Northern Lights
The scientific name is Aurora Borealis and the search for this remarkable phenomenon is one of the most common reasons why people come to visit Lapland during the winter and early spring!
This spectacular night show often begins when a faint glow of green and then red flames appear on the horizon in the night sky forming a glowing curtain of light forms, waving and swirling above you, as the lights fade away the dark night closes over you once again, a truly out of this world experience
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We had a fantastic trip, thanks very much. We really enjoyed it; the Ice hotel was spectacularly beautiful. Everything was perfect - thanks for organising it so well.
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Please remember sightings are entirely weather dependant and as such can never be guaranteed therefore we have created this package to offer our guests a comfortable stay in half-board hotel accommodation coupled with a true wilderness experience where you will spend one night in a secluded cabin situated miles away from any light distractions emitted by local civilisation
Northern Lights back-up plan – In the case of a cloudy day, with no lights, we have arranged with a Northern Lights Alert System, meaning that people in the back lands will give us a call when lights are on. We call you and pick you up within 45 minutes and take you out, on any of the days remaining of your stay. This opportunity comes with a supplementary cost
Day 1
Flights to the heart of Swedish Lapland are now available from several UK airports
Guests will be greeted at Luleå airport by your hosts, on collection of their luggage they will be provided with the warm clothing before beginning the thirty minute road transfer along the quiet roads through the snow clad forests until we reach the town of Boden. Throughout the transfer our driver-guide will answer your questions and explain how the native people live their lives in the north. On arrival at the Bodensia hotel you will be shown to the accommodation before taking supper. All guests are provided with extreme weather clothing for the duration of their stay in the form of hats, boots, suits and mitts
Day 2
After enjoying a hearty Scandinavian breakfast you will be joined by our local guide who will provide you with a little instruction before you literally kick-off from outside the hotel on a kick-sleigh tour which takes you past the local church and around by the central lake (Bodträsket). Along the way your guide will point a number of points of interest, we will make a stop at the 18th century Norrigården Inn for some light refreshment (or lunch if you so whish) before we return you to the hotel; now fully updated with local information and the history of the local area
You have some time on your own before our guide picks you up later in the afternoon when you will be driven through the beautiful frozen countryside. We will travel through hunting grounds which are famous for Moose and other game animals thus turning your trip into a Wild Life Safari, when we reach the seclusion of your wilderness cottage you will find it will be comfortable and warm but with basic facilities, nature will now surround you with total peace and tranquility.
On arrival your guide will help you to in, checking on fire, wood supply, water and rein-deer skins which you can use to lay on for sky-watching. Knowing everything’s in order he will then make up a northern meal for you before handing you over to Johnny, the camp manager. Johnny will be nearby and make sure you stay warm, dry and happy. He will also provide your breakfast and look after you during your overnight stay. Enjoy an evening of local flavor with the traditional local food and be sure to keep a keen eye on the amazing night sky!
Day 3
Our guide will join you shortly before noon and arrange your lunch. Then there is time for some minor try-outs if you so wish, like having a sauna, go ice-fishing, skiing or a little ride on the lake on a snow mobile. As daylight begins to fade we start our journey back to the hotel, as this is the best hour to meet wildlife. You will be back at the hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner is taken at the hotel
Day 4
Breakfast; Today you are free to do as you please, maybe pre-arrange some additional activities with your hosts, there are lots of interesting activities available to you! Dinner in the hotel
Day 5
Breakfast; Then it is time to leave your host will collect you from the hotel for the road transfer to Lulea airport. Check-in and depart for your homebound flights
Activity List PDF Download
For more information on the activities please click on the PDF below to download.
Please discuss the options and book these with your hosts
• Visit the Sami people and their Reindeer
• Horse Drawn Sleigh
• Dog Sleigh Safari
• Snowmobiles
• Ice Fishing
• Britta’s Place
• The Tree Hotel
• Cross Country Skiing
• Skiing
There are also illuminated ski-tracks as well as alpine ski-slopes at the Pagla ski-stadium which has a lift and is extremely well suited for beginners and pleasure skiers
Other facilities
At Pagla you will also find a service building with locker-rooms, showers and sauna. Outside there are also prepared fire-places with shelters and free wood to burn, so if you wish to bring your own lunch-pack or grill your own food then this is the perfect place. To get there you just take the track leading west, outside the Ice-hockey Stadium and after approximately 3 km you're there!
Boden Activity Guide
Further to above there are a range of additional activities which can be provided at your arrival. Any additional activities are to be booked with your hosts by 1500hrs the day before
Availability : Program running from early January until mid April
5 Day Itinerary - 4 Nights. Staying at hotel Bodensia in Boden + 1 night in a wilderness cottage
Full Board
Adult Price: £935.00
All prices are per person and are based on 2 persons sharing
Northern Lights
This phenomenon is caused when material thrown off the surface of the sun collides with the atmosphere of the earth. This normally extends over northern Finland and Scandinavia, the whole of Canada and the northern USA, Alaska and Siberia. In the event of a solar storm it may reach as far south as the skies over central Europe. The Northern Lights are constantly in motion because of the changing interaction between the solar wind and the earth's magnetic field
How are the northern lights formed?
The solar wind commonly generates up to 1000,000 megawatts of electricity in an auroral display. Caused when particles collide with the gases in the ionosphere they start to glow, producing the spectacle that we know as the auroras, northern and southern. The array of colours consists of red, green, blue and violet.
Obviously no one can guarantee that you will see this amazing spectacle on your trip to Lapland, obviously this is weather dependant. We would suggest that the best time of year to plan a visit with the intention of seeing the Northern Lights would be from late November to mid-February however the beauty of the arctic wilderness is always available
Weather conditions
Occasionally weather conditions may be unsuitable or other circumstances may cause changes to the itinerary. We reserve the right to change the programe if this should be the case
Clothing
Although we provide all guests with high quality extreme weather clothing for the duration of their visit; in the form of hats, boots, suits and mitts. We must point out to all visitors that we strongly recommend that you travel in warm clothing; waterproof footwear and wear hats and gloves. Additional personal clothing should include thermal under garments, wool or thermal socks and additional layers of lightweight clothing such as vests. The temperatures really can be quite extreme and it is much more fun when you are warm!
Insurance
Should you wish to source specialist activity insurance; please visit the Columbus link which can be found at the foot of this page or on the front page of the Arctic Discovery web site, they offer a special online "Arctic Discovery" package which includes cover for the activities we provide.
Flight Information
Arctic Discovery Flight Policy - The way forward
In order to provide our customers with the most cost effective package available we have taken the decision not to include flights in the cost of your holiday. Instead we now provide a comprehensive range of complete ground packages all of which are described on our web site; along with these a flight guidance service is provided which ensures that our customers will always benefit from the cheapest available flights at the time of making a booking.
Buy your own tickets to Swedish Lapland and benefit from the best possible flight prices, we will advise you of the best available prices at the time of booking and guide you with the purchase procedure. We believe that by offering this totally new service we provide our customers the opportunity to save money as well as the security of knowing that by purchasing your own tickets you will have a direct airline guarantee for your flights and connections therefore giving you not only the best available price but total peace of mind! We will take care of the rest – a ground package which includes accommodation, local airport transfers, instruction, skis, ski-poles, ski pass and all meals! We meet you upon arrival at the Luleå-Kallax Airport and then take care of you until we return you for your homeward flights
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