Tour Overview
Embark on the Arctic Circle Aurora Adventure, a thrilling journey through the enchanting winter landscapes of Lapland and Sweden. Stay in the cozy Rajamaa chalets, nestled on a serene island in the River Muonio, and enjoy the warm hospitality of the Malmstrom family. Experience the magic of the Northern Lights, explore the wilderness on forest skis, and bond with Siberian huskies on an exhilarating dog-sledding adventure. Immerse yourself in the rich culture of the Sámi people, learning about their traditional lifestyle and enjoying a reindeer sledding experience. With all meals, accommodation, and specialist equipment provided, this adventure promises unforgettable memories in the heart of the Arctic wilderness. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start at Rajamaa in Muonionalusta, north Sweden
Location: Muonionalusta
Accommodation Name: Rajamaa
Meals Included: Dinner
This trip starts at Rajamaa, a complex of cosy wooden chalets on a remote island in the River Muonio with views over both Sweden and Finland. At check in, we are welcomed by the friendly Malmström family, our hosts for the week, who have been running the accommodation for more than three decades. Depending on the arrival time of the group, the main briefing is usually done tonight or tomorrow morning.
Alternatively, if you'd prefer to ease into the trip, speak to us about booking nights at Rajamaa before the adventure begins. ...more ...less
Day 2 : Snowshoe through wintry landscapes; spot animal tracks and enjoy lunch in the forest; walk back to the chalets over frozen swamps and hills
Location: Lapland
Accommodation Name: Rajamaa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After a hearty breakfast, we are provided with all the equipment and information needed for a week of activities in Arctic conditions. Setting off on our snowshoes, we venture into the fabled wintry landscape surrounding Rajamaa and learn more about the unique raw nature of Sápmi (also known as Lapland). Our guide will help us to spot the tracks of birds and other local fauna in the snow and explain how the trees and bushes have adapted to this harsh climate. We enjoy lunch by a log fire in the forest, before walking back over frozen hills and through snowy landscapes to our chalets. In the afternoon, we have free time to enjoy the sauna or a hot drink in the dining room. Over the course of the week, we enjoy presentations about some of Scandinavia's big predators: lynx, wolverines, bears and wolves.
Day 3 : Enjoy a thrilling dog sledding tour through the forest; afternoon introduction to forest skiing
Location: Lapland
Accommodation Name: Rajamaa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, we visit a small husky kennel run by neighbours of Rajamaa. We meet Anna, a professional musher, who tells us about the life of the friendly Siberian husky dogs, their training and behaviour. She also explains a few simple rules to safely ride and lead the dogs. Divided into pairs, we then enjoy the challenge and adventure of driving our own dog sled for approximately 9mi (15km) through a winter landscape of snow-clad forests and frozen swamps. Taking turns during the tour gives you the chance to feel like a real musher and to enjoy the landscape when sitting on the dog sled as a passenger.
In the afternoon, we return to our accommodation and familiarise ourselves with forest skiing in preparation for our two-day expedition later in the week. Forest skis originate from Scandinavia and Russia and have been used in this area as a means of transportation for thousands of years. They are usually wooden and differ from cross-country skis as they are longer and broader. They come with simple bindings that you can use with your provided winter boots. This evening, before a hearty dinner, we enjoy another wildlife presentation at the main lodge.
Day 4 : Free day; optional snowmobile safari
Location: Lapland
Accommodation Name: Rajamaa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is free for you to enjoy one of the optional activities available locally. You may decide to experience the thrill of driving a snowmobile through snowy forests and over frozen lakes or explore the surroundings on snowshoes with a fun geocaching activity. Alternatively, you may choose to relax at the lodge and enjoy the tranquillity of this beautiful setting.
Day 5 : Spend a memorable morning with a local Sámi family, learning about their traditional way of life, and enjoy a magical reindeer sledding experience
Location: Lapland
Accommodation Name: Rajamaa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we have a special insight into the life and work of a reindeer-herding Sámi family. Between 75,000 to 100,000 Sámi people live in the Arctic regions of Norway, Finland, Sweden and Russia, preserving their unique languages and ancient customs. We travel by foot and in traditional reindeer sleds to a kåta (typical Sámi hut), where we feed the reindeer before spending a couple of hours beside a crackling fire, conversing with the family and learning about their culture, as well as the complex challenges they face. We enjoy a warming lunch and hot coffee in the kåta before returning to Rajamaa and have free time to enjoy the sauna or relax before dinner.
Day 6 : Set off on a two-day wilderness expedition on forest skis; cross frozen lakes and pine-clad hills then stay overnight in a log cabin
Location: Lapland
Accommodation Name: Log cabin
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, we start a two-day tour on forest skis. On our adventure, we carry only the necessary equipment for the day in a backpack while the rest of our equipment is transported for us by snowmobile. We venture deep into the forest, crossing frozen lakes and pine-clad hills, until reaching our special accommodation for the night, a cosy log cabin. Traditionally used for forest workers, the cabin is heated by log burners and we cook using water collected from the frozen river nearby. We all participate in the preparation of tonight's dinner and may enjoy an optional sauna before going to sleep in our dorm-style rooms. That is, if the impressive Aurora Borealis is not keeping us awake!
Day 7 : Ski back to Rajamaa; relax in the sauna and enjoy our final dinner
Location: Rajamaa
Accommodation Name: Rajamaa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we get on the skis and head back to Rajamaa, stopping for lunch by the fire on the way. If we are lucky, we may come across the tracks of lynx or wolverines during our journey. Back at the lodge, enjoy a well-deserved sauna before our final dinner of the week.
Day 8 : End at Rajamaa in Muonionalusta, north Sweden
Location: Muonionalusta
Accommodation Name: Rajamaa
Meals Included: Breakfast
The trip ends this morning and we begin our return journey home with plenty of tales and memories to share with friends and family. Of course, if you'd like to explore the Swedish wilderness a little more, speak to us about extending your stay at Rajamaa.
What's Included
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All breakfasts, six lunches and seven dinners
All meals are included during the tour.
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All accommodation
Accommodation is provided throughout the tour.
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All transport and listed activities
Transport and activities listed in the itinerary are included.
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Tour leader throughout
A tour leader will accompany the group throughout the trip.
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All specialist equipment
Specialist equipment needed for activities is provided.
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Group arrival and departure transfers available
Transfers for group arrivals and departures are available.
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Snowsuit, winter boots and accessories
Snowsuit, winter boots, and accessories are provided locally.
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included and must be arranged separately.
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Single accommodation
Single accommodation is available on request and subject to limited availability.
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Visas or vaccinations
Visas and vaccinations are not included and must be arranged separately.
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Optional activities
Optional activities such as snowmobile safari are not included.
Accommodation
Our base for the week is Rajamaa, a complex of cosy wooden chalets run by the welcoming Malmstrom family since 1986. Located in Sweden on an island in the River Muonio, the accommodation offers two-bedroom chalets with shared bathrooms and one-bedroom chalets with private facilities. Complimentary wifi is available. ...more ...less
Food
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.
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Mode of Transport
All transport and listed activities are included, with group arrival and departure transfers available. The tour includes a thrilling dog sledding tour, reindeer sledding, and a two-day wilderness expedition on forest skis, with snowmobile support for equipment transport.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the Arctic Circle Aurora Adventure?
The accommodation is at Rajamaa, a complex of cosy wooden chalets on an island in the River Muonio, Sweden. The chalets have either shared or private bathroom facilities, and there is a main building with a reception area, dining room, and sauna. Complimentary wifi is available. One night is spent in a remote forest lodge with dormitory-style accommodation and outhouse bathroom facilities. ...more ...less
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What activities are included in the Arctic Circle Aurora Adventure?
The tour includes snowshoeing through wintry landscapes, a dog sledding adventure, an introduction to forest skiing, a visit to a Sámi family with a reindeer sledding experience, and a two-day wilderness expedition on forest skis. There is also free time for optional activities like a snowmobile safari. ...more ...less
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What meals are provided during the tour?
All breakfasts, six lunches, and seven dinners are included. The food at Rajamaa is a mix of Swedish and international dishes, using regionally sourced meat and fish. Breakfast is continental style, lunches are usually sandwiches or hearty soup, and dinners consist of a main course and dessert. Vegetarian options are available. ...more ...less
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What should I expect during the two-day wilderness expedition?
During the two-day wilderness expedition, you will set off on forest skis, crossing frozen lakes and pine-clad hills. You will stay overnight in a cosy log cabin, traditionally used for forest workers, which is heated by log burners. Dinner is prepared using water collected from a nearby frozen river, and there is an optional sauna available. ...more ...less
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Is there an opportunity to see the Northern Lights during the tour?
Yes, there is a nightly chance to witness the Northern Lights during the tour, especially during the two-day wilderness expedition where you stay in a remote log cabin.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
Arctic Circle Aurora Adventure
8 Days Starting and ending in Muonionalusta, Sweden
Visiting: Muonionalusta, Lapland, Rajamaa
Tour operator:
Tour code:
CSW
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 12
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
