Lapland Adventure – Aurora Sky Station – 5 nights – 6 days

Detailed Itinerary

DAY 1: ARRIVE IN KIRUNA

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.

DAY 2: HUSKY SLEDDING & NORTHERN LIGHTS AT THE AURORA SKY STATION

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 kilometers (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.

DAY 3: ABISKO NATIONAL PARK AT YOUR LEISURE

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, if 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.

DAY 4: TRAIN JOURNEY & FREE DAY IN KIRUNA

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.

DAY 5: SAMI REINDEER FARM & THE MAGICAL ICEHOTEL

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.

DAY 6: DEPARTURE

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.