Arctic Circle Aurora Adventure
Arctic Circle Aurora Adventure
8 Days Starting and ending in Muonionalusta (Rajamaa)
Visiting: Rajamaa, Kata
Tour operator:
Tour code:
CSW
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 16
Physical rating:
Moderate
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$4350 (USD)Tour Overview
This winter adventure takes us to the heart of Lapland, some 200 km above the Arctic Circle, where nature is raw and powerful and deep endless forests and mighty rivers dominate the landscape. We base ourselves at Rajamaa, where the Malmstrom family have been welcoming guests since 1986. Situated on an island in the River Muonio between Sweden and Finland, the local village has only seven inhabitants two of which are our hosts for the week! Immersed in one of the most spectacular untamed wilderness areas Europe has to offer, we spend a week learning about the Sami culture and connecting with nature while trying a variety of activities including dogsledding, snowshoeing and forest skiing. Our trip culminates with a two-day expedition in the forest, where we stay overnight in a traditional log cabin and, with luck, enjoy the magical display of the Northern Lights.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Rajamaa, Swedish Lapland.
Location: Rajamaa
This trip starts at Rajamaa, a complex of cosy wooden chalets located on a remote island in the river Muonio, looking out over two countries, Sweden and Finland. Upon check-in we will be welcomed by the friendly Malmström family, our hosts for the week, who have been running the accommodation for over three decades. Depending on the arrival time of the group, the main briefing is usually done tonight or tomorrow morning.
Day 2 : Snowshoeing Through Wintry Landscape; Spot Local Fauna And Enjoy Lunch In The Forest; Walk Back To The Chalets Over Frozen Swamps And Hills.
Location: Rajamaa
Meals Included: breakfastlunchdinner
After a hearty breakfast we are provided with all of the equipment and information needed for a week of activities in arctic conditions. Setting off on our snowshoes, we venture into the fabled wintry landscape surrounding Rajamaa and learn more about the unique raw nature of Lapland. Our guide will help us spotting tracks of birds and other local fauna in the snow and explain how the local trees and bushes have managed to adapt to this harsh climate. We enjoy our lunch by a flaming log fire in the forest, before walking back over frozen swamps and hills to our chalets. In the afternoon we have some free time to enjoy a the sauna or a hot drink in the dining room. After dinner we enjoy an interesting presentation and slideshow about one the Scandinavian big predators, the Lynx.
Day 3 : Enjoy Thrilling Dogsledding Tour Through The Forest; Afternoon Introduction To Forest Skiing.
Location: Rajamaa
Meals Included: breakfastlunchdinner
This morning we visit a local sleddog centre and meet a professional musher, who will tell us about the life of the firendly Siberian Husky dogs, their training and behaviour. He will also explain a few simple rules to safely ride and lead the dogs. Divided into pairs, we then enjoy the challenge and adventure of driving our own dogsled for approx. 17km through a magical winter landscape of snow-clad forests and frozen swamps. Taking turns during the tour gives you the chance to feel like a real musher and to enjoy the landscape and take pictures when sitting on the dog sled as a passenger. In the afternoon we return to our accommodation and familiarise ourselves with forest-skiing, in preparation for our two-day expedition later in the week. Forest skis originate traditionally from Scandinavia and Russia and have been used in Lapland as mean of transportation for thousands of years. They are usually wooden and differ from cross-country skis as they are much larger. You can easily glide down hill or go uphill (thanks to the skins located under the skis) but they can also be used in deep-snow and off-track. They come with universal bindings, meaning that you can clip on your regular winter boots. This evening, after a hearty dinner, we enjoy another wildlife presentation at the main lodge.
Day 4 : Free Day; Optional Snowmobile Safari.
Location: Rajamaa
Meals Included: breakfastlunchdinner
Today is free for you to enjoy one of the optional activities available locally. You may decide to experience the thrill of driving a snowmobile through snowy forests, over frozen rivers, and hills or explore the surroundings on cross-country skis or snowshoes. Alternatively you may choose to relax at the lodge and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of this beautiful setting.
Day 5 : Spend A Morning With A Local Sami Family And Learn Of Their Culture, Ancient Traditions And Reindeer Herding; Enjoy The Sauna Back At The Lodge.
Location: Kata, Rajamaa
Meals Included: breakfastlunchdinner
Today we have a wonderful insight to the life and work as a reindeer herder and the indigenous Sami lifestyle as we visit a local family. Between 75.000 to 100.000 Sami people live in the Arctic regions of Norway, Finland, Sweden and Russia, preserving their unique language and ancient traditions in today's modern world. We spend a couple of relaxing hours, listening to their stories and to the sparkling fire while enjoying some traditional Sami food and hot steaming coffee. We will also be introduced to the reindeer and have the opportunity to get really close to them and perhaps feed them. We return to our lodge in the afternoon and enjoy some free time before dinner.
Day 6 : Set Off On A Two-Day Wilderness Expedition On Forest Skis; Cross Frozen Lakes And Pine Clad Hills And Stay Overnight In A Log-Cabin; Chance To See The Northern Lights.
Location: Rajamaa
Meals Included: breakfastlunchdinner
Today we start a two day tour on forest skis. On our adventure we carry only the necessary equipment for the day in a small rucksack whilst the rest will be transported for us to the cabin. We venture deep into the forest, crossing frozen lakes and swamps, pine clad hills and valleys, until reaching our special accommodation for the night, a cozy log-cabin, traditionally used for for forest workers, heated by fire and using water from melted snow. We will all participate in the preparation of tonight's supper and will enjoy an optional sauna, before going to sleep in our dorm-style rooms. That is, if the impressive Aurora Borealis is not keeping us awake!
Day 7 : Ski Back To Rajamaa; Relax In The Sauna And Enjoy Farewell Dinner.
Location: Rajamaa
Meals Included: breakfastlunchdinner
After breakfast we get on the skis and head back again to Rajamaa. We may be able spot some wild reindeer and moose in the area or even come across the tracks of lynx or wolverine. Back at the lodge, enjoy a final well-deserved sauna before our farewell dinner!
Day 8 : End Rajamaa, Swedish Lapland.
Location: Rajamaa
Meals Included: breakfast
The trip ends in the morning of day 8.
What's Included
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Meals
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners.
* All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners
* All accommodation (see accommodation section)
* All transport and listed activities
* Local tour leader throughout
* Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
* All specialist equipment (see packing list in Trip Notes)
What's Not Included
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Visas or vaccinations
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Single accommodation (available on request - limited availability)
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Travel insurance
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Travel insuranceSingle accommodation (available on request - limited availability) Visas or vaccinations
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— Travel insurance — Single accommodation (available on request - limited availability) — Visas or vaccinations
Food
All meals (except dinner on Day 1 and drinks) are included. The food at Rajamaa is a mix of Swedish food and sometimes international dishes that is all prepared on-site. They only use regionally sourced meat and fish from the Arctic Sea. Breakfast will be a typical continental style, with fruit, cereals, eggs, cheese and cold meats. The lunches provided as part of the itinerary will be eaten outside or at the lodge and are usually a sandwich or soup. Dinner is included every night (except on Day 1) and consists of a main course and dessert. Vegetarian options are also available.
Accommodation
Our base for the week is Rajamaa, a complex of cosy wooden chalets run by the welcoming Malmstrom family since 1986. The accommodation is in Sweden on an island in the River Muonio, just across the border from Finland.
Rajamaa consists of a main building with a reception area, dining room and sauna. Accommodation comprises two-bedroom chalets with shared bathroom facilities and one-bedroom chalets with private facilities. All chalets are equipped with shower/WC and a mini-kitchen. Complimentary wifi is available.
Twin and double rooms will usually be allocated in the two-bedroom chalets. This means that a maximum of four people (two couples or twin sharers) will stay in each chalet and will share bathroom facilities. Twin sharers may share bathroom facilities with up to two members of the opposite sex, but bedrooms are always single-sex.
Couples/pairs travelling together who do not wish to share bathroom facilities with others may be able to pay a supplement to secure a one-bedroom chalet. This is strictly based on availability and the make-up of the group. Single rooms are limited and subject to availability. These will be offered for a supplement, payable upon booking. Single rooms may be allocated in the big chalets (shared facilities) or in a small chalet (private facilities), depending on availability.
One night during the trip will be spent in a remote forest lodge where accommodation is dormitory style (maximum of four people per room). No single rooms are available at this accommodation and bathroom facilities come in the form of an outhouse with a longdrop.
Check out our Q&As
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
Dates & Availability
Sunday - Sunday
Dec 08, 2024 - Dec 15, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Dec 28, 2024 - Jan 04, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Jan 12, 2025 - Jan 19, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Jan 25, 2025 - Feb 01, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Feb 08, 2025 - Feb 15, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Mar 15, 2025 - Mar 22, 2025Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.