Swedish Lapland Winter Escape

Arrive at Rajamaa, a cluster of cosy wooden chalets on a remote island in the River Muonio with views of both Sweden and Finland. We are welcomed by the Malmström family, our hosts for the week, and, depending on arrival times, have our main briefing this evening or tomorrow morning – an easy way to meet your tour leader and fellow travellers and hear about the adventures ahead. If you wish to explore further, you can arrange pre–tour nights with your sales representative.

After a hearty breakfast, we are kitted out with the equipment and know–how needed for a week of activities in Arctic conditions. We set off on snowshoes into the wintry landscape around Rajamaa, learning about the raw nature of Sápmi. Our guide helps us read tracks of birds and other local fauna and explains how trees and shrubs adapt to this harsh climate. We enjoy lunch by a crackling log fire in the forest, then walk back over frozen hills through snowy scenery to our chalets. In the afternoon, you have free time to unwind in the sauna or savour a hot drink in the dining room. Over the week, we enjoy presentations on Scandinavia’s big predators – lynx, wolverines, bears and wolves.

This morning, we visit a small husky kennel run by Rajamaa’s neighbours. We meet Anna, a professional musher, who introduces the life, training and behaviour of Siberian huskies and explains the simple rules for riding and leading the team. Paired up, we take turns driving our own dog sled for approximately 15km through snow–clad forests and frozen swamps – a chance to feel like a real musher and to sit back as a passenger to soak up the views. 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, traditionally used across Scandinavia and Russia, are usually wooden and longer and broader than cross–country skis, with simple bindings compatible with the winter boots provided. Before a hearty dinner, we enjoy another wildlife presentation at the main lodge.

Today is free for you to choose from optional activities. You may ride a snowmobile through snowy forests and over frozen lakes, set out on snowshoes for a fun geocaching adventure, or simply relax at the lodge and enjoy the tranquillity of this beautiful setting.

Today we gain a special insight into the life and work of a reindeer–herding Sámi family. Between 75,000 and 100,000 Sámi people live across the Arctic regions of Norway, Finland, Sweden and Russia, preserving unique languages and ancient customs. We travel on foot and in traditional reindeer sleds to a kåta – a typical Sámi hut – where we feed the reindeer before settling beside a crackling fire to talk with the family and learn about their culture and the complex challenges they face. We enjoy a warming lunch and hot coffee in the kåta, then return to Rajamaa; later, you have free time to visit the sauna or simply relax before dinner.

Today we begin a two–day tour on forest skis. We carry only what we need for the day in our backpacks while the rest is transported by snowmobile. We venture deep into the forest, crossing frozen lakes and pine–clad hills, until we reach our special accommodation for the night – a cosy log cabin. Traditionally used by forest workers, the cabin is heated by log burners, and we cook with water collected from the frozen river nearby. We all help prepare tonight’s dinner, and you may enjoy an optional sauna before settling into dorm–style rooms – unless the Aurora Borealis tempts you to stay up a little longer.

After breakfast, we clip back into our skis and head for Rajamaa, stopping for lunch by the fire on the way. With luck, we may spot the tracks of lynx or wolverines as we travel. Back at the lodge, you can enjoy a well–deserved sauna before our final dinner of the week.

The trip ends this morning and we begin our journey home, taking with us plenty of tales and memories to share with friends and family. If you would like to spend longer in the Swedish wilderness, you can speak to us about extending your stay.