This is more than a northern lights trip - it’s a journey into the wild heart of Sápmi.
Join us for a unique 8-day journey through the Arctic wilderness, running from mid December to beginning of March. This tour is designed for those seeking a connection with nature, wildlife, and the rich traditions of the Sámi people. With a focus on the Northern Lights, we’ll maximize your chances of witnessing this breathtaking phenomenon by visiting the best aurora hotspots and spending each evening searching for the Northern Lights.
Trip Highlights:
- Spend three nights in off-grid cabins
- Wildlife encounters, see reindeer and moose up close in snowy landscapes.
- Dog sled with huskies across frozen lakes and through snowy forests
- Try Sámi specialities like Arctic Char, Gáhkku and Souvas
- Each evening, as long as the sky is clear, we set out to search for the Aurora
- Join a small group of likeminded people with a local guide
Details
CountrySweden
Duration (in days)8
Approved by Rewilding Europe and member of a rewilding businesses network?Yes (Rewilding Europe approved)
Itinerary
DAY 1 – Arrival in Luleå
Check in at Amber Hotel in the centre of Luleå. No activities are planned this day. Rest after your trip, take a walk on the ice-trail or explore Luleå City. You’ll meet your guide and the group tomorrow.
DAY 2 – Storforsen & Northern Light Excursion
We leave Luleå and stop at Storforsen, one of Europe’s biggest free-flowing rapids – a powerful mix of snow, ice and rushing water.
We stay at a guesthouse and enjoy a home-cooked dinner together. If the sky is clear, we go outside to look for the Northern Lights.
DAY 3 – Dogsledding & visit to a reindeer herder
We spend the morning dogsledding through the forest with friendly huskies. In the evening we visit Anna, a Sámi reindeer herder, and join her for dinner in a traditional lávvu. She shares stories from her life and work close to nature.
DAY 4 – Moose watching & into the forest
We go wildlife watching and look for moose and reindeer in the snowy forest.
After lunch we continue to a remote camp, where we stay in off-grid tents for the next three nights — surrounded by silence, snow and trees.
DAY 5 – Forest skiing, birds & sauna
Try simple wooden skis and move quietly through the forest. Look for animal tracks and visit a bird feeding station – some birds may even eat from your hand. In the evening we enjoy a slow meal by the fire and relax in the sauna.
DAY 6 – Slow day at camp
This is a day to go slow. You can ski, snowshoe, read, rest, or talk by the fire. If the sky is clear, we look for the Northern Lights. The sauna is warm and the snow is soft if you want to roll in it. No stress, no plans.
DAY 7 – Morning at the camp & back to Luleå
We enjoy one last morning in the wild before travelling back to Luleå. We check in at the same hotel as on day one. Go out for dinner in town.
DAY 8 – Departure
Breakfast at the hotel. If you have time before your train or flight, take a walk on the frozen lake with the locals – a quiet ending to your week in the north.
What's Included?
- Local guide with you from Day 2 to Day 7
- All activities in the day-by-day program
- 7 nights accommodation
- All meals, except dinner on Day 1 and Day 7
- We travel together in a 9-seat van during the tour
How your experience helps rewilding efforts
We actively support rewilding and local initiatives, contributing to the preservation of the region's unique wildlife and environment.
For example we support the birdwatching club in Jokkmokk with birdseeds for their feeding program.
You will also be invited to help save Sweden's old-growth forests from clear-cutting by donating to WildSweden's Save the Forest Fund. 100% of your donation goes directly to conservationists working to conserve Sweden’s forests.
Dates & Duration
Departures:
25 January - 1 February 2026
15 - 22 February 2026
22 February - 1 March 2026
07 - 14 March 2026
Seasonal Availability
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Food & Stay
First and last night in Luleå
We stay the first and last night at Amber Hotel in central Luleå, close to the train and bus station. You get your own room unless you book together with someone.
Two nights in Jokkmokk
We stay two nights at a small guesthouse in Jokkmokk, right in the heart of Sápmi. You’ll have a private room, but bathrooms are shared. The food is home-cooked and the atmosphere is warm and personal.
Three nights in the forest
We spend three nights at a remote camp in small heated cabins, without electricity. There are proper beds, warm stoves and shared dry toilets in heated booths. You’ll be surprised how cozy it is.
Languages spoken
English
Difficulty
Easy. General fitness is required.
Group size
Up to 7 persons
What to Bring
See our recommended packing list for our winter tours in Swedish Lapland here on our own website: https://www.wildsweden.com/packing-list-for-winter-tours
You will also find our recommendations on how to dress in cold conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I come as a solo traveler?
Absolutely, many of our guests travel solo, and this trip is perfect for that.
You’ll have your own room in Luleå and Jokkmokk, and at the cabin camp we’ll do our best to give solo travelers their own cabin. There are a limited number of cabins, so it depends a little on how the group is booked. In any case, you’ll always have a private bed and space, and people usually connect quickly in the group.
Will we see the Northern Lights?
We certainly hope so, as it occurs quite frequently during most of our tours. Each evening, as long as the sky is clear, we set out warmly dressed to search for the aurora borealis. Although we cannot guarantee a sighting, Northern Sweden is a great location and since you are staying for a whole week, your chances are as good as they can get.
Will it be cold?
Yes, Swedish Lapland can be really cold, especially during mid-winter. But don’t worry too much about the freezing temperatures, our professional clothing will keep you warm and happy.
When is the best time to come?
The best time to visit Swedish Lapland for a snow based holiday is from December to March.
December, January and February tend to be the coldest months, with temperatures between -10°C to -30°C, but the air is pleasantly dry and crisp, making even the extreme cold bearable.
December and the first half of January will have very short daylight hours, but that also means better chances to see the Northern Lights.
The second half of February and March is a lot more pleasant with milder temperatures with snow on the ground but longer days and chances for bright, sunny weather, and still great for northern lights.
Can I bring my children?
The recommended minimum age is 15 years since we are out in freezing conditions for longer periods, which can be difficult for children to handle if they are not used to it.
Why do you call it Swedish Lapland and not Sápmi?
"Swedish Lapland" is a commonly used name for the region and helps people find and understand where the tour takes place.
But during the trip, you’ll learn that this land is actually part of Sápmi — the traditional homeland of the Sámi people.
We choose to use the familiar name to reach more people, but we hope that by the end of the tour, you’ll go home not just with memories, but also as a new ambassador for Sápmi.
How do you make sure the husky dogs are happy?
During this trip we will go dig sledding with our friends Kristien and Olav. Happy dogs result in happy guests and guides. They take pride in ensuring the dogs are well-cared for and do not compromise on quality to compete with budget sledding companies. The kennel is regularly checked and meets all government requirements, and retired dogs are given a comfortable home on their property.
This experience involves
Wildlife photography
Birdwatching
Gastronomy (local)
Dark skies & stargazing
Snowshoeing
Dog sledding
Herbivores in this landscape
Arctic reindeer
Eurasian elk
Carnivores in this landscape
Eurasian lynx
Scavengers and other large birds in this landscape
