KIRUNA - in Swedish Lapland

The amazing Northern Lights, magical ancient forests, mighty untouched rivers, diverse wildlife and utter silence await you on our Northern Lights Wilderness Adventure. By traditional wooden cross-country ski, snowshoe and dog-sled we invite you to explore and experience the breathtaking beauty of winter in Lapland.


Dates: Dec 4-11 2010, Jan 8-15, Jan 29-Feb 5, Feb 5-12, Feb 12-19, Mar 5-12, Mar 12-19 2011

Price: 13 975 SEK/adult, 9340 SEK/child (12-15 years)
Accommodation, meals, transfers from Luleå, Sweden and activities specified on itinerary below and warm outdoor clothing and equipment for activities are included in price.
Group size 2-6 guests
This holiday can be tailormade for other dates or to start from other destination cities in Lapland (Gällivare, Kiruna or Kittila). Please enquire for details.


Itinerary

Day 1

19.50 Flight arrival London - Luleå airport. Transfer (3h) to your village guesthouse. This is an excellent first opportunity to see the Northern Lights, and your driver will make stops at the slightest glimpse so you can get out and observe them in the dark night. We’ll journey by car, northward, above the Arctic Circle and into the Torne River Valley, a sparsely populated area of Lapland, rich in pristine forests and pure rivers and lakes.
Upon arrival at the guesthouse, your host will welcome you and help you get settled. Enjoy a good night’s rest before the rest of you adventure.

Day 2

Introductory tour - Cross-country skiing at Naakajärvi Old Forest Eco Park 4-5h. You will learn the basics of skiing with traditional wooden skis in preparation for rest of the trip. Making our own tracks in untouched snow, the landscape is open for discovery. Skiing in this ancient forest among twisted gnarled pines and other nature spirits is a magical experience.
On the way back, we will stop in a village where we will visit with a Sámi reindeer herder and his reindeer 2h. Take part in the life of a modern Sámi reindeer herder, see reindeer and enjoy some Sámi delicacies in a lavvu, traditional Sámi hut.

Day 3

Overnight Wilderness Excursion 4 days. Together with your guide you will cross-country ski to our scenic wilderness cabin in the forest by a lake. This is a true wilderness experience in an ideal location for viewing the Northern Lights. The area is completely private; there are no other cabins in use nearby. Just you, awesome nature and utter silence. Your guide will help you fire the sauna, prepare a satisfying, delicious dinner and make sure you are comfortable before leaving you for the night.

Day 4

Morning Your guide returns and leads you in a cross-country ski or snowshoe tour during the day. You will traverse through ancient forests blanketed in snow, and along the frozen River Kalix, one of the last large unexploited rivers in Europe. These areas are rich in wildlife and with some luck we will stumble across a herd of Sámi reindeer or spot the king of the Swedish forest, the Elk. In the evening, the warmth of the sauna will soothe your tired muscles.

Day 5

Morning enjoy the wilderness camp at your leisure or perhaps make a ski or snowshoe tour on your own. In the afternoon, your guide returns and together you can try your hand at ice-fishing or snow cave building. In the evening, relax and warm yourself with the sauna. If you wish to sleep in your cave, we will insulate the floor with reindeer skins and provide very warm sleeping bags. If you should change your mind, your bed in the cosy cabin awaits.

Day 6

Morning your guide returns and together you will cross-country ski towards the village guesthouse. Relax in the modern comforts of our peaceful guesthouse.

Day 7
Daytime Dog sled tour 4-5h. In partners, you will drive your own team of dogs over frozen wetlands and through snow-laden forests. You will take turns driving the dogs. The dogs are eager to start running; once on your way you will enjoy the pure silence and exhilaration of this special experience.

Day 8 Morning transfer to Luleå in time for 11.20 flight departing to London.

Contact Information: www.auroraretreat.se, info@auroraretreat.se
Maya Rao or Mikael Kangas +46(0)978-300 61