Sweden – The Ultimate Aurora Adventure
- Details
Details
This grand 8-night Aurora tour of Swedish Lapland starts with incredible winter activities on the edge of a frozen archipelago, prior to a night at the one-of-a-kind Treehotel. A scenic train ride then takes you to the Aurora playground of Abisko for Northern Lights hunts and more activities before an unbelievable finale at the world-famous ICEHOTEL®!
The word 'ultimate' appears in the title of this aurora adventure for good reason. This itinerary ticks so many bucket list boxes that it is hard to list them all here!
Starting at a lodge which looks out over the ice-bound archipelago around Lulea, you will head out on Northern Lights hunts as well as enjoy the delights of ice fishing and snowmobiling. You will stay in a winter cottage for your first three nights here and your fourth will be spent in either the Bird's Nest or UFO room at the Treehotel or if you wish you can upgrade to spend the night in a river cabin at the Arctic Bath, a unique floating hotel and spa on the river Lule.
A stunning train ride then takes you north to the Aurora Mecca of Abisko. Three nights at the famous STF Turiststation here will allow you to hunt the Northern Lights and enjoy the stunning landscape. This portion of the holiday will allow you to experience some of the Arctic highlights in a totally different environment, including by dog sled. You will also enjoy an unforgettable Aurora photography evening, a favourite with all of our guests. Your holiday ends at the world-famous ICEHOTEL® with an unforgettable night's stay.
Throughout this entire holiday, you will be in prime Aurora territory and many of your evenings will be dedicated to Northern Lights hunts with your expert guides.
This is an exceptional holiday which highlights the best experiences and aurora adventures available in Swedish Lapland, all whilst providing outstanding Aurora viewing potential.
Important Information
The order of activities listed in this agenda is provided for guidance only. Your final and detailed itinerary will be provided either with your final travel documents (which will be emailed to you around a week prior to departure), or upon arrival.
Itinerary
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be greeted by a driver who will transfer you to Brändön Lodge, your home for the next three nights.
You’ll have some time to settle into your winter cottage before dinner in the main restaurant. We waste no time getting you out and about, though, so you will be straight out on your inaugural Northern Lights hunt.
Your guide will use all of their experience and knowledge as they lead you on an Aurora hunt using a snowmobile-pulled sleigh. Your destination will be chosen based on the weather and solar conditions and you will spend your first hours in the wilderness of Lapland awaiting a potential display of the Northern Lights.
This is an excellent way to start the holiday and, for many guests, it can feel a tad surreal. You will have started today at home and will end it out in the wilderness and peace of Lapland. This is a great way to kick start your holiday in style. The activity will last for approximately 2 hours.
Please note that the order of activities within your itinerary is subject to change and this agenda should be used as a guide only. The exact order of your agenda will be confirmed upon arrival at each hotel.
Included Meals: Dinner
Today, you will enjoy the peace and quiet of the landscape during an ice fishing trip. This is a gentle way to spend some time absorbing your new surroundings and your guide will help you drill through the ice and drop your line into the waters below. Even if you do not land a catch, this is a delightful way to spend time in The Great Outdoors.
This afternoon has been left free for you to enjoy at your leisure. We find that some guests love to simply relax or enjoy a stroll. If you would rather be out and about, we can arrange a husky safari for you. Trying your hand at dog sledding is an unforgettable experience. Details can be found in the Personalise Tour Section of the holiday page.
Dinner will be served back at the lodge tonight. As you head back to your cottage, ensure that you keep an eye on the sky above, you never know when the Northern Lights may start to dance above you.
Today you will explore the forests surrounding the Luleå Archipelago on snowmobiles; an exhilarating experience.
After a full safety briefing, you will follow your guide and traverse the snow-laden landscape, making some stops en route to enjoy the incredible scenery and a hot drink. Snowmobiles give you the chance to journey further afield and gain a sense of the scale of the landscape which other means of transport cannot provide. Travelling in pairs you will each get the chance to drive and travel as the passenger so you can experience all that this activity has to offer (all drivers need a full driving licence and must be over 18). You will be out for approximately 2 hours today.
Your second Northern Lights hunt utilises snowshoes in order to give you access to remoter areas of the forest. Snowshoes allow you to walk on the deepest snow with greater ease and your guide will lead you to a prime Aurora viewpoint deep in the wilds. You will stop for dinner around a campfire which will be prepared expertly by your guide. You will sit on reindeer skins and soak up the very special atmosphere, hopefully, the Aurora will provide some post-dinner entertainment. You will be out for approximately 3 hours tonight.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Staying the night in a treehouse is every child’s dream and at the Treehotel these dreams are fulfilled – and then some! You do not stay in clumsily built shack but in a sleek, modern and architecturally distinct room. Our standard rooms at the Treehotel are the nature-inspired Bird’s Nest or the UFO, which is straight out of a 1960’s sci-fi film! If you would like to sample one of the other unique rooms on offer, or have any accessibility requirements, please speak to one of our Travel Experts about an upgrade.
Although suspended off the ground, amongst the forest canopy, you will be perfectly at home in your well-appointed tree house, where the unique design concept has been matched with a keen eye for detail and guest comfort.
Tasty homemade meals are cooked up in the on site restaurant at the bottom of the hill and you can also unwind by booking a session in the sauna amongst the trees!
If you would prefer to spend the night at a stunning waterside hotel and spa, you can also upgrade to stay at the nearby Arctic Bath hotel – please speak to one of our Travel Experts and see the Personalise Tour section for further information.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning you will awake and enjoy the enjoy the views over the river Lule. After breakfast, it is time to head to the train station for your train journey north to Abisko.
After your transfer, you will board the comfortable train for the 400km trip through Swedish Lapland. It takes around six and a half hours to reach your destination but the stunning fell and forest scenery will certainly keep you entertained as you head towards your next adventure. Lunch is not included today but you can pick up a light lunch and snacks near to the station or onboard the train.
Upon arrival at Abisko, it’s just a short walk to your hotel, across the road from the train station. You will check into your rooms before a welcome dinner in the restaurant.
There will be some time for you to relax and catch your breath this afternoon after a packed few days.
There is no specific Aurora activity tonight, however, the beauty of Abisko is that if the conditions are conducive to a display you won’t have to venture far to catch a great view of the Northern Lights. If you would like to include an additional Aurora hunt then we can arrange for you to search for the Northern Lights in a snowmobile-pulled sleigh, or journey up the mountain behind the lodge via cable car to visit the Abisko Sky Station. Please see the Personalise Tour section for details of the available options.
Dog sledding is so popular with clients that we felt we had to include an outing with the huskies.
Today’s trip takes place in the stunning terrain that surrounds Abisko. Your expert musher will take charge of the sled and show you how it’s done, as you sit back and enjoy the ride. The benefit of travelling in the sled is that it gives you the chance to enjoy the surroundings and capture the experience on camera if you wish to do so. The safari will last for around 2.5 hours, including preparation time and stops.
This evening you shall be led on an unforgettable Aurora hunt in the capable hands of a talented Aurora photographer. We know how many people delight in the idea of capturing a display of the Northern Lights on camera and tonight will give you the best possible chance. You will be provided with excellent camera equipment, all set to photograph the Northern Lights, so all you have to do is provide an SD memory card on which to store the pictures.
Your guide will spend almost every night of the Aurora season out hunting the Northern Lights with their camera and so you really could not be in more expert hands. You will be out for approximately 2.5 hours tonight, including transfers.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is yours to spend however you wish to do so. You may want to try your hand at ice fishing one more time or enjoy another thrilling snowmobile tour (see Personalise Tour section for more information).
This evening you will have a guide and vehicle at your disposal to help you track the Lights, as well as access to a variety of stunning locations from where to watch the skies.
During this adventure, your guide will talk about the auroras, the history of Abisko National Park and serve you a warm drink. They will use their experience and plus the mobility of the vehicle to go to where the aurora activity is the highest, and where there weather gives the best chance of success. Many of the locations are on lakes and rivers which allow you to see the auroras in the sky AND reflected in the polished ice during the Winter.
After breakfast, you will head south to the world-famous ICEHOTEL®.
Lunch will be served in the warm restaurant before you are free to look around the suites and communal areas in this stunning snow and ice construction. Make sure you have a good camera at the ready to capture the ice sculptures, the ICEBAR®, the wedding chapel and the real highlight, the amazing and intricately carved Art Suites.
This holiday includes a night in an Ice Room and we can arrange room upgrades if you wish to spend your last night in Sweden in one of the suites, please speak to one of our Travel Experts for further details of the options available and a revised quote. You will sign off your final evening in Sweden in style with a three-course dinner. Please note that your room will be available to check in from approximately 6 pm onwards.
If you would prefer to spend your last day and night at Abisko STF Turiststation instead this can be arranged for you.
Following this epic Swedish adventure, it’s time to transfer to the airport and catch your return flights home.
Included Meals: Breakfast
What's included?
- Return airport transfers, all destination transfers and train travel between Luleå and Abisko are included
- 3 nights winter cottage accommodation Brändön Lodge, 1-night UFO or Birds Nest at the Treehotel (or Arctic Bath upgrade available), 3 nights twin room at Abisko STF Turiststation, 1-night ICEHOTEL® in an ice room
- 8 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 8 dinners
- Northern Lights hunt by snowmobile-pulled sled
- Ice fishing experience
- Snowmobile forest tour
- Northern Lights snowshoe hike
- Husky safari
- Abisko Aurora chase
- Aurora photography evening
- Cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay at Brändön Lodge and for activities only at Abisko STF Turiststation and the ICEHOTEL®
- Services of our expert local guides
Excluded
- Flights are not included – please speak to our Travel Experts for a quote if you wish to include these
Presale Pricing
| Dates | Adult price (per person) | Child Price | |||||
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| Dates | 15 Dec 25 - 21 Dec 25 | Adult price (per person) | £6065pp | Child (age 12-14) | N/A | Enquire | |
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| Dates | 22 Dec 25 - 05 Jan 26 | Adult price (per person) | £6115pp | Child (age 12-14) | N/A | Enquire | |
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| Dates | 06 Jan 26 - 05 Feb 26 | Adult price (per person) | £5965pp | Child (age 12-14) | N/A | Enquire | |
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| Dates | 06 Feb 26 - 23 Feb 26 | Adult price (per person) | £6065pp | Child (age 12-14) | N/A | Enquire | |
| Dates | Adult price (per person) | Child Price | |||||
| Dates | 24 Feb 26 - 31 Mar 26 | Adult price (per person) | £5965pp | Child (age 12-14) | N/A | Enquire | |
Secure your dream holiday today with an initial deposit of just £100 per person! By reserving your place now, you lock in access to exclusive pre-sale prices on our most in-demand trips, gaining peace of mind that your spot is secured. With provisional departure dates, prices, and itineraries to be finalised, you’ll have the flexibility to make a final decision once everything is confirmed—at no risk! When the itineraries are finalised, you’ll have first refusal to book onto the tour at pre-sale prices. You will have 14 days to make your decision. To complete your booking, simply pay the remaining deposit amount and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime. If you choose not to proceed, we’ll return your deposit. Please note: Prices are subject to availability at the respective hotels and may change. Reach out to our Travel Experts today for the full terms and a tailored quote—and start imagining your next adventure! |
Accommodation
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| Brändön Lodge is located on the edge of the sea that freezes around the Luleå Archipelago each year. It is a remarkable sight to see such a vast frozen mass of water each morning as you step out of your cosy cottage for a day of activities. Hotel facilities
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| The spectacular Treehotel is a must-see location for visitors to Swedish Lapland and in our opinion, it is one of the most unforgettable places to stay in Europe. The concept rooms here have all been created by some of Sweden’s top architects and represent the bringing to life of some remarkable ideas. From a carefully camouflaged mirror cube to an out of this world UFO – these rooms are guaranteed to make a lasting impression. Each room is effectively a sophisticated tree house, either suspended in the treetops or built on platforms that set the room amongst the bows of the trees. The scenery which surrounds these rooms is idyllic and, as they are situated within the Aurora Zone, your chances of witnessing the Northern Lights from your treetop retreat are excellent if the conditions are favourable. The rooms The eight rooms at the Treehotel are all the unique creation of some of Scandinavia’s leading architects and each offers a high standard of accommodation in addition to cutting-edge design. Each room has been crafted directly in the treetops and can be accessed only by ladder, ramp or bridge – please speak to us if you have any specific accessibility issues and we will advise on the most suitable rooms. The Bird’s Nest’ is a remarkable sight to see and in reflection of its name resembles a huge nest, clad in a vast amount of branches. Entry is gained via a retractable rope ladder so once inside you really feel like you are hidden from the world. ‘The UFO’ is an alien spaceship suspended amongst the trees but the fun and quirky design is sure to appeal to your inner child. Accessed via a retractable ladder (complete with smoke effect) this is a very surreal place to stay. ‘The Cabin’ is a modern capsule in the trees, offering spacious windows that allow you to see across the valley from the comfort of your bed. The Cabin is reached via a bridge walkway and also has its own wooden terrace amongst the trees. ‘The Mirror Cube’ is camouflaged amongst the trees due to its reflective glass exterior which perfectly reflects the surroundings, allowing you to easily hide away. This room is a stunning sight to see. Despite its name, ‘The Blue Cone’ is actually bright red in appearance and is based on simplicity, but also accessibility so is set lower amongst the trees. It, therefore, offers a very light room and a sense of stability. ‘The Dragon Fly’, is effectively a suite of rooms so is suited to small groups. This room offers wonderful panoramic views of the scenery and the carefully crafted design will mean that as time goes by it blends in with its surroundings. ‘The 7th Room’ is the largest and tallest treehouse which was opened in January 2017 and offers guests a traditional Scandinavian log cabin experience 10 metres up in the trees. The most spectacular asset to this room is the outside space, where a strong net provides terrace space for you to climb out on. “The Biosphere” is the newest room and the exterior is finished in natural materials with the addition of 350 bird boxes of all sizes to cater to a wide variety of native species! Its aim is to highlight the reduction in numbers of birds throughout Sweden’s forests and also provide a home for birds. The room is accessed via a ramped walkway from the ground. Hotel facilities
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Situated in Northern Sweden, near the small village of Harads sits the innovative Arctic Bath Hotel.
Designed to look like floating timber down the river, as a nod to traditional transportation methods, the hotel floats on the Lule River during summer and freezes in place throughout the winter to offer a completely unique experience. What’s more, its northerly position also puts you in the heart of the Aurora Zone for a memorable base in which to search for the Northern Lights.
Hotel Facilities:
- The Arctic Bath has a strong focus on wellbeing and this is best experienced in the main building with three different saunas, spa treatment room, hot bath, outdoor and indoor showers and two dressing rooms. What’s more, in keeping with Nordic tradition, there is also a cold-water bath to take an icy plunge into.
- The hotel has been expertly designed to leave a minimal environmental footprint which can be seen with the use of locally sourced materials. The onsite restaurant also prides itself on its use of local, pure and sustainable ingredients.
- Unwind in the bar and lounge area or book a specialist treatment for the ultimate relaxation experience.
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| Residing 100km from Kiruna, the historic and friendly Abisko STF Turiststation can be found in the wilderness of Swedish Lapland, offering mountain views and a warm welcome. The hotel has welcomed guests from around the world for over 100 years, acting as the gateway to the Abisko National Park, which is famed for its hiking trails in the summer and ski trails in the winter. The beautiful natural scenery of Northern Sweden is just a short walk away. Hotel facilities
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| The ICEHOTEL® at Jukkasjärvi has the impressive claim of being the world’s first ice hotel and was developed from a concept beginning in 1989. A local entrepreneur by the name of Yngve Bergqvist who ran a thriving tourism business in the summer decided to attract tourists in the winter by offering ice carving workshops and creating a small ice igloo as a gallery to showcase these designs. This igloo grew in scale each year until one night a group of guests, equipped with reindeer skins and sleeping bags asked to spend the night, creating the concept of the ice hotel in the process! Although Ice and snow hotels can be found across Lapland, the ICEHOTEL® remains the original. What’s more, 2018 saw the ICEHOTEL® become the first-ever Nordic Swan Ecolabel hotel made completely of ice and snow. The certification process looks at all areas, from energy and water consumption to waste management; understandably, this presented many challenges when measuring a hotel whose rooms melt away at the end of each winter season! The eco-label adds to a growing list of certifications for the ICEHOTEL® who is also certified a Sustainable Arctic Destination. Certification ensures guests are choosing environmentally conscious products and the ICEHOTEL® are – rightly so – very proud to receive such recognition. ICEHOTEL 365The hotel now boasts ICEHOTEL 365, a permanent structure, allowing it to be a year-round destination to visitors who travel the world to sleep in a room of ice and snow. Containing deluxe rooms, art suites, an ice bar and a sculpture hall, this environmentally sustainable building is a construct of glass, metal and concrete, but with the same incredible standard and visual design of snow and ice on the inside, with cooling tubes to keep it at a temperature of around -5 at all times. Alongside this is the classic ICEHOTEL® building, constructed purely of ice and snow and carefully crafted each December, utilising blocks from the nearby Torne River. Home to ice rooms, winter suites and a chapel the structure is a marvel to see and, come summer, simply melts back into the river from which it came. Each year, architects, designers and artists submit designs for the hotel’s features and a handful are chosen to go forward with their theme. The hotel consists of several buildings including the main ice building and ICEHOTEL 365. We cannot guarantee which area our guests will stay in. The rooms which are contained within the ice and snow building will not be available until after the 14th of December. Check-in time for the cold rooms is usually around 6 pm and for the warm rooms, it is approximately 3 pm. The ICEHOTEL® is open to members of the public for viewing between 10 am and 6 pm. You will check out after breakfast. Hotel facilities
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Personalise This Tour
The Aurora Sky Station is a wonderful Northern Lights viewing base located on Mount Nuolja, 900 metres above sea level in Abisko. To reach the summit you will travel via chairlift and, on a clear night, you can enjoy spectacular views across the mountainous landscape.
At the station, guests can enjoy a lookout tower with panoramic windows, in addition to a Northern Lights exhibition, a café and a souvenir shop.
Riding a husky sled is definitely one of the most popular activities in Swedish Lapland. Having been transferred to a local husky farm, you will meet the enthusiastic dogs that will pull you along before learning how to control a sled. You will then head off following your guide, travelling two people per sled.
Duration: 1.5 hours
One of the many highlights of Abisko is that it is surrounded by spectacular and untouched wilderness and one of the best ways to explore is to set off by snowmobile. These thrilling machines let you cover a great deal of ground more quickly.
Before departure, you will be given full instructions and a safety briefing on how to handle the snowmobiles before setting off, two people per snowmobile across frozen lakes and along wide mountain trails.
You will need a full driving licence to drive a snowmobile and should be over 18. You can swap between driver and passenger during the trip. The activity will last for approximately 2 hours.
| Tour Loaction: | Abisko,Sweden |
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Tour Map
Additional Info
Price is based on 2 persons travelling
Tour terms: click here
Booking conditions: click here
Payment and Cancellation Terms
Please note that the following cancellation terms supersede in part those mentioned in sections 7 of our general booking terms and conditions.
– Up to balance due date (This is normally 16 weeks prior to departure however some holidays differ. If this applies to your holiday you will be advised at the time of booking) – Loss of deposit (including the full cost of flights or other services where paid at the time of booking)
– between balance due date and 37 days prior to departure – 70%
– 36 or less days – 100%
Key Facts
For your best chance to see the Northern Lights, contact the UK’s only Aurora specialists
