This short break combines two ‘Arctic Icons’ - the famous original Icehotel and the Abisko Sky Station, both fantastic locations for northern lights sightings.
Experience two nights at the original, and in our minds the best, Icehotel, staying one night in an individually designed Art Suite and the other in a Cabin or Kaamos Room. Then you’ll spend two nights in Abisko, widely regarded as the best place for consistent sightings of the Aurora Borealis!
Location
Sweden
Duration
4 Nights
Available dates
Dec - Mar
Price per person (excl. flights)
from £2,250
Overview
Highlights
- 2 Nights at the ICEHOTEL with one in an individually designed Art Suite
- 2 Nights in Abisko staying at STF Abisko Turistation
- Majestic Husky and Snowmobile Wilderness Adventures
- Visit to the Aurora Sky Station and an Ultimate Aurora Photography adventure
- Guided Walk of Stunning Abisko National Park”
What’s included
- 2 nights Accommodation with breakfast at the Ice Hotel – Art Suite and Kaamos Room
- 2 nights Accomodation on full board at the STF Abisko Turistation in a Standard Room
- Northern Lights Snowmobiling Tour with Dinner
- Husky Safari with lunch
- Guided Walk in Abisko National Park
- Visit the Aurora Sky Station and Aurora Photography in Abisko National Park
- All Transfers
A note on flights
While flights are not included in the holiday price, our team will happily provide a quote and arrange them for you. Simply ask one of our Travel Experts for details of the available options.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1
Fly to Kiruna in Swedish Lapland where you will be transferred to the Icehotel and provided with the use of arctic outdoor clothing: arctic jacket, trousers, snowboots, hat & gloves.
The Icehotel has been wowing guests for 30 years and while many destinations have copied the concept none offer the scale and beauty of the original. Check in for your two-night stay, one in an individually designed Art Suite created by an international Ice Artist and the other in a cabin or Kaamos Room (warm room). Take the residents tour which will give you an overview of how to make the most of your night in this amazing structure.
Day 2
Now you have completed a night in the famous Ichotel, it is time to take part in some great activities – but before then it is important to enjoy a big breakfast! Then at 11am you will meet with your guide for the first excursion of the day – dogsledding.
Here you will be trained on the art of mushing, each taking your own sled out into the Swedish wilderness. You will stop back at the kennels for lunch and get the opportunity to meet some of the dogs there too (maybe even some puppies!) – back at the Icehotel you will be able to check-in into your warm accommodation where you can enjoy a hot shower and little rest before your evening’s activities – Northern Ligths Snowmobiling – here you will head out into the wilderness again, this time at night and by snowmobile, in search of the aurora and stopping for a dinner prepared by one of the guides.
Day 3
Have a leisurely morning after all the previous dates activities before then meeting your transfer in the afternoon who will take drive you up to your next accommodation – the STF Abisko Turistation. This property is based in a perfect location to try and view the aurora from and it also have access to the famous ‘Aurora Sky Station’ – spend the afternoon relaxing and you can also winter kit onsite too. Then after dinner head out on trip up to the Aurora Sky Station to try you luck again at seeing the northern lights.
Day 4
After breakfast you will get the opportunity to explore your new surronding on a guided mountain hike around Abisko. Abisko National Park is sandwiched between picturesque mountains and Lake Tornetrask one of Sweden’s largest and which freezes during winter. Your guide will meet you at the lodge and give you an easy walking tour of the lower part of the park. Be sure to take your camera to photograph some of the spectacular Vistas! Then in the evening you will head out for your final aurora focused trip – this will be take you out to not only try and view the ligths but also teach you on the ways of taking photos of them if they were to appear. You will be with complete experts who will talk to you about the aurora and capturing them through the cameras they provide you with.
Day 5
After breakfast you will meet you transfer and then get taken to the airport for your flight home at the end of your Northern Lights holiday.
Alternatively, why not break your stay in Stockholm and see the capital of Scandinavia or consider extending your break by adding in our Aurora Addicts Extension into Norway. This journey takes you down to Narvik and then overland to Tromso, the Paris of the North.
Take a look at our other breaks that include Abisko
We have an extensive Northern Lights Information Hub if you need further information
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Where You'll Stay
STF Abisko Turiststation
Within the Abisko National Park in Swedish Lapland, the STF Abisko Turiststation, affiliated with the Swedish Tourist Association, stands as a prominent accommodation choice for those seeking an Arctic Circle adventure.
The guesthouse provides 104 basic but comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, complimentary WiFi, and scenic seating areas. Guests can unwind in the common areas by the fire or explore the newly renovated self-catering facilities and tent sites. Essential amenities, including soap, are provided, while shampoo and conditioner are available for purchase. Hair dryers can be borrowed from the reception.
The Turiststation offers a restaurant serving buffet breakfast and both Swedish and international dishes, a bar, a small library, souvenir shop, and saunas. Outdoor enthusiasts can rent equipment, and the shop stocks everything from groceries to cold weather gear.
Most visitors are drawn by the allure of the northern lights due to the region’s favorable conditions and location, enhancing the chances of witnessing the aurora borealis.
The Original ICEHOTEL - Swedish Lapland
The Original ICEHOTEL is situated in Jukassjarvi Swedish Lapland and is a feat of engineering and artistic creation. We recommend staying in an Art Suite to appreciate the full ICEHOTEL experience and our itineraries feature these rooms as standard. They cost a little more but add hugely to your appreciation of this Once in a Lifetime experience.
The ICEHOTEL consists of 2 structures – the temporary hotel is rebuilt each year from blocks of ice harvested from the Torne river which runs adjacent to the IceHotel. These blocks are stored for the summer in a huge warehouse and as the late Autumn temperature in Jukkasjärvi drops below zero ice artists arrive from all over the world to build this magnificent creation. They build the 4 levels of rooms, the ice chapel and the ice bar. Their art is created with imagination and hard work, only to melt away under the unforgiving rays of the spring sun.
The new ICEHOTEL 365 is a permanent ICEHOTEL and a feat of engineering which offers visitors the chance of staying the whole year round. It houses both Art suites and the Deluxe Art Suites (which we offer as an upgrade) with their luxury en suite bathrooms. It is also home to the celebrated ICEBAR.
You have your own private locker room where you can change and leave your bags whilst having access to the adjacent service block where there are saunas, toilets and showers.
Wake up to a hot Lingonberry juice served in your room prior to the very substantial ICEHOTEL breakfast served in the main restaurant.
For Dinner the ICEHOTEL has 2 restaurants, one serving gourmet food, whilst the more informal Homestead restaurant serves hearty traditional food.
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Reviews
See what our clients say
This vacation has without without doubt, has been the best experience we have ever had. The organisation from the minute we landed in Kiruna until we departed at the close of our trip was second to none. The transition between hotels was always seamless and punctual. Everywhere we stayed was beautifully clean and the meals were top quality. Every driver was polite, entertaining and very knowledgeable, furnishing us with invaluable information about Sweden and the activities in which we were to participate. The snowmobiling was wonderful giving access via our guide, to stunning panoramic views of the mountain whilst viewing reindeer in their natural habitat.
Our guide demonstrated how to use the snowmobile safely he was pleasant and informative. When visiting the reindeer on the Sami reservation; we found the brother and sister team who hosted lovely. Again they were so hospitable and helpful and feeding the reindeer up close was a wonderful experience.
They provided additional activities for us to try and we were treated to a traditional Sami lunch in their hut. They provided us with invaluable information appertaining to their culture and caring for their reindeer. The reindeer were in superb condition and happy in their environment. Similarly, when out with the dog sleds the experience was magical. Two hours of beautiful scenery, and frozen lakes, finishing with a one-on-one experience massaging the dogs. Magic! We were so impressed with the care that was placed upon ensuring the dogs were comfortable, well-nourished and so loved by their owners/handlers.
Now to the photographic experience. A large group of us were treated to a demonstration of how to operate some serious camera equipment with tripod. Each of us was loaned the camera and given assistance setting up the camera on a frozen lake in preparation for the appearance of the Northern Lights. We were taken to this lake on large wooden sleighs pulled by a snowmobile. We cannot speak too highly of the two young men who accompanied us on this experience. They could not do enough for us. They were there to offer assistance with our cameras throughout the two-plus hours we were on this beautiful lake.
They advised where to position the camera and when the Lights appeared, what a performance. We had a two-hour display of this most breathtaking phenomenon. We were so fortunate to be able to experience this once-in-a-lifetime occurrence for which we are so grateful. We will never forget this memorable holiday and cannot thank you and everyone who assisted in making a lifetime dream come true. Karen & Andrew Adamson
Andy Adamson
Superb holiday to Iceland, well organised, advice regarding trips informative and far exceeded our expectations (Glaciers and ice Cave) run by South Coast. Hotel Ranga is a lovely hotel, perfect to see Northern Lights (which we did see on our 3rd night), very comfortable, food excellent, staff helpful and informative. SouthCoast Adventure tour company were excellent, guides knowledgeable, and clearly very experienced.
Helen Middleton
This was a bucket list trip. The company are specialists and I’ve valued their advice. Everything from the when to go for the best opportunity to see the lights and equipment needed and provided.Our activities included, the Ice Hotel, night photo shoot, snowmobiling, guided walk and the sky station meal. All excellent and well run by knowledgeable experts and guides. The Abisko Lodge is warm comfortable and relaxing the food is excellent and the staff welcoming, friendly and very helpful. I would highly recommend if you’re looking for a different and exciting experience.
Jean Lavender
We did the aurora nights break and had a great time overall. Everything related to flights, hire car, and hotels ran smoothly. There were a few issues largely relating to the weather and driving conditions (we travelled in mid March), but what we did manage to do was amazing.
The blue lagoon was easy to access from the airport and was a brilliant experience. We booked the standard package and it came with a free drink and face mask. Facilities were clean and organised with free toiletries in the shower rooms, which helps if you’ve gone there straight from the airport.
The drive to Hotel Ranga afterwards was long but fine (check out the road on google streetview to know what to expect). The hotel and staff were great. We were limited to one option as vegetarians on the bar and a la carte menus, but the food was lovely and if you are a meat eater you will see options of unusual dishes like puffin and reindeer.
Our northern lights super jeep trip was cancelled on both nights due to a poor forecast, but we were lucky enough to get an aurora wake up call from Hotel Ranga the first night. We couldn’t use the hottubs as there are only a few and they were always taken in the limited time we spent at the hotel, so don’t go expecting to get lots of time in one and you won’t be disappointed. View them as an add on if you can time it right. We were travelling with an 11 year old, so we didn’t stay up really late. If you are a couple you probably have a better chance of getting one later on.
The glacier/volcano super jeep trip was outstanding. Our driver, Íbí was excellent. She went above and beyond and gave us such an awesome experience. We were also super lucky with the weather the first two days and had great views across Iceland.
The ice cave tour was also incredible and the guides running it were excellent. The group size was much bigger than expected (especially after the more exclusive volcano super jeep tour), but it was broken down into smaller groups that were managed well, with plenty of time factored in for photographs. There were several unexplained delays getting to the cave during the tour that meant we weren’t able to ‘mini tour’ the rest of the South Coast afterwards, so if you plan to do the ice cave don’t overplan for the afternoon as you may not have much time. Not a huge disappointment for us as we got to experience the cave, but I imagine someone who planned a full itinerary afterwards might be frustrated by the estamiated timings not always being right and subject to change with the weather (which was wicked that day).
Driving around Reykjavik was a horrible experience as we arrived around rush hour and weren’t prepared for all the traffic, having only experienced quiet roads along the south coast. It was difficult finding a parking space, so be prepared to drive around a little when you arrive. If you haven’t driven on the right before and are not a confident driver this could leave you feeling stressed. Again, check out the roads into Reykjavik on Google maps to get a sense of what awaits if you aren’t used to self-driving.
We didn’t get to tour the golden circle because of road conditions/ice/road closures, so we spent the day in Reykjavik instead. This turned out okay for us as we did some of the attractions (Lava Centre and Fly Over Iceland – both hughly recommended), but it ended up being an extra expense and we missed out on the golden attractions. Again, not a big issue if you are aware this could happen. The weather is so changeable that having a plan B is a good approach.
Weekend a la Carte sent us a text warning us about the bad weather conditions, which we’d already seen on the Safe Iceland app, but we were grateful for anyway. It was good to know they were looking out for us!
All in all, a remarkable trip, with some unique experiences. If you book this in the knowledge that nature will have her own way, and you may not see everything you want (especially in winter), you will have a great time. Ranga is definitely the best place to maximise your chances of seeing the lights.
Sarah Brooks
Brilliant short break. Hotel Ranga was lovely, excellent food. Managed to see the Northern Lights as well! Iceland on the whole was quite expensive but a lovely place to visit, the people were very friendly.
Linda Palmer
A fantastic short break which fulfilled all expectations. Well organised with a polished delivery, we could not have asked for more. The accommodation was perfect for us and the guides knowledgeable and helpful. Every day was packed with adventure, each lasting longer than scheduled but we were never rushed; the guides took pride in showing and explaining their beautiful country. We would certainly use Weekend a la carte again and recommend them to others.
Carol Mumford
Dear Abigail, We have safely returned from Iceland and we wanted to say a huge and sincere thank you for all the plans that you put into place to make this one of the most memorable holidays we have ever had. It was simply beautiful each and every day. The cabin was idyllic and so cosy and warm. The tour guides were so knowledgeable and friendly and the scenery was breathtaking. All the arrangements worked so well and we will remember the trip for a long time to come.
Thank you once again.
Gillian Griffiths
We had a fantastic 4 nights that included glaciers, waterfalls, geysers, the aurora borealis and more! Lovely hotels, especially Hotel Ranga. We filled every moment and felt thoroughly invigorated on our return.
Frances Harrington