Most people associate seeing the northern lights with snowy landscapes, huskies and snowmobiles. However Lapland’s neglected secret is that some of the best aurora sightings take place in the autumn months.
Autumn Aurora in Sweden
Once the midnight sun starts to fade and the Arctic nights draw in the Northern Lights return. In reality aurora displays kick off from late August, perfectly timed for our northern lights holidays which start from September and run through October.
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Frequently asked questions
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Different colors of autumn
By travelling early in the autumn you also will witness the spectacular autumn colours as the landscapes prepare for winter. The trees deliver a kaleidoscope of shades from yellow to brown and red through to purple which framed against the dramatic setting of Norway’s Lofoten islands or the fells in Swedish Lapland leaves a lasting impression.
This is the time of the fly drive holiday. With excellent road networks and limited traffic you can really get out there and explore the stunning landscapes of Swedish and Norwegian Lapland.
So how long should you go for?
In a nutshell the journey can be expanded to fit in with your ambition. We can open up the whole of Swedish Lapland from the Lulea Archipelago to Abisko and then if you wish to venture further why not drop down into Norway at Narvik and continue your journey to the Lofoten Islands, Norway’s crown jewel. From 4 days to 2 weeks the opportunities of seeing the northern lights in Autumn are endless.
Lulea region
Lulea lies on the eastern coast of Swedish Lapland and is accessible through a schedule of 6-8 flight connections a day from Stockholm on either SAS or Norwegian. The city itself is vibrant due to its university status and has a growing number of excellent restaurants. Nearby is the UNSECO site of Gammelastad, the 15th century UNESCO world heritage church village which is worth a visit on an autumn northern lights trip.
20 minutes outside town Pine Bay lodge and Brando Lodge are nestled on the fringes for the Bay of Bothnia. Run by our long standing partner Goran Widen they offer authentic accommodation in a good location. Boat trips out to the remote islands in the Bay of Bothnia along with an island lunch complement night time boat trips in search of the northern lights, or land based northern lights adventures.
Moving inland there are a number of fabulous places to stay in the Autumn. The iconic Tree Hotel with its whacky themed rooms ranging from a UFO to a Birds nest makes for an interesting night’s stay on an autumn northern lights trip to Sweden.
Further inland set in a pristine river valley is the Artic Retreat; 4 luxury log cabins set on a bend in the river and surrounded by pine forests that are the perfect chill out place. Enjoy delicious food based on autumn produce, a Swedish massage or simply soak up the atmosphere in your private outdoor hot tub. Autumn holiday experiences include canoeing the river in search of beavers to visiting a Sami family. Northern Lights activities are planned locally depending on the forecast.
An action packed northern lights holiday tying in the coastal region of Lulea with the Tree Hotel and the Arctic Retreat is our Autumn Tree Hotel and Aurora Retreats break
This six day journey can either be done using private transfers or on a self-drive holiday.
If you are planning to do an Autumn northern lights holiday combining the east and west parts of Swedish Lapland then it’s a 4 hour drive on the E10 to go from Lulea to Kiruna and then another hour to Abisko.
Why not break this journey with a stay at Sapmi Nature Camp? Run by Lennart Pittja this authentic luxury Tepee camp is a fantastic addition to the Swedish Lapland scene. In autumn there are fewer better places to experience the changing seasons as the camp is set on the edge of the Lapponia national park.
Kiruna Region
If you thought you could only stay in the ICEHOTEL in winter – think again. ICEHOTEL365 is open all year round offering the genuine ICEHOTEL experience on an autumn Northern Lights trip.
A perfect complement to this are the 2 Arctic Gourmet Cabins set in a picturesque river valley with the mountains at Nikkaloukta nearby this is a place to relax or go for walks or boat trips. As its autumn the region is bearing its harvest of wild berries, mushrooms and other delicacies. Foraging and outdoor meals are a super way of experiencing the great outdoors. Run by a local couple Johan and Malin one of your treats is experiencing Johan’s great meals cooked and served in ‘ Sweden’s smallest restaurant’.
Abisko
Abisko rightly carries the tag of being probably the best places on earth for regular sightings of the northern lights. Basing yourself here for a couple of nights should be on any autumn aurora hunter’s itinerary. Our dear friends Mina and Dick Johansson welcome travellers to Abisko Mountain Lodge with effortless hospitality. Abisko is beautifully situated and is a region where walks are rewarded with splendid views or pristine wilderness.
To do Swedish Lapland well on an Autumn Northern Lights Holiday you should allow 10 days to get to see as much as possible or if you want ba short sharp experience then 4/5 nights in either the Lulea or Kiruna/ Abisko regions works well.
Norway extension
If you get as far as Abisko on your Northern Lights adventure then an hour down the E10 you reach the Norwegian coast at Narvik. Whether on day trip from Abisko or as an extension to the Lofoten islands ( 4 hour drive from Narvik),Norway offers a completely different holiday experience. The Lofoten islands in the Autumn months are beautiful. Spectacular mountain scenery, evocative fishing villages, autumn colours and Northern Lights amalgamate to produce a stunning short break. Take a look at our Lofoten Autumn Aurora Panorama and Fjords trip for a four night self-drive programme to this majestic corner of Norway.
See what our clients say
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.
We had the most fabulous time and everything worked like clockwork. The guides were extremely knowledgeable and extremely competent. The food was excellent and the experiences, especially Husky Homes, were brilliant. We saw the aurora lights at the mountain top in Abisko where the photography tour will be an enduring memory of a wonderful time. I would very much recommend Weekend a la Carte as a proficient tour operator.
An excellent holiday which was enjoyed by all. The super jeep ride on the second day to the Eyjafjallajokull volcano was memorable and thanks to our driver Margaret who proved to be a really good guide. We thoroughly enjoyed the facilities in the hotel Ranga. The staff were very helpful and we managed to see the Northern Lights. The Hotel Reykjavik Centrum was very nice with amazingly helpful staff. All in all, the whole holiday was brilliant.
What a fantastic trip! I booked this for myself and my husband to celebrate my 40th birthday and it didn’t disappoint! Booking was simple and we were kept up to date with all the details from the office team in the UK.
From the moment we arrived at Kiruna airport all the staff we encountered were so friendly and couldn’t do enough for us. We opted for the upgraded room at the Abisko Mountain Lodge which I would highly recommend. The cold weather clothing which was supplied was fantastic and kept us really warm in the sub-zero temperatures. The dog sledging, snowmobiling and the Northern Lights photography were all superb and the staff leading the trips were really friendly and so knowledgeable. Even though we weren’t able to do the sky station trip because of the weather, there was a lovely alternative evening organised for us which included a traditional dinner and a walk to the lake where we were able to see the lights. The food at the lodge was also exceptional and showcased some lovely traditional dishes using Moose and Reindeer which were wonderful to try.
I would like to send a massive thank you to all the staff at The Abisko Mountain Lodge as well as the guides we used for our guided walks, dog sledging and snowmobiling. I’d highly recommend the trip, it was our first visit to Sweden and we would definitely return. Thanks again to everyone (including the huskies) who made it so memorable!
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.
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.
My daughter and I had an amazing time on our trip, we didn’t want it to end! Everything went according to plan, each excursion was well organized and everyone involved with each activity, as well as everyone at the lodge was kind, friendly, positive and happy, which makes such a difference to your whole experience. The food at The Abisko Mountain Lodge was also incredibly good. Our room was large, comfortable and well-furnished. The bathroom too was also spacious and well-equipped. The outdoor clothing provided was of very good quality which kept us warm, and the staff members are happy to change items if they are not quite the right size for you. This is my second trip with Weekend a la carte and I’m sure there will be more as I have complete trust in them. I highly recommend Aurora Nights, it was fabulous.
A well organised trip which was tailored to our specific requests. The arrangements all ran perfectly and any queries prior to the holiday were handled very quickly and professionally. The standard of accommodation and organised tours was very high. I would use this company again and recommend them.
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