This winter break in Swedish Lapland is the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. You’ll enjoy overnights and free time in both the town of Kiruna and the mountain resort village of Abisko, one of the world’s best places for northern lights sightings. Get a burst of adrenaline on guided snowmobiling and dog sledding excursions, indulge in gourmet local cuisine at the Aurora Sky Station and spend a night at the famous ICEHOTEL.
Just a few of the majestic sights you’ll take in during your trip.
A day-by-day plan to guide your northern adventure.
Welcome to magical Kiruna in Swedish Lapland! A driver will meet you at Kiruna Airport to take you to your accommodation. Then head out to explore the snowy city before tonight’s adventure.
In the evening, bundle up for a guided snowmobile excursion out into the wilderness. This is a thrilling way to experience Arctic nature and gives you a chance to spot the northern lights glowing in the night sky. On this adventure, you’ll enjoy a rustic dinner of traditional local food in a wooden hut around a fireplace before your guide takes you back to Kiruna.
Spend the night in Kiruna.
This morning, more adventures await as you’ll join a guided dog-sledding excursion. When you arrive at the husky farm you’ll hear the excited huskies waiting for their chance to run through the snow-covered forest trail. Following a brief lesson at the kennel, you’ll drive your own sleigh, pulled by a team of energetic huskies, through the woods and over the snowy plains. There will be 2 people sharing each sleigh, taking turns mushing. After a thrilling ride, warm up with a hot drink and a light lunch in front of a campfire.
In the early evening, you board a minibus to Abisko, about 100 kilometres (60 miles) from Kiruna. You’ll stay here for 2 nights and you’re sure to have an unforgettable time immersed in the natural beauty of this national park. When you arrive, your night begins with a chairlift ride up the mountainside to the Aurora Sky Station, which offers unspoilt views of the stars above. At the restaurant, indulge in a delicious, Nordic-inspired, 3-course dinner, followed by a guided tour to learn about the spectacular northern lights and how best to see them. Afterwards, take a short 900-metre (half-a-mile) walk to your hotel.
Spend the night in Abisko.
Take advantage of a free day in Abisko National Park, one of the oldest and most pristine national parks in Sweden. Here you can choose from a variety of guided activities (pre-booking recommended) or rent some skis or snowshoes from STF Abisko Turiststation to head out on your own. However you choose to enjoy the great outdoors today, don’t forget to take advantage of the hotel sauna afterwards.
Tonight, if the sky is clear, keep an eye out for the northern lights again. This is one of the best locations in Sweden to see the auroras after all!
Spend the night in Abisko.
Take the train back to Kiruna this morning to spend the day at your leisure. At the train station in Kiruna you will be met by a driver who will take you to your hotel. Then you could explore the city. The old town was founded in 1900 next to a mine. In 2014, the buildings started being moved so the mine could expand. Discover the new city hall, Kristallen (“the crystal”), and the old church, one of Sweden’s largest wooden buildings. You can even book a guided tour of the mine.
For some evening thrills, book a guided snowshoe hike or a husky evening ride to try spotting the northern lights one more time.
Spend the night in Kiruna.
Today, you’ll leave Kiruna and head out to the famous ICEHOTEL. It is the largest hotel built of snow and ice in the world and was the first of its kind ever made! On arrival, you’ll take a self-guided tour of the spectacular structure. View spellbinding ice rooms and ice suites as well as a chic ice bar, an ice church, and other unique creations.
In the afternoon, join a tour to a traditional Sámi reindeer farm in Jukkasjärvi. This is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in Lapland’s nature, history and culture, and learn about how the Sámi people have lived here for centuries. You’ll also get the chance to ride a reindeer-pulled sleigh through the woods.
Return to the ICEHOTEL (or ICEHOTEL 365*) to spend the night in your very own ice room.
*The ICEHOTEL opens in mid-December. Until then, accommodation and tours will be at the ICEHOTEL 365, open all year. For more information read our essential tour information below.
Today is your last day in Swedish Lapland! Start the morning with a hearty breakfast in the ICEHOTEL’s restaurant and warm up in the sauna to prepare for today’s trip back home. Later, a driver will take you to Kiruna Airport in time for your departure flight.
Customise your adventure with these Optional Extras.
We recommend adding your extra activities to the tour now for the best booking experience and to secure your spot, as activities are likely to sell out.
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Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.
Don’t worry, we’ve got this covered.
Photographic evidence of just how stunning Lapland is.
We don’t like to brag, so we’ll let our happy customers do it for us.
Excursions were fantastic, including evening and afternoon snowmobile trips, daytime dog sledding and the ICEHOTEL tour. Guides were all very friendly and knowledgeable and spoke good English.
This was a trip of a lifetime and I would do the exact same trip over again! We had a blast and cannot wait to get back to Sweden.
Overall, everything was great and we had a great experience and time. The itinerary info was spot on and worked out perfectly.
I would highly recommend Nordic Visitor! The tour was arranged extremely well! Nice accommodation, transportation was always on time. There was just one instance where the company forgot about picking us up. Calling up Nordic Visitor was easy to get this sorted and the company arrived within 10 minutes for pick up.
Overall a good experience for making memories.
Spectacular holiday experiencing a fantastic environment.
Sleep soundly, in the accommodation type of your choice, and wake up ready to enjoy another day of exploration.
Our best price per person when booking for two.
We recommend that you read carefully through the following section about travelling to Kiruna, Swedish Lapland. It includes some important information about what the tour includes, accommodation, and more about your thrilling activities.
Please note that this package is subject to availability. Please wait to book your flights until after we have confirmed your reservation. If the accommodation in Kiruna or at the ICEHOTEL is fully booked on your preferred travel dates, your travel consultant will be in touch with information about the next available dates.
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR MULTI-DAY TOURS
On a multi-day 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.
ACCOMMODATION
On your multi-day tour, you’ll stay in accommodation that’s been hand-picked by our Lapland travel experts. We’ve partnered with local businesses and selected hotels and guesthouses in Kiruna based on excellent ratings, comfort and our personal experience.
During the booking process, you can choose from single, double or triple rooms. Please note that in Lapland room types are based on European standard sizes, which means they are smaller than in North America.
Included in this package is a 1-night stay in an ice room at the ICEHOTEL for arrivals after mid-December. For arrivals prior to then, your accommodation will be at one of the Arctic Suites at the ICEHOTEL 365. (Read more information about the ICEHOTEL below)
MINIMUM AGE,FITNESS LEVEL AND ADVENTURE PACKAGES
Please note that tours to the Aurora Sky Station are only available to those aged over 16 years old.
You should have moderate to good physical fitness to take part comfortably in this tour. This is because packages set in the Arctic are considered adventure travel due to the specific conditions you’ll experience. Arctic travel can sometimes involve extreme weather conditions as well as vigorous activity and animals (like huskies and reindeer) on many excursions.
TRANSFERS TO/FROM ACTIVITIES
Please note that transfers between your hotel and tour meeting locations are not included. You will need to check your vouchers and itinerary information carefully. It is your responsibility to be on time to meet tour guides at meeting locations. Thankfully, Kiruna is a charming, small, and very walkable city.
AURORA SKY STATION
The chairlift at the Aurora Sky Station is like what you might experience at a ski resort, so please dress in your warmest clothing and expect the seat to rock a bit in the breeze. Please also note that there is some walking required when reaching the top. To and from the Aurora Sky Station is a 900-metre (half-a-mile) path.
In case of bad weather, you will go to the Aurora Lodge at the STF Abisko Turiststation instead of Aurora Sky Station. There you’ll enjoy an alternative northern lights programme with exhibits and films. Please note that there is no refund in this case.
ICEHOTEL AND ICEHOTEL 365
Included in your package is a stay at the ICEHOTEL or ICEHOTEL 365. You will have entrance to a traditional Swedish sauna as well as the chance to explore the ICEHOTEL and ICEHOTEL 365. You’ll be able to see an assortment of ice rooms and ice suites as well as the chic Icebar, ice church and other creative works of ice and snow.
ICE ROOMS (included mid-December to April at the ICEHOTEL for Comfort Plus): a standard room with ice décor and a bed made of ice. The bed you sleep on has a thick mattress that rests on a wooden base. You’ll sleep in a thermal sleeping bag on top of cosy reindeer hides.
ART SUITES (included November to mid-December at the ICEHOTEL 365 for both Comfort Plus and Superior, mid-December to April at the ICEHOTEL for Superior only): the art suites are unique rooms filled with hard-carved ice art designed by international artists. The bed you sleep on has a thick mattress that rests on a wooden base. You’ll sleep in a thermal sleeping bag on top of cosy reindeer hides.
Please note that the ICEHOTEL opens in mid-December. Until then, all guided tours and accommodation will be at the ICEHOTEL 365, which is open throughout the year.
WHAT IS IT LIKE TO SLEEP IN THE ICEHOTEL?
The temperature inside the hotel hovers at a constant of -5 to -7°C (23 to 17° F). The hotel will provide you with expedition-style sleeping bags which are tested for extreme temperatures, so you’ll be fine with just thermals, hat, warm socks and a mid-layer jumper. The beds in the cold rooms have a bedframe made of ice, slatted bed base with mattress, reindeer skins and pillows.
You’ll be given access to your room at 6 PM, but the heated service building is staffed and open 24 hours. This is where you’ll store your belongings, collect your sleeping bag and use the bathroom, shower and sauna. There are no bathrooms or storage in the ice rooms or art suites.
During the day the ICEHOTEL is open to the public. Day visitors and guests have access to see all the rooms, except reserved deluxe suites. This means overnight guests get their rooms at 6 PM.
DOGSLEDDING TOUR
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 sitting and mushing. When controlling the sled, you’ll need to stand, kick and sometimes run to assist the dogs, depending on the terrain.
Those who prefer not to drive their own sled and would like a more relaxed pace can ask their travel consultant for an alternative option.
Children under the age of 16 will be travelling safely with the tour guide on a large sled.
If you weigh over 120 kilos (264 pounds), please inform us so the tour operator can adjust the sleigh arrangements.
SNOWMOBILE TOUR
Please note for all snowmobile tours, each snowmobile is shared by 2 guests taking turns driving. The driver of the snowmobile has to be at least 18 years old and hold a driver’s licence valid in Sweden on the tour. Under Swedish law, you cannot drive a snowmobile under the influence of alcohol.
There is a height restriction for children. Children measuring under 140 centimetres (4.5 feet) will be seated in a sleigh pulled by the guide’s snowmobile. Children over 140 cm are allowed to sit on the snowmobile behind an adult.
SAFETY AND WEATHER CONDITIONS
Please note that sightseeing and tours are dependent on weather and road conditions and might need to be altered if they are not favourable. If something unexpected occurs, you can call our 24-hour helpline to speak directly with Nordic Visitor staff.
As you’re visiting Lapland in winter, there will be snow and ice on the ground. This can sometimes make it difficult to walk. Please note that there are no luggage handling services available in Lapland. You must be able and prepared to carry your own luggage in snowy conditions.
NORTHERN LIGHTS & DAYLIGHT HOURS
The northern lights are a natural phenomenon, which means that sightings cannot be guaranteed. Evening excursions will operate according to the 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 be advised that because of its northerly location close to and inside the Arctic Circle, Swedish Lapland has limited daylight in winter. For a few weeks of the year Kiruna enters a polar night, meaning the sun doesn’t rise at all. This makes Kiruna a very atmospheric and unique place to visit between November and February. In March, daylight hours increase steadily from about 5 at the beginning to 15 at the end.
TRAVELLING WITH YOUNG CHILDREN
As it is a top family travel destination, generally our Lapland packages are child friendly. That said, many activities (e.g., snowmobile and dog sled tours) have an age limit of 4 years old.
On snowmobile excursions, height restrictions also apply. Children measuring under 140 centimetres (4.5 feet) will usually be seated in a sleigh pulled by the guide’s snowmobile. Children over 140 cm are allowed to sit on the snowmobile behind an adult, when paying the adult price.
TRAVELLING WHILE PREGNANT
If you are pregnant we do not recommend taking part in dog sledding and snowmobiling excursions due to safety concerns. Please let us know in advance and we can offer alternative options.
ADD-ONS & OPTIONAL UPGRADES
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 Scandinavian packages.
If you have something specific in mind, get in touch with your travel consultant and they’ll create your dream trip.
AFTER BOOKING WITH NORDIC VISITOR
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.
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