North Sweden: Active Summer Adventure

Experience the last wildlands of Europe and indigenous Sámi culture on an activity-packed trip far beyond the Arctic Circle

Reinvigorate with a complete nature immersion in the pristine landscapes of Sápmi, an area known to most as Lapland. We trek and bike to explore the untamed wilderness, while also learning more about the indigenous Sámi people and the Big Four Scandinavian predators. Our trip culminates with a two-day forest expedition, where we stay in a traditional log cabin and get back to nature in the peaceful, untouched wilds of northern Sweden.

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, meaning we have a low impact on the communities we visit and 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 involved in our trip are all kept and treated well according to Swedish animal protection laws, which are among the strongest in the world.
• 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.
• Our accommodation uses electricity generated by wind, facilitating evening wildlife presentations. When possible, delicious homemade meals are prepared from local ingredients.
• 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.

Is this trip for you?

This trip is rated Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page.

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.

The distance covered on the two-day expedition depends on the group’s fitness, temperature and weather conditions. Usually, we cover 4.5mi-7.5mi (7km-12km) each day and the activity duration is around four hours plus a lunch stop by the fire.

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.

Vaccinations and Health

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.

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

Food & Drink

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 are eaten outside or at the lodge and are usually a sandwich (plus yoghurt and fruit) or a hearty soup. Dinner consists of a main course and dessert. Vegetarian options are also available.

Weather

Temperatures in Sweden at this time of year are 15C-20C (59F-68F).