Immerse yourself in the wild, untamed beauty of Swedish Lapland on this exhilarating winter escape. It all starts with a night in Lulea, where you’ll have the opportunity to walk or skate on the frozen ice roads and explore the charming, UNESCO World Heritage Church Town of Gammelstad. You’ll then head north to the Aurora Safari Camp, a small and intimate wilderness retreat where you’ll stay in a cosy, timber-clad tipi cabin with a glass veranda, allowing you to look out for the Northern Lights from the comfort of your accommodation. Between a guided night-time snowshoe hike, a snowmobile ride and a husky sledding experience, you’ll venture deep into the pristine wilderness in the company of expert local guides, while your hosts will prepare delicious, home-cooked meals using seasonal produce from Sweden’s far north. Complimentary use of Nordic skis, snowshoes and winter bikes are also included, along with access to a sauna embedded in a frozen lake – the perfect way to relax after a day of epic outdoor adventures.
Aurora safari wilderness retreat in Swedish Lapland
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At a glance…
Combine a night in Lulea with an action-packed wilderness retreat deep in the remote forests of Swedish Lapland
» 4 day tailor-made break
» Accommodation: Superior A higher standard of accommodation with a better range and quality of facilities, often in a good location (typically 4 stars)
» Price from: £2,925 pp incl. flights
Day by day itinerary
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Day 1 » Depart for Lulea
Your adventure begins by flying to Stockholm, from which you’ll take an internal connecting flight to Lulea, a vibrant city on the shore of the Bothnian Bay in Swedish Lapland – just 150 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle. On arrival, take a short taxi ride to your stylish, modern hotel in the city centre, where you’ll be based for the first night of your trip. After settling into your accommodation, take the opportunity to familiarise yourself with downtown Lulea. It’s a fairly compact and easily walkable place. In winter, the sea freezes over and forms a thick sheet of ice which connects the city with the islands of the Lulea archipelago, which you can walk, skate and kick-sled on. Usually, the ice roads are open from January to April, but the conditions vary each year. Later on, if the skies are clear, you may be able to see the Northern Lights casting their ethereal glow in the night sky. The evening is yours to spend at leisure, with no shortage of bars and restaurants to choose from nearby.
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Day 2 » Transfer to Aurora Safari Camp & aurora snowshoe walk
After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, you may be tempted to check out the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Church Town of Gammelstad, either independently or on a guided tour. Comprising 404 red-painted wooden houses clustered around a 15th-century stone church, it’s a delightful place for a stroll and to get a feel for the area’s past. Alternatively, you could take a shuttle bus to Brandon Lodge (a wilderness lodge around 30 minutes outside Lulea) for an activity of your choice, such as ice fishing or testing out your Nordic winter skills.
In the afternoon, a private transfer will take you to Aurora Safari Camp, nestled in the forests of the Rane River valley, around an hour to the north. Depending on the conditions, the last part of this journey is made by snowmobile. Check into your cosy, timber-clad tipi cabin, which features a north-facing glass veranda so you can look out for the Northern Lights from the comfort of your accommodation. A delicious dinner will be prepared by your hosts, with a strong emphasis on seasonal, locally sourced produce and culinary traditions of Swedish Lapland. You’ll then venture out into the snow-blanketed wilderness on a guided snowshoe hike, making your way to a viewpoint for a hot drink next to a roaring fire and, with a little luck, the possibility of seeing the aurora.
Stay: Aurora Safari Camp, Lulea
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 3 » Snowmobiling, husky sledding & ice sauna
Get ready for an action-packed day of adventures, starting with an exhilarating snowmobile ride through the snowy forests. Whether you’re a beginner or you’re well-practiced in driving a snowmobile, your guide will be on-hand every step of the way. Eventually you’ll arrive at the home of some local huskies where you’ll pause for some fika (a hot drink and a sweet treat), getting to know the dogs and their owners before setting off on a sled ride across frozen lakes. Your guides will introduce you to the art of mushing and prepare a delicious outdoor lunch by a fire. Typically, one person drives the sled while the other person sits, with opportunities to switch roles along the way.
After your husky sled ride, you’ll return back to the Aurora Safari Camp by snowmobile. There’s no better way to warm up and relax than a private sauna session, either on the frozen lake or in the forest. If you opt for the ice sauna, you might also be brave enough to take an invigorating plunge in the ice pool before retreating back to the warmth of the sauna. If you fancy exploring the surrounding nature a little further, be sure to make the most of complimentary snowshoes, Nordic skies and winter bikes. There are plenty of other optional activities to choose from, too, including the likes of ice fishing, Swedish baking and the chance to meet local Sami people and their reindeer. Cap off your final evening with another delightful, homely dinner cooked by your hosts – and remember to take a look outside to see if the Northern Lights are dancing before you head to bed.
Stay: Aurora Safari Camp, Lulea
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 4 » Return to UK
Depending on your departure time, you may have time to squeeze in one last activity today before heading back to the airport to catch your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
Gallery
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To book call us on:
At a glance…
Combine a night in Lulea with an action-packed wilderness retreat deep in the remote forests of Swedish Lapland
» 4 day tailor-made break
» Accommodation: Superior A higher standard of accommodation with a better range and quality of facilities, often in a good location (typically 4 stars)
» Price from: £2,925 pp incl. flights
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