Reindeer Encounter & Northern Lights

Winter Holiday (4 days / 3 nights)

Learn more about the indigenous Sámi culture in the Arctic region of Kiruna. Reindeer sledding, meet and feed reindeer and get impressed by Sámi arts & crafts. Choose from a wide range of winter activities during daytime and go chasing Northern Lights in the evenings.

Reindeer Encounter & Northern Lights

Reindeer Encounter & Northern Lights

During this short break in Swedish Lapland, you will visit the Arctic region of Kiruna. A destination that offers genuine, authentic and small-scale experiences with focus on people and encounters. In 4 days, you will visit a Sámi family to learn more about their daily life as a reindeer herder far north of the Arctic Circle. Get up close and personal with reindeer, learn the art of lasso-throwing, and take a ride on a reindeer-drawn sledge. Savor a special Sámi lunch around an open fire in a traditional Sámi tent, known as a Lávvu.

But that’s not all – this holiday takes it to the next level with a Northern Light Photography Tour. Get expert tips and guidance on how to capture the breathtaking display of the Northern Lights, making it a truly unforgettable experience.

Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to visit the world famous ICEHOTEL and customize your holiday to your wishes with optional tours as Snowmobiling, Ice fishing and Dogsledding to name a view.

Kiruna, Swedish Lapland

Kiruna, Sweden’s northernmost city, is located 150 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. The city is home to Sweden’s highest mountain, Kebnekaise, and contains the world’s largest underground iron-ore mine. Its location within the Auroral oval makes it an ideal spot for viewing the Northern Lights. Additionally, Kiruna serves as a popular base for travelers exploring rural Lapland. For generations, Sámi people have called Kiruna home, as it is part of the Sápmi region. Not far from Kiruna lies the world-famous ICEHOTEL.

Accommodation

Upon arrival, you will stay at the charming family-owned hotel Camp Ripan, an environmentally friendly hotel that offers cozy, chalet-style rooms nestled in the heart of winter wonderland. The hotel is located on short distance from Kiruna’s city center, providing effortless access to local attractions.

Reindeer Northern Lights
Sami Handcraft Jokkmokk winter market Sweden, Reindeer Northern Lights
Reindeer Northern Lights
Jokkmokk Market Winter, Reindeer Northern Lights
Stockholm to Kiruna by Train, Reindeer Northern Lights
Reindeer Northern Lights

ITINERARY

Reindeer Encounter & Northern Lights | 4 days / 3 nights

Arrival Day

Welcome to Swedish Lapland! On arrival to Kiruna Airport, you land 150km north from the Arctic Circle into the northernmost part of Sweden. A short transfer will bring you to the family owned hotel Camp Ripan, close to the heart of Kiruna city. Here you will stay in a comfortable private timber chalet. The hotel’s rewarded Aurora Spa invites you to wander between heat and cold. Relax indoors and enjoy the winter white landscape through panorama windows, or feel the cool caress of the polar winter across your cheek while enveloped by the comfort of the outdoor warm pool. If you are lucky, the colorful dance of the Northern Lights will entertain you!

 
Day 2 –  A Fun Day in Kiruna

After a good night sleep and enjoying a rich Scandinavian breakfast buffet, a private taxi transfer will take you to world’s first ICEHOTEL. You may visit the ICEHOTEL Art Exhibition where you can see the fantastic sculptures and the ice rooms in peace on your own. A non-alcoholic drink at the ICEBAR is included in your visit. Before heading back to the hotel, you may check the souvenir shop. If you are interested in learning more about the indigenous Sámi culture and their reindeers. We have selected several optional tours where you can choose from.

During the evening you go hunting for the magical Northern Lights by dog sled! By arriving at the Husky Kennel, you can relax and take place on warm reindeer skins on a sled and enjoy the dark polar night! The team of friendly huskies will pull you through the sparkling winter wonderland.  Immerse yourself in the dark wintry nights of Lapland and escape the city lights with the enthusiast huskies. Along the route a stop will be made to enjoy a warm outdoor dinner and a hot drink by the campfire. Meanwhile, the guide will provide you with more information about the Northern Lights. An experience which will give you memories for a lifetime!

 
Day 3 – Abisko and Aurora Sky Station

Today you will continue northward to the small mountain village of Abisko. Situated within a bowl of mountains, Abisko is well known as the “Blue Hole” (a patch of permanently clear sky) because of its little cloudy and snowy weather. In addition to its location on the Auroral Oval, Abisko becomes the best place in Europe for observing the magical natural phenomenon Northern Lights. A transfer will take you to the Kiruna train station, followed by a 1,5-hour scenic train ride towards Abisko. In the evening you will take the chairlift up to the Aurora Sky Station, 900 meters above sea level, which is listed in the Lonely Planet’s top 10 places of the world for Northern Lights viewing. After arriving, you have an opportunity to learn more about the Northern Lights by participating in a guided tour.  The last chairlift ride down leaves at 01:00.

Day 4 – Abisko National Park 

In the morning you may take it easy after having a late night in the Aurora Sky Station. If you plan to wake up early then there are many optional tours to choose from to explore the Abisko National Park in your preferred way. What about taking part in a scenic snowmobile tour driving high up in the mountain areas.  Ice fishing or snowshoe walking into the unspoiled winter wonderland? We can recommend visiting the Naturum visitor center for the Abisko National Park to learn more about the region.

After dinner, you may choose for a relaxed last evening in the hotel, or spend one more evening outdoors chasing the Northern Lights by joining an optional snowmobile Northern Lights safari.

Day 5 – Departure Day

After daily enjoying new experiences it’s time to travel home. Depending on your flight schedule, maybe you have some time left to relax in this Northernmost part of Swedish Lapland. If you have an early flight, then it is time to get ready and check out of your hotel room. A transfer will be arranged for you from Abisko to Kiruna Airport. You can look back on your amazing 5 days visit to Swedish Lapland!

Day 4 – Departure day

Today it is time to say goodbye. You can look back to an outstanding short break in Europe’s last wilderness ´Swedish Lapland´ that you probably will never forget. Depending on your flight schedule a transfer will be arranged for you to Kiruna Airport.

Day 1 – Arrival day

Welcome to the Arctic capital of Swedish Lapland! On arrival to Kiruna Airport, you land 150km north from the Arctic Circle into the northernmost city of Sweden. A short transfer will bring you to the family owned hotel Camp Ripan. After check in, you may want to refresh yourself in the hotel’s rewarded Aurora Spa. In the evening, enjoy a delicious 3-course dinner at the hotel restaurant. If you’re interested, you can also book an optional Northern Lights safari to increase your chances of seeing this natural phenomenon up close.

Day 2 – Reindeer Encounter

Reindeer husbandry is both a central part of Sámi people’s daily life, as well as an important income source for many Sámi. Today you will get so close to the reindeers that you will be able to notice the different reindeer characters. Many of them are social and love interacting with people, so feeding them is a truly fun encounter. The herder will teach you how to throw a lasso, a traditional skill for gathering reindeers. You’ll also take a short reindeer sledge ride through the snow-covered forest. For lunch, you’ll enjoy traditional Sámi dishes like smoked reindeer meat on flatbreads with locally picked lingon berries, served around a campfire in a Lávvu tent. The herder will share stories about the land, their interaction with the forest, and the weather, giving you a glimpse into the modern Sámi way of life.

Day 3 – Northern Lights

Start your day at your own pace, or choose from a variety of optional activities that Kiruna has to offer. In the evening, embark on a Northern Lights Photography Tour. Together with an experienced guide you will go out in the dark Arctic night. Equipped with a camera, headlamp, and tripod, learn how to capture the breathtaking beauty of the Northern Lights. Your guide will share expertise on Arctic nature and camera settings, ensuring that you can take breathtaking photos, regardless of your level of experience. As you wait for the Northern Lights to appear, your guide will regale you with stories about the Arctic wilderness and share tips on night photography.

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