Lapland in Winter: Sweden’s Arctic Circle Aurora Winter Adventure 8D7N, Fully Guided

- The departure and finish point is Muonionalusta, Sweden

- Major commercial flights provide convenient access Muonionalusta. The nearest major airport is Kiruna Airport and fly with SAS Airline from Stockholm in Sweden or to Kittilä and Rovaniemi Airports in Finland from Helsinki.

- Airport transfers are not included. Joining location starts in your accommodation in Rajamaa in Muonionalusta making your own arrangements there. Alternatively, airport transfers can be arranged at an additional cost, please contact us.

The walking level on this trip is rated Level 3 Moderate.

Level 1 Leisurely: Experience is not necessary; anyone fit and healthy enough to complete a weekend walk will thrive. Walks are often optional. Trails are seldom flat, so expect a reasonable number of ascents and descents. You normally walk for two to five hours per day; daily ascents will likely be around 985ft to 1,640ft (300m to 500m), perhaps with the odd day around 1,970ft (600m).

Level 3 Moderate: Expect easy, medium-length walks or harder, shorter walks. Some experience is useful, but not essential. Good health and reasonable fitness are important. There will be walks at higher altitudes and some longer, harder days. Generally, though, the underfoot conditions will be fair. A walking day is normally five to seven hours; daily ascents will likely be around 1,640ft to 2,625ft (500m to 800m), perhaps with the odd day around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (900m to 1,000m).

Level 5 Challenging: Fitness is vital with extended walking in mountainous terrain. You might also experience high altitude, challenging climates and remote locations. Trekking experience is desirable, but not vital if you are confident in your physical condition. Walking days are usually between six and eight hours, although they may be longer for passes or peaks. Daily ascents can be around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (900m to 1,000m), perhaps with the odd day around 3,610ft to 3,940ft (1,100m to 1,200m).

Level 7 Tough: Trekking experience is essential and preferably at altitude. You need complete confidence in your ability to trek for many days over difficult terrain. You may encounter extreme altitude and weather conditions and may need to use ice axes and crampons. Stamina is essential as walking days last six to nine hours (sometimes more on occasions). Daily ascents will likely be around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (900m to 1,000m), perhaps with the odd day around 3,610ft to 3,940ft (1,100m to 1,200m).

Split and optional grades: Where a trip falls between two grades, an intermediate or ‘split’ grade is used. For example, Level 2 (Leisurely/Moderate). Occasionally there are optional ascents available; in this case, the grade will be highlighted.

Temperatures should remain below 0°C for the whole season, however recent years have had some unexpected fluctuations, both warmer and colder. Generally, you should expect much colder temperatures in December and January, around -25°C to -10°C. As the days get longer the temperatures rise to around freezing point by March.

Daylight hours: As we are inside the Arctic Circle, from 1 December to 7 January the sun remains just below the horizon during the day. But it is not dark – there is plenty of reflection from the snow – so expect 4-5 hours of daylight. At the end of January daylight hours increase to 6-7. In February there are 10 hours and in March 15 hours.

Northern Lights: The stunning Aurora Borealis are one of nature’s most awe-inspiring sights and seeing them hover above us on a cold winter’s night is an experience never to be forgotten. Scientists will tell you the Northern Lights occur when solar wind particles collide with air molecules in the earth’s atmosphere, transferring their energy into light. The ‘season’ runs from August to April (when there is sufficient darkness). Within this window, the slightly better months are September and March. During periods of high solar activity (not forecastable) they can often be seen every night, but the sky has to be clear of cloud cover, and you need to be away from other light sources. Displays can vary in intensity – from a greenish-yellow glow moving gently around the sky, to a spectacular multi-coloured show dancing across the heavens. Sightings not only vary in intensity but in duration too, from just minutes to sometimes hours.

The following clothing is issued on arrival and is yours throughout the week:

• Winter overall
• Winter boots
• Woollen socks
• Woollen and leather mittens
• Woollen hat

You will need to packthe following:

• Thermal base layers
• Warm daily and evening clothes (including fleece and jacket)
• Thin and thick socks
• Tube scarf/buff
• Thin gloves (to wear under provided mittens)
• Head-torch (minimum 200 lumens) and spare batteries
• Sleeping bag (1 or 2 season as the wilderness lodge is heated)
• Sandwich box
• Water bottle
• Backpack for daily use
• From the last week of February onwards: sunglasses and sun-cream

Note on temperatures below -30°C: Contact lenses can freeze, especially when snowmobiling – ski goggles may help. Water-based cream/moisturisers may freeze at very low temperatures. Camera batteries usually stop working at low temperatures, so take spares.

 

A mixed activity week for adults, with a good selection of guided activities and free time for independent excursions or relaxation. Although none of the activities require previous experience, a good level of fitness, agility and balance is required.

Some forest ski training and tuition will be provided during the week. The distance covered on the two-day expedition will depend on the group’s fitness and on the temperature and weather conditions. Usually, you will cover approx. 7-12 km each day and the activity duration is around 4 hours plus lunch-stop by the fire.

Temperatures in this part of Sweden can drop as low as -30C (-22F). You should come prepared for such extremes. With standard precautions and good clothing, the cold weather won’t be a problem but can in itself be tiring. Arctic outerwear (overall, gloves, hat, socks and winter boots) is provided – please see our essential packing list for more information.

Your base for the week is Rajamaa, a complex of cosy wooden chalets run by the welcoming Malmström family since 1986. The accommodation is located 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 2-bedroom chalets with shared bathroom facilities and 1-bedroom chalets with private facilities. All chalets are equipped with shower/WC and a mini-kitchen. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available at the property.

Twin and double rooms will usually be allocated in the 2-bedroom chalets. This means that a maximum of 4 people (2 couples or twin sharers) will stay in each chalet and will share bathroom facilities. Twin sharers may share bathroom facilities with up to 2 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 1-bedroom chalet. This will be 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 4 people per room). No single rooms are available at this accommodation and bathroom facilities come in the form of an outhouse with long-drop.

Single supplement from AUD 758

Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators. Payment Detail All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel. A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 100 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 100 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price. Single Supplement All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking. General Cancellation Policies - Outside of 100 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee - Within 100 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited - No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption - We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received. We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance. Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits You need to advise the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. The tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Liability The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour. Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted. Child Policy Please consult travel consultant on age limit. Changes to Itineraries Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance. Changes in Prices While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice. Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Cancellation by The Tour Operator The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum number requirement are unable to meet for a tour. Please confirm with travel consultant for the minimum number requirement. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel. Force Majeure 'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips. Evacuations In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer. For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation. Travel Insurance In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.