small friend groups who want cozy time

If you want a “walk up to a warm, local place and hang out with dogs” kind of stop, this is a strong match. It’s not just cute. It’s also memorable because you get genuine host conversation and lots of photos.

Cruise stop travelers looking for a one-hour plan

When pickup is available from the cruise terminal, you can build a clean schedule. The hour-long duration makes it easier to fit into a day that might also include views and local meals.

If you’re the type of traveler who prefers quiet sightseeing or minimal contact with animals, you might find this too hands-on. Think of it as a cuddle session with education, not a photo walk.

Practical tips that make the visit smoother

A few small realities help you get the most out of your hour.

First, treat pickup timing seriously. Being ready 15 minutes before helps the host keep the dog time flowing smoothly. It also reduces your stress, which is good because the whole point is to relax and enjoy the dogs.

Second, go in camera-ready. You can take as many pictures as you want, and the experience includes photos and videos. So charge your phone, clear storage if needed, and plan to capture moments you’ll actually want later.

Third, lean into the stories. The hosts explain how their husky setup developed, including the journey from 1 pup to 21. If you ask a couple of simple questions, you’ll probably come away with a clearer picture of husky life and sledding in Iceland, not just cuteness.

Should you book the private husky petting experience in Akureyri?

Yes, if you want a real North Iceland animal moment with a local feel. The private setup, the friendly huskies, and the host knowledge make it feel more like visiting a dog-loving household than lining up for a quick attraction. Add the included coffee and tea and the photo/video coverage, and it becomes a solid “one hour well spent” stop.

Maybe choose something else if cost sensitivity is your top priority and you’re traveling as just one or two people. With a group price, it’s a better deal when you can share the cost. Also skip it if you’re uncomfortable with close-up animal interaction.

If you’re in Akureyri with time to spare for one memorable, hands-on activity, this one deserves space in your plan.

FAQ

How long is the husky petting visit?

The tour lasts about 1 hour.

Is this tour private?

Yes. It’s a private experience, so only your group participates.

What’s the group size limit?

The price is per group up to 8 people.

Do they offer pickup?

Pickup is offered. You can be picked up from Akureyri Airport, the Harbor Cruise Terminal, or hotels.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at goHusky Dogsledding Tours, Glæsibær 3, 601 Akureyri, Iceland.

What’s included besides time with the dogs?

Coffee and tea are included, and the tour includes photos and videos.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.

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