Christmas Adventure in Swedish Lapland

On a partially guided tour, Nordic Visitor books your accommodation and excursions for a self-guided travel experience. That means you’ll enjoy some free time to explore on your own as well as planned, guided day tours.

Each activity is run by a different tour operator, so you’ll get to meet a few local guides throughout your trip.

You can rest assured that Nordic Visitor only works with a small number of handpicked suppliers that meet our high standards. The activities you’ll participate in are all extremely well rated so you’re sure to have a memorable time.

During your tour, we’re with you every step of the way. Plus, you’ll always be able to reach us on your trip by calling our 24/7 helpline.

As Lapland is a popular family travel destination, our Lapland adventures are suitable for travellers aged 4 years and up.

Adjustments may need to be made for some activities though, for example snowmobile excursions. Children under 140 centimetres (4.5 feet) tall will usually be seated in a sleigh pulled by the guide’s snowmobile. Children over 140 centimetres are allowed to sit on the snowmobile behind an adult, when paying the adult price.

This package is subject to availability. That means we recommend that you wait to book your flights until after we have confirmed your reservation. If there is no available accommodation on your preferred travel dates, your travel consultant will be in touch with information about the next available dates.

We recommend that you have moderate to good physical fitness to take part in this tour comfortably. This is because our Arctic tours are considered adventure travel, and can involve extreme weather conditions. Some excursions will also include vigorous activity and animals such as huskies and reindeer.

If you are pregnant, we do not recommend taking part in dog sledding and snowmobiling excursions. If this applies to you or any members of your group, please let your travel consultant know in advance.

Transfers between your accommodation and tour meeting locations are not included, and it is your responsibility to get to these locations on time. Your vouchers and itinerary will provide you with all the information you need, so make sure you check these carefully. Thankfully, it’s never far to walk from your accommodation.

Camp Ripan is a family-run hotel with cosy private cabins for guests. All the cabins include a bathroom with a shower and WC, a refrigerator, a hot water kettle, cable TV, telephone and internet.

There is an on-site restaurant where a daily breakfast and 3-course dinner is served. The restaurant specialises in authentic Swedish cuisine. Think smoked fish dishes, local cheeses and fresh fruit. Reindeer even features on the menu. You can enjoy your meals while gazing out upon a snow-blanketed landscape.

On Christmas Eve you’ll gather with your fellow travel companions to enjoy a mouth-watering Swedish smörgåsbord. This is a buffet of traditional delicacies, both hot and cold, sweet and savoury.

You’ll also be taken on a snowmobile mission to find the perfect Christmas tree to take back to the hotel, before decorating it as a group. Any children in your group will be thrilled to know that Camp Ripan is one of Santa’s many stops throughout the night!

Enjoy a visit to the world-famous ICEHOTEL on Christmas Day. You’ll walk through the frosty architectural wonder, before heading to Jukkasjärvi to explore traditional Sámi homes. And thanks to Lapland’s location within the Arctic Circle, you’re incredibly likely to experience a white Christmas. In the evening, you’ll sit down for a 3-course festive feast back at the hotel.

You’ll also be able to enjoy a visit to the Aurora Spa and Ritual Stävan with your booking. The spa’s glass walls create a space of total tranquility, while the ritual nourishes your skin with locally sourced ingredients. Please note that entrance to the spa is available for adults only.

You’ll be taking a self-guided tour of the fascinating Icehotel complex.

Every winter, the Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi is completely rebuilt by artists from all over the world, using snow and ice from the local Torne River. Each year there’s new features to gaze upon and new nooks to explore. There’s even bedrooms made entirely from glistening ice blocks.

Please note that the Icehotel is only open from mid-December, as it is rebuilt every year. The hotel’s grounds also feature a permanent structure, the Icehotel 365 which is open year-round.

Solar energy keeps the frosty interior frozen, which means you can get the same icy experience anytime. You’ll be able to see an assortment of bedrooms and suites, as well as the chic Icebar and other creative works of art.

The dog sledding tour on this package is a 20- to 30-kilometre (12- to 19-mile) husky safari.

Each sled is shared by 2 people, meaning you’ll take turns between sitting and mushing. When you’re controlling the sled you’ll need to stand, kick and sometimes run to assist the dogs, depending on the terrain.

If you’d prefer not to control the sled and would like a more relaxed safari experience, simply ask your travel consultant for an alternative option.

If your group has any travellers under the age of 16, they’ll travel with the tour guide on a larger sled.

If you weigh over 120 kilograms (264 pounds), please let us know so the tour operator can make necessary adjustments.

You can customise this tour online during the booking process. You can add extra nights to your itinerary as well as optional day trips, excursions and upgrades. You are also welcome to combine this tour with any of our other Scandinavian packages.

If you have something specific in mind, get in touch with your travel consultant and they’ll create your dream trip.

By booking with Nordic Visitor, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that there’s always someone there for you throughout your trip.

For support and advice during the day, you can call our office. And if anything unexpected happens outside working hours, you can reach us on our 24/7 helpline. 

During your tour, there will always be a travel expert on call to handle any unforeseen situations, such as unusual weather or events.

If you have a passport from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand, you won’t need a visa to visit Sweden. This visa-free entry is valid for up to 90 days.

Visiting from another country? You can find out whether you require a visa to enter Sweden on the Government Offices of Sweden website.

Your passport must also be valid for at least 3 months after your departure from Sweden. It’s good to check your passport expiry date early in case you need to renew it.

Most of the Lapland region lies within the Arctic Circle, so the differences in daylight hours throughout the year is extreme.

In the peak winter months in Rovaniemi, you can expect only a few hours of daylight between 10 AM – 2 PM. The advantage of the snowy surroundings is that the light reflects off the snow making the days seem brighter.

In Kiruna from mid-December into early January, you’ll experience what’s called the “polar night”. The sun does not rise above the horizon, and instead creates a period of soft twilight.

From February on there are usually at least 6 hours daily light, rising quickly to over 13 hours by the end of March.

Yes! Wintertime is the best season to visit Lapland if you want to see the northern lights due to the extended periods of darkness. You can watch the magnificent natural light show in Lapland, with peak visibility in the winter months.

You can chase the lights on evening excursions with a local tour guide. These excursions will operate according to a tour schedule, even in unfavourable viewing conditions. Your guide will do their utmost to determine the best possible location for sightings and make this an enjoyable experience for you.

Please note that the northern lights are a natural phenomenon, which means that sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Visiting Lapland in the winter season is magical. Expect snow-covered landscapes and a festive, cosy atmosphere.

There are only a few hours of daylight in Rovaniemi at this time of year, which creates a truly enchanting environment. In Kiruna from mid-December into early January, you’ll experience what’s called the “polar night”. The sun does not rise above the horizon, and instead creates a period of soft twilight.

You’ll typically experience temperatures below freezing, often dropping as low as -16 °C (3 °F). This means you’ll want to come prepared with plenty of warm, insulated clothes. You can read more about what to pack in our Lapland Travel Guide.

Please note that sightseeing and tours are dependent on weather and road conditions and might need to be altered at the last minute. If something unexpected occurs, you can call our 24-hour helpline to speak directly with Nordic Visitor staff.

Be aware that there will be snow and ice on the ground, and this may make walking around more difficult. Please note that there is no luggage handling service available in Lapland so you must be able to carry your own luggage in snowy conditions.

During Lapland’s winter months you’ll regularly experience temperatures below freezing. For that reason, you’ll want to pack plenty of layers to keep yourself warm and dry.

Essential items to bring with you include:

• Insulated waterproof jacket
• Cosy wool or fleece jumpers
• Snow or waterproof trousers
• Warm gloves, hat and scarf
• Insulated boots
• Thermal socks
• Sunglasses and sunscreen (the snow really reflects the sunlight!)
• Battery packs for your electronic gear and travel adapters
• Your camera! 

But don’t worry if you don’t have all the kit. Your tour package also includes the loan of additional gear when you’re in Lapland, including:

• Thermal overalls
• Gloves, hat and scarf
• Boots
• Thermal socks
• Helmet or balaclava (for select activities)
• Goggles (for select activities)

You could also bring glove liners and hand warmers for extra warmth.

For more guidance on what to bring, check out this Lapland packing list.

Please note that clothing is unavailable for children under the age of 4. We suggest packing plenty of layers for both yourself and any children in your group.

It’s best to book as soon as you can to secure your preferred travel dates. Once you have picked your tour, check the availability calendar to see which months are open for booking. Then, select the date you want and complete your booking.

As this package is subject to availability, please wait for a confirmation from your travel consultant to ensure your travel dates and accommodation are available. You’ll then be able to purchase your flights with confidence.

If you like to plan well ahead, you’ll find that it’s possible to book many tours for the following year. And if you have any questions or need advice, you can always contact us. 

After booking your tour package online, you will be contacted within 2 business days by your own dedicated travel consultant. They will be your point of contact for all your travel needs before, during and even after your trip. 

We aim to complete bookings within a few weeks. During this time we take care of booking your accommodation, activities, and transport, confirming all parts of your journey. Once this is done, your travel consultant will provide you with all the details of your trip. 

When we get back to you might depend slightly on how far ahead you’ve booked your travels and other tours running at the time. 

If you have any questions before your trip, you can get in touch with our Lapland travel experts. The live chat option is useful for getting a quick reply as someone answers live every day during office opening hours.

Once you’ve booked, we’ll provide you with a travel guide packed full of local tips and top attractions for your visit. You can also check out our online Lapland Travel Guide where we’ve compiled useful information about topics, including:

• What to pack for your trip
• What to expect from the weather
• How to get there (both Finnish and Swedish Lapland)
• Information on the northern lights

After you have booked your tour, it will only take a few days to confirm its availability. But it may take a few weeks to create your itinerary and book everything. 

Once your trip details are finalised, we’ll send you e-copies of your travel documents. This will include your personalised itinerary, our Lapland Travel Guide and your service vouchers. We recommend printing your tickets and vouchers to bring with you to Lapland.

So when do you check in? And what can you expect when you land in Lapland?

After picking up your luggage, you will be greeted by a driver holding a sign with your name in the arrivals hall. They’ll drive you directly to your accommodation.

Check-in times vary between hotels and guesthouses, but it normally starts between 2–4 PM. 

You are welcome to request an early check-in for an additional fee. Although this isn’t always available, you’ll be able to store your luggage at the hotel until check-in. Please contact your travel consultant well in advance of your trip if you’d like an early check-in.

When you leave your hotel will depend on the time of your return flight. We suggest checking out early if your flight is in the morning. If you’re flying home later in the day, you could enjoy a leisurely day or visit one more attraction.

You will usually need to check out from your room around 10–11 AM. If you’re staying in town longer, you will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception. Simply return later to collect your bags. Your package includes a private transfer back to the airport, so you can sit back and relax as you start your journey home.

And make sure you’ve returned any outdoor clothing that you borrowed during your trip before you leave.

No need! Nordic Visitor is already working on offsetting the estimated carbon footprint of your package. We’ve partnered with an environmental fund in Iceland to carbon offset all our tours.

Carbon offsetting your international flights is not included, but we highly recommend you look into possibilities with your airline or directly through a local environment fund. 

All bookings are billed in Euro (EUR). Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate. This means conversions from EUR to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.