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7 days - Escorted small group with ICEHOTEL and Lofoten
Join us for our special small group tour of Norway and Sweden, a magical place of pristine Arctic landscapes and snow-dusted woodlands. Witness a beautiful part of the world where Christmas feels always close and learn how people in the North cope with extreme temperatures. This tour includes the original ICEHOTEL and two nights in Lofoten.
The trip runs from Kiruna, Sweden to Bodø, Norway with five scheduled departures. With a maximum of only 15 fellow passengers, spend less time waiting and more time enjoying! Getting on and off the bus, hotel check-ins, comfort stops, meals - with a small group everything is easier and quicker, giving you more time to enjoy your holiday.
Note that this trip also runs in the other direction with our 8-day Iconic Northern Lights escorted small group tour.
As a Certified B Corporation, 50 Degrees North has designed this tour using handpicked local hoteliers and suppliers who share our ethos of delivering services and activities of high social and environmental standards.
The CO2-e per person per day of all tours is carefully measured following each season. We fully offset all emissions of our tours on your behalf, and we constantly look at ways to reduce emissions where possible.
Portage is not included - you will be responsible for carrying all your luggage.
Arrive and transfer to the ICEHOTEL. Check in and walk around the ICEHOTEL complex. Meet your group and leader for a welcome dinner together.
This evening, you will settle into your ice room for the night. Sleep in thermal sleeping bags laid out on reindeer skins on a special bed made of snow and ice.
Inside ICEHOTEL, the temperature is never colder than -5 °C to -8 °C, regardless of how cold it may be outside. Dress in warm thermal underwear, put on a hat and slip into the cozy sleeping bag. You are awakened in the morning with a cup of hot lingonberry juice at your bedside. Breakfast buffet, morning sauna and towels are included in your stay.
Note: The ICEHOTEL loans you snow boots and for those who feel cold, onesie snow suits - both free of charge.
Today, for the autumn tours, head out for a gentle hike in the Abisko mountains with lunch and ice sculpting, led by local artists who will guide you into this magical world of art and design. For winter tours, join a dogsledding adventure and snowmobiling.
This evening you will stay in a warm room, i.e. a normal hotel room and enjoy a good long sleep.
Weave your way to the beautiful Lofoten Archipelago with a group transfer. Stop along the way for snacks and photo opportunities. Tonight you are staying in a traditional fishermans cottage, called a rorbu, set over the water. Scenically set amongst nature, this property is within 1 km of Svolvær town centre and Svolværgeita Mountain.
Enjoy dinner in the local fish restaurant before watching for the Northern Lights from your balcony.
After breakfast, discover Lofoten with a guided scenic tour including a stop at the Lofotr museum. With a local guide team, visit the best photo stops, hear the fun and exciting local stories, and walk on the most beautiful beaches.
Return to your fisherman's cabin for dinner. *Optional activity is a Northern Lights photography tour, weather dependent.
Sleep in this morning or head off on a walk around Svolvær before joining a food tour late morning. Stop to see the fish racks, and have your first taste of Lofoten. Among the flavours you will find dried Arctic cod and salmon from the Lofoten ocean. Lofoten-lamb. Tasty cloudberries and locally produced yoghurt made on milk from cows grassing right by the Arctic coast. Roe / caviar from the exclusive arctic cod.
This evening, board a Hurtigruten/Havila Coastal Ferry travelling like the locals across to the Bodø. Enjoy a group dinner on board, linger over the local coffee and head to the deck for Northern Lights viewing, fingers crossed. This evening is a late one, arrive at 02.30am and transfer to your final hotel, the Wood Hotel. Tuck up in bed and sleep well in this incredible new hotel.
Sleep in or head out for a walk around the centre of this small city before venturing onto the roof top for a relaxation session in the pool, sauna and fitness area (note: additional cost). Be amazed by the panoramic views of the fjords. Meet your leader and head out to meet the reindeers.
Transfer to a local reindeer farm. Set aside time for an experience that lets you lose track of time and engage deeply with Sámi culture up close. Experience ancient wisdom and be inspired by living traditions that have endured for millennia. Meet the family reindeers and be served a traditional three-course Sámi meal with soft drinks. Of course, Chaga tea will be included, considered in Sámi culture as a sacred gift from nature due to its numerous health benefits.
The family's expansive lavvu acts as a natural gathering place for cultural wealth and Sámi traditions, making it the perfect venue for coming together on your first group adventure. Surrounded by the warmth of the fire, it’s easy to engage all your senses and truly immerse yourself in the Sámi way of life, particularly our food culture.
Head back to the hotel for final night.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and depart.
Please note all prices are per person in double share. Scheduled group departures.
Twin rooms are on request and subject to availability.
Please note that activities are subject to change due to updated schedules and weather. Weather in the coastal region can be unpredictable, and changes to itinerary can also be made when required.
Read about staying overnight at the ICEHOTEL here. This tour price includes a night in an ART SUITE.
MEDICAL AND HEALTH INFORMATION:
All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy group travel. During winter, roads and footpaths can be icey so please consider carefully how much luggage you bring as you will be responsible for carrying all the luggage on these outside paths. There is limited portage service in Scandinavia and your tour escorts cannot help you, beyond reason.
Scandinavia is a fairly accessible destination for people with restricted mobility and other disabilities and is actively working to be more accessible every day. However, please note that our group tours are often not suitable for persons with limited accessibility due to inclusions and pace. 50 Degrees North is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability and we can tailor-make independent itineraries for travellers when needed. Please contact us for further details.
Please note this tour is not suitable for children under the age of 14.
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