Winter Adventure in Swedish Lapland

Day 1 - Fly to Swedish Lapland - Lulea Archipelago

Depart London this morning on a flight to Lulea in Swedish Lapland via Stockholm. On arrival, you will be met and transferred forty minutes north to Brandon Lodge, your base for the next three nights.

Occupying a peaceful setting beside the frozen waters of the Gulf of Bothnia, Brandon Lodge looks out across the islands of the Lulea Archipelago, a vast coastal wilderness that becomes transformed during winter. As the sea freezes, roads of ice form between the islands and the archipelago becomes a unique playground for winter activities.

After checking into your comfortable wooden cabin, there will be time to settle in and familiarise yourself with the lodge and its surroundings before dinner. You will also be given the winter outdoor kit - super warm overalls, snow boots and over gloves and a hat if required - that is yours for the duration of your stay.

Following your evening meal, weather and conditions permitting, we suggest heading outside in search of your first glimpse of the Northern Lights. With little light pollution and wide-open views across the frozen sea, the lodge enjoys excellent conditions for aurora viewing.

Day 2 - Snowshoe walk in the Arctic wilderness - 3 hours (including lunch). Afternoon at leisure. Northern Lights sled tour – 2 hours.

This morning you'll be introduced to one of the most enjoyable ways to explore a winter landscape: snowshoeing. Accompanied by a local guide, you'll set out from the lodge and ascend Home Hill which overlooks the surrounding forest and frozen coastline. The pace is gentle, allowing plenty of opportunity to appreciate the stillness of the Arctic environment and learn more about life in this northern region. Along the way your guide will point out signs of wildlife and explain how local people have adapted to the long winters and changing seasons. You will also keep an eye out for reindeer who are often found around the lodge.   An authentic wilderness lunch enjoyed around an open fire with hot drinks concludes your morning experience, offering the chance to savour the simplicity of eating out in the snow-covered landscape.   The afternoon is free to spend at leisure. You may wish to relax in your cabin, take a walk along the shoreline, or simply enjoy the views across the frozen archipelago.   Later, after dinner, you venture out once more for a Northern Lights tour by sled. Wrapped up cosily and seated in a sled pulled by a snowmobile, you'll travel across the frozen sea beneath the, with luck, clear night sky. Stops are made along the route to learn more about the natural environment and, if conditions are favourable, watch for the appearance of the aurora. Tales told around a warming fire with a hot drink add to the experience before returning to the lodge.

Overnight: Brandon Lodge, Lulea

Day 3 - Self-drive husky sledding - 1½ hours. Guided winter walk – 2 hours.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to a nearby husky kennel for one of Lapland's classic winter experiences.   Following an introduction to the dogs and instruction from your guides, you'll set off on a short self-drive dog sledding adventure. Working in pairs, one person drives while the other rides, with opportunities to swap during the journey. The eager huskies quickly settle into their rhythm as you travel through snow-covered forest and across frozen terrain, experiencing the remarkable silence of the Arctic wilderness broken only by the sound of paws on snow and runners gliding across the trail.     There will be opportunities to stop along the route to learn more about the dogs, their training and the traditions of dog sledding in the north. After returning to the kennel and enjoying a hot drink, you travel back to the lodge. Lunch isn’t included today but is available in the lodge restaurant, or there is a fridge, kettle and microwave in your cabin if you prefer.   In the afternoon you will join your guide for another winter snowshoe walk, this time at Bälingeberget Nature Reserve. Bälingeberget peak rises 139 meters above sea level, which is actually quite high for the relatively flat Norrbotten coast!  The route your guide selects may vary according to snow and weather conditions, but if you take the ascent through the dense forest up to a sparser, rocky summit, the sweeping views make the effort worthwhile. On a clear day from here you can look out across frozen Lulea River (Lulealven) and the vast winter landscape, with the low Arctic sun casting incredible long shadows and pink or golden hues across the snow.   The mountain is also famous for its massive geological shingle fields, formed by post-glacial land uplift, which look like undulating, wave-like snowfields in the winter. As you weave through the old-growth forest, you'll see trees that are over 400 years old and heavily draped in snow. Because motorized vehicles and snowmobiles are strictly banned inside the reserve, it is incredibly peaceful. The deep snow acts as a perfect canvas for wildlife tracking; these forests are prime winter habitat for moose, and it is very common to spot the footprints of mountain hares, squirrels, and other local wildlife along the way.   Return to the lodge in time for dinner and a final evening in Swedish Lapland. Hopefully, if skies are clear, there will be another opportunity to look for the Northern Lights from the beautiful lodge grounds.

Overnight: Brandon Lodge, Lulea

Day 4 - Visit Gammelstad church town. Transfer to airport.

After breakfast, you say goodbye to Brandon Lodge and travel to Gammelstad, one of Sweden's most important historic sites and UNESCO World Heritage listed.   Founded around a medieval stone church, Gammelstad is the best-preserved example of a church town in northern Scandinavia. Its distinctive collection of traditional red wooden cottages was built to provide accommodation for worshippers travelling long distances to attend church services and markets. During your guided visit you'll learn about the history of the settlement and the role it played in community life across northern Sweden.   Following your visit to Gammelstad, you continue to Lulea Airport for your return flight to London.   We can organise separate transfers to fit other flight departure times or to alternate airports and are also happy to quote for extra nights in Brandon Lodge if you are looking to extend your time in Sweden. Please contact the office for further information and hotel/transfer prices.