Swedish Winter Week of Adventure and Relaxation

A vacation in Granö, Västerbotten in Northern Sweden—surrounded by vast forests, river landscapes, and wintry scenery. This one-week journey is designed for those who want to experience guided nature activities at a moderate pace, combined with plenty of free time to warm up and unwind. The focus is on classic Northern Swedish experiences: snowshoeing through forests, visiting reindeer at a Sami camp, and a husky tour. A highlight is the guided ice fishing tour via electric snowmobile, whose silent drive not only reduces disturbance to wildlife but also provides a more pleasant driving experience. With a bit of luck and clear skies, you can observe the famous Aurora Borealis during a Northern Lights photo excursion.

Swedish Winter Week of Adventure and Relaxation: The Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Day
Upon arrival at Umeå Airport or Vindeln railway station, you will be picked up and transferred to the lodge where you will spend the week (approx. one hour from Umeå, shorter from Vindeln). Check into your hotel room or cosy cabin and settle in at your own pace. Depending on your arrival time, you will receive your rented winter clothing in the evening or the following morning. Your meal plan begins with dinner today.

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Day 2: Snowshoe hike
After breakfast, embark on a guided, two-hour snowshoe hike in the morning. Snowshoes offer an easy way to walk off-trail through the winter forest. Your guide will explain which plants and animals live here and how they survive the cold season. Lunch is served at the lodge. The afternoon is free for your own leisure before the day concludes with dinner. Be sure to check out the Northern Lights forecast afterwards. Perhaps conditions for seeing them are ideal today?

Day 3: Sami Reindeer Camp
The day begins with breakfast, followed by a 45-minute transfer to the Sami reindeer camp in Tavelsjö. There, you will get close to the reindeer and gain an authentic insight into the Sami way of life and culture. You can also look forward to a traditional lunch (total duration: 4.5 hours). Back in Granö, the afternoon is free to spend as you wish. Why not head out on your own tour with snowshoes or Sami skis? Both are available free of charge during your stay.

Day 4: Electric Snowmobiles and Ice Fishing
Following breakfast and a safety briefing, you will set out on a guided electric snowmobile tour to go ice fishing (2 people per snowmobile, taking turns driving). You will be out for about three hours in total, moving between several fishing spots on the frozen river and lakes depending on the conditions. The quiet electric ride and the snowmobile's design not only reduce disturbance to wildlife but also make for a more pleasant and safer journey than conventional snowmobiles. During the excursion, a fire will be built for lunch in the heart of nature. After the tour, you will have free time for the rest of the afternoon and enjoy dinner in the evening.


Day 5: Out with the Dog Sled
Morning starts with breakfast as usual. Afterwards, you will head to a nearby husky farm for an approximately three-hour husky sled tour. You will receive an initial briefing and then be assigned in pairs to a team of huskies. The route leads through snowy forests, across a frozen river, and through open winter landscapes. Along the way, you’ll take a break for a small lunch in the wilderness, after which you can swap places so that everyone gets a chance to steer the sled. Back at the lodge, there is plenty of free time to spend as you wish until dinner.

Day 6: Free Time for Your Own Excursions
This day is intended for relaxation or your own activities. After breakfast, you can enjoy the surroundings at your own pace or plan a trip to Umeå or Lycksele via the public bus. Lunch is provided at the lodge, followed by more free time. For those planning a longer day trip, a packed lunch can be provided upon request. In the evening, everyone gathers again for dinner at the lodge.

Day 7: Sami Ski Tour & Northern Lights Photo Safari
This morning’s program features a guided tour on Sami skis (approx. 2 h). These traditional wooden skis are broader and well-suited for beginners; the focus is on a calm pace and experiencing the white winter forest. After lunch at the lodge, there is time to warm up and rest. Following dinner, you will head out into the darkness for a photo safari. You will learn how to photograph the Northern Lights and how to optimize your settings for the night sky. With a bit of luck and a clear sky the auroras hopefully make an appearance (total duration: approx. 3 h, depending on success and conditions).

Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to wintry Sweden and begin your journey home with packed suitcases. A transfer will take you back to Umeå Airport or Vindeln railway station. You are sure to take many wonderful memories of this winter week home with you. Catering concludes with breakfast.

Accommodation:
The lodge is located in a small village in the wilderness of Swedish Lapland, situated directly on the tranquil river Umeå. The standard accommodation for this trip consists of double rooms in the lodge's Eco-Hotel or small cabins for up to four people. These are equipped with comfortable beds and a bathroom with a toilet and shower. Each double room features a television, kettle, tea, and coffee. The cabins include a small kitchenette and a sofa bed in addition to a double bed (which can be separated into two twin beds). Wi-Fi is available throughout the entire premises. All rooms and cabins are non-smoking.
During your stay, you can borrow Sami skis or snowshoes free of charge.
Upon request, you may also spend one night in an Aurora Treehouse (available for an additional fee; see "Extras").

Important information:
On the excursions, two people share a husky sled or a snowmobile.
Age and size restrictions apply to the husky sled ride: to drive the sled themselves, participants must be at least 15 years old, approximately 155 cm tall and weigh at least 50 kg. Children aged 5 to 9 or under 120 cm ride as passengers with an accompanying adult. For children of this age, there is also a temperature limit of minus 18 degrees. Older children may ride on the sled as passenger without an adult accompanying them, but an adult must drive it. Pregnant women are advised against taking the husky tour, as the terrain can be uneven and there is a risk of tipping.
To drive a snowmobile yourself, you must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid driving licence. Children up to 12 years old sit in a sledge behind the guide’s snowmobile. The snowmobiles are insured; however, depending on local regulations and insurance policies, excesses or liability limits may apply in the event of damage.
If you are travelling with several children, please contact us before booking.
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