Aurora Lodge Escape in Lapland

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This comfortable lodge in the far north of Swedish Lapland is the perfect base to enjoy the beauty of winter far inside the Arctic Circle. A selection of activities are available to add as optional extras for those seeking winter adventures, or alternatively simply take the time to relax on a romantic break and enjoy the winter wonderland landscape of the surrounding lakes and forests.

Located far from areas of light pollution in an area ideal for Aurora watching, Aurora Lodge Escape in Lapland gives very good chances to see the Northern Lights during your stay. On arrival you will receive information and advice for seeing the Aurora as well as hints and tips on photographing the Northern Lights, and will have daily updates during your stay on the latest Aurora activity forecast.

Cross country skiing is one of the many winter activities available. Photo: LS.

A variety of equipment is included for your use during your stay to explore the surrounding area on your own self-guided adventures:

• Snowshoes for self-guided tours in the surrounding area. You will be provided with trail maps and information to help you explore, giving you the flexibility to be as active (or lazy!) as you wish during your stay. There are about 30km of trails immediately accessible from the lodge. Note that there are no prepared tracks, but the snowshoes can be used both on standard trails and in fresh snow.
• Kicksleds (a traditional, easy and fun way for Swedes to get around in the winter!).
• Ice fishing equipment.
• Cross country ski equipment (not included as standard but available to hire as optional extra).

For dogsled tours you can choose to drive your own sled or share with a partner. Photo: LS.

Sauna at the lodge is included each night, with the sauna building also having a cosy lounge with fireplace - for many guests travelling to the north in wintertime, the experience of a traditional Swedish sauna followed by (optional!) roll in the snow is one of their most enduring memories.

Accommodation is in private en-suite rooms for 2-4 persons, each with a view of the river Kalix. The lodge is also well-known for its cuisine and full board is included for your stay.

The following additional day activities are also available to book as optional extras:

• Husky Sledding: Drive your own dogsled (either shared one per two persons or own sled depending on preference) on a husky adventure into the nearby Kaitum Nature Reserve.
  • 2-hour tour: A great way to get a feel for the excitement of dog sledding.
  • Day tour (around 5 hours): Travel further and have lunch out on the trail!
• Guided Snowshoeing: Snowshoeing is an ideal way to discover the winter landscape and access areas not easily reachable in other ways. Choose between a 2-3 hour or 4-5 hour tour taking place in the forest surrounding the Lodge.
  • 2-3 hour tour: Possible during daytime or evening (please specify when booking) starting directly from the Lodge. Evening tours can give good chances to see Northern Lights. Terrain is easy walking and the tour is suitable for participants with general good health, but can be more demanding if snow conditions are heavy.
  • 4-5 hour tour: An extended version of the above.
• Snowmobile or Snowmobile + Ice Fishing Safari: The excitement and adventure of snowmobiling is often high on any visitor's list. Drive your own snowmobile (shared one per two persons or own snowmobile depending on preference) on a 2-hour or 4-hour tour. All tours offer possibility to see reindeer.
  • 2-hour tour: An ideal introduction to snowmobiling.
  • 4-hour tour: Choose Snowmobile only or combined Snowmobile + Ice Fishing.
• Nordic Wellness afternoon: Relax and soak up the atmosphere in the wood-heated sauna 30 mins' walk from the lodge at the nearby Wilderness Camp.
• Guided Icefishing: The lakes and rivers surrounding the lodge are rich in fish, and assistance from a local guide will greatly improve your chances of a catch!
• Ice Hotel and/or Sami outdoor museum visit: No trip to Lapland is complete without a visit to the world-famous Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi and the chance to see some reindeer and learn about the Sami, the indigenous reindeer-herding people of the area. Provided your departure arrangements allow suitable time, this tour is offered in connection with your departure transfer back to Kiruna. Guests choosing this option should plan to depart Kiruna airport or train station no earlier than 13.30.

Dates 2018/19

Start days flexible by arrangement from 01.12.18 to latest departure 15.04.19*.

Minimum duration is normally 4 days/3 nights, but during peak periods (e.g. Christmas and New Year), stays may be restricted to longer periods. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

*The Northern Lights are visible from around September to early/mid April. The deep midwinter period of November-January offers the longest hours of darkness, which is of course required for the Northern Lights to be visible, while the "spring winter" of March and April offers longer hours of daylight and typically milder temperatures. The Northern Lights can be visible at any time during this period, including during March to mid-April. While March and April have shorter nights, on the other hand these months can also have a greater incidence of clear skies.

Prices 2018/19

Prices are in British Pounds and Euros. If you wish, you are also welcome to make your payment in Swedish Kronor (SEK) - please contact us for details.

Optional Extras (see description below)
Dog sledding 2 hours/person (share sled)	GBP 125	EUR 141
Dog sledding 2 hours/person (drive own sled)	GBP 146	EUR 164
Dog sledding day tour 4-5 hours/person (share sled)	GBP 177	EUR 198
Dog sledding day tour 4-5 hours/person (drive own sled)	GBP 215	EUR 242
Wilderness Camp Extension 2 nights/person	GBP 450	EUR 506
Cross country ski hire (for self-guided tours)/person/day	GBP 29	EUR 32
Guided ice fishing 2-3 hours/person	GBP 102	EUR 115
Guided snowshoe and ice fishing tour 4-5 hours/person	GBP 125	EUR 141
Guided snowshoe tour 2-3 hours/person	GBP 61	EUR 68
Guided snowshoe tour 4-5 hours/person	GBP 87	EUR 97
Ice Hotel visit/person	GBP 68	76
Sami outdoor museum visit/person	GBP 60	67
Ice Hotel + Sami outdoor museum visit/person	GBP 104	117
Nordic wellness afternoon/person (min. 3 persons required)	GBP 39	EUR 43
Snowmobile tour 2 hours/person (share snowmobile)	GBP 112	EUR 125
Snowmobile 2 hours (drive own snowmobile)	GBP 165	EUR 185
Snowmobile tour 4-5 hours/person (share snowmobile)	GBP 154	EUR 173
Snowmobile tour 4-5 hours/person (drive own snowmobile)	GBP 236	EUR 265
Snowmobile+ Ice Fishing tour 4-5 hours/person (share snowmobile)	GBP 154	EUR 173

Activities must be reserved in advance.

• Dog sledding*: Minimum age 12. Minimum age to drive own sled 16. When choosing shared sled, participants share sled one per two persons. Dogsled tour 5-6 hours includes lunch.
• Wilderness Camp extension: Minimum age 12. Note that this is an add-on to your main stay at the Aurora Lodge Escape and is suitable for guests who wish to extend their standard stay duration with an additional two nights. You begin around 14.00 with snowshoe tour from the Lodge to the Wilderness Camp, followed by afternoon sauna and dinner at the camp. After breakfast, ski equipment is provided for self-guided cross country ski tour (on marked trails) followed by lunch at the camp, sauna or additional skiing time in the afternoon and dinner in the evening. After a second night at the camp and breakfast the following morning, you are transferred back to the Lodge by snowmobile. Accommodation at the Wilderness Camp is shared, using sleeping bags (provided) to sleep in a "kåta", a traditional wooden tipi structure with central wood-burning stove. The Wilderness Camp is simple but cosy and comfortable - see image below. Toilet facilities are dry outside wilderness toilet.
• Cross country ski hire: Please specify number of days required on booking and provide height, weight and shoe size. The skis used are slightly wider than standard cross country skis, wax-free with "scales", and ideal for skiing on fresh snow. The skis are used with standard cross country boots. There are marked trails in the area for self-guided tours and from around February onwards, some trails will also have prepared tracks.
• Guided snowshoeing: Minimum age 12. 2-3 hour possible as daytime or evening tour - please specify on booking. Day tour includes lunch. All tours take place in the Lodge surroundings.
• Ice Hotel visit: On departure day (total 1.5-2 hours). Includes transfer to Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi, guided tour of the Ice Hotel (tour given by the person doing your transfer) and onward transfer to Kiruna or Kiruna airport after visit. Guests choosing this option must plan to depart Kiruna train station or airport no earlier than 13.30 on the departure day.
• Sami outdoor museum visit: On departure day, available in connection with Ice Hotel visit or separately. Includes transfer to Sami Museum in Jukkasjärvi, entrance and bag of reindeer feed and onward transfer to Kiruna or Kiruna airport after the visit. The museum shows aspects of the life of the Sami reindeer herders, the indigenous people of the area. There are also a small number of reindeer corralled at the museum which you are welcome to feed. Lunch is available to purchase in the Sami cafe adjacent to the museum. Guests choosing this option must plan to depart Kiruna train station or airport no earlier than 13.30 on the departure day.
• Nordic wellness afternoon: Walk on trail to wilderness camp approx. 30 mins, wood-heated sauna is prepared in advance.
• Snowmobile tours*: Minimum age 12. Participants wishing to drive a snowmobile must hold full driving licence. When choosing shared snowmobile, participants share snowmobile one per two persons.

*On rare occasions when temperatures fall below -30 degrees C, dogsled and snowmobile tours may not take place for safety reasons. In this case, an alternative activity will be offered.

Images below show the Wilderness Camp extension, with dining area, sleeping accommodation and toilet facilities.

Detailed information on travel options to this experience will be provided in response to your enquiry. We are happy to advise on suitable connections and assist you with any aspect of planning your journey.

Please ensure that you make a booking with us first and wait for confirmation that your spaces are reserved before making any travel arrangements.

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. (If travelling by train to this experience, it is most convenient for your arrival to have pick-up transfer from Gällivare rather than Kiruna (the train reaches Gällivare approx. one hour before Kiruna), though pick-up from Kiruna is also possible. On departure, guests should always depart from Kiruna).

Without Flying:

Ferry Dover-Dunkirk or Newcastle-Amsterdam for onward train connections as above.