New Year’s Aurora Escape – a Secret Adventure

This is your invitation to our Secret Adventure 🤫

This secret adventure is a new, one-of-a-kind experience we’re offering only to our subscribers. To preserve these pristine locations, we keep their exact whereabouts confidential.

 

Group size
Up to 7 participants

Meeting point
Luleå, Sweden

Duration
7 Days / 6 Nights

Age Suitability
15 years and above

ACCOMMODATION
Wilderness lodge

WHEN
27 Dec 2024 – 2 Jan 2025

DIFFICULTY
Easy. suitable for individuals with general fitness.


Reindeer encounters

Capture the majestic presence of reindeer amidst a serene winter landscape.

Maximized chances for Aurora

Each evening, as long as the sky is clear, we set out to search for the Aurora. Since you are staying for a whole week, your chances are as good as they can get.

Cozy Wilderness Lodging

Enjoy four nights in heated log cabins, offering a perfect blend of comfort and rustic charm.

Husky Dog Sledding

Experience a magical excursion gliding across the frozen landscape with beautiful huskies.

Small group with local guide

Share this journey with a small group of like-minded travelers, guided by local hosts.

Sámi Culinary Delights

Savor traditional dishes like Arctic Char and Gáhkku, with options for various dietary preferences.

 
 

This Secret adventure is fully booked

🛡Full financial protection: Rest assured, all bookings are fully financially protected.

🛟 See our cancellation terms

 
 

6 nights in Swedish Lapland

We’re not going to reveal the exact program until you arrive, but expect a program looking something like this…

  • Arrive in Luleå, easily accessible by a short flight or scenic night train from Stockholm. Your accommodation, Hotell Savoy, is centrally located, just minutes from the station. Settle in, relax, and enjoy the hotel's spa with a sauna and whirlpools, or stroll around town to discover local dining spots.

    Why arrive a day early? This gives you time to unwind, settle into the rhythm of the Arctic, and be fully rested for our adventure, which begins in daylight the next day.

    Night at Best Western Plus Hotell Savoy in Luleå.

  • Meet your guide, Mirja, in the morning. After a warm welcome, we load up the van and begin our adventure.

    From Luleå, we head deeper into remote Swedish Lapland, arriving at our wilderness lodge surrounded by frozen lakes and forests. Settle into your cabin, then enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by our host, Caisa. If the skies are clear, we’ll fill our thermoses, bundle up, and head out for our first Northern Lights watch.

    Night at the lodge.

  • Start your day with a hearty breakfast.

    After breakfast we will drive to our good friend Anna, just outside of Jokkmokk. Anna and her family are Sami reindeer herders. She has invited us in her lávvu, a traditional tent. With a native perspective Anna has a lot to share. We sit on skins on the floor around a warming open fire and try traditional Sámi dishes that she prepares for us over the open fire.

    In the evening we will be back in camp. We will warm up in the wood-heated sauna, and for the brave, a roll in the snow awaits. Hot water buckets will be your only shower.

    Night at the camp.

  • Take your time over breakfast, then get ready for dog sledding. We’ll meet the huskies, help prepare the sledges, and set off across the frozen landscape, hearing only the dogs’ breaths and the crunch of snow. After a scenic ride, we’ll stop for lunch by a campfire.

    Later, we explore Jokkmokk, a charming town rich in Sámi culture. Visit the fairytale-like church, and local shops offering authentic Sámi handicrafts, perfect as unique gifts.

    In the evening, we’ll return to the lodge for dinner and then venture out for another chance to catch the Northern Lights.

    Night at the lodge.

  • Enjoy a leisurely morning.

    We’ll head out on a snowshoe hike through the surrounding forest, searching for tracks of wildlife like moose, reindeer, and foxes. If snowshoeing isn’t for you, feel free to walk, relax, or simply stay cozy in bed.

    Bird enthusiasts can watch for Siberian tits and Crested tits near camp. Lunch will be enjoyed outdoors, and dinner is back at the lodge.

    Later, join Caisa for an outdoor cooking session, learning the art of preparing meals over an open fire in sub-zero temperatures.

    As the year comes to a close, we’ll gather for a festive New Year’s dinner. When midnight approaches, we’ll head outside, hoping to welcome the New Year under a sky lit up by the Northern Lights.

    Night at the camp.

  • Start the year with a relaxing morning sauna. Enjoy one last hearty breakfast before bidding farewell to Caisa and the lodge.

    We have booked a room for you at the same hotel where we met on the first day. An extra night to soak in more of Lapland’s magic.

    Our guide will drop you off during the late afternoon. After four nights in the wilderness lodge you may want to soak up at their spa.

    Dinner on your own at the hotels restaurant or at any other of the excellent restaurants in Luleå.

    Night at Best Western Plus Hotell Savoy in Luleå.

  • Breakfast buffet at the hotel.

    If you have time we can highly recommend you to explore Luleå town before you depart on your train or flight. Strolling around with the locals at the frozen lake would be a perfect ending of your adventure.

    We hope this journey leaves you inspired, and we’re certain you’ll want to return someday.

 

Accommodation & guides

5 nights in your own cozy cabin

Enjoy four nights in charming log cabins, each equipped with a wood heating stove and a comfortable double bed.

Note that you will need to keep the fire going in your own cabin while you are at the lodge. During the days when we are out your host will make sure your cabin is warm til you get back.

Your host Caisa

Caisa is the owner and host at the lodge where we will stay during this adventure. She will be very happy to take care of you on this New year escape!

Your guide Cathrin

This adventure will be led by our guide Cathrin, who will make you feel welcome and warm at all times. She is very much looking forward to this adventure!

 

LOCATION & HOW TO GET HERE

The adventure begins at Hotel Savoy in Luleå town in Swedish Lapland. Check-in time is 3 pm, but you can arrive earlier and relax in the reception lounge or visit the spa.

Address: Storgatan 59, Luleå >> Link to Google Maps

Meeting time: On Day 2 meet up with your guide at Hotel Savoy in Luleå at 10:30 am.

By train: We highly recommend the Arctic Circle train from Stockholm or Arlanda airport to Luleå, which runs on renewable energy. The journey takes around 13 hours and offers a memorable start to your adventure. You can also choose to travel by train in one direction and fly in the other direction. The train has a restaurant serving basic meals, snacks, and drinks. Purchase your train tickets online at www.sj.se. A bunk bed in a shared 6-bed compartment costs approximately 3000 SEK for a return ticket, with 3-bed and private compartments also available. Upon arrival in Luleå, it's just a short 500-meter walk to Hotel Savoy, where the tour begins.

Climate reward: If you travel by train from Stockholm to Luleå with return, you'll receive our climate reward that includes a free meal at Hotel Savoy and free access to the spa. The meal could be breakfast, lunch, or a one-course dinner, not including drinks. To claim the reward, simply email us with your preferred meal. Note that the spa has limited visitors and may be fully booked at times.

By air: To get to Luleå, fly from Stockholm Arlanda (ARN) with SAS or Norwegian. Also see if there are any direct connections from London, Paris and Düsseldorf to Luleå. Luleå Airport is small, and you can easily reach Luleå by shuttle bus or taxi (20 minutes). As there are no scheduled activities on the first and last day of the tour, you can choose to take a flight or train at any time that suits you.

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

  • Tour leader, day 2-6

  • All the activities specified in the program

  • 6 nights accommodation

  • Full board including all meals from lunch day 2 to breakfast day 6.

  • Free access to the hotel spa in Luleå

  • Round-trip transportation in a 9-seater van from Luleå

ADD-ONS

During the booking process, you can choose to add the following extras:

  • No single room supplement but you may have to share cabin with another participant of your own gender.

  • Rent winter clothing for 1890 SEK.

  • Merino wool top + long johns set to buy for 1925 SEK.

  • Alcoholic beverages (cash or card).

 

STAY WARM & LOOK COOL

We will equip you with premium, top-quality winter gear from renowned Scandinavian brands, such as Fjällräven, Hestra, and Lundhags, including warm clothing, boots, hats, gloves and a headlamp. You can also order our recommended merino-wool set. Our utmost priority is ensuring that you remain comfortably warm throughout your entire trip.

Questions & Answers

  • Absolutely! Our activities, like snowshoeing and dog sledding, are designed to be enjoyable and accessible for people with general fitness. You’re welcome to participate as much or as little as you like, and there’s always time to relax or explore quietly on your own.

  • Not at all! Many of our guests travel solo and quickly form connections with other like-minded travelers in our small group setting. We intentionally keep group sizes small (up to 7 people) to ensure a friendly, intimate atmosphere where everyone feels welcome.

  • Don’t worry—packing light is fine! We provide high-quality winter gear, including insulated boots, outerwear, and other essentials. You’ll stay warm and comfortable, even in the Arctic cold.

  • We certainly hope so, as it occurs quite frequently during most of our tours. Each evening, as long as the sky is clear, we set out warmly dressed to search for the aurora borealis.

    Although we cannot guarantee a sighting, Northern Sweden is a great location and since you are staying for a whole week, your chances are as good as they can get.

    >> Read this article describing that the Aurora activity is likely to peak during 2024 and the next few years.

  • While we can’t guarantee sightings, we’ve chosen dates and locations that maximize your chances. Even if the aurora is elusive, you’ll still enjoy an unforgettable winter experience filled with culture, wildlife, and cozy moments by the fire.

  • Yes! The lodge has cozy heated cabins, and we provide top-notch winter clothing. The wood-heated sauna is also perfect for warming up after a day outdoors.

  • Yes! The best time to visit Swedish Lapland for a snow based holiday is from December to March.

    December, January and February tend to be the coldest months, with temperatures between -10°C to -30°C, but the air is pleasantly dry and crisp, making even the extreme cold bearable.

    December and the first half of January will have very short daylight hours, but that also means better chances to see the Northern Lights.

    The second half of February and March is a lot more pleasant with milder temperatures with snow on the ground but longer days and chances for bright, sunny weather, and still great for northern lights.

  • The itinerary is balanced, with plenty of opportunities to rest and take things at your own pace. Snowshoe hikes and dog sledding are beginner-friendly, and our guide will tailor activities to the group's comfort level. There’s also no pressure to participate, relaxing by the fire is always an option.

  • You can but the recommended minimum age is 15 years.

  • We expect to encounter Moose, Reindeer and Red Squirrel but also birds such as Siberian Jay, Siberian Tit, Willow Tit, Blue Tit, Black Grouse and Northern Dipper.

  • This tour is not specifically adapted for photographing wildlife, although there will most likely be opportunities to photograph moose, reindeer, birds and capturing breathtaking moments and stunning landscapes as well as the Northern Lights.

  • During this trip we will go dig sledding with our friends Kristien and Olav. Happy dogs result in happy guests and guides. They take pride in ensuring the dogs are well-cared for and do not compromise on quality to compete with budget sledding companies.

    Their kennel is regularly checked and meets all government requirements, and retired dogs are given a comfortable home on their property.

  • We actively support rewilding and local initiatives, contributing to the preservation of the region's unique wildlife and environment.

    You will be invited to help save Sweden's old-growth forests from clear-cutting by donating to WildSweden's Save the Forest Fund. 100% of your donation goes directly to activists and organisations working to conserve Sweden’s forests.

  • Of course! Many of our guests choose to visit Stockholm before or after the adventure. You can also add extra days in Luleå, a great way to extend your Arctic adventure.

  • Yes! We happily accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary preferences. Our meals feature locally-sourced, healthy ingredients, and you’ll have a variety of delicious options.

  • Yes. Our schedule is intentionally balanced, with unplanned moments to rest, reflect, or enjoy the company of new friends. Day 6 is left completely free for you to relax and savor the Arctic’s tranquility at your own pace.

  • We offer flexible cancellation options. Cancellations up to 30 days before arrival are eligible for an 80% refund, and you can add our Cancellation Protection plan for even greater peace of mind.