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Abisko has been scientifically designated as one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. It is situated smack in the middle of the Auroral Zone and due to its topography there are very rarely cloudy skies.  Basically, Abisko is surrounded by a bowl of mountains which, along with very favourable prevailing winds, break up much, or all, of any encroaching cloud cover making it an Aurora Hunter’s Paradise.

By a happy quirk of fate, Abisko is also only 100km from the magnificent ICEHOTEL® (see opposite) so we’ve added a night there for good measure. As a destination we don’t think many places can beat Abisko’s package.

Luckily for us we have some great friends Dick and Mina Johansson, fantastic people, who run one of the best mountain lodges anywhere in Scandinavia. Dick is one of Europe’s best known mountain guides and he and his excellent team will ensure that you are always in the safest possible hands. The range of activities on offer provides something for everyone and we have designed two itineraries to ensure that our clients receive the best experiences but with a choice of activity level.

Level 1 is designed as a gentle tour where guests do not miss out on anything but the pace is more sedate and relaxed.

Level 2 caters for those who want longer activities and some added adrenaline so we have included activities such as ice climbing.

Dick Johansson is one of the most well known mountain guides in Europe let alone Sweden so you are in the safest hands and their guides are excellent.

We are extremely excited to be able to offer our clients a new itinerary based at Abisko which hopes to take full advantage of its Northern Lights record.

You know...

“Had the most amazing time on the trip. Seeing the Northern Lights was fantastic but the other activities involved in the package just added to having a once in a lifetime experience. Also we were very lucky that our group were also fantastic people and we were continually laughing and enjoying everything!”  Fiona Shaw – February 2011

Day 1:  Flights, arrival and transfers

You will be greeted at Kiruna Airport and transferred to your mountain lodge accommodation in Abisko. A welcome dinner will be served in the evening.

Day 2:  Ice fishing and Aurora snowshoe trek

You will head out onto the frozen surface of beautiful Lake Tornetrask where you’ll drill a hole in the thick ice, sit on a warm reindeer skin and wait for the fish to bite.

This evening you will head off on a gently paced snowshoe hike. Your guide will tell you about the Northern Lights and hopefully you will be able to see them first hand, shimmering and dancing across the Arctic firmament.

Day 3:  Husky safari

After breakfast you will get to experience the king of all Arctic activities, dog sledding. You will be given full instruction and a safety briefing before you take control of your team of huskies. The dogs love to run and you will head out on the trail for two hours.

This afternoon is free for you to relax or we can arrange a snowmobile safari for you. During the two hour safari you will really see the scale of this vast landscape.

As this will be your last night in Abisko you will be treated to the full Lappish menu including many delicacies, but remember to keep one eye on the night sky.

Day 4:  Sámi culture and the ICEHOTEL®

This morning it is time to wave goodbye to Abisko and head towards the town of Juhkasjarvi. En route however you stop at a traditional Sámi homestead where you learn about the lives of the Sámi reindeer herders and the importance of reindeer in the culture of the region.

The journey then continues to the world famous ICEHOTEL®. You will arrive in the afternoon and be given a guided tour of the site, the ice suites and the ice factory. You can have dinner at one of the warm restaurants (not included in the price) and will spend the night in a snow room. If you would like to upgrade your cold accommodation or stay in a warm room then we can arrange this for you. 

Day 5:  Departure

After breakfast you will be transferred to Kiruna Airport for your return flights.

Abisko is set amidst spectacular countryside and has grown up around the rail link to Kiruna. It is spectacularly remote and surrounded by vast, pristine landscapes. The small number of tourist establishments in this village provide a vital lifeline for many of the local people through providing employment and economic benefits to local businesses. This all helps to reduce the amount of rural-urban movement which damages many of these areas.

The Abisko Mountain lodge has a strict policy regarding responsible travel. Mina and Dick Johansson set up the business principally through Dick's absolute adoration of the environment. As a mountain guide he fully appreciates the fragility of the environment but also how to get the best from it without leaving any trace.

From the moment you arrive you are encouraged to immerse yourself in the region and consider your surroundings. The hotel promotes local produce throughout its meals and gives a real insight into the region as well as supporting local producers as much as possible.

Abisko allows us to spread the benefits of tourism away from some of the tourist hot spots and out into the more remote areas of Swedish Lapland.