We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
On some tours the itinerary may vary and the days may work in a different order to that printed below. A degree of informality and flexibility is built into this itinerary in order to accommodate any changes.
Passengers not flying on the direct group flight to Kiruna should note that meals are not served on the Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) flights via Stockholm to Kiruna so you may wish to take snacks and sandwiches. The direct flight from Heathrow to Kiruna includes a meal and complimentary soft drinks, beer and wine.
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
Local Costs
| |
UK |
Sweden |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
£2.50 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
£2.50 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
£1.50 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
£5.00 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
£25.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
£45.00 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
£22.00 |
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
|
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Visa Requirements
All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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An entry visa is NOT required by citizens of Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and USA. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
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Vaccinations & Protection
The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
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Nothing compulsory though we recommend protection against tetanus, hepatitis A, typhoid and polio. Tick-borne encephalitis is recommended by some medical sources if travelling in certain areas of Europe, at specific times of the year. Check latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure.
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Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Preparing for your tour
Climate
Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
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During the winter, temperatures within Arctic Sweden can reach -45°C, though the average is more like -17°C in January and -8°C in March. Please note that April will be slightly warmer. Most precipitation Dec-Mar will invariably fall as snow, though no more than about 30 mm per month is the norm in winter. Snow will generally be on the ground from October to May. We have restricted our visiting season to try to ensure good snow as far as is reasonably possible.
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Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
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Luggage
Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
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One main piece of baggage and a daysac for personal items. Total allowance: 44lbs/20kgs. Please note when flying from London to Kiruna you may need to recheck your luggage in Stockholm if on indirect SAS flights with Explore.
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Clothing
Pack for ‘All tours’ plus ‘Cold Conditions’. Special warm clothing is provided by the Icehotel on arrival (hats, gloves, boots, all-in-one skisuits) and is also issued by the organisers of the dog sledging and snow mobiling, but for all other activities you are best to bring additional multiple layers of clothes that can be added or removed according to your level of activity.
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Footwear
Snowboots are best otherwise fairly rigid waterproof walking boots with good ankle support.
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Equipment
We also recommend taking a water bottle, warm hat and gloves, mittens, gaiters, a warm waterproof jacket and thermal underwear. Sun cream, sunglasses and goggles are necessary for snow activities. If you wish to drive one of the snow mobiles it is necessary to bring along your driving licence. Batteries do not last long in the extreme cold, so bring spares/keep them recharged when ever possible. For tours in December and January it can be useful to have a head torch due to short hours of daylight. We do not recommend wearing water-based cosmetics/creams in the extreme cold, as this will make your skin even colder! Personal First Aid Kit: For an exclusively designed Explore Medical Kit, visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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Personal First Aid Kit
For an exclusively designed Explore Medical Kit, visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
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General Information
Trip Summary
In the cold extremes of northern Sweden, 200km north of the Arctic Circle, lies Lapland, home to the Sami people. Life up here is very different – herding reindeer, travelling by snowmobile, fishing through holes in the ice, living in cosy homes with saunas. It is in this wonderful wintry landscape that we are pleased to offer this exciting long weekend adventure. With the chance to try your hand at reindeer sledging, dog sledding, cross country skiing, snow shoeing and ice fishing, there is also the opportunity to master the skills of an all together more modern form of Arctic vehicle – the snowmobile – and to see the enchanting sight of the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights. To cap it all we include a night at the unbelievable Icehotel – a fairy tale winter palace carved from 40,000 tons of snow and ice.
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Electric Supply & Plugs
For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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