Arctic Circle Aurora Adventure

Discover the last remaining wilderness in Europe

This winter adventure takes us some 125mi (200km) above the Arctic Circle to Sápmi (also known as Lapland), where nature is raw and powerful, and mighty rivers flanked by endless forests dominate the landscape. We base ourselves at Rajamaa on the island of Muonionalusta, where the Malmström family has been welcoming guests since 1986. Situated in the River Muonio on the Swedish side of the border with Finland, there are only seven full-time inhabitants, two of whom are our hosts for the week. Immersed in one of the most spectacular untamed wilderness areas in Europe, we spend a week learning about the Sámi culture and connecting with nature while trying a variety of activities including dog sledding, snowshoeing and forest skiing. Every night, we keep our eyes to the sky where, with luck, we will be treated to the Northern Lights. Our trip culminates with a two-day expedition in the forest, where we stay overnight in a traditional log cabin and get back to nature in peaceful, untouched surroundings.

For the best chance to see the Northern Lights, we recommend travelling in March (particularly around the spring equinox), when there is usually increased aurora activity and less cloud cover.

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips that improve life for the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Find out more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here, and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People: How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

• Our base for the week is in the small village of Muonionalusta, approximately 125mi (200km) above the Arctic Circle, which is home to only seven inhabitants, including our two hosts. By using this remote, family-owned accommodation, we provide an income directly to local people, and the small size of the group allows us to stay at a property that cannot benefit from coach tours and mass tourism due to its limited size.
• This is a small-group tour (maximum of 16 people), meaning we have a low impact on the communities we visit and can ensure we do not disrupt or lead to the displacement of local people.
• Within this community, local people make handicrafts which provide an extra income for villagers and their families. You can support their work by buying souvenirs from them.
• Local guides and leaders are also employed and paid a fair wage, often receiving additional tips from the trips, to ensure we really are benefiting the communities we visit.

Places: How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

• Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels.
• The huskies and reindeers involved in our trip are all kept and treated well according to Swedish animal protection laws, which are the strongest in the world.
• We explore the forest on a two-day wilderness expedition on forest skis (a local ski used as a means of transportation in Sápmi for thousands of years, normally made of wood and longer than cross-country skis). This has a minimal environmental impact.
• We work with our partners on the ground to proactively eliminate or reduce waste. You can refill water bottles with clean water, which is collected from a local well, thereby removing the need for single-use plastic bottles.

Planet: How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

• Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.
• We avoid all unnecessary methods of transport to ensure we remain responsible travellers. Therefore, there are no motor-vehicle activities included, alternatively snowmobiles or working animals are used.
• Our accommodation uses electricity powered by wind, facilitating evening wildlife presentations. The sauna contains water from melted snow and, when possible, delicious homemade meals are prepared from local ingredients, though winter makes this harder.
• All breakfasts, six lunches and six dinners are included in this trip, and any leftover waste is separated and recycled.
• The accommodation has been certified as Nature’s Best by the Swedish Ecotourism Society.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

• Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish behind in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same.
• Plastic waste reduction: Please bring your own reusable water bottle on this trip; drinking water will be provided.

Visa

Sweden

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Sweden. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/sweden
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/sweden
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sweden/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Sweden.html

Vaccination

Sweden

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, rabies (bat lyssavirus) and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Eating and Drinking

All meals are included; however, the dinner on Day 1 is only available subject to your flight arrival time (dinner is usually served at 7pm).

The food at Rajamaa is a mix of Swedish food and sometimes international dishes, all prepared on site. They only use regionally sourced meat and fish from the Arctic Sea.

Breakfast is continental style, with fruit, cereal, porridge, boiled eggs, cheese and cold meats. The lunches provided as part of the itinerary will be eaten outside or at the lodge and are usually a sandwich (plus yoghurt and fruit) or a hearty soup. Dinner each evening consists of a main course and dessert. Vegetarian options are also available.

Weather

Temperatures should remain below freezing point for the whole season; however, recent years have had some unexpected fluctuations, both warmer and colder. Generally, you should expect much colder temperatures in December and January: around -25C to -10C (-13F to 14F). As the days get longer, the temperatures rise to around freezing point by March.

Daylight hours: As we are inside the Arctic Circle, the sun remains just below the horizon during the day from 1 December to 7 January. But it is not dark: there is plenty of reflection from the snow, so expect four to five hours of daylight. At the end of January, daylight hours increase to six to seven. In February, there are 10 hours and in March 15 hours.

Northern Lights: The Aurora Borealis are one of nature’s most awe-inspiring sights and seeing them hover above us on a cold winter’s night is an experience never to be forgotten. Scientists will tell you the Northern Lights occur when solar wind particles collide with air molecules in the earth’s atmosphere, transferring their energy into light. The ‘season’ runs from August to April (when there is sufficient darkness). Within this window, the slightly better months are September and March. During periods of high solar activity (not forecastable) they can often be seen every night, but the sky has to be clear of cloud cover, and you need to be away from other light sources. Displays can vary in intensity, from a greenish-yellow glow moving gently around the sky, to a spectacular multi-coloured show dancing across the heavens. Sightings not only vary in intensity but in duration too, from just minutes to sometimes hours.

Is this trip for you?

This trip has been rated Activity Level 3 (Moderate).

It’s a mixed-activity week for adults, with a good selection of guided activities and free time for independent excursions or relaxation. Although none of the activities require previous experience, a good level of fitness, agility and balance is required.

Some forest ski training and tuition will be provided during the week. The distance covered on the two-day expedition will depend on the group’s fitness and on the temperature and weather conditions. Usually, you cover approximately 4.5mi-7.5mi (7km-12km) each day and the activity duration is around four hours plus a lunch stop by the fire.

Temperatures in this part of Sweden can drop as low as -30C (-22F). Come prepared for such extremes. With standard precautions and good clothing, the cold weather won’t be a problem but can be tiring. Arctic outerwear (overall, gloves, hat, socks and winter boots) is provided – please see our essential packing list for more information.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.