Highlights
- Tour the museums and opera house in Stockholm
- Go skiing, dogsledding, and snowmobiling in the far north
- Stay overnight in an ice hotel in the Arctic Circle
- Attend a performance at the Royal Swedish Opera
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Stockholm, Fly to Kiruna | Kiruna |
| Day 2 | Moose Safari on Horseback | Kiruna |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Jukkasjärvi, Stay in the Icehotel | Jukkasjärvi |
| Day 4 | Sámi & Reindeer Experience | Jukkasjärvi |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Bjorkliden, Snowmobiling & Northern Lights Dinner | Bjorkliden |
| Day 6 | Abisko Ski Day | Bjorkliden |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Kiruna, Dogsledding Excursion | Kiruna |
| Day 8 | Fly to Stockholm, Spa & Royal Swedish Opera | Stockholm |
| Day 9 | Winter Archipelago Kayaking | Stockholm |
| Day 10 | Museums of Stockholm, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Stockholm, Fly to Kiruna
Welcome to Sweden! First inhabited by humans at the end of the last Ice Age, this Scandinavian country really began to thrive during the Viking Age of the 9th-11th centuries. This is an integral part of the nation's history, as evidenced by the many Viking archaeological sites and runestones throughout the country.
You'll arrive in the capital of Stockholm, which occupies a lovely part of southern Sweden on an archipelago of 14 islands. This city was founded in the Middle Ages, but today it's a modern, innovative metropolis home to a growing tech community and many start-ups. There will be time later to explore the capital; for now, you have a connecting flight to catch.
From Stockholm, you'll fly 1.5 hours north to Kiruna. Located above the Arctic Circle in Sweden's Lappland region (or Sápmi to its Indigenous Sámi people), Kiruna is the northernmost city in the country. It's the central hub for nature excursions around the remote north and an ideal locale to view the northern lights (Oct-April). Upon arrival here, you'll transfer to your hotel, where you can unwind after the long flight.
Day 2: Moose Safari on Horseback
After breakfast, you'll transfer to a horse farm, where you'll mount up and embark on a full-day ride into the birch forests of northern Sweden. Experience the natural beauty of this wilderness from the back of an Icelandic horse. Moreover, this is the natural habitat of one of Sweden's most majestic creatures: the moose. With luck, you'll catch a glimpse of this magnificent animal up close. The adventure concludes with a delicious lunch back at the farm, after which you'll return to Kiruna.
Day 3: Transfer to Jukkasjärvi, Stay in the Icehotel
Your driver will pick you up this morning for the 20-minute ride outside of Kiruna to Jukkasjärvi, a tiny village with fewer than 1,000 residents. While it may be lacking in people, it makes up for it with spectacle. Jukkasjärvi is a great place to see the northern lights, but it's also home to the famous Icehotel, one of Sweden's most unique landmarks.
Opened as a combined hotel/art installation in 1989, each year during the winter, the structure is rebuilt with actual ice and snow. That means you'll be overnighting in an ice room on an ice bed. Beyond that, the hotel features a grand ice hall, an art gallery displaying hand-carved ice sculptures, and an ice restaurant featuring a gourmet five-course menu. There's even an ice bar where you can sip cocktails from ice-carved glasses.
Day 4: Sámi & Reindeer Experience
You're in for a treat, as you'll get to spend today with the Sámi people, who have lived in Scandinavia's far north for thousands of years. It begins after breakfast with a visit to Nutti Sámi Siida, an open-air museum in Jukkasjärvi. Here, you'll meet community members, visit traditional Sámi buildings (like the lavvú, a teepee-like structure), and learn about the Arctic lifestyle of this durable group.
The Sámi culture is inexorably linked to reindeer. They're known for herding these animals and leading them on the annual migration between wintering grounds and summer pastures. A visit with the Sámi means you'll get to spend time with reindeer, too. At the end of the day, you'll return to your hotel.
Day 5: Transfer to Bjorkliden, Snowmobiling & Northern Lights Dinner
In the morning, you'll transfer 1.5 hours north to Björkliden, located near the border with Norway. This mountain village is a famous ski resort, but it's also a good base for nature excursions into the adjacent Abisko National Park. Today, you'll get to explore the forests and mountains of this 30-square-mile (77 sq km) protected area in the most exciting way possible: on a snowmobile.
During this two-hour guided excursion, you'll drive your own snowmobile (or share with a partner) as you race through the wilderness and enjoy the wild far-north scenery. You might even spot a moose or two! Before returning to Björkliden, you'll stop in the woods, make a fire, and enjoy a hot beverage. Then it will be time to return to the base.
When you return to Björkliden, you'll have some free time until the sun goes down. Then head out for an exceptional dinner amid views of the famous northern lights. This exclusive meal occurs at the Aurora Sky Station, an observatory atop the 2,952-foot (900 m) Mount Nuolja in Abisko. You'll arrive at the Sky Station not by vehicle but on a 1-mile (2 km) chairlift ride. Waiting for you in the warm mountaintop restaurant will be a gourmet meal of Nordic cuisine paired with beer or non-alcoholic villages. Enjoy the dinner as you marvel at the aurora borealis.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 6: Abisko Ski Day
Day 7: Transfer to Kiruna, Dogsledding Excursion
Day 8: Transfer to Stockholm, Spa & Royal Swedish Opera
After breakfast, say your goodbyes to the Arctic Circle as you transfer to the airport in Kiruna and catch a flight back to Stockholm. Upon arrival in the city, you'll check into your hotel and can then take the edge off the flight with a spa treatment. There are plenty of options offering a variety of services. For example, in the Gamla Stan (historic center), there's Sturebadet Spa. This luxury spa dates to the 1800s and offers various services and amenities, including an indoor pool, Turkish baths, massage services, and more. Other options include Japanese-inspired thermal baths and luxury hotel spas offering facials and beauty treatments.
Now that you're relaxed and rejuvenated, it's time for a show. Get dressed up for an evening out at the Royal Swedish Opera, which has been the epicenter of Stockholm's cultural scene since it opened in 1782. Experience the magic of live performance as you attend a ballet, concert, or opera at this historic venue, which is one of the best examples of neoclassical architecture in Scandinavia. As you enter the building, you will be struck by its ornate decor, including the stunning marble staircase, the elegant chandeliers, and the intricate frescoes on the ceilings. After the show, you'll return to your hotel.
Day 9: Winter Archipelago Kayaking
One of the most scenic ways to see Stockholm is on its rivers and canals. In the morning, you'll head just north of the capital to the Skärgårdens Kanotcenter, your departure point for a winter kayak tour. Even though it's just a mere 30 minutes outside of Stockholm, the rural beauty is a world apart from city life.
You'll meet your guide at the center, receive a safety briefing, and then head out on the water. The trip will take you down tranquil canals and past historic island towns like Vaxholm. You can't miss the sprawling fortress, which, back in the 16th century, defended the harbor. Nearby, you'll paddle along the fjords of the Bogesundslandet Nature Reserve, which abounds with oak forests that 1,000 years ago were home to Vikings. Later, you'll return to the starting point and transfer back to Stockholm.
Day 10: Museums of Stockholm, Depart
Squeeze in a bit more culture on your last day in Sweden with a visit to a couple of the best museums in Stockholm. Options include the Vasa Museum, which recounts Sweden's maritime history and houses a 17th-century warship. Art lovers can visit the Moderna Museet, which is dedicated to contemporary art and features works by Picasso, Duchamp, Warhol, and others. Also, don't miss the National Museum, home to an extensive collection of paintings and sculptures that span over 700 years of Swedish history.
After visiting a museum or two, you'll transfer to the airport in Stockholm, where you'll catch your flight home. Adjö!
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