Hike, Bike and Paddle Adventure in Swedish Lapland (Sweden)

Outdoor adventures, wildlife and Sámi culture

The Summer and Autumn itineraries differ slightly (see under "Itinerary" for more information and daily arrangements), but both feature:

• Hiking in Pallas National Park: Just across the border in Finland, Pallas is Finland's third largest National Park, covering more than 1,000 sq.km and protecting a beautiful landscape of rolling fjells and Taiga forest.
• Wildlife talks and presentations: During the week, a series of evening talks will introduce you to some of Lapland's most iconic animals - the Wolf, Bear, Lynx and Wolverine.
• Visit to a Sámi Reindeer Herder: The Sámi are the indigenous people of Lapland. Reindeer and reindeer herding have always been central to Sámi tradition and culture, and remain so to this day.


A visit to Henrik, a local Sämi reindeer herder, is a highlight of the week and a chance to learn more about the indigenous people of Lapland. Photo: RM.

• Husky visit and walk: Visit the huskies as they rest during the summer in preparation for the long winter season of dog sledding to come. You'll visit the kennels, meet the huskies (and perhaps some puppies too!), learn about their daily life and care, and go for a walk in the forest together with the dogs.
• Overnight hiking tour to wilderness cabin: A mini expedition to end the week! Head out for a guided two-day hike through a beautiful landscape of forest, marshland, lakes and rolling hills, overnighting at a simple but cosy wilderness cabin before returning to your cabin for your final night in Lapland.


The week includes plenty of opportunities for wonderful hikes, including an overnight tour to wilderness cabin. Photo: RM.

• Evening wildlife watching: Spend an evening at the wildlife hide to discover which animals and birds will show themselves - you never know what might appear!


Lapland wildlife is shy - an evening at the hide may be the perfect opportunity to spot some of the local residents! Photo: RM.

• Beaver safari: An excursion in search of Lapland's most industrious resident and a chance to learn how they shape and contribute to the ecosystem.
• Canoeing: Summer tours feature a canoe tour on the River Muonio, a wonderful way to experience the landscape differently.
• Fat biking: The Summer itinerary includes a guided Fat Bike tour, while Autumn guests are welcome to hire Fat Bikes for self-guided exploration or simply take the chance to relax a little!

A magical experience where the sun never sets and the skies dance with the Aurora!

Summer tours are offered between late June and mid-August. Here, 200km inside the Arctic Circle, the period between late May and mid-July is the time of the Midnight Sun, when the sun does not drop below the horizon at all and there is daylight 24 hours a day.

It's an incredible experience to watch the sun dipping towards the horizon, only to turn around and climb again into the sky! You can still be out and about in full daylight at midnight if you wish, though after a full day of activities, you'll probably prefer to be fast asleep in your cosy cabin!



The first time you see the sun starting to set and then rising again, you won't believe your eyes! Photo: RM.

If you choose one of the later Summer tour dates, hours of daylight are still long and luxurious. Even as August draws to a close and the fiery colours of autumn begin to blaze from the forests, it still never becomes fully dark.

Autumn tours are offered from late August to mid-September. By this time, the forests are glowing with their autumn colours and the nights are dark enough for the Northern Lights to be visible.

The Northern Lights are often associated with winter, cold, ice and snow - and of course wintertime is also an excellent time to see a display (maybe you'll return here in wintertime for the Northern Lights Multi-activity Adventure in Lapland!), but did you know that Autumn is also a wonderful time to enjoy the spectacle?



Autumn is an ideal time to see the Northern Lights. Photo: RM.

With milder temperatures than in wintertime, in Autumn it's comfortable to be outside for extended periods in the evening enjoying the beauty and tranquility of the wilderness. The sight of the Northern Lights reflected in the waters of a mirror-calm lake is a real bucket-list experience!

Of course, sightings can never be guaranteed - you need darkness, clear skies, Aurora activity, and of course that you're awake! But the Autumn programmes offer very good chances for the Northern Lights to add a wonderful extra dimension to your visit to Lapland.

Day 2: Hiking in Pallas National Park, Såmi Reindeer Herder Visit and evening Wolverine Talk

After breakfast, your first activity day is a hiking tour to the spectacular Pallas National Park. You'll hike along a ridge of hills with expansive views over the surrounding forests, making a stop for picnic lunch along the way. Typical hiking time 4-5 hours.

In the afternoon, you'll visit a local Såmi reindeer herder, Henrik, whose family has been herding reindeer in the area for generations.

This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about Såmi culture and the vital role that reindeer have played and continue to play in Såmi life both past and present.

Once back at your accommodation, you'll enjoy dinner at the restaurant. Tonight's wildlife presentation is on the rare, beautiful and much misunderstood Wolverine.

Day 3: Canoeing, evening Bear Talk and Wildlife Watching

Today you take a short transfer across the border into Finland to Yli-Muonio, the start point for a wonderful day of canoeing. You'll be paddling on the mighty river Muonio, which marks the border between Finland and Sweden - with Finland on your left and Sweden on your right!

The tour takes you through a landscape of meadows and hills to reach the historically significant cemetary of Akamella. From here, you continue down river to make a stop for lunch around the fire outdoors or in a hut.

The end of your paddle tour brings you to the church at Muonio, where you'll be met for transfer back to your accommodation for dinner. This evening's talk is on the majestic and powerful Bear.

After dinner, it's time to see what wildlife will show itself this evening! You'll take a short transfer to Metelivaara and from there a short hike to the wildlife watching hide. The hide has small windows ensuring everyone has the possibility to see.

You'll spend some hours here with, hopefully, good chances to see some of the birds and animals of Lapland attracted to the feeding station, before returning late in the evening to your accommodation for the night.

Day 4: Cycling, evening Wolf Talk and Beaver Watching

Today you take to two wheels to explore the area by bike. Stopping first by the church at Muodoslompolo, your main tour takes you around Lake Muodosjärvi with a stop for luncn before cycling back to your accommodation. Typical cycling distance 25-30km.

Tonight's talk takes you into the mysterious world of the Wolf.

After dinner, you're once again on the trail of Lapland's wildlife, this time hoping to see the industrious beaver. You'll take a transfer to the wilderness river Merasjoki, and with luck spot some of the local beavers swimming in the river and see the results of their hard work on the landscape and ecosystem of the river.

Day 5: Hiking with Huskies

After breakfast, you visit one of the neighbours, Anna, and her beautiful and affectionate huskies. You'll have an introduction to husky care and training and the daily life of the kennels before taking a dog for yourself (if you wish, of course) and going on a walk together in the forest using a "cani-rando" harness.

Lunch along the trail before you return to the kennels to say goodbye to the huskies and return to your accommodation for dinner.

Days 6-7: Overnight Hiking Tour to Wilderness Cabin

As your week in Lapland draws to a close, you head out for a wild and beautiful hike to wilderness cabin for the night. Typical hiking distances around 20km Day 6 and 15km Day 7.

You leave the island where your accommodation is located and head south along ancient trails, with flora and fauna typical of the Great Taiga Forest. Take lunch along the way around the fire, before continuing over hills clad with pines and through moorlands.

You'll be hiking both on- and off-track, and as the day draws on will reach Moukon Kuusikot, a log cabin in the forest on the banks of the Muonio River.

The cabin is heated with wood-burning stove and water is taken from the clear stream. You'll make dinner together and enjoy a wonderful traditional wood-fired sauna by the river.

After your night in the wilderness, the next day you head for home, hiking on old tracks or straight through the forest and over the hills before the Muonio River comes into view again and you reach your accommodation once more.

Here it's time for farewell dinner and your last night in the cabins to relax with a good night's sleep after your hike.

Day 8: Departure

Breakfast and transfer to Kittilä airport (Finland) for departure. Transfers can be offered in connection with any of the Finnair flights from Kittilä to Helsinki. Transfers may in some cases be collated with other guests departing at different times the same day, so depending on your departure time it may be necessary to wait at the airport before departure. Please let us know your departure time in advance and we will confirm arrangements. Note that Finnish time is one hour later than Swedish time.

Day 2: Hiking in Pallas National Park and evening Wolverine Talk

After breakfast, your first activity day is a hiking tour to the spectacular Pallas National Park. You'll hike along a ridge of hills with expansive views over the surrounding forests, making a stop for picnic lunch along the way. Typical hiking time 4-5 hours.

Once back at your accommodation, you'll enjoy dinner at the restaurant. Tonight's wildlife presentation is on the rare, beautiful and much misunderstood Wolverine.

Autumn is a wonderful time to see the Northern Lights, and with luck the Aurora may illuminate the skies above.

Day 3: Såmi Reindeer Herder Visit, Beaver Watching and evening Bear Talk

Today you'll visit a local Såmi reindeer herder, Henrik, whose family has been herding reindeer in the area for generations.

This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about Såmi culture and the vital role that reindeer have played and continue to play in Såmi life both past and present.

After some free time after lunch, in the late afternoon you're on the lookout for the industrious beaver. You'll take a transfer to the wilderness river Merasjoki, and with luck spot some of the local beavers swimming in the river and see the results of their hard work on the landscape and ecosystem of the river.

After dinner, this evening's talk is on the majestic and powerful Bear.

Day 4: Optional Morning Activities, Wolf Talk and Wildlife Watching

The morning is free to spend as you wish - simply relax with a lazy morning and enjoy the surroundings, rent a Fat Bike to go exploring or take a walk in the surrounding forests.

In the afternoon, the series of wildlife talks continue, today taking you into the mysterious world of the Wolf.

After dinner, it's time to see what wildlife will show itself this evening! You'll take a short transfer to Metelivaara and from there a short hike to the wildlife watching hide. The hide has small windows ensuring everyone has the possibility to see.

You'll spend some hours here with, hopefully, good chances to see some of the birds and animals of Lapland attracted to the feeding station, before returning late in the evening to your accommodation for the night.

Day 5: Hiking with Huskies

After breakfast, you visit one of the neighbours, Anna, and her beautiful and affectionate huskies. You'll have an introduction to husky care and training and the daily life of the kennels before taking a dog for yourself (if you wish, of course) and going on a walk together in the forest using a "cani-rando" harness.

Lunch along the trail before you return to the kennels to say goodbye to the huskies and return to your accommodation for dinner.

Days 6-7: Overnight Hiking Tour to Wilderness Cabin

As your week in Lapland draws to a close, you head out for a wlife and beautiful hike to wilderness cabin for the night. Typical hiking distances around 20km Day 6 and 15km Day 7.

You leave the island where your accommodation is located and head south along ancient trails, with flora and fauna typical of the Great Taiga Forest. Take lunch along the way around the fire, before continuing over hills clad with pines and through moorlands.

You'll be hiking both on- and off-track, and as the day draws on will reach Moukon Kuusikot, a log cabin in the forest on the banks of the Muonio River.

The cabin is heated with wood-burning stove and water is taken from the clear stream. You'll make dinner together and enjoy a wonderful traditional wood-fired sauna by the river.

After your night in the wilderness, the next day you head for home, hiking on old tracks or straight through the forest and over the hills before the Muonio River comes into view again and you reach your accommodation once more.

Here it's time for farewell dinner and your last night in the cabins to relax with a good night's sleep after your hike.

Day 8: Departure

Breakfast and transfer to Kittilä airport (Finland) for departure. Transfers can be offered in connection with any of the Finnair flights from Kittilä to Helsinki. Transfers may in some cases be collated with other guests departing at different times the same day, so depending on your departure time it may be necessary to wait at the airport before departure. Please let us know your departure time in advance and we will confirm arrangements. Note that Finnish time is one hour later than Swedish time.

*Supplement applies for guests requiring certain special diets, due to the high additional cost of special ingredients and extra preparation time, as outlined below. Please advise any requirements at time of booking:

• Gluten-free, lactose-free, dairy-free and other special requirements: Supplement applies.
• Vegetarian and allergies: No supplement applies for guests requiring vegetarian diet (due to the nature of the experience, unfortunately vegan meals cannot be provided) or with allergies. NB: Please contact us with details of the nature and severity of any allergies so that we can confirm whether suitable foods can be offered..

Included

• Accommodation:
  • 6 nights in private 2-person chalets (if 1-2 persons) or 4-person chalets (if 3-4 persons) with 2-bed rooms. Chalets are simple but comfortable and have own WC/shower. Bedding and towels are included.
  • 1 night in shared rooms in wilderness cabin during overnight hiking tour. Cabin has no electricity or running water and is heated by wood-burning stove. Dry, outside toilet facilities. Guests will need to bring own light sleeping bag and liner for this night.
  • Sauna is available every night at both the camp and wilderness cabin. Sauna at the camp is electric and at the wilderness camp is wood-fired.
  • The main lodge building has wi-fi, which also reaches all the chalets.
• Meals: All meals are included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8. Meals are served in the camp restaurant for dinner and breakfast (except for night at wilderness camp). Lunches may be outdoors during activities depending on the itinerary. Drinking water is always available and tea/coffee are included in connection with meals.
• Equipment: Fat bike with helmet (Summer itinerary only, available to hire locally as optional extra for Autumn itinerary).

• Transfers: Transfers between Kittilä airport and the camp on arrival/departure day in connection with fixed flight times; local transfers as required for included activities.

Two-person chalets. Photos: RM.

Four-person chalets. Photos: RM.

Main building with restaurant and bar. Photos: RM.

Wilderness cabin for overnight hiking tour. Photos: RM.

Not Included

• Travel: We do not arrange flights or domestic travel, but are happy to advise on suitable connections and assist you with any aspect of planning your journey. See under "Getting There" for general travel information.
• Alcoholic drinks.

Required

Health requirements/experience:

Minimum age 16 years. General good health and fitness with an interest in outoor activities, nature and wildlife.

You should be used to day hiking in mixed terrain for distances of up to 20km carrying a daypack and be interested in experiencing a number of different outdoor activities during the week.

Challenge level of the daily activities is easy-moderate, with the overnight hiking tour to wilderness cabin being the most challenging part of the week.

What makes this "Easy-Medium"?

This experience is based at simple but comfortable accommodation, with meals served in the restaurant and sauna available each night.

You should be generally used to the outdoors and willing to participate in a number of different activities, including hiking, biking (for summer tours) and canoeing. Some patience is required for the evening at the wildlife hide to make the most of this experience.

The overnight hiking tour will cover around 20km on the outward journey and 15km on the return, with accommodation that night being simpler standard in wilderness cabin. You will need to carry a light sleeping bag and personal items (extra clothes, etc) with you for this night.

NB: Perception of difficulty is very subjective. What is hard to one person may be easy for another and vice versa, depending on factors including level of fitness, age and previous experience. Weather conditions/temperatures can also dramatically affect the actual level of challenge encountered.

Equipment/clothes needed:

For information on any equipment and/or clothing included as standard for this experience, please see under "What's Included".

A detailed recommended packing list for personal items to bring will be sent with your booking documentation.

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. Note of course that the most appropriate clothing to use as well as the level of challenge experienced during any outdoor activity may vary significantly depending on factors such as the time of year and the particular weather/temperature conditions during your trip.

Preparing for your trip:

For further reading, we also have a number of general information articles to get you ready for your trip, covering a wide variety of topics from what to do on a city break before/after your tour, advice on packing, eyewear for winter and considerations for female travellers.

Minimum number:

A total of minimum 2 persons is required for this experience to be confirmed to run. You are of course welcome to book as a solo traveller.

Groups

Max. group size 16 persons. This experience is suitable for private groups - please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Eco Info

This activity has received a prestigious Swedish Ecotourism certification for commitment to high standards to cultural and environmental sensitivity.

The local hosts for this experience are winners of the Swedish Grand Travel Awards Ecotourism Prize 2025, awarded by the Swedish Ecotourism Society.