This winter break in Swedish Lapland is the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. You’ll enjoy overnights and free time in both the town of Kiruna and the mountain resort village of Abisko, one of the world’s best places for northern lights sightings. Get a burst of adrenaline on guided snowmobiling and dog sledding excursions, indulge in gourmet local cuisine at the Aurora Sky Station and spend a night at the famous ICEHOTEL.
Just a few of the majestic sights you’ll take in during your trip.
A day-by-day plan to guide your Swedish road trip.
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.
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 kilometres (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.
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 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.
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.
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.
*The ICEHOTEL opens in mid-December. Until then, accommodation and tours will be at the ICEHOTEL 365, open all year. For more information read our essential tour information below.
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.
Customise your adventure with these Optional Extras.
We recommend adding your extra activities to the tour now for the best booking experience and to secure your spot, as activities are likely to sell out.
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Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.
Don’t worry, we’ve got this covered.
We recommend that you read carefully through the following information before booking this partially guided tour in Lapland. We’ve answered the most frequently asked questions here so you know what to expect. You’ll also find more practical advice and attraction recommendations in our online Lapland Travel Guide.
On a partially guided tour, Nordic Visitor books your accommodation and excursions for a self-guided travel experience. That means you’ll enjoy some free time to explore on your own as well as planned, guided day tours.
Each activity is run by a different tour operator, so you’ll get to meet a few local guides throughout your trip.
You can rest assured that Nordic Visitor only works with a small number of handpicked suppliers that meet our high standards. The activities you’ll participate in are all extremely well rated so you’re sure to have a memorable time.
During your tour, we’re with you every step of the way. Plus, you’ll always be able to reach us on your trip by calling our 24/7 helpline.
As Lapland is a popular family travel destination, our Lapland adventures are suitable for travellers aged 4 years and up.
Adjustments may need to be made for some activities though, for example snowmobile excursions. Children under 140 centimetres (4.5 feet) tall will usually be seated in a sleigh pulled by the guide’s snowmobile. Children over 140 centimetres are allowed to sit on the snowmobile behind an adult, when paying the adult price.
This package is subject to availability. That means we recommend that you wait to book your flights until after we have confirmed your reservation. If there is no available accommodation on your preferred travel dates, your travel consultant will be in touch with information about the next available dates.
We recommend that you have moderate to good physical fitness to take part in this tour comfortably. This is because our Arctic tours are considered adventure travel, and can involve extreme weather conditions. Some excursions will also include vigorous activity and animals such as huskies and reindeer.
If you are pregnant, we do not recommend taking part in dog sledding and snowmobiling excursions. If this applies to you or any members of your group, please let your travel consultant know in advance.
Transfers between your accommodation and tour meeting locations are not included, and it is your responsibility to get to these locations on time. Your vouchers and itinerary will provide you with all the information you need, so make sure you check these carefully. Thankfully, it’s never far to walk from your accommodation.
Get away from the city lights for a chance to see the northern lights with a snowmobile excursion. You’ll get to experience the thrill of driving on the snow as you follow your guide to prime aurora-spotting locations.
Before returning to your hotel, you’ll also enjoy an authentic local dinner in a wooden hut around a fireplace.
Each snowmobile is shared by 2 guests taking turns driving. To drive a snowmobile, you must be at least 18 years old and hold a driving licence valid in Sweden. Make sure you take your driving licence with you for the excursion, as there may be checks while you’re there. It is illegal to drive a snowmobile under the influence of alcohol.
Please note that there is a height restriction for children. If they are under 140 centimetres (4.5 feet) tall, kids will be seated in a sleigh pulled by the guide’s snowmobile. Children over 140 centimetres are allowed to sit on the snowmobile behind an adult.
The northern lights are a natural phenomenon, and sightings cannot be guaranteed.
The dog sledding tour on this package is a 20- to 30-kilometre (12- to 19-mile) husky safari.
Each sled is shared by 2 people, meaning you’ll take turns between sitting and mushing. When you’re controlling the sled you’ll need to stand, kick and sometimes run to assist the dogs, depending on the terrain.
If you’d prefer not to control the sled and would like a more relaxed safari experience, simply ask your travel consultant for an alternative option.
If your group has any travellers under the age of 16, they’ll travel with the tour guide on a larger sled.
If you weigh over 120 kilograms (264 pounds), please let us know so the tour operator can make necessary adjustments.
Tours to the Aurora Sky Station are only available for travellers aged 16 and over.
Located in the northern part of Abisko National Park, both the Aurora Sky Station and STF Abisko Turiststation offer beautiful views over Lake Torneträsk and Mount Nuolja.
When the weather is favourable, you’ll be able to take the chairlift to the Aurora Sky Station. The lift is open (similar to what you might experience at a ski resort), so make sure you wear your warmest clothing. Once you disembark from the lift, you’ll need to walk 900 metres (0.6 miles) to the station itself.
It’s here that you’ll hopefully gaze upon the majestic northern lights as they dance across the sky above you. There’s also a delicious 3-course meal for you to enjoy.
In the event of bad weather, you’ll go to the Aurora Lodge at the STF Abisko Turiststation instead. There you’ll enjoy an alternative northern lights programme with exhibits and films. Please note that there is no refund in this case.
Accommodation is in a double room (or single room on request) in the main hotel building. All rooms have a private bathroom with shower, comfortable beds and tea and coffee making facilities. Free Wi-Fi is available in common areas and guests also have access to a restaurant, bar, souvenir shop and saunas. Daily breakfast is provided.
If you decide not to stay overnight at the hotel, a driver will take you back to Kiruna instead.
Please note that the northern lights are a natural phenomenon, and sightings cannot be guaranteed.
On a tour of a Sámi reindeer farm, you’ll enjoy a close encounter with Rudolf and his friends, followed by a traditional snack in a Sámi teepee. It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn about the Sámi people and native reindeer species.
You’ll be taking a self-guided tour of the fascinating Icehotel complex.
Every winter, the Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi is completely rebuilt by artists from all over the world, using snow and ice from the local Torne River. Each year there’s new features to gaze upon and new nooks to explore. There’s even bedrooms made entirely from glistening ice blocks.
Please note that the Icehotel is only open from mid-December, as it is rebuilt every year. The hotel’s grounds also feature a permanent structure, the Icehotel 365 which is open year-round.
Solar energy keeps the frosty interior frozen, which means you can get the same icy experience anytime. You’ll be able to see an assortment of bedrooms and suites, as well as the chic Icebar and other creative works of art.
You’ll experience a “cool” night in the world famous Icehotel or Icehotel 365 in Jukkasjärvi.
Your room will be entirely built from and furnished with ice, from the bed you sleep on to the works of art that adorn the walls. You’ll stay cosy all night, sleeping inside a thermal sleeping bag on soft reindeer skins.
There are 2 types of rooms available: Ice Rooms and Art Suites. Ice Rooms feature décor and a bed made from ice. There’s a thick mattress for you to sink into at the end of the day, for maximum comfort.
Art Suites feature the same style of bed as Ice Rooms, but they’re also filled with ice art designed by international artists. The sculptures showcased each year are brand new and unique to that season.
Both rooms grant you access to changing rooms and storage space in the adjacent common area.
The type of room you’ll stay in depends on the time of year you’re visiting Lapland, as well as on availability. Please note that twin rooms are not available to book at the Ice Hotel or Ice Hotel 365.
The temperature inside the hotel hovers at a constant of -5 to -7°C (23 to17° F). The hotel will provide you with expedition-style sleeping bags which are tested for extreme temperatures, so you’ll sleep well with just thermals, a hat, warm socks and a mid-layer jumper.
The bedrooms feature a bedframe made of ice with a slatted wooden base, a thick mattress covered in reindeer skins, and luxurious pillows.
You’ll be given access to your room at 6 PM, but the adjacent heated service building is staffed and open 24 hours a day. This is where you’ll store your belongings, collect your sleeping bag and use the bathroom, shower and sauna.
There are no bathrooms or storage facilities in the bedrooms.
On your Lapland adventure you’ll stay in accommodation that’s been hand-picked by our Lapland travel experts. We’ve partnered with local businesses and have selected hotels and guesthouses in Rovaniemi based on excellent ratings, comfort and our personal experience.
During the booking process, you can choose from single, double or triple rooms. Please note that in Lapland room types are based on European standard sizes, which means they are smaller than in North America.
For example, a double bed often consists of 2 single beds pushed together. Twin rooms are 2 separate single beds. Triple rooms include a double bed along with an extra bed, rollaway or sofa bed. And single rooms are often smaller than the standard double.
If you have anything specific in mind, please contact us to discuss customising your accommodation options.
You can customise this tour online during the booking process. You can add extra nights to your itinerary as well as optional day trips, excursions and upgrades. You are also welcome to combine this tour with any of our other Scandinavian packages.
If you have something specific in mind, get in touch with your travel consultant and they’ll create your dream trip.
By booking with Nordic Visitor, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that there’s always someone there for you throughout your trip.
For support and advice during the day, you can call our office. And if anything unexpected happens outside working hours, you can reach us on our 24/7 helpline.
During your tour, there will always be a travel expert on call to handle any unforeseen situations, such as unusual weather or events.
If you have a passport from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand, you won’t need a visa to visit Sweden. This visa-free entry is valid for up to 90 days.
Visiting from another country? You can find out whether you require a visa to enter Sweden on the Government Offices of Sweden website.
Your passport must also be valid for at least 3 months after your departure from Sweden. It’s good to check your passport expiry date early in case you need to renew it.
Most of the Lapland region lies within the Arctic Circle, so the differences in daylight hours throughout the year is extreme.
In the peak winter months in Rovaniemi, you can expect only a few hours of daylight between 10 AM – 2 PM. The advantage of the snowy surroundings is that the light reflects off the snow making the days seem brighter.
In Kiruna from mid-December into early January, you’ll experience what’s called the “polar night”. The sun does not rise above the horizon, and instead creates a period of soft twilight.
From February on there are usually at least 6 hours daily light, rising quickly to over 13 hours by the end of March.
Yes! Wintertime is the best season to visit Lapland if you want to see the northern lights due to the extended periods of darkness. You can watch the magnificent natural light show in Lapland, with peak visibility in the winter months.
You can chase the lights on evening excursions with a local tour guide. These excursions will operate according to a tour schedule, even in unfavourable viewing conditions. Your guide will do their utmost to determine the best possible location for sightings and make this an enjoyable experience for you.
Please note that the northern lights are a natural phenomenon, which means that sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Visiting Lapland in the winter season is magical. Expect snow-covered landscapes and a festive, cosy atmosphere.
There are only a few hours of daylight in Rovaniemi at this time of year, which creates a truly enchanting environment. In Kiruna from mid-December into early January, you’ll experience what’s called the “polar night”. The sun does not rise above the horizon, and instead creates a period of soft twilight.
You’ll typically experience temperatures below freezing, often dropping as low as -16 °C (3 °F). This means you’ll want to come prepared with plenty of warm, insulated clothes. You can read more about what to pack in our Lapland Travel Guide.
Please note that sightseeing and tours are dependent on weather and road conditions and might need to be altered at the last minute. If something unexpected occurs, you can call our 24-hour helpline to speak directly with Nordic Visitor staff.
Be aware that there will be snow and ice on the ground, and this may make walking around more difficult. Please note that there is no luggage handling service available in Lapland so you must be able to carry your own luggage in snowy conditions.
During Lapland’s winter months you’ll regularly experience temperatures below freezing. For that reason, you’ll want to pack plenty of layers to keep yourself warm and dry.
Essential items to bring with you include:
But don’t worry if you don’t have all the kit. Your tour package also includes the loan of additional gear when you’re in Lapland, including:
You could also bring glove liners and hand warmers for extra warmth.
For more guidance on what to bring, check out this Lapland packing list.
Please note that clothing is unavailable for children under the age of 4. We suggest packing plenty of layers for both yourself and any children in your group.
It’s best to book as soon as you can to secure your preferred travel dates. Once you have picked your tour, check the availability calendar to see which months are open for booking. Then, select the date you want and complete your booking.
As this package is subject to availability, please wait for a confirmation from your travel consultant to ensure your travel dates and accommodation are available. You’ll then be able to purchase your flights with confidence.
If you like to plan well ahead, you’ll find that it’s possible to book many tours for the following year. And if you have any questions or need advice, you can always contact us.
After booking your tour package online, you will be contacted within 2 business days by your own dedicated travel consultant. They will be your point of contact for all your travel needs before, during and even after your trip.
We aim to complete bookings within a few weeks. During this time we take care of booking your accommodation, activities, and transport, confirming all parts of your journey. Once this is done, your travel consultant will provide you with all the details of your trip.
When we get back to you might depend slightly on how far ahead you’ve booked your travels and other tours running at the time.
If you have any questions before your trip, you can get in touch with our Lapland travel experts. The live chat option is useful for getting a quick reply as someone answers live every day during office opening hours.
Once you’ve booked, we’ll provide you with a travel guide packed full of local tips and top attractions for your visit. You can also check out our online Lapland Travel Guide where we’ve compiled useful information about topics, including:
After you have booked your tour, it will only take a few days to confirm its availability. But it may take a few weeks to create your itinerary and book everything.
Once your trip details are finalised, we’ll send you e-copies of your travel documents. This will include your personalised itinerary, our Lapland Travel Guide and your service vouchers. We recommend printing your tickets and vouchers to bring with you to Lapland.
So when do you check in? And what can you expect when you land in Lapland?
After picking up your luggage, you will be greeted by a driver holding a sign with your name in the arrivals hall. They’ll drive you directly to your accommodation.
Check-in times vary between hotels and guesthouses, but it normally starts between 2–4 PM.
You are welcome to request an early check-in for an additional fee. Although this isn’t always available, you’ll be able to store your luggage at the hotel until check-in. Please contact your travel consultant well in advance of your trip if you’d like an early check-in.
When you leave your hotel will depend on the time of your return flight. We suggest checking out early if your flight is in the morning. If you’re flying home later in the day, you could enjoy a leisurely day or visit one more attraction.
You will usually need to check out from your room around 10–11 AM. If you’re staying in town longer, you will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception. Simply return later to collect your bags. Your package includes a private transfer back to the airport, so you can sit back and relax as you start your journey home.
And make sure you’ve returned any outdoor clothing that you borrowed during your trip before you leave.
No need! Nordic Visitor is already working on offsetting the estimated carbon footprint of your package. We’ve partnered with an environmental fund in Iceland to carbon offset all our tours.
Carbon offsetting your international flights is not included, but we highly recommend you look into possibilities with your airline or directly through a local environment fund.
Because of inclusions on this tour, it requires a non-refundable deposit payment of 50% of the total price at the time of booking. You can view more about the deposit and cancellation fees here.
All bookings are billed in Euro (EUR). Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate. This means conversions from EUR to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.
These should tide you over until you can see Sweden for yourself.
We don’t like to brag, so we’ll let our happy customers do it for us.
Our tour was exactly what we wanted but exceeded our expectations. The adventures were great, and the staff was amazing. As stated, it isn't guaranteed to see the northern lights, but we saw them 3 nights out of the 5 and on the last night it was a show for 35-45 minutes. I truly can't say enough about this experience. The highest it got when we were there was 7 degrees Fahrenheit, but they give you some clothes to wear over your clothes and coach you on how to dress and we never were too cold to have fun!
Absolutely magnificent tour, from begin to end. An outstanding tour was promised but we got a fairytale! Never experienced a more dedicated team to make our winter holiday absolutely mindblowing and beyond. All was perfectly arranged, and perfectly timed. The local guides made us feel like King and Queen instead of tourists. Absolutely a go for next experience!
Excellent tour. We booked early as we were limited to certain dates and it took a little while for the tour to be confirmed. Otherwise, highly recommended. The length, accommodation and the trips were amazing. The local guides made the holiday. They were friendly, knowledgeable and clearly loved their jobs.
We did a 5 night tour of Swedish Lapland (Kiruna and Abisko). We flew on day one to Stockholm from Texas through Frankfurt Germany, and spent the night at the Airport Mariott. The next day we took a flight on SAS to Kiruna. We were picked up by a wonderful driver, who took us to the office to get our winter clothes. We checked into the hotel Camp Ripan, the driver came in to make sure all was OK. We went to our room and dressed for our evening snowmobile tour. It was amazing, lasted about 5 hours, and we had incredible views of the northern lights! The reindeer stew in the hut midway was fun. We got back to our hotel, slept soundly, and woke up to go dog sledding. This was one of the highlights of the trip. The dogs were incredible and loved to run! It was so peaceful and beautiful sledding though the forests. A thrill to always remember. We then went back to our hotel, gathered our belongings and were driven with another couple to Abisko. We saw a moose in the parking lot of the hotel! The hotel was warm and cosy. We met up with about 8 other people to take the chair lift to the Sky Station. The dinner there was fun, great wine and conversation. The weather did not cooperate this night, and we had to leave by 9 pm because the wind was getting strong. We took a very cold chair lift back down the mountain, but were warm thanks to all of our winter clothes and balaclava! The next day we hiked around Abisko, saw another moose, and had a wonderful dinner in the hotel. I went out at night and saw more northern lights! The next morning we took a bus back to Kiruna. The bus had to be arranged due to the train tracks being shut down. But, the bus was nice because of the big front window which gave a nice view of the country side. Once back in Kiruna, we checked back into the same hotel, took a hike around, and then had a wonderful 8-course dinner in the restaurant - it was fantastic! We were supposed to take an aurora dog sled tour that night but it was cloudy and we w
I can't say enough about Nordic Visitor. They really thought of everything and handled even real time unexpected issues promptly. We would have definitely not had such a good experience had I tried to plan this all on our own!
We absolutely loved our experience with Nordic Visitor! From our first inquiry to our last goodbye, we had exceptional service and attention. It quite literally was everything we asked for and more! Our travel consultant worked diligently to accommodate our every wish, was always in communication with us, and was simply amazing! This was a trip of a lifetime!
Sleep soundly, in the accommodation type of your choice, and wake up ready to enjoy another day of exploration.
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