Autumn Aurora Hunting

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 15^th 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.