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Brändön Lodge - Autumn Auroras in Swedish Lapland
Overview
Brändön Lodge sits on the spectacular shores of the Bay of Bothnia. It is the perfect place to hunt for the Northern Lights in autumn, with minimal light pollution and plenty of activities to maximise your chances. During your time here, you’ll enjoy a gentle Aurora hike, take a tour of the UNESCO-listed Gammelstad Church Village and hone your Nordic wilderness skills.
What's included?
ALL OF THE ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES LISTED BELOW ARE INCLUDED IN THE HOLIDAY PRICE
- Transfers: return airport transfers
- Accommodation: 3 nights in a cabin
- Meals: 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners (2 courses)
- The following activities are included: Nordic wilderness skills with wilderness lunch, Gammelstad Church Village guided tour, Northern Lights walk with wilderness dinner (order subject to change)
- Services of our expert local guides
- A note on flights: while flights are not included in the holiday price, our team will happily provide a quote and arrange them for you. Simply ask one of our Travel Experts for details of the available options
Travelling to Swedish Lapland in autumn gives you the chance to see the spectacular changing colours of the season, as well as the potential to see the Northern Lights dancing in the sky above.
At this time of year, the leaves turn to shades of deep orange, yellow and red, and the first frosts start to appear as summer light fades into an autumnal glow. The shorter days mean darker skies, which provide an ideal backdrop when hunting for the Aurora. From mid-October into November, you may witness the first snow of winter and in this case, you will swap your hiking boots for snowshoes.
From your cosy cabin accommodation on the shores of the Bay of Bothnia, you are only a short walk away from the main lodge where tasty, local food is served and a welcoming atmosphere can be found as you relax in the bar and lounge.
During this three-night trip, you will explore the area and learn about the local nature, history and culture. We’ve made sure to include some exciting activities, both by day and night so that you can make the most of your time in Swedish Lapland.
You’ll take part in a nature walk through the surrounding forest, where your guide will share their knowledge about the area and the various wilderness skills they use during the seasons, as they show you how to make your own campfire and wilderness lunch.
A guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Gammelstad Church Village, is also included and here you will have the opportunity to walk through this 15th Century historical site, learning about its past and significance in Scandinavian culture.
Brandon Lodge is where some of our best Northern Lights displays have been seen, which is why we’ve made sure to include an evening searching for the Aurora. You’ll head out for a walk in search of the lights, as your expert guide leads the way. The dark skies and the reflections from the glistening sea provide the perfect opportunity to hunt for the Aurora.
You can also add on extra activities, such as searching for seals and birds by boat, or kayak, and there’s even the chance to hunt the Northern Lights at sea. With plenty of free time, you can tailor your trip as you like.
Image credits: Brändön Lodge, Graeme Richardson, Quinten Elpers
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Key facts
| Duration: | 3 nights |
| Pace: | Set your own |
| Suitable for: | Ages 14+ with a reasonable level of physical fitness. See our terms for further information. |
Dates & Prices
Price Comparison Guarantee
Expertise and knowledge are key to witnessing the Northern Lights. We’ve been running Aurora hunting holidays longer than any company in the UK and with no lead in prices, no hidden costs and more included, we’re confident our tours will come out on top.Please note that the prices below are subject to change due to availability at the respective hotels; supplements may apply.
Prices
| Departure dates between | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Fri 01 Sep 2023
to Wed 08 Nov 2023 |
Adults £ 1,095 To £ 1,226 |
Prices are based on 2 people sharing. Please note that flights are not included in the holiday price so that the best possible fares and schedule can be found at the time of booking. Our Travel Experts will happily provide you with a quote and arrange flights on your behalf.
Terms
For our full booking terms and conditions please click here
The Specifics
Holiday group size (approximate)
Minimum 2; maximum 25
Group Size
We always try to provide an approximation of the group size you can expect to be with for the duration of each of our holidays. It may be that you are joined by others for parts of your holiday (such as transfers and particular activities) but the above number reflects those you can normally expect to be with from beginning to end. If group size is something which is particularly important to you, please speak to our Travel Experts and they can suggest the best holidays for you.
Tailor-made holiday group sizes will vary for all activities as will the group size for any additional activities you book.
Minimum numbers required for a holiday to operate
Some of our holidays require a minimum number of participants to operate (as listed in the ‘Group Size’ section). If your holiday departure has not yet reached the minimum number, you will be told at the time of booking. In the unlikely event that your chosen date is not guaranteed by nine weeks before your scheduled departure date, we will contact you to discuss the available options as per our booking conditions.
Minimum and maximum age
If a specific minimum age applies to this holiday, it can be found in the Key Facts box on the holiday Overview page.
Unless otherwise stated in the Key Facts box on the holiday Overview page, the minimum age for participation in an Aurora Zone holiday is typically 12 years old (there may be younger children in some destinations who have booked with other companies). If an adult-only environment is important to you, then please contact our Travel Experts and they will advise on the best dates and destinations for you. If you are looking for a holiday designed specifically for families then please see our sister company www.activitiesabroad.com.
Itinerary amendments
The order of activities listed in this agenda is provided for guidance only, your final and detailed itinerary will be provided either with your final travel documents (which are uploaded into your online account around a week prior to departure) or upon arrival.
Medical History and Advice
We want our holidays to be accessible as they can be and will do our best to accommodate any special requests and requirements where possible. We have a wide range of holidays and destinations and so our travel experts will help find the best holiday for you.
In order to give us the best possible chance to do this, we ask that if you or any member of your party has any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday or has any special requirements, that you tell us at the time of enquiry or booking. You must also promptly advise us if any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday develops after your booking has been confirmed. You may need to provide a doctor’s note and proof of insurance in some cases as the health and safety of our clients is absolutely paramount.
In providing this information you are allowing us to work with our expert local partners to ensure that your whole party can enjoy the holiday. By letting us know in advance we can discreetly work with you to adapt any part of the holiday which may potentially be challenging. Being able to prepare for this in advance makes an incredible difference to what we can offer and minimises any impact on your party and the rest of the group.
Unfortunately, if you choose not to share this information with us in advance then it may limit some or all of the itinerary you have booked, and we cannot be held accountable for any additional costs or missed activities resulting from this.
We want our holidays to be accessible as they can be and will do our best to accommodate any special requests and requirements where possible. We have a wide range of holidays and destinations and so our travel experts will help find the best holiday for you.
In order to give us the best possible chance to do this, we ask that if you or any member of your party has any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday or has any special requirements, that you tell us at the time of enquiry or booking. You must also promptly advise us if any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday develops after your booking has been confirmed. You may need to provide a doctor’s note and proof of insurance in some cases as the health and safety of our clients is absolutely paramount.
In providing this information you are allowing us to work with our expert local partners to ensure that your whole party can enjoy the holiday. By letting us know in advance we can discreetly work with you to adapt any part of the holiday which may potentially be challenging. Being able to prepare for this in advance makes an incredible difference to what we can offer and minimises any impact on your party and the rest of the group.
Unfortunately, if you choose not to share this information with us in advance then it may limit some or all of the itinerary you have booked, and we cannot be held accountable for any additional costs or missed activities resulting from this.
Insurance
Insurance is not included in your holiday, but it is a pre-requisite to travelling with us. You will need to ensure that you have cover for all the activities that you will be participating in during your holiday.
It is extremely important that you take out a suitable travel insurance policy at the time of booking. Plans do sometimes change, and you will need this policy should you need to cancel your holiday.
If you are struggling to find a suitable policy then details of our preferred provider, who will cover you for all the activities we offer, can be found on our website by clicking here. Please note that this policy is available to EU residents under the age of 75 only.
Booking Activities Locally
Additional activities can be booked locally in almost all our destinations. However, as per our booking conditions, we cannot be held responsible for any injury or loss incurred through participation in activities which are booked at your destination outside of our holiday itinerary (see our ‘Terms and Conditions’ for further details).
When arranging any such activity please always ensure that safety is your primary concern.
In some of our destinations, you can borrow or hire equipment for use in your free time. You do so entirely at your own risk. You must ensure that you are properly prepared, have the necessary equipment and knowledge (maps, etc) and ensure that where applicable, you follow marked routes. We recommend discussing your plans with the local teams who will be able to advise on the most suitable options for you.
Always let the reception/guide know where you are planning to go and take a torch and mobile phone (with the hotel/guide’s phone number stored). It is also a good idea to leave your contact number and the time you expect to return to the hotel should the hotel need to contact you.
The UK Foreign Office Advice
Our clients’ safety is at the centre of everything we do, and our operations team continually assesses and monitors the destinations we feature. We carry out thorough risk assessments and work closely with all of our suppliers to continually follow best practice. For up to date travel advice the UK government offers its Travel Aware website as well as the advice detailed below.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice
We receive all updates from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) with regards to travel advice and we always ensure that we follow this advice in our operations. The FCO issues travel advisories for countries based on a very wide range of factors. They may provide notification about things as simple as a football match and crowds, or they may go so far as to advise against all travel to a region. We ask all our clients to refer to the relevant Travel Advice by Country for the destinations they are visiting in order to make an informed decision on the safety of the destination based on the details provided. It also provides vital information regarding entry requirements, embassy information, local laws and customs as well as specific safety and health. Guests should take responsibility for keeping themselves up to date with this advice. Please also ensure that, if you are transiting through another country, you have read the advice and meet the entry requirements for that destination too.
The FCO travel advice is applicable to British Passport Holders. Most governments will issue their own travel advice for a region and, if you are not a UK resident then you can find some helpful links below:
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade https://www.mfat.govt.nz/
Canadian Consular Affairs Bureau http://voyage.gc.ca/
The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html
If the FCO deems that there is an unacceptable level of risk for UK citizens then, together with the government, they may issue an advisory against all travel to a region or country. If such an advisory is published, then we will act accordingly, and this may require the cancellation, curtailment or amendment of a holiday itinerary. These decisions are made on the basis of ensuring our clients’ safety and will affect all clients on the holiday, regardless of their nationality.
If one of our local experts suggests an amendment due to a situation which develops locally then we may also take the decision to amend an itinerary appropriately.
If we have to cancel your holiday prior to departure you will be offered the option of an alternative trip (where any price difference will either be refunded to or covered by you) or a full refund of the monies paid.
If we have to curtail a holiday, then you will be refunded for any costs for the elements we have been unable to deliver, where we have been able to secure a refund from our suppliers. If we must reroute a holiday, then any basis for refund is determined on a case by case basis and dependent on whether the central holiday experience was provided or not.
Brexit information for British Passport holders
Information for British Passport Holders
It is your responsibility to ensure that your passport and/or any required visas are up to date for your holiday. Please take special note of rules relating to passport validity as these have changed since Brexit. You can find more general advice from the UK government on their Passport rules for travel to Europe and then country specific advice on the Foreign Travel Advice page under the entry requirements section.
Please also check the UK Governments ‘Get Travel Smart’ campaign for up to date information on travel advice by country, information on Travel Insurance and information on how to renew your passport if required.
Passport rules for Travel to Europe after Brexit
The government have released the following guidance on passport validity for travel to Europe should the UK leave the EU without a deal. Please read the guidance on the link below carefully if you are travelling over or after the 29th March 2019.
Passport rules for Travel to Europe after Brexit
The government have released the following guidance on passport validity for travel to Europe should the UK leave the EU without a deal. Please read the guidance on the link below carefully if you are travelling over or after the 29th March 2019.
Passport rules for Travel to Europe after Brexit
The government have released the following guidance on passport validity for travel to Europe should the UK leave the EU without a deal. Please read the guidance on the link below carefully if you are travelling over or after the 29th March 2019.
Flight schedule changes and connecting transportation
On your documentation, we will confirm your flight schedule. Sometimes the flight number, routing and timings might change prior to your departure. If the change is classed as a significant change then we will contact you to discuss this. Please see our booking conditions for details.
Flight schedule changes can impact on your pre and post-holiday travel arrangements if these have been booked separately to your holiday. We strongly recommend that you do not book transport (such as trains or transfers), car parking or non-connecting flights to the departure point for your holiday until you have received your final confirmed travel times when your final travel documents are issued. We are not responsible for the effect of any schedule change on your pre or post travel arrangements. We strongly recommend that you do not purchase non-flexible or non-refundable tickets to avoid cancellation and penalty charges.
Booking your own flights - cancellation disclaimer
If you have chosen to book your own flights, then you will need to wait until we confirm to you that the holiday departure has met the minimum numbers required to run (if applicable to your chosen holiday). Once the holiday is guaranteed to run, you will be informed and you can then make your arrangements.
If transfers are included in your holiday, please ensure that any potential flights will be met by our standard transfers (speak to one of our Travel Experts for advice) otherwise private transfer supplements may be applicable. Once your flights are booked, please send us a copy of your detailed flight itinerary.
Please be aware that most tickets are non-refundable in the case of cancellation. For this reason, we strongly advise you check the rules of the ticket and check the limitations of your cancellation insurance before booking. We cannot be held liable, in the unlikely eventuality that we should be forced to cancel or amend your trip, for losses incurred relating to any flight booking you have made.
Terms and Conditions
Our full booking terms and conditions can be found on our website: https://www.theaurorazone.com/booking-conditions
Agenda
Agenda
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DAY 1
Arrival and Welcome
After landing at Luleå Airport, you will be transferred to your home for the next three nights, Brändön Lodge, approximately 40 minutes away.
You can settle into your cosy cabin accommodation, before enjoying a tasty 2-course dinner in the restaurant tonight.
Included Meals: Dinner -
DAY 2
Nordic Wilderness Skills with Lunch and Free Afternoon
Following breakfast, you will meet with your local guide who will take you on a nature hike into the surrounding area.
You will learn about the local flora and fauna, as you journey through the colourful forests, beneath the canopies of orange, yellow and red leaves (unless winter has come early this year). Your guide will show you how to make a campfire, as well as the art of brewing a good cup of coffee or tea over the embers. A wilderness lunch will also be served, as you relax in the peaceful surroundings. You will be out for approximately 3 hours today. For those travelling from mid-October into November, you may arrive just in time to witness the first snow of winter. In this case, you will swap your hiking boots for snowshoes.
This afternoon has been left free for you to enjoy as you please. If you would like to add on any extra activities, please see the ‘Personalise’ tab for full details. Perhaps you want to try out guided kayaking, or fat biking, or maybe even a relaxing hour or two in the sauna and hot tub. Alternatively, you could head out on to the water by boat, searching for seals and birdlife, and possibly even a moose!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -
DAY 3
Gammelstad Church Village Tour and Northern Lights Walk with Dinner
After breakfast at the lodge, you will transfer to the outskirts of nearby Luleå, which is where the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Gammelstad Church Village, is located.
Your guided tour will highlight the cultural and historical importance of this 15th Century World Heritage Site, as you walk through the narrow streets, past the incredible wooden houses. You will also have time to visit the art and craft shops nearby. This tour will last for approximately 3 hours, including transfers.
Returning to the lodge, you will have lunch in the restaurant. Following this, the afternoon has been left free for you to relax ahead of tonight’s adventure, or you may choose to add on an additional activity, please see the ‘Personalise’ tab for full details.
As the day turns to dusk and the skies begin to darken, you will set off on a Northern Lights walk with your expert guide leading the way. You will head into the forest, or along the coastal beaches, depending on the weather and Aurora forecasts. The lack of light pollution provides the perfect opportunity to see the Aurora, so hopefully, they will make an appearance for you tonight.
You will stop for a break by the fire where hot drinks will be served, along with a wilderness dinner prepared by your guide. As you embrace the peace and quiet of your natural surroundings, remember to keep your eyes peeled in case the Northern Lights appear. You will be out for approximately 3 hours tonight.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -
DAY 4
Departure
After breakfast at the lodge, sadly it is time for you to leave the Swedish wilderness behind. You will be transferred to Luleå Airport for your flight home.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation
Accommodation
Included in price
Brändön Lodge Autumn
Nights: 1-3
Brändön Lodge is located on the edge of the Bay of Bothnia, with views stretching out to the Luleå Archipelago. This stunning location is an incredible place to relax and enjoy all that autumn has to offer in this part of Swedish Lapland.
Hotel facilities
- Your meals are all served in the restaurant in the main building. You will enjoy a variety of local dishes and more international cuisine in the evening menus (which are typically two courses and served as a hearty buffet). Breakfasts are typically Scandinavian in style and provide you with the fuel that you need for a day of adventure
- The restaurant is situated on the upper floor of the main hotel building and offers panoramic views over the bay while you tuck into your delicious meal
- The lodge also has a fully stocked bar and pretty impressive wine cellar for any enthusiasts staying
- A short walk from the restaurant building, there is also a sauna and hot tub for guests to enjoy. Indulging in a sauna, after an exhilarating day in the great outdoors is just the perfect way to unwind and the hot tub is the cherry on the cake! This is bookable locally and charges apply
Guest room types
Cabins: Brändön Lodge consists of individual cabins. Each homely cabin is detached, allowing guests the space to unwind and relax in comfort and having all the added benefits of the main building within walking distance.
All the cabins have an open plan living and dining area with kitchenette. We recommend taking tea and coffee provisions with you. They have two bedrooms (both furnished with twin beds – in some cases these can be moved together), an en-suite shower room, hairdryer and toilet. Recent room refurbishment leaves the cottages with a modern yet authentic Scandinavian feel. One of the nicest features of the cabins are the terraces, where in the morning you can step out and inhale the crisp air and marvel at the view of the sea and colourful forests that stretch before you.
Image credit: Graeme Richardson, Andream Walitalo
Personalise
Personalise this tour
Our pick
Northern Lights island boat tour
From £252pp
Searching for the Northern Lights by boat is a fantastic experience that is only available in a handful of locations. The sea can act as the perfect mirror to reflect the Aurora, creating a wonderful sight, should conditions be right. Travelling by boat also means that you have a better chance of outrunning any potential cloud cover.
You will sail into the archipelago, stopping at an island, where you will enjoy hot drinks around a campfire, as you search the skies for the Northern Lights. You may also choose to upgrade this activity to include a wilderness dinner, for a supplement.
Duration: 2 hours (without dinner), 3 hours (with dinner)
Image credit: Graeme Richardson
Other options
Activities
Island boat tour with lunch
From: £228pp
There are around 1300 islands within the Luleå Archipelago, home to all sorts of flora and fauna. This boat tour will take you to one of the many islands in the Baltic Sea, where you will stop for a wilderness lunch and have the opportunity to explore the island, or just to relax and enjoy your surroundings.
Duration: 2 hours
Image credit: Graeme Richardson
Seal Safari by boat
From: £228pp
This 2-hour boat safari will take you out into the Luleå Archipelago, amongst the many islands and small, rocky reefs in search of the seals that call these waters home.
Ringed seals and grey seals are found throughout the Baltic Sea, feeding on the plentiful shoals of herring and salmon. The fish also attract other wildlife, such as sea eagles, guillemots, capercaillies and ptarmigans. Occasionally these boat trips even spot moose, bear and reindeer searching for food along the coast and between the islands.
Duration: 2 hours
Image credit: Graeme Richardson
Husky kennel visit with husky hike and lunch
From: £60pp
This activity lets you meet the excitable huskies and their puppies before setting off on a hike through the forest with the dogs leading the way.
You will transfer to the husky kennels, approximately an hour away, and have the chance to meet the dogs before you head out on a walk lasting 1-2 hours. The dogs love to explore the trails and stretch their legs, and your knowledgeable guide will tell you all there is to know about the dogs and their life in Swedish Lapland.
A barbecue lunch will be served upon your return to the kennels.
Read more about this activityIf you would prefer not to do the hike, a shorter version of this activity is available, without lunch.
Duration: 2 hours (hike and lunch), 1.5 hours (kennel visit and snacks)
Please note that the price does not include the cost of the transfer to the husky kennels – please speak to one of our Travel Experts for a full quotation.
Guided sea kayaking
From: £180pp
With the Bothnian Bay on your doorstep, sea kayaking is the perfect way to explore the coastline and the many islands of the archipelago. Your guide will give you a full safety briefing and tuition on how to paddle prior to setting off on a tour of the shallow, protected bays. If you’re lucky, you might even spot some of the local wildlife, including seals, sea eagles and moose.
Duration: 4 hours
Image credit: Graeme Richardson
Guided fat biking
From: £180pp
Fat bikes offer a great way to explore the surrounding forest and coastline, with their extra-wide tyres allowing you to travel over rough terrain with relative ease.
Your guide will lead you along the trails on a tour starting from Brändön and leading to the village, as you cycle through the woodland and along the hidden beaches.
Duration: 3 hours
Image credit: Graeme Richardson
Northern Lights Aurora Photography
From: £142pp
If you would like to learn the best settings, tricks and tips to capture images of the Northern Lights, then this activity is for you. Your expert guide will talk you through your camera settings and explain what you need to do to maximise your chances of getting that perfect shot. Hopefully, the Aurora will make an appearance and you can put your new-found skills into practise. Please note that you will need to bring your own DSLR camera along.
Duration: 3 hours
Image credit: Quinten Elpers
Husky kennel visit with dog sledding by buggy and lunch
From: £88pp
Even though there is no snow on the ground, travelling in autumn doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on one of the most exciting activities in Lapland. The huskies train for sledding year-round and when there’s no snow, they pull a four-wheeled training buggy along the forest tracks.
After transferring to the husky kennels, which are approximately an hour away, you will meet the huskies and their puppies before your guide takes you out on a buggy tour. A team of 8-10 dogs will pull the training buggy along on this 4km run. You can sit back and enjoy the experience as your guide navigates the trails.
Read more about this activityDuration: 2 hours
Please note that the price does not include the cost of the transfer to the husky kennels – please speak to one of our Travel Experts for a full quotation.
Little Extras
Sauna and Hot Tub
From: £24pp
During your stay at Brändön Lodge, you will have the option to relax in the hot tub and sauna. Both of these are just a short walk from the lodge and they sit on the edge of the Baltic Sea.
The hot tub and sauna are rented for private use together, so you can use each of them as you like. If you would like to include this, please contact one of our Travel Experts who will be able to provide you with a full quote for your needs.
Sauna: £24 per person per hour
Hot tub: £79 per person per hour
Image credit: Brändön Lodge
Fat bike hire
From: £80pp
If you’d like to explore the local trails independently, then you can hire a fat bike for the day. Using the extra-wide tyres, you can navigate through the forest and along the coastline with relative ease. Please make sure to speak to the team at the lodge to discuss routes and conditions before you set off.
Please ensure that you take the lodge number and your mobile phone with you and leave details of your route before departure.
Duration: 6 hours
Image credit: Graeme Richardson
Kayak or canoe hire
From: £40pp
For those who are proficient in sea kayaking and canoeing, you can hire your own and explore the local waters in your free time. This activity is not guided, so you should make sure to discuss the conditions and routes with the lodge before setting off.
Please ensure that you take the lodge number and your mobile phone with you and leave details of your route before departure.
Duration: 4 hours
Price: £40 per kayak
Image credit: Graeme Richardson
Gallery
Photos (8)
