Active Arctic and the Northern Lights

This morning, you will start by meeting the huskies and learning the basics of dog sledding, before heading out across the winter landscape through snowy forests and across icy lakes towards the wilderness lodge.  Each sled carries two people – a driver (musher) and passenger – pulled by a team of 4-6 huskies.  The dogs always get excited as soon as they see the sleds coming out, and it’s often a struggle to hold them back, so the sleds have a snow anchor for that purpose.  It takes a while to get everything ready but eventually you’ll head off in crocodile file, with the dogs tugging hard at their harnesses before they break into a smooth rhythm.  The dogs are well trained and extremely friendly and most of all they love to pull sleds.  All you can hear are the runners of the sled fizzing over the frozen snow and the odd bark or yelp from the dogs. Lunch will be provided at the wildness lodge before turning back to the kennels.

This evening you will have a presentation from our astronomy expert and a night of northern light viewing. 

Hotel Ripen - 1 night (B,L)

After breakfast you will take a short journey to the start point of your snowmobile tour and journey through Swedish Lapland’s last wilderness.  A snowmobile is a bit like a jet-ski that runs on snow rather than water, powered by a petrol engine that drives a single caterpillar track.  Like a motorbike, it is steered by handlebars and there is a single forward gear.  The driver and a pillion passenger sit on a motorbike-style seat.  Snowmobiles are simple and straightforward to drive, but it is important to take care until you are accustomed to the way they handle.  You will be given a comprehensive safety briefing before setting off, taking it in turns to drive so everyone has a chance to take the wheel (or handlebars!).  The tracks go through the beautiful and untouched fell and forest area. Lunch will be provided at the guest house after your tour. 

At the guesthouse you will have a presentation about the Northern lights from Chad Blakely professional photographer and guide for the northern light tours at the Aurora Skystation. He will be on hand to answer any questions you might have. 

This evening you will travel to the Aurora Sky station with our astronomy expert. The night starts with a chair lift ride to the station where you will be able to enjoy the quiet national park in the dark. At the Sky Station there is a cafe and from the look out tower you will hopefully see the dancing lights. 

You will spend the night in warm accommodation at the Icehotel (B, L).