Pure Lapland – Northern Lights Adventure

Itinerary | Accommodations

The thrill of witnessing the Aurora Borealis is a real once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many. The Northern Lights dancing in the sky is such a powerful and unique natural phenomenon, and Lapland is one of the best places to spot the Aurora. But it’s not just the Northern Lights that make Lapland such a worthwhile destination. It will cast a powerful spell on all who visit as there’s something mystical and intangible here that fills it with Arctic magic. The midnight sun, the Sámi peoples, the Northern Lights and roaming reindeer are all components of this fabulous tour of Sweden and Finland– as is Santa Claus himself, who ‘officially’ resides here…

There’s plenty to see for people of all abilities on this wonderful winter escape. This adventure offers outrageous hotels and lodges, superlative cross-country skiing, dogsledding, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing along with warm hospitality and rich culture.

Itinerary at a Glance

• Explore Lapland in all her glory, spanning northern Finland and Sweden in just one week
• Arrive in Lulea, Sweden and transfer to the Arctic Bath hotel overlooking the Lule River
• Immerse yourself in Sami culture
• Stay at Sweden’s famous Ice Hotel and spend two nights on a bed of ice, with reindeer skins and a very warm sleeping bag!
• Skate, sled, X-country ski, snowmobile or ice fish
• Explore the land of the Sámi peoples by dog sled or Nordic skis.
• Cross the border to Finland and check in to the luxurious Arctic Sky Lodge in the remote village of Äkäslompolo
• Relax in your cozy cabin staring out at the arctic night through a laser-heated glass roof
• Go on a snow mobile safari to the mysterious Hell Canyon
• Transfer to the airport in Kittila for flights home via Helsinki or return to Lulea by shuttle for your round-trip flights home

What’s Included:

• Experienced professional guides
• Chartered transportation between destinations
• Expedition equipment
• All meals and accommodations
• Taxes and permits

What to Expect on ROAM’s Pure Lapland Northern Lights Adventure

Sample Itinerary

We pride ourselves in running a relaxed and flexible schedule. The itinerary is subject to change as it is dependent on weather and participants’ ability. Our daily distances can fluctuate depending on weather, activities, and National Park notices. The following is a sample of what your trip might be like:

Day One

Today you arrive in Lulea, Sweden and check into Arctic Bath, the first of several remarkable hotels on our Lapland adventure. We’ll meet your guides for dinner and drinks at 7pm.

Situated above the Arctic Circle, Lapland casts a powerful spell as there’s something mystic and intangible here that fills it with magic. The midnight sun, the Sámi peoples, the aurora borealis (Northern Lights) and roaming reindeer are all components of this – as is Santa Claus himself, who ‘officially’ resides here – along with the awesome latitudes.

Overnight: Lulea: Arctic Bath

Day Two

This one-of-a-kind hotel immerses guests in the epic scenery of Swedish Lapland: its frost-crowned forests, where moose and reindeer leave tracks in the snow.

After breakfast, we’ll drive 70 minutes to the incredible Tree Hotel in Hardas. Suspended 4-10 metres (12 – 30 ft) above the ground with views of the Lule River, the tree rooms are accessible by ramp, bridge, or electric stairs. There will be an opportunity to snow shoe and check out this quirky property where we used to stay before seeking out the northern lights on a cocktail cruise. Finally we’ll return to Arctic Bath for a gourmet dinner and perhaps a cold plunge in the open-air bath!

Overnight Lulea: Arctic Bath

Days Three & Four

Today, we depart the Arctic Bath and via shuttle and train, we’ll head north to Kiruna and its famous Ice Hotel.

Here, we will spend two glorious nights so, if sleeping in a room and bed made out of ice is not enough of a frosty “bucket list” experience, there’s a plethora of other activities to explore this wintery landscape both day and night.

Hunt the northern lights by snowmobile, horseback ride on a moose safari, learn to carve ice sculptures with the Ice Hotel’s resident artists, cross country ski (lessons and gear included) or learn how to run your own team of huskies on a dog sledding lesson. Get a massage, visit the Ice Bar and then indulge in great food as ROAM has organized two outrageous and special dining events during our stay!

Overnight Kiruna: Ice Hotel

Day Five

Today we will cross the Finnish border and journey to the remote village of Äkäslompolo. The village offers skiing, dog sledding, snow mobile tours and all manner of winter adventures! At the end of another fun-filled day, we’ll head to Arctic Sky Lodge for a magical way to experience the star-filled sky and the Northern Lights: while lying comfortably in a warm bed! The laser-heated glass-roof opens up into the northern sky, directly overhead.

Tonight we’ll tuck into our comfy cabins with a view of the heavens unlike anywhere else.

Overnight: Arctic Sky Lodge

Day Six

Today we head out on the Quest for Hell Canyon snow mobile safari. This remarkable arctic adventure takes us on a journey through forests and over wetlands to reach our destination, Pakasaivo. Otherwise known as “Hell of Lapland,” this is a 1km long ravine lake that has a very mysterious history and holds many secrets. Once used as a place of worship by the Sami, it is believed that sacrifices were made in and around this lake and there are beliefs of mythical creatures living in the waters.

You will get to hear some stories about the history of the lake before going into a traditional Lappish kota where your guide will cook up a storm over the open fire. Then we eat, chat and warm up a little before taking the scenic route back to the Arctic Sky Lodge where we’ll warm up around a campfire under the stars.

Overnight: Arctic Sky Lodge

Day Seven

After breakfast at the hotel, we will catch a 45 minute shuttle to Kittila for flights outbound (via Helsinki) .

 

Accommodations in Sweden and Finland

Arctic Bath

Arctic Bath comprises six jaunty wooden cabins with pared-back interiors of pale pine and Baltic limestone near the edge of the River Lule and a half-dozen larger ones on the tree-lined shore.

In the restaurant, smoked wood grouse, cured trout, and slow-cooked reindeer are served by Maarten De Wilde and Kristoffer Åström, the latter known as “the Sámi chef” for taking the community’s flavours to kitchens across Sweden.

Ice Hotel

This is the world’s first and largest hotel built out of snow and ice. Every year, for the last three decades, the hotel is reincarnated in a new rendition of stunning art and workmanship. Each winter, talented artists carve new building and art out of ice and for five months, select guests from all over the world experience it first hand before it melts in spring, returning the water to the Torne River. One of our two nights here will be spent in a room and bed carved entirely out of ice. Guests are provided all the necessary equipment to be very comfortable during this superlative event experience.

Arctic Sky Lodge

These cozy cabins are designed for watching the aurora. Each unit has a laser-heated, glass roof that opens up into the northern sky directly above your bed. Delicious meals are taken on site and all of our activities start right at your doorstep. The lodge is situated away from the ambient light of Levi, but there’s a complimentary shuttle to the resort village and spa center 16 km away.
 

About the Northern Lights

Like with many natural phenomena, the Northern Lights are changeable and unpredictable: When and where you can experience them is a question that all aurora lovers and chasers want to know. Turning your dream of seeing the Northern Lights into reality requires a combination of knowledge, time and patience.