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Festive Season in Swedish Lapland - A Nordic Adventure View Full Screen Itinerary

10 DAYS / 9 NIGHTS, A FESTIVE SWEDEN, WORLD-FAMOUS TREEHOTEL, PRIVATE CABINS, DOG-SLEDDING, SNOWMOBILING, SNOWSHOEING & THE NORTHERN LIGHTS. MEET A SAMI REINDEER HERDER AND MORE.

Your unforgettable Swedish journey starts flying straight into prestine Swedish Lapland, the capital town of which is called Lulea. Here you will be met by a guide who will whisk you off into the lapland countryside to your first unique accommodation option. Enjoy an a traditional Swedish sauna on the evening of arrival, overlooking the frozen arctic waters of the Bothian sea. The following day you will be heading out over the frozen pack-ice on a thrilling snowmobile adventure before celebrating a convivial New Year hopefully under the Northern Lights dancing above across the inky-black skies. 

From Hovercraft rides, to snowmobiles and great company, your first couple of nights in Lapland will be hugely memorable staying at Pine Bay Lodge. From here you will head to something a little more adventurous, staying in a traditional Saami Lavvu (tipi) for the night in a unique Aurora Safari Camp. The camp is reminicent of an African safari camp, in that here there are only around 5-tents, set up for an intimate and cosy camp experiences. Each lavvu tent has its own heated stove giving off great warmth and a traditional feel. 

Moving on from your traditional lavvu, you will head for a night in the world-famous Treehotel - we have secured for you one of the hotel's most iconic rooms - the Mirrorcube! Enjoy a novel night in this sensational, state-of-the-art hotel including access to their exclusive-use sauna in the woods. 

Your next two nights in Swedish Lapland are offered on an exclusive basis, you will be staying at one of the regions most fantastic private cabins. Deep in the heart of the prestine pine forests, with it's own sauna, jacuzzi hot-tub and with a roaring fire at the centre of the cabin at the foot of your huge bed! This will be a magical three nights interspersed with unique experiences. From guided snow-shoeing walks with your host in search of the Northern Lights, a visit to a traditional Sami Lapland Reindeer herder where you will enjoy a private lunch... 

Your final three nights in Lapland are at the world-famous Icehotel - here you will also enjoy an overnight dog-sledding adventure into the wilderness, staying at a remote rustic cabin. At Icehotel we have planned for you to enjoy a night in one of the unique 'cold rooms', rooms that are calved entirely from ice hewn from the river each year. 

N.B. Dates: 17th December 2019 to 26th December 2019. Price based on 2-adults sharing. 

ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Guided Snowshoe Hike under the Northern Lights
  • Hovercraft experience over the pack-ice
  • Full-day Snowmobile adventure with expert local guides
  • Dog-Sledding adventure driving your own teams through the Arctic Forest
  • Meet a traditional Sami Reindeer Herder, sharing lunch and learn of the old ways
  • World-Famous Treehotel
  • A night in a traditional Sami Lavvu Tipi Tent
  • New Year Hosted by Friendly locals
  • Traditional Swedish Saunas, Hot-Tubs
  • Private Exclusive-Use, fully-catered forest cabin. 

Day 1

Day 1: To Swedish Lapland!

Today you will arrival into Lulea, look our for your Sandgrouse Travel representative who will have a paging board with your names on it. They will make sure you are good to go, before taking you on a guided drive of the area to your first, exciting Lapland...

Today you will arrival into Lulea, look our for your Sandgrouse Travel representative who will have a paging board with your names on it. They will make sure you are good to go, before taking you on a guided drive of the area to your first, exciting Lapland accommodation. 

One thing you will notice almost as soon as the plane started to descend into this northern world, is that it truly is another world. Ice and snow rule here and you will be driving a short 30-minutes or so to your accommodation in a vehicle with special studded tyres. 

Check-In to Pine Bay Lodge and make yourselves at home. This afternoon you can meet your hosts and gain an feeling for where you are with a stroll or just relax by the fire. Outside, by the frozen lakeside is a timber cabin housing a traditional Swedish sauna. We have tonight, arranged for you a private sauna session which you can take before or after dinner. 

Accommodation: Pine Bay Lodge - Double Room on a Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Basis - with Sauna Session 

 

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Day 2

Day 2: Snowmobile Safari across the Pack-Ice and Through the Forests

Today you will wake up in a true, prestine winter-wonderland. You will enjoy a delicious breakfast by the fire in the cosy communial area of Pine Bay Lodge before getting wrapped up warm for a full-day of adventure. Given fantastic clothing from the lodge, including mittens, a thermal...

Today you will wake up in a true, prestine winter-wonderland. You will enjoy a delicious breakfast by the fire in the cosy communial area of Pine Bay Lodge before getting wrapped up warm for a full-day of adventure. Given fantastic clothing from the lodge, including mittens, a thermal onsie-suit, balaclava and a helmet, you will then be departing around 10am to head out on a fantastic, fully-guided snowmobile adventure.

Depending on the conditions, the adventure will either take you on forest trails through some of the regions most majestic and wild forest country, or across the frozen pack-ice to some of the islands out in the archipelago. This area of the Baltic is infact known as the Bothnian Sea, a brackish water that flows into the region from the hills. With the water being less salty than further out to sea, it freezes hard forming an amazing pack-ice habitat similar to that of which you would find in the North or South Pole. Thundering along this on a snowmobile is great fun and you will have a day to remember today with your guides and fellow guests.  

This afternoon you will return to the lodge, settle in perhaps for a nap and or a refreshment, but dinner and New Year celebrations begin. Perhaps, if you are lucky, the Northern Lights will appear at midnight as you see in 2020! 

Accommodation: Pine Bay Lodge, Double Room on a Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Basis. 

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Day 3

Day 3: Hovercraft Experience & Traditional Lavvu Stay

This morning you will be checking-out of Pine Bay Lodge, before you head off on a thrilling Hovercraft ride across the ice in the archipelago. The pilot of the hovercraft may even give you the controls for a moment if you feel confident enough! This exciting morning excursion...

This morning you will be checking-out of Pine Bay Lodge, before you head off on a thrilling Hovercraft ride across the ice in the archipelago. The pilot of the hovercraft may even give you the controls for a moment if you feel confident enough! This exciting morning excursion will see you visiting some of the nearer islands in the archipelago as well as putting the hovercraft through its paces with some exciting 'turns'. 

Once you return from your hovercraft outing, you will be able to grab some lunch in the restaurant at the sister property of Pine Bay Lodge, Brandon Lodge. Expect excellend Swedish dishes here and a comfy environment with a roaring fire. After lunch you will be collected by a driver guide who will take you to your next incredible accommodation. 

A short drive from Brandon Lodge heading deeper still into the wilderness, you will arrive at Aurora Safari Camp. 

This camp is one of the most unique in Sweden. Offering guests the chance to stay in a traditional lavvu tipi tent, with a stove at the heart of the tent when temperatures plummet outside, guest are cosy in their lavvus. Surrounded by prestine forest, on the shores of a frozen lake, the camp has a main tent for convivial dinners and drinks by a roaring fire, as well as a sauna built out on the ice on the lake. This is a must do experience whilst here and will set you up for a great sleep once you're back at your tipi. 

Accommodation: Aurora Safari Camp, Double Lavvu Tent on a Dinner, Bed & Breakfast basis. 

 

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Day 4

Day 4: Aurora Safari Camp to Treehotel

Today you will be waking up in an environment you will never forget. The incredible Arctic world is just behind the flap of the cosy lavvu tent. Unzip the door and peer out into the perfect woodland covered in prestine snow. 

After a freshen up, a quick...

Today you will be waking up in an environment you will never forget. The incredible Arctic world is just behind the flap of the cosy lavvu tent. Unzip the door and peer out into the perfect woodland covered in prestine snow. 

After a freshen up, a quick snow-ball fight and a few star jumps you will want to head over to the main tent or lavvu where breakfast will be served. Grab a steaming hot chocolate or coffee and stand around the fire before a delicous home made breakfast is prepared in front of you by the catering team. 

After a good breakfast, you will be fuelled up for the morning and ready to consider a walk through the woods, or a ride on the camp's 'fat bikes' which have special tyres allowing you to ride in the snow. Follow tracks and trails and explore this magical, quiet corner of lapland before heading back to camp to gather up your things. 

A short drive away from Aurora Safari Camp, is the world-famous Treehotel. Here you will be warmly welcomed by Kent and Britta who own and run this magical hotel in the forest. Their main lodge or cabin is situated about 300 metres from the tree houses, and here you will be welcomed, enjoy a chance to experience an old Swedish house with a typical roaring wood-burning stove in the corner and some great hospitality. 

Kent will then show you to your room which is, we think, one of the most beautiful on the Treehotel. The Mirrocube is perhaps the most photographed room anyway! 

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Day 5

Day 5: Treehotel to Logger's Cabin

Today you will open your eyes and stare out from the window of your incredible tree house - looking out to the most beautiful view yet on the trip! This Mirrorcube commands a great position within the treehotel set-up and you will be able to enjoy fantastic views...

Today you will open your eyes and stare out from the window of your incredible tree house - looking out to the most beautiful view yet on the trip! This Mirrorcube commands a great position within the treehotel set-up and you will be able to enjoy fantastic views across the frozen valley before getting ready to head down to breakfast. Breakfast, like dinner, is served in Britta's house, 300 metres away from your treehouse. The home made food is so delicous, and all traditional to the area. 

After breakfast, you will be checking-out of the hotel. Today you will be heading on a special trip to a local remote area, inside the Arctic Circle. You will both be meeting a renowned local Sami Reindeer herder and his family. Finding out about their fascinating way of life, hearing stories from now and the past. You will be able to meet their herd of beautiful reindeer and enjoy a delicious lunch in their authentic Lapland cabin. Today is an authentic cultural experience that you will really be able to enjoy and savour. You will be out for most of the day with your driver guide/host from Logger's Lodge, who will also be able to impart onto you many stories and much knowledge from his life growing up in this amazing part of the North. 

Tonight you will be taken to your exclusive-use, private cabin in the Swedish wilderness. This luxury cabin is offered on a fully-catered basis and comes complete with a sauna as well as a romantic jacuzzi hot-tub looking up at the clear night skies. In the heart of the cabin is a roaring log fire. Here you will truly be able to immerse yourselves in the wilderness of Swedish Lapland far away from the rest of the world.  

Settle in and enjoy your new surroundings. Perhaps grab a pair of the snowshoes and head for a stroll or just relax and enjoy the sauan and jacuzzi. Dinner is served when ever you wish - your amazing hosts and guides located about 300 metres away in their own cabin are always on call should you need. 

Accommodation: Logger's Lodge, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast as well as Lunch. 

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Day 6

Day 6: Snow-Shoe or Nordic Ski Adventure into the Wilderness

This morning, after a lie in at your cosy winter wonderland cabin, breakfast will be served. Your guide and host will at this point discuss with you what time you might like to head...

This morning, after a lie in at your cosy winter wonderland cabin, breakfast will be served. Your guide and host will at this point discuss with you what time you might like to head out on your guided snow-shoe walk through the magical forest surrounding the cabin. Snow-shoeing is a wonderful way to explore the quiet Boreal forest, quiet and warmth generating as you mush your way across powered portages and frozen lakes. Your guide will lead you on a wonderful trail before stopping to make a fire and share hot lingonberry tea, freshly baked cinnamon buns (very Swedish) and stories from the forest, nature and life in this remarkable place. 

This evening as the night draws in early, relax at your cabin, enjoy a hot-tub outside, or sauna before an amazing dinner is brought to you at your preferred time. 

Accommodation: Logger's Lodge. Dinner, Lunch, Bed & Breakfast. 

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Day 7

Day 7: Storforsen, National Park and Fully-Guided Transfer

Today you will be checking-out of the wonderful, private Logger's Lodge after a delicous breakfast. Your driver guide will today be taking you to another region of Swedish Lapland but of course, as the journey is a few hours you will be exploring some wonderful areas of this...

Today you will be checking-out of the wonderful, private Logger's Lodge after a delicous breakfast. Your driver guide will today be taking you to another region of Swedish Lapland but of course, as the journey is a few hours you will be exploring some wonderful areas of this part of the world. 

Today your driver will make a detour to the incredible Storforsen, a section of rapids on the mighty Pite River in Norrbottens county. With an average flow of 250 m3/s, the rapids are some of the largest in Europe. In total, the rapids stretch over a distance of 5 km in which it drops 82 meters 60 of which are a single waterfall. At this time of year, the rapids will in part be frozen making an incredible sight. Your guide will explain more about the national park you are passing through, the locals that live here, the traditional lifestyle and connection with nature and the forest. 

Tonight you will be transfering to your next hotel, the world-famous Icehotel - a hotel calved entirely out of ice cut from the local river! Each year the hotel creates a unique building for guests from around the world to enjoy. Over the next three nights here, you will have a one night in the 'cold rooms', one night out in the wilderness at a remote forest cabin, as well as a night in one of the hotel 'warm rooms'. 

Acccomdation: Icehotel. Warm Room on a Bed & Breakfast basis. 

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Day 8

Day 8: Icehotel & Dog-Sledding Adventure

Today you will be waking up at the world-famous Icehotel complex in one of the 'warm rooms'. Enjoy a big breakfast to fuel up before your exciting adventure today which will take you out into the wilderness of the forest for an overnighter. Around lunchtime today you will...

Today you will be waking up at the world-famous Icehotel complex in one of the 'warm rooms'. Enjoy a big breakfast to fuel up before your exciting adventure today which will take you out into the wilderness of the forest for an overnighter. Around lunchtime today you will meet your huskie teams who will be eagerly awaiting departure into the woodland trails (even more so than yourselves!). The dogs will be harnessed and ready to go and will lead you (once running) silently gliding across the snows deep into the forest. 

You will arrive today at the forest hideaway run by Icehotel. Individual cabins dotted around a main lodge where you will spend a memorable evening with good company. We advise that you keep checking outside tonight for the Northern Lights, often seen here in this part of Swedish Lapland. 

Accommodation: Icehotel Forest Cabins on an Overnight Husky Trip. 

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Day 9

Day 9: Return to civilisation! Cabin to Icehotel by Dogsled

Today you will be returning from the wilderness cabins to Icehotel. After a breakfast at the cabin and savouring the fresh wintery morning at this remote camp, you will need to prepare to set off back to Icehotel. Driving your teams of dogs back to camp, savour the...

Today you will be returning from the wilderness cabins to Icehotel. After a breakfast at the cabin and savouring the fresh wintery morning at this remote camp, you will need to prepare to set off back to Icehotel. Driving your teams of dogs back to camp, savour the wilderness you drift past. Soon you will be back with the real world, although tonight we have it planned that you stay in the Icehotel's famous 'Cold Rooms'. 

Enjoy a final night at the Icehotel, visit the cocktail bar for a drink served in a glass made of ice, explore the incredible ice calved rooms and corridors before returning to your unique Ice Room for a noval final night in magical Swedish Lapland. 

Accommodation: Icehotel, Cold Room Deluxe Suite 365 on a Bed & Breakfast basis. 

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Day 10

Day 10: Back to Lulea Airport - Final Day

This morning is your last in Sweden. Enjoy a good breakfast at your private cabin - your private slice of a magical winter-wonderland. A driver from the hotel will take you to Kiruna Airport where you will be able to board your onward flights to Stockholm and beyond. 

This morning is your last in Sweden. Enjoy a good breakfast at your private cabin - your private slice of a magical winter-wonderland. A driver from the hotel will take you to Kiruna Airport where you will be able to board your onward flights to Stockholm and beyond. 

We thank you for travelling to Swedish Lapland with Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions and we hope you had a truly incredible time. 

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Pine Bay Lodge

THE NORTHERN LIGHTS IN SWEDISH LAPLAND Pine Bay Lodge is a family run secret hideaway set deep in Swedish Lapland. The...

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Icehotel

THE WORLD'S ORIGINAL ICEHOTEL  For the last 25 years, the world famous ICEHOTEL at Jakkasjarvi has been providing guests with outstanding experiences in...

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Treehotel

ONE OF THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER HOTELS IN THE WORLD Treehotel features 7 indivudual, bespoke tree top cabins. Each has been designed...

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Aurora Safari Camp

MAGICAL TENTED CAMP IN SWEDISH LAPLAND Aurora Safari Camp offers visitors to Swedish Lapland a unique experience. This remarkable camp is...

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Logger's Lodge

EXCLUSIVE-USE ROMANTIC CABIN IN THE FOREST Step into a different world away from the madding crowd and soak up an awesome wilderness...

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Local Area 

In Swedish Lapland you are sure to find your arctic experience. With vast contrasts between the seasons from polar nights with sparkling northern lights displays to warm summers filled with days spent swimming in fresh water lakes or under the midnight sun. 

The local area around Lulea where much of this itinerary is based includes the Lulea archipelago which features as many as 1,300 islands, many with hidden sandy beaches. To the west of the Lulea region you'll find high mountains and brooks with water so clean you can drink from them.

Temperatures in this part of northern Sweden are extremely cold during the winter months, we recommend travellers pack for a true winter experience. Guests are also supplied with additional suitable winter clothing on arrival and or before their activities commence.

Dresscode

Casual, sporty winter clothing. We recommend that you dress in Three different layers, as the picture below. Except what you bring by your self you will borrow thermo pants, Thermo jacket, winter boots, hats & gloves for the activities. But good to have a warm jacket with you for the walks when we don’t do the activities.

Following should definitely be a part of luggage:

•    Warm sweater/fleece

•    Warm ski underwear

•    Warm socks

•    Winter shoes

•    Swimwear (for sauna)

(Get set for the trip of a lifetime to Swedish Lapland with Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions).

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