AURORA BOREALIS & ARCTIC BATH 5 Days (Self-Guided Tour)
Tour overview:
Swedish Lapland is a region unlike any other. The land of the Midnight Sun and Northern Lights is home to mountains, forests, marshes, wild rivers, and archipelagos. Stretching from Sorsele and Skellefteå in the province of Västerbotten, to the northernmost tip of Sweden, this arctic territory covers a quarter of the country. The sheer size and variety of terrain presents endless options for outdoor enthusiasts, from hiking and fishing to dogsledding and skiing.
Day 1 - Arrive Lulea
Arrival to Luleå Airport!
Transfer to your centrally located hotel and rest of the day at leisure.
Luleå is the capital of the region known as Norrbotten County. It is the northernmost city of Sweden and can be found on the northwest corner of the Gulf of Bothnia. It is a small, laidback city with more than its fair share of world-class restaurants and a perfect base point for many Arctic activities in Sweden.
Overnight in Elite Stadshotellet Luleå or similar.
Day 2 - Arctic Explorer – Icebreaker Cruise
Breakfast at the hotel.
Today you will participate on a 2-hour ICEBREAKER excursion.
You will be picked up by bus in central Luleå and taken to the cruise terminal.
During the guided Icebreaker cruise, you will listen to the sound of ice blocks being crushed against the hull of the boat. Go for a walk on the frozen sea and enjoy a hot drink on the ice. Challenge the laws of nature in safe and comfortable conditions on an ice-classified vessel. You will also have the opportunity to swim among the ice floes in a survival suit. Warm clothes, shoes and equipment are included.
Lunch on own arrangement.
Transfer back to Luleå by bus.
In the afternoon, explore Luleå on your own - a coastal city in Swedish Lapland. It’s known for the Gammelstad Church Town, a cluster of well-preserved wooden houses and the stone Nederluleå Church from the 1400s. In the city center, Norrbottens Museum showcases local history, art and culture. Offshore, in the Bay of Bothnia, there are more than 1,000 islands with beaches, cottages and seals.
Overnight in Elite Stadshotellet Luleå or similar.
Day 3 - Northern Lights Hunt
Breakfast at the hotel.
During the day, you will have the chance to participate on one of the optional winter activities. (additional cost applies) For instance, you could participate on a dog sledding trip. After your transfer to the husky farm, an experienced instructor will show you the basics of how to drive the sledge and lead the dogs. When the dogs are tethered, it is time to drive away. The guide drives first and shows the way through the forest. When you return to the camp, hot drinks and sandwiches are served in the barbecue hut.
During the afternoon, you have the option to pay a visit to a moose and reindeer park, where you will have the chance to see the biggest wild animal from Scandinavia. It’s very exciting to stand eye to eye with ‘The King of The Forest’ and feed the moose from your own hand. (additional cost applies).
In the evening, you will be picked up in central Luleå for a guided hunt for Aurora Borealis. To see this phenomenon, you need to find a location, where the sky is clear and free of artificial lights. In suitable weather conditions, you will have a good chance to witness the Northern Lights.
This activity starts at 20.00 and lasts 3 hours.
During this time, you will visit at least three different spots. If you are lucky and do see the Auroras, you will be able to take a lot of nice photos. During the trip, the guide will also tell you more about Aurora and some Swedish fika will be served (something sweet to eat and something hot to drink).
Overnight in Elite Stadshotellet Luleå or similar.
Day 4 - Lulea - Spa Day At Arctic Bath
Breakfast at the hotel.
Private transfer in the morning to Arctic Bath - an oasis of wellness and design, a modern reminder of Northern heritage bringing an old timber tradition into the world of luxury wellness. Arctic Bath is floating on the shore of Luleå River in Harads, a small village with 500 inhabitants, located 1h30min drive from Luleå Airport. Both the Main Building and the Water Cabins are floating and are connected to land by wooden gangways. In the main building the guests will find the reception, bar/lounge area with a cozy fireplace, the restaurant where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served and the SPA facilities.
In the SPA facilities, you can find a steam sauna, 2 dry saunas, the famous cold river bath and 2 outdoor jacuzzi. There are also 2 cozy treatment rooms for massage. Access to the SPA facilities and Mindful Sauna Ritual are all included in the rate.
The restaurant in the Arctic Bath is focusing on homemade, local and sustainable dishes. Traditional Northern cuisine with a modern twist is served.
Arctic Bath serves you the best spots to witness Aurora Borealis both from your cabin as well as from the spa facilities.
Overnight with dinner in Arctic Bath Water Cabin.
Day 5 - Depart Lulea
Breakfast at the hotel.
Depends on the time of your flight, enjoy the wonderful surroundings around you and relax in the spa facilities.
Private transfer to the airport from the Arctic Bath.