Experience Lapland

Overview

Duration: 5 days/4 nights.

Accommodation: 1 night in hotel, 3 nights in cabin at reindeer camp.

Required: General good health. No previous riding experience required. Max weight 90kg for riding. Minimum age 12 (min. age 16 to drive own reindeer sled on Day 3)

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Experience Lapland is a multi-activity winter experience in the far north of Swedish Lapland. Lapland is the land of the Sámi people, the indigenous people of this area, who will be your hosts at the Reindeer Lodge and your guides for some of the activities. Your tour takes place deep inside the Arctic Circle. This area offers good chances to see a spectacular display of the Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights, in the nighttime sky, during your time in Lapland.

Experience Lapland combines winter outdoor activities with a chance to learn about the culture of the Sámi people and the reindeer and reindeer herding way of life that form its centre. You will have close encounters with the reindeer, try your hand at driving your own reindeer sled, sample traditional Lapland foods prepared over the fire in tipi and out in the snow-clad forests and hear stories of the life of a reindeer herder from your local guide.

Using sturdy Icelandic horses, you will take a riding safari through the winter grounds of the moose on the search for moose and reindeer grazing in the forest - with luck you may encounter the mighty "King of the Forest" in its natural environment as well as see tracks and signs of the many smaller animals which inhabit the area (a snowmobile tour is also available as an alternative if you do not wish to ride) - and visit the world-famous IceHotel to see the ice rooms and sample the unique atmosphere of this very special place.

Experience Lapland also includes a full day's dogsled tour out in the winter landscape - travelling on shared sled driven by a guide through the stark beauty of the Lapland winter world pulled by a team of huskies.

Accommodation at the start of your tour is in comfortable hotel chalet, with three nights in wilderness cabin at the Reindeer Lodge. In the evening you have the chance to try a traditional wood-fired sauna - an exhilarating and atmospheric winter experience!

Lapland is a unique region which overwhelms the senses with its beauty and vastness - and Experience Lapland is an ideal way to get a taste of life in this remote and beautiful area of Sweden, the rich culture of the local Sámi people and the adventure of dog sledding, reindeer sledding and winter horse riding.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival

Arrival at Kiruna airport or train station. Here you will be met for transfer to Hotel Ripan, where you will stay for your first night in Lapland. In the afternoon you will have the chance to explore Kiruna Winter City for yourself. Dinner is not included on this evening. We recommend the hotel restaurant or, just 10 mins' walk away, central Kiruna offers a good choice of restaurants. Accommodation is in hotel chalets.

Day 2 - Moose Safari on Horseback

After breakfast you will be met for transfer to the stables, where you will meet the horses and receive equipment and instruction for your tour. You will be riding through the winter grazing lands of the moose on Icelandic horses - sure-footed, good-natured animals ideally suited to riding in the far north, making a stop for outdoor lunch in the forest. No previous riding experience is required. With luck, you may see both moose and reindeer in your tour through the snow-covered woods. In the afternoon, you have a short transfer to your evening's accommodation in cabins at the Reindeer Lodge. In the evening you have a chance to try a traditional wood-fired sauna - a wonderful winter experience - before dinner. (B, L and D)*

*(breakfast, lunch and dinner)

NB: There is max. weight limit of 90kg (198lbs) for participants on the riding tour. If you do not wish to or are unable to participate in the riding tour, a snowmobile tour is available as an alternative activity. Please let us know in advance if you wish to choose this option.

Day 3 - Reindeer Sled Safari and Visit to the Ice Hotel

After breakfast you will be instructed in how to handle a reindeer sled, before driving your own sled on a morning excursion into the surrounding winter landscape of forests and frozen lakes. Once back at the camp, you will unharness your reindeer before a lunch of traditional Sami foods. After lunch, you visit the village of Jukkasjärvi and the world-famous Ice Hotel for a guided tour of the ice rooms and to enjoy the very special atmosphere. You will be transferred back to the Reindeer Lodge for dinner and overnight accommodation, where sauna is available if you wish. (B, L and D)

Day 4 - Dog Sledding

After breakfast, you take a short minibus transfer to the start point for your dogsled tour. You will have a full-day tour by dogsled, using shared sleds driven by a guide, giving plenty of time to experience the excitement of dog sledding and the beauty of the Lapland winter landscape. Lunch is served outdoors while the dogs rest and you enjoy the view. At the end of your tour, you will be transferred back to the Reindeer Lodge for your final night in Lapland. Dinner will be served at the camp and sauna is once more available - an ideal way to draw your time in Lapland to a close and soothe tired muscles! (B, L, D)

Day 5 - Departure

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport or train station for departure. (B)

Dates & Prices

Dates

Every Thursday-Monday from 15.12.11 to 29.03.12, including Christmas and New Year.

The Price

Prices are in British Pounds. If you wish, you are also welcome to make your payment by bank transfer in Euros or Swedish Kronor. If this would be of interest, please let us know and we will be happy to provide prices.

£1026 per person (based on accommodation in double/twin rooms).

What The Price Includes

Accommodation

One nights in chalet at hotel, three nights in wilderness cabin at Reindeer Lodge.

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner as per itinerary (please note that dinner on Day 1 is not included).

Equipment

Warm sleeping bag and warm thermo overalls, warm shoes, gloves and hat.

Guide

Experienced and knowledgeable local guide.

Transfers

Return transfer between Kiruna airport or train station at the start/end of the tour.

Optional Extras

Single supplement: Hotel Ripan: £52/person/one night, Reindeer Lodge: £160/person/3 nights. Total single supplement £212.

Extend your stay with extra night(s) in Jukkasjävi at the ICEHOTEL or at Hotel Ripan in Kiruna:

Ice Hotel

• Ice room shared double room: £392 to £423 per room*
• Single room: £279 to £299 per room*

Hotel Ripan

• Shared double room: £151 to £165/room*
• Single occupancy: £119 to £130/room*

*Price depending on dates

NB: If you book an extra night's accommodation before or after your tour, you will be transferred to/from your accommodation. Transfer to/from the railway station or airport is not included in the price.

Practical Info

Health requirements/experience

General good health. Minimum age for tour 12 years, min. age 16 to drive own reindeer sled on Day 3. No previous riding experience is required, but there is max. weight limit of 90kg (198lbs) for the riding tour.

Equipment/clothes needed

A detailed recommended equipment list will be sent with your booking confirmation.

NB: We advise you not to buy equipment or clothes for your trip or to incur other non-refundable expenses such as flights until you have received confirmation of your booking from us in writing.

Groups

Minimum 2 persons, maximum 8 persons per tour. You are of course welcome to book as a solo traveller.

The experience is also suitable for groups. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Lapland

Lapland is the name of the cultural region traditionally inhabited by the Sámi people. Lapland includes the northern parts of Scandinavia and the Kola peninsula in Russia. A majority of the current population of this region has at least some Sámi ancestry. Under Swedish law reindeer herding may only be carried out by Sámi.

Additional Notes

This provider has received a prestigious Swedish Ecotourism award for its commitment to high standards to cultural and environmental sensitivity.

Location

Detailed information on travel options will be sent with your booking documentation. We are happy to advise on suitable connections and assist you with any aspect of planning your journey.

By Air

Fly to Stockholm then onward to Kiruna by night train or domestic flight connection. Transfer from Kiruna airport or train station is included.

Without Flying

Ferry from Harwich to Esbjerg (Denmark) for onward train connections to Kiruna.

Map of Sweden