Chasing the Northern Lights in Sweden & Norway - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Luleå (Sweden), Spa Session & Northern Lights Snowshoe Tour

Welcome to Sweden! You'll arrive in Luleå, a coastal city in the northern province of Lappland (though today, the Indigenous inhabitants of the region, the Sámi, prefer the name Sápmi) that acts as a base for trekking, outdoor activities, and viewing the northern lights. Luleå is famed for Gammelstad, a UNESCO-listed church town that lies just outside the city but served as its town center until the 17th century. 

You'll stay at the award-winning Tree Hotel near the Lule River valley, checking into a luxury treehouse surrounded by forests. After settling in, head to Mörön for a Scandinavian spa session. Soak in a wood-fired hot tub in the snow-covered woods, detox in the sauna, and close your pores with an invigorating dip in the ice tub. 

End the day with a snowshoe tour through the iconic Lappland forest. Your expert guide will teach you about the environment and wildlife; if you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the northern lights. Learn how to light a fire in the snow, identify constellations in the smog-free skies, and spot wildlife tracks. Finish by gathering around the fire on reindeer furs while you enjoy hot drinks and cake.

Day 2: Snowmobile Ice Nature Tour, Arctic Dining & Northern Lights Tour

Start the day with an exhilarating nature tour by snowmobile. Zip across the powdery forests and frozen lakes, making frequent stops to appreciate the silence and beauty of the Arctic landscape and learn about rural life. You'll finish with a delicious outdoor lunch. Then, have a break at your treehouse before this evening's Arctic dining experience outside Luleå. 

At the appointed time, you'll gather in a traditional tipi tent adorned with reindeer skins and a flickering fire for an authentic three-course dinner. Afterward, hop into a car for a northern lights tour with a guide, who'll assess the weather conditions and aurora activity, taking you to the top spots for viewing the lights. If you're fortunate enough to witness this eerie phenomenon, stop to take pictures and enjoy a Swedish fika (hot drink and snack).

Day 3: Train to Kiruna, City & Iron Mine Tour, Check into Ice Hotel

Today begins with a four-hour scenic train journey north to the Arctic Circle town of Kiruna. To get oriented, take a city tour of Kiruna, which explores the town's history and the story of its founder, Hjalmar Lundbohm. You'll visit some of its prominent buildings, from the old church to the newly-inaugurated town hall. You can even visit the Kiruna Iron Mine, the world's biggest underground iron ore mine, which takes you through tunnels deep beneath the ground.

Stay at the world's first Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi, hand-sculpted each winter since 1989. Each version is unique, crafted by renowned artists from around the world, and then left to melt in the spring. Additionally, a permanent structure has been built that stands all year round. Enjoy art exhibits, a five-course menu of Scandinavian delicacies, and the famed Ice Bar, where drinks are served in ice-carved glasses. 

Day 4: Sunrise Dogsledding & Aurora Sky Station Dinner

This morning, you'll tour Lappland on an exciting dogsledding excursion. Meet the dogs and your guide, a musher who'll teach you how to drive and steer your sled along well-groomed forest trails. Set off for a ride through the snow and across frozen swamps and rivers, surrounded by remote forest scenery. At the end of the adventure, return to the kennel to reward your huskies with a treat while you warm up with tea and snacks. 

Later, you'll take a 6,550-foot-long (2,000 m) chairlift ride in the Abisko Mountains to the Aurora Sky Station. Take in sweeping views of Torneträsk, the largest mountain lake in Scandinavia, and Lapporten, Sweden's most depicted mountain motif. At the station, you'll sit by the crackling fire and enjoy Lappland cuisine while searching the skies for the aurora borealis. 

Day 5: Jukkasjärvi Cultural Sámi & Reindeer Visit

Immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of the Indigenous Sámi people today with a visit to Nutti Sámi Siida, an open-air museum in Jukkasjärvi. Tour Sámi buildings and learn about their nomadic way of life; you'll even meet majestic reindeer and discover how they're herded and cared for. 

Browse the handicraft shop for Sámi jewelry and traditional art, then gather in the café Sápmi, where they serve lunch and fika next to a roaring fire. Other activities at the site include reindeer sled excursions, mountain hikes, and fishing trips. Afterward, return to your hotel for a relaxing evening.

Day 6: Snowshoeing & Ice Fishing Adventure, Northern Lights Tour

Strap on your snowshoes this morning and follow your guide through a landscape of stark tundras, learning about Arctic survival techniques. Your guide will point out animal footprints and regale you with tales from the region. 

Eventually, you'll reach the frozen lake of Sir Folke, where you'll try your hand at ice fishing. Scout for wood in the snow-draped forests and master the art of building a fire. End at your host's home, gathering around the fire in a Nordic tipi to enjoy hot soup and sandwiches. 

Tonight, you'll embark on another northern lights tour. Travel by car to one of the world's top locations for viewing the aurora borealis, thanks to its sparkling clear skies. If they appear, watch the dancing green and red lights twisting through the black sky—an otherworldly sight. Your guide is a professional aurora photographer and can capture images so you can focus on absorbing the lights in real-time.

Day 7: Train to Narvik (Norway), Sky Lift, Dogsledding & Northern Lights Ceremony

Say goodbye to Sweden this morning and travel two hours northwest over the border to Norway. Your destination is Narvik, a town situated between soaring mountains and a shimmering fjord. Narvik is beloved for its blend of outdoor adventure, winter-wonderland scenery, and cultural heritage. Its surrounding hiking trails are known as some of the best in the region, and skiers flock to its coveted slopes and resorts. 

Start exploring by riding the Narvik Sky Lift, which takes you 2,152 feet (656 m) above sea level. View the valleys, snow-topped peaks, and fjords below as you soar to the summit. Here, skiing and hiking experiences await, as well as hot drinks and food with panoramic views in the Narvikfjellet Restaurant. 

Descend in time for your afternoon dogsledding tour, complete with a northern lights ceremony. Whiz through the wilderness, along rivers and over dales, pulled by your team of powerful huskies, then enjoy an afternoon of Sámi culture. Listen to folk tales and participate in ancient ceremonies, including one that beckons the northern lights to reveal themselves. Finish with biidus (a typical Sámi meal), followed by coffee and cake. 

Day 8: Bus to Tromsø, Northern Lights Sailing Trip

Today, you'll take a scenic 4.5-hour bus ride to Tromsø in the far north of Norway. Set 217 miles (350 km) above the Arctic Circle, Tromsø sits on an island connected to the mainland by a bridge surrounded by island-dotted fjords and snowy mountains. A university, museums, art galleries, and nearby ski resorts bring constant life to Tromsø, which prides itself on having more pubs per capita than any other town in Norway. Explore its 18th-century wooden houses, fishing culture, and impressive Arctic Cathedral. 

After checking into your hotel, sail across the fjords in the polar night in search of eerie northern lights. Bundle up in a warm flotation suit and head onto the deck to marvel at the star-studded skies while sipping hot chocolate and soup—a heated indoor saloon offers respite should the cold get too much. Your skipper will analyze the forecast and take you to the best spots for northern light viewings. 

Day 9: Silent Whale Watching Eco-Tour

Take to the seas again today for a whale watching trip. Look out for magnificent humpback and orca whales that come to feed in the Arctic's herring-rich fjords as you cruise through the icy landscape. You'll travel in warm lounges on a silent hybrid-electric ship, which minimizes boat disturbance for whales and wildlife. 

While your captain searches for whales, local guides will share their stories of sightings and teach you about the species you hope to see. Once a whale is sighted, the boat will switch to silent electric mode, and you can observe the animals in peace from one of the multiple observation decks. Enjoy hot drinks as you sail back to shore for a final night in Tromsø. 

Day 10: Depart Tromsø

Today, your winter Scandinavian adventure comes to an end. A driver will transfer you to the airport in Tromsø in time for your homebound flight. Safe travels!

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