Arctic Sweden and the Ice hotel

Your Swedish arctic adventure begins today as you check in to you accommodation and relax until dinner. From here all that lies ahead is a land characterised by deep forests, frozen lakes and the extraordinary Northern Lights. Explore the surrounding wilderness, with a week packed full of activities and a memorable night in the magical Icehotel, the perfect end to a truly unforgettable adventure trip. You should be moderately fit for this trip as there are a number of activity components including snowshoeing and dogsledding. Meals : D

After a hearty Swedish breakfast you will have a little time to get familiar with your winter surroundings. In the afternoon you will head out into the wilderness using snowshoes. This is the perfect way to get closer to nature as you break new trails through the snow, reaching those areas where the snowmobiles and skis could not (distance is around 8km although the route may change depending on conditions. Please note that in the December departures, due to shorter daylight hours, some of this snowshoe will be done in the dark). Out here, where there are no other sources of light, you will have an excellent chance to see the incredible Northern Lights. Meals : B,L,D

Your day will begin with a spot of fishing. Through drilled holes in the ice you will be shown how to use the small ice fishing rods to, with any luck, catch what lurks beneath the ice. In the afternoon there is the opportunity to try the optional activity of snowmobiling. If you take this option then you will have a fantastic ride starting along the frozen Kaitum and Kalix Rivers. The route then takes a wide loop over lakes and through forests before arriving back at your base. Alternatively, if snowmobiling is not for you then there are further activities available from the Lappis lodge. Meals : B,L,D

Spend the morning learning the basics of dogsledding, and after an early lunch, you and your riding partner (you ride 2 to a sled) head out with your own team of 5 to 6 dogs. The dogs are well trained and extremely friendly, and most of all they love to pull sleds. Anyone worried about driving their sled can opt to sit back and enjoy the ride in the cosy passenger seat of their own sled while their riding partner does all the hard work. In deep snow you may need to help push the sled; if the trail is more compacted, the dogs can travel up to 15 or 20 km/h. Falls are not uncommon in the first hour or so. If you do fall, the only rule is ‘don’t let go of your sled’, as the dogs don’t stop to wait for you! The guide is also never far away and is on a snowmobile. Your night is spent in the wilderness in a simple lodge, nestled between the Kaitum and Kalix rivers. Meals : B,L,D

Those who want to can rise early to help feed and water the dogs and get them ready and harnessed for the days sledding. You will take a different route back to your homebase, with plenty of time to enjoy the scenery and the excitement of mushing your own team. Lunch is usually taken by a campfire by the side of the trail, in a simple cabin or sometimes back at base, depending on conditions. While on the forest trails keep your eyes peeled for Elk (Moose), Snow Grouse (Ptarmigan) or even Capercaille. Meals : B,L,D

Today you will be transferred to the Nutti Sami reindeer camp outside Jukkasjarvi. After a traditional Sami lunch cooked over the fire you will meet, greet and feed the reindeer. This is a wonderful insight to the life and work as a reindeer herder and the indigenous Sami lifestyle. In the afternoon you will then transfer to the fabulous Icehotel with time for a guided tour of the individually designed rooms, chapel and Absolut ice bar. Your rooms are available from 6pm and dinner (not included in trip cost) is reserved in a nearby traditional homestead or the IceHotel restaurant depending on availability. Meals : B,L,D

Your adventure ends after a hearty breakfast at the Icehotel’s comfortable and warm restaurant. Meals : B