Winter Aurora Adventure in Northern Sweden - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Kiruna

Day 2: Transfer to Jukkasjärvi, Enjoy the Ice Hotel

Today you'll make the 20-minute transfer east to Jukkasjärvi. This tiny village (it has fewer than 1,000 residents) is located at the northernmost end of Sweden, well above the Arctic Circle. 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 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 3: Transfer to Bjorkliden, Snowmobile Adventure & Northern Lights Dinner

This morning, a driver will be waiting to take you northwest on a 1.5-hour drive to Bjorkliden and the Abisko Mountain Lodge. After checking in and dropping off your bags, venture into Abisko National Park on an adventurous snowmobile excursion. These 30 square miles (77 sq km) are home to mountains, lakes, and dense forests, as well as diverse Arctic wildlife like moose, reindeer, lynxes, wolverines, and bears. During the tour, you can drive your own snowmobile or share one with a friend, and your guide will stop along the way to make a fire so you can enjoy hot drinks amid the stunning forest views.

This evening, experience the beauty of the northern lights in an unforgettable way at the nearby Aurora Sky Station—considered one of the best places in the world to view the northern lights. Located at 2,952 feet (900 m), you'll reach the Sky Station via a 1-mile (2 km) chairlift ride through the peaceful silence of the Abisko mountains. At the top, a delicious dinner of Lappland and Nordic-inspired cuisine awaits, accompanied by drinks. Sit by the crackling fire, admire the stunning views, and if you're lucky, catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis lighting up the night sky.

Day 4: Abisko Alpine Ski Tour

Today you'll experience the thrill of alpine skiing through some of the world's most breathtaking and unspoiled backcountry. After a hearty breakfast, don your best outdoor gear and join your expert guide on a journey into the mountains of Abisko. There are no chairlifts here—you'll make the ascent with the aid of climbing skins—but once you reach the top your hard work will be rewarded with spectacular views and an adrenaline-filled descent as you carve your way down the slopes.

Classic peaks you might ski include Vassitjåkka, Låktatjåkka, Kopparfjell, and Kaisepakte, and your guide will plan the day based on weather and snow conditions, as well as your experience (there are several routes suitable for beginners). 

Day 5: Return to Kiruna, Dogsledding Excursion

Bid Abisko farewell this morning as you make the 1.5-hour transfer back to Kiruna. After settling in at your hotel, you'll celebrate your final day in Lappland with an exhilarating day of dogsledding. 

A driver will be waiting to take you to a local kennel, where you'll meet the friendly huskies and attend a briefing on what to expect. Then it's time to bundle up in special overalls and mittens and hop on for the 6 to 7-mile (10-12 km) circuit through pine forests and past frozen lakes. Travel through the scenic Arctic wilderness as you learn dogsledding tips from your professional musher guide, then stop at a remote camp to gather around a roaring fire, where you'll warm up with drinks and snacks and hear stories of the forest, its wildlife, and the region's Indigenous Sámi people.

Day 6: Fly to Stockholm, Spa Time & Royal Swedish Opera

Say farewell to the Arctic today as a driver picks you up at your hotel and takes you to the airport to catch a 1.5-hour  flight south to Stockholm. Upon arrival, you'll be met and taken to your hotel in the city center. Spread across an archipelago of 14 islands stretching over Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea, the Swedish capital is often touted as the "Venice of the North," but instead of sightseeing you'll be spending the afternoon pampering yourself after the week's Arctic adventures at one of the city's many spas.

For historical character, head to the former Art Deco palace of Centralbadet in the heart of the city, where you can enjoy a variety of relaxation and therapeutic treatments, including massages, saunas, and steam baths. For a more Zen-like experience, opt for Yasuragi, a Japanese-inspired spa just outside the city. The Tower Spa in the Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel offers panoramic views of Stockholm from its rooftop location, while the Steam Hotel presents a luxurious menu of treatments and pampering in a gloriously-renovated old steam power plant.

After a relaxing spa day, it's time to step out into the world of Stockholm's culture and art this evening with a visit to the Royal Swedish Opera. Amid the splendor of an opulent 19th-century neoclassical setting, you'll experience the drama and passion of a live performance in one of the world's oldest and most prestigious opera houses—the perfect way to celebrate your final day in Sweden.