Northern Lights Holidays

Introduction

On a clear winter night in Lapland you have the chance to view the most spectacular light show that nature has to offer, the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights as it is more commonly known. The amazing sight of the lights shimmering and dancing across the night sky will be etched in your memory for ever.

At Medway Travel, we are delighted to be able to create your ideal Northern Lights holiday based on your choice of accommodation – whether it is a spa hotel, winter cottage or a log cabin, we have the perfect option for you. Scandinavia offers a unique choice of cool too – the original Ice Hotel in Sweden was first built in the early 1990’s, and many similar ice hotels are now created every winter in Finland, Sweden and Norway. You can opt to enjoy the unique experience of staying in a Snow Room or hand-carved ice suite, or simply to take an ice hotel tour and stay in warm room instead – the choice is yours.

The amazing phenomenon of the Northern Lights has fascinated the Sámi people for centuries and there are more than 20 folk tales that attempt to explain their wondrous existence. In parts of Lapland the Northern Lights are known as the Firefox. Legend has it that the tail of a running fox brushing against the powder snow causes the sparks in the sky.

We now know that the Aurora Borealis is caused by electrically charged particles in space hitting the earth’s atmosphere. When they collide with oxygen and nitrogen particles they emit excess energy as light, but this knowledge takes nothing away from the truly amazing experience you will enjoy.

The Northern Lights are said to be at their most frequent and spectacular when solar activity is nearing, or passing through, the peak of its 11 year cycle. It’s not an exact science but many observers expect that cycle to peak in the next two years, and we’re hoping for great displays.

Image credits to Pekka Luukkola Image Bank Finland, Credit Stockshots - No Innovation Norway, Leuku JL 1000

Overview

Although the Aurora Borealis can be seen from northerly parts of the United Kingdom, the occurrences are rare and the intensity of the displays tends to be low. The further north you travel, the better your chances of viewing the Northern Lights, so all the experiences we feature provide great opportunities to see the Lights.


Searching for the Aurora Borealis

The lights are a purely natural phenomenon and therefore cannot be guaranteed whichever destination you choose. However, the further north you travel and the further away from man-made light you are, the better your chances are of seeing the Northern Lights.Whatever you believe about the Aurora Borealis there is no more spectacular experience on Earth than sitting in a winter wonderland watching the lights dancing across the sky. It is truly magical!

All of our Northern Lights holiday experiences are based in destinations in the very middle of Northern Europe's Aurora zone, with incredibly small populations with minimal light pollution, so seeing an awe-inspiring display of the Northern Lights is highly possible by simply stepping out of your accommodation, or taking a short stroll to a nearby opening, such as a frozen lake. The Aurora sighting records in each of the locations we feature are excellent.

New destinations such as Nellim at 68.5° North and the magnificent ICEHOTEL® at 67.5° North provide areas free from large amounts of light pollution, allowing you to experience magnificent shows of the Aurora Borealis
The optimum time for viewing the lights is between 9pm and 1am in the morning, so be careful not to go to bed too soon or you may miss out. The intensity of the displays can vary and may start with a small stationary glow or arch in the night sky before building into a spectacular show.

Expert knowledge of the surroundings and weather patterns in the local area is absolutely critical when searching for the Northern Lights, which is why we work in partnership with local guides who live and work within the Aurora Borealis zone - they are masters in hunting down the Northern Lights.


Aurora Alerts

On our more leisurely Northern Lights holidays to Luosto, in Finnish Lapland, you will be provided with an "Aurora Altert" - a mobile phone. In a Geophysical Observatory very close by to Luosto, the night sky is constantly monitored. When the scientists at the observatory detect the Northern Lights' presence in the night sky, you will receive a text message.

You can then choose to get wrapped up and outside as quickly as possible to admire the spectacular display, or stay warm in bed and allow the Northern Lights entertain you, as all rooms at the Aurora Chalet in Luosto are North facing.


Tailor Made to Suit You

We offer a range of tailor made Northern Lights holidays to various Lappish destinations – all of which will provide you with the optimal chance of witnessing the spectacular Aurora Borealis shimmer in the night sky.
Many of the destinations offer night time and overnight safaris that will give you the perfect opportunity to spot the Aurora as you go deep into the darkness.
However, we understand that not everyone fancies racing across a frozen lake at midnight on a snowmobile in search of the Northern Lights. Therefore, we are delighted to offer a comprehensive range of holidays with different grades of intensity, which can be tailor made to suit your requirements and wishes.

Our most active Northern Lights holidays will keep you busy day and night, maximising your time in the extensive winter wilderness of Lapland, and maximising your chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis.
We also offer more leisurely and gentler paced trips, with a few less intense winter activities, such as husky sledding and ice fishing, and plenty of time for relaxation and admiring the mind-blowing scenery. Lying on a reindeer skin in deep snow, watching the sky shimmer to the rhythm of the Northern Lights and drinking hot berry juice is an excellent way to spend part of your holiday!

Alternatively, our tailor made Northern Lights programmes allow us to design the perfect holiday to fit your exact requirements. Tailor made holidays are generally based on a minimum stay of three nights, with flights, transfers, cold weather clothing and your choice of accommodation included.

These holidays can be combined with a wide range of winter wilderness activities, including husky dog sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoe trekking, ice fishing, cross country skiing and reindeer sleigh rides. You tell us which activities you would like to enjoy (see our Pick and Mix page for options) and we will then build you a personalised tailor made holiday itinerary.


Please contact us with your wishes for your Northern Lights holiday, and allow us to create an experience designed especially for you.

Pick & Mix

As well as suggested holiday itineraries, Medway Travel are delighted to be able to also create bespoke holiday experiences.

If you are a traveller who is looking for something completely different to the suggested itinerary on the previous tab, picking and mixing the activities and excursions that you specifically wish to enjoy might be a fantastic solution for you!

Contact Us with information of when you are looking to travel and what adventures you would like your holiday to include, and our expererienced travel consultants will put together a personalised itinerary especially for you!

For ideas and inspiration of what there is to see and do during a holiday in the Arctic Circle for optimal Northern Lights viewing opportunities, please take a look at the below details...

Activities

Introductory Husky Safari

An introductory 9km safari lasting approximately one and a half hours. Two people share a sled and dog team. Guides, instruction and equipment included.

17km Husky Safari

A 17km safari. Two people share a sled and dog team. Guides, instruction and equipment included.

25km Husky Safari

A 25km safari includes lunch by a campfire out "on the trail". One person per sled and dog team. Lunch is included.

Husky Safari (Overnight)

Take control of your own team as you drive out to a wilderness cabin and spend the night miles from anywhere. This is without doubt the most popular safaris. Approx 40 kms.

Snowmobile Panorama Safari

A truly exhilarating way to experience the winter wilderness. All of our snowmobile safaris whether 1 or 24 hours long include a full safety briefing and instruction.

Snowmobile Northern Lights Safari

With headlights on full you enter the snowy forest for a two hour night safari but with any luck it will be the Northern Lights that illuminate your path. Hot drinks will be served around a campfire. Approx 20 kms.

Snowmobile and Ice Fishing

The perfect introduction to the snowy winter landscape and a great way to acquaint yourself with the area surrounding your accommodation. You will travel 30kms and try your hand at ice fishing.

Snowmobile Extreme Safari

A 5 hour trip covering approximately 80kms of snowy landscape.

Lappish Culture and Short Reindeer Safari

You will visit the Lapland Manor where you will learn about the Lappish way of life and a year in the life of a reindeer. This is followed by a 3km safari with lunch, coffee and cake served in a warm kota (teepee). Approx 4 hrs.

Reindeer Farm & Safari

You will visit a local reindeer farm where the herders will tell you about the animals and their importance in Lapp culture. After learning to lasso your reindeer you start a 10km safari pausing for coffee and cake by an open fire.

Snowshoeing

An opportunity to explore the wilderness. Snowshoes allow you to move amongst the trees very quietly enhancing the possibility of spotting the local wildlife.

Cross Country Skiing

You will receive ample tuition before trying a short skiing trip. A hot drink included.

Ice Fishing

You may wonder what the appeal of sitting by a hole in a frozen lake is – well this can easily be explained by the excitement of your first catch! Add in some stunning scenery and great company and you have a great arctic outing!

Lainio Snow Village & Kellokas Nature Centre

Round off your tailor made winter activity holiday in style. We will arrange a taxi transfer from your hotel to Lainio Snow Village.
Each year it takes around 1000 truck loads of snow to create the Snow Village. This magnificent complex constructed from ice and snow changes shape every year but the artistry, handicraft and breathtaking design always leaves a lasting impression.
The Snow Village covers an area of approximately 7,500 square metres and consists of a restaurant, bar, lobby, hotel rooms and suites.

We can also book an overnight stay (either in a Snow, Ice or Warm Room) at Lainio Snow Village, which many of our customers choose for the final night of their holiday in Lapland. 

Visit Santa (Christmas Week)

Depart from your hotel in a snowmobile sled, sing along as you drive through the beautiful snow covered forest. After approximately 10-15minutes drive you will see a candle lit path to a log cabin in the middle of the forest.
Santa’s elf will greet you in the sled and guide you one family at the time by foot the last meters to the cabin. Santa will spend a moment of his precious time with your family in the warmth of the fireplace in his cabin, you can leave him your wish list or just give him a hug, he would like that!

Overnight in an Igloo

The temperature outside may be -30 degrees and your bed made of snow but insulated by a reindeer skin, an expedition grade sleeping bag and hot berry juice you'll be warm and comfortable inside your igloo.

Essential Information

Climate

 
Visas and Passports

Health

Insurance

Testimonials

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Hi Astra,

Sonia and I had a fantastic week, thank you. We were very impressed with the whole set up, the hotel was great, but could do with a bit more "entertainment". The equipment provided by Snow Games was of the highest quality and the staff and guides were all very knowledgeable and helpful and the fact that everything was in English was great. Our tour reps, Peter and Lorna were lovely and were always there if we needed them (which we didn't) as once we had everything sorted, it was quite easy to just do our own thing.

The activities were fab. We loved everything (except the ice fishing) and even went back for more cross country skiing and snow shoeing. We tried to keep ourselves busy inbetween activities with tobaggoning and walking round and over the lake, downhill skiing, swims and saunas every afternoon.

Our hope of seeing the northern lights was dashed by cloud cover every day (which did bring lots of snow), but as we left on the plane home, and got over the clouds, there they were which was fantastic.

Speaking to a passenger on the plane on the way home, we realised we were in a smaller resort with none of the "touristy" stuff laid on, for which we were very grateful as we prefer to be more at grass roots level.

All in all a great holiday, and would think again about doing another winter holiday. 

I will definitely be in touch again when I have worked out where Sonia and I are off to on our next adventure!!

Linda

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Dear Mel,

The holiday was fantastic! The hotel was excellent, with the huge breakfasts setting us up for the day.

We saw a phenomenal display of the Northern Lights on Sunday evening - pale green moving streaks filled the whole sky for at least 90 minutes. Apparently the show was not as fabulous as sometimes occurs but it bowled us over and was more entrancing then we had dared hope.

We filled the days with loads of activities. Probably the highlight was driving our own dog sledge for two hours. We were surprised to be given full control of the dogs, but they knew what to do and pulled us magnificently. We only fell off once!

Generally, it was not as cold as we expected - never above freezing but never less than -5 deg C in Tromso. The inland dog sledging was much colder at -18 deg but the operator kitted us out in great clothing.

Marks out of 10? At least 11, so thanks very much. Keep us on your mailing list as we would definitely consider using Medway again, maybe to somewhere hot next time.

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Dear Mel,

Our trip was wonderful and met all our expectations. I am very pleased to add that you have been ever so helpful from day one and would like to thank you for it.

I was touched when you wished us a happy holiday.
I might be in touch for a family holiday in October.
Many thanks for all your help.