Arctic Circle Aurora Adventure

Arctic Circle Aurora Adventure

8 Days Starting and ending in Muonionalusta (Rajamaa)

Visiting: Sweden

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

Tour code:

CSW

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 12

Physical rating:

Moderate

Age range:

16-99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:

English

Interests:

Northern Lights

From: $4425

NB: Prices correct on 25-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Travel 125 miles (200 km) above the Arctic Circle to Sápmi (Lapland) in Sweden, where wild rivers and vast forests dominate the landscape. Our base is Rajamaa on Muonionalusta island, where the Malmstrom family has welcomed guests since 1986. In this wilderness, we discover the indigenous Sámi culture and explore nature by dog sledding, snowshoeing, and forest skiing. Each night, we watch for the Northern Lights. The trip ends with a two-day forest expedition, staying in a traditional log cabin surrounded by untouched nature.

Highlights

  • Travel beyond the Arctic Circle to explore Sápmi’s wild winter wonderland

  • Spend a memorable morning with a Sámi family to learn about their traditional lifestyle

  • Make friends with a pack of Siberian huskies on a dog-sledding adventure through the forest

  • Hop on forest skis to go off-grid on a two-day wilderness expedition

  • Look to the vast sky for a nightly chance to witness the Northern Lights

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Start At Rajamaa In Muonionalusta, North Sweden

Meals Included: Dinner

This trip starts at Rajamaa, a complex of cosy wooden chalets on a remote island in the River Muonio with views over both Sweden and Finland. At check in, we are welcomed by the friendly Malmström family, our hosts for the week, who have been running the accommodation for more than three decades. Depending on the arrival time of the group, the main briefing is usually done tonight or tomorrow morning.



Alternatively, if you'd prefer to ease into the trip, speak to us about booking nights at Rajamaa before the adventure begins.

Day 2 : Snowshoe Through Wintry Landscapes; Spot Animal Tracks And Enjoy Lunch In The Forest; Walk Back To The Chalets Over Frozen Swamps And Hills

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a hearty breakfast, we are provided with all the equipment and information needed for a week of activities in Arctic conditions. Setting off on our snowshoes, we venture into the fabled wintry landscape surrounding Rajamaa and learn more about the unique raw nature of Sápmi (also known as Lapland). Our guide will help us to spot the tracks of birds and other local fauna in the snow and explain how the trees and bushes have adapted to this harsh climate. We enjoy lunch by a log fire in the forest, before walking back over frozen hills and through snowy landscapes to our chalets. In the afternoon, we have free time to enjoy the sauna or a hot drink in the dining room. Over the course of the week, we enjoy presentations about some of Scandinavia's big predators: lynx, wolverines, bears and wolves.

Day 3 : Enjoy A Thrilling Dog Sledding Tour Through The Forest; Afternoon Introduction To Forest Skiing

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we visit a small husky kennel run by neighbours of Rajamaa. We meet Anna, a professional musher, who tells us about the life of the friendly Siberian husky dogs, their training and behaviour. She also explains a few simple rules to safely ride and lead the dogs. Divided into pairs, we then enjoy the challenge and adventure of driving our own dog sled for approximately 9mi (15km) through a winter landscape of snow-clad forests and frozen swamps. Taking turns during the tour gives you the chance to feel like a real musher and to enjoy the landscape when sitting on the dog sled as a passenger.



In the afternoon, we return to our accommodation and familiarise ourselves with forest skiing in preparation for our two-day expedition later in the week. Forest skis originate from Scandinavia and Russia and have been used in this area as a means of transportation for thousands of years. They are usually wooden and differ from cross-country skis as they are longer and broader. They come with simple bindings that you can use with your provided winter boots. This evening, before a hearty dinner, we enjoy another wildlife presentation at the main lodge.

Day 4 : Free Day; Optional Snowmobile Safari

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is free for you to enjoy one of the optional activities available locally. You may decide to experience the thrill of driving a snowmobile through snowy forests and over frozen lakes or explore the surroundings on snowshoes with a fun geocaching activity. Alternatively, you may choose to relax at the lodge and enjoy the tranquillity of this beautiful setting.

Day 5 : Spend A Memorable Morning With A Local Sámi Family, Learning About Their Traditional Way Of Life, And Enjoy A Magical Reindeer Sledding Experience

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we have a special insight into the life and work of a reindeer-herding Sámi family. Between 75,000 to 100,000 Sámi people live in the Arctic regions of Norway, Finland, Sweden and Russia, preserving their unique languages and ancient customs. We travel by foot and in traditional reindeer sleds to a kåta (typical Sámi hut), where we feed the reindeer before spending a couple of hours beside a crackling fire, conversing with the family and learning about their culture, as well as the complex challenges they face. We enjoy a warming lunch and hot coffee in the kåta before returning to Rajamaa and have free time to enjoy the sauna or relax before dinner.

Day 6 : Set Off On A Two-Day Wilderness Expedition On Forest Skis; Cross Frozen Lakes And Pine-Clad Hills Then Stay Overnight In A Log Cabin

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, we start a two-day tour on forest skis. On our adventure, we carry only the necessary equipment for the day in a backpack while the rest of our equipment is transported for us by snowmobile. We venture deep into the forest, crossing frozen lakes and pine-clad hills, until reaching our special accommodation for the night, a cosy log cabin. Traditionally used for forest workers, the cabin is heated by log burners and we cook using water collected from the frozen river nearby. We all participate in the preparation of tonight's dinner and may enjoy an optional sauna before going to sleep in our dorm-style rooms. That is, if the impressive Aurora Borealis is not keeping us awake!

Day 7 : Ski Back To Rajamaa; Relax In The Sauna And Enjoy Our Final Dinner

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we get on the skis and head back to Rajamaa, stopping for lunch by the fire on the way. If we are lucky, we may come across the tracks of lynx or wolverines during our journey. Back at the lodge, enjoy a well-deserved sauna before our final dinner of the week.

Day 8 : End At Rajamaa In Muonionalusta, North Sweden

Meals Included: Breakfast

The trip ends this morning and we begin our return journey home with plenty of tales and memories to share with friends and family. Of course, if you'd like to explore the Swedish wilderness a little more, speak to us about extending your stay at Rajamaa.

What's Included

  • All breakfasts, six lunches and seven dinners

  • All accommodation

  • All transport and listed activities

  • Tour leader throughout

  • All specialist equipment (see packing list in Trip Notes)

  • Group arrival and departure transfers available

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance

  • Single accommodation (available on request - limited availability)

  • Visas or vaccinations

Food

All meals are included; however, the dinner on Day 1 is only available subject to your flight arrival time (dinner is usually served at 7pm).



The food at Rajamaa is a mix of Swedish food and sometimes international dishes, all prepared on site. They only use regionally sourced meat and fish from the Arctic Sea.



Breakfast is continental style, with fruit, cereal, porridge, boiled eggs, cheese and cold meats. The lunches provided as part of the itinerary will be eaten outside or at the lodge and are usually a sandwich (plus yoghurt and fruit) or a hearty soup. Dinner each evening consists of a main course and dessert. Vegetarian options are also available.

Accommodation

Our base for the week is Rajamaa, a complex of cosy wooden chalets run by the welcoming Malmstrom family since 1986. The accommodation is in Sweden on an island in the River Muonio, just across the border from Finland.



Rajamaa consists of a main building with a reception area, dining room and sauna. Accommodation comprises two-bedroom chalets with shared bathroom facilities and one-bedroom chalets with private facilities. All chalets are equipped with shower/WC and a mini-kitchen. Complimentary wifi is available.



Twin and double rooms will usually be allocated in the two-bedroom chalets. This means that a maximum of four people (two couples or twin sharers) will stay in each chalet and will share bathroom facilities. Twin sharers may share bathroom facilities with up to two members of the opposite sex, but bedrooms are always single-sex.



Couples/pairs travelling together who do not wish to share bathroom facilities with others may be able to pay a supplement to secure a one-bedroom chalet. This is strictly based on availability and the make-up of the group. Single rooms are limited and subject to availability. These will be offered for a supplement, payable upon booking. Single rooms may be allocated in the big chalets (shared facilities) or in a small chalet (private facilities), depending on availability.



One night during the trip will be spent in a remote forest lodge where accommodation is dormitory style (maximum of four people per room). No single rooms are available at this accommodation and bathroom facilities come in the form of an outhouse with a longdrop.

Check out our Q&As

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Fantastic Experience!

If you're considering this trip, just book it, you will NOT be disappointed!! The trip was fantastic from start to end, I did not want to come home. The activities laid on by Exodus were fantastic, everyone was so nice and there was always a relaxed / welcoming atmosphere. I personally loved the husky and reindeer days. They exceeded my expectations and had the added bonus of learning a little about these beautiful animals. During our week the weather was in our favour and our group were very lucky to experience the Aurora on four nights. It was an amazing experience and something I will never forget. Our guide Lars was fantastic, very welcoming and knowledgeable. The scenery was stunning, hard to describe, go and experience it for yourself :-)

Absolutely amazing

This really was the adventure to beat all adventures, so many amazing sights and experiences. The accommodation was very comfortable, the food fantastic and the activities were stunning. The river and forest scenery as well as the sunrises and sunsets were incredible.

Amazing Week

What a fantastic week , full of excitement and plenty of adventure . The Northern lights came out within a couple of hours of us arriving and our trip was off to an amazing start. We had great fun out snow shoeing , this place is hard to describe you are on an island , surrounded by trees and snow . It’s is so peaceful there was nobody else here but the group and the air is so clean and dry. The reindeer ride to the Sami house went on for over an hour each way , and we gained lots of insight into the lives of the Sami people . The dog sledding was truly amazing and we were out for a few hours without meeting anyone, cutting across lakes of fresh snow. Finally the forest ski trip and an overnight stay to sleep in the forest hut was a true delight -30 with a couple of log burners to keep us warm and cutting the ice to access water from the lake , miles away from anywhere. Lars had non stop information on the wildlife and the local area , each night we had an interesting talk on a different predator - bear, wolverine etc

Absolutely Amazing!!!

This was my favorite trip among the dozens of trips I have taken with various tour companies. Our host Lars was amazing - he deeply cares about the environment and is extremely knowledgeable about nature and history and full of patience for those of us that aren't as skilled as others on forest skis or snowshoes. Coming from a warm climate, I was a tad concerned about getting cold but the winter clothes they provided kept me nice and warm even when it got down to -30C (admittedly I did wear 2 levels of thermals underneath). The accommodations were delightful - cozy cabins, great food, toasty sauna. The beauty of this area is hard to describe - one of my fellow group members said it reminded her of Narnia, which seems about right. The air was so clean. The vibe was always so calm. I came home feeling so rested while also knowing I got my share of exercise. For me, the exercise level was perfect. I am not at my fittest but the level of intensity on this trip was perfect for me. I definitely earned my dessert calories.

Good description

The week is a mixture of activities, snowshoeing, dog sledding, reindeer’s and forest skiing through the amazing arctic wilderness. You stay in a chalet and eat and have talks in a main building. The hosts are all amazing as is the food.

Adventures in the snow

What a fantastic trip, we arrived and saw the aurora on the first night. The rest of the trip never failed to disappoint. It was an amazing group, a fabulous mix of activity, combined with a great landscape and the stunning northern lights. The mix of activities kept us busy, exhilarated us, created some laughs and kept the fun going. We had done none before but enjoyed every moment, some challenged us but we quickly learnt a fall in the snow was like being in cotton wool! This was our first ‘snow’ or ‘cold’ trip and we’d encourage anyone to take the plunge!

Read all 6 reviews

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Prices last published on 24-Dec-2024

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