Science of astronomy and ice: Sweden

March 2026 - 5 days

Register your interest by emailing tours@newscientist.com and we will contact when confirmed details, including dates and prices, are available.

From striking alpine forests to picturesque snowcapped mountains, travelling to northern Sweden during the winter months offers a truly magical experience. Discover a place of awe-inspiring natural beauty where scientists from all over the world come to study climate change and conduct research in an Arctic environment. 

During this tour, spend time exploring Abisko National Park, an area preserved by scientists since the 1900s. Travel to the Aurora Sky Station, known as one of the best places to view the aurora borealis. Experts at the station will teach you more about the phenomenon of the northern lights. From here, stay at the unique Icehotel. Every year, when the river Torne freezes, blocks of ice are harvested to create this luxurious igloo hotel, which is the world’s largest hotel made of snow and ice. You will also visit the Kiruna mine to explore the world’s largest underground iron ore mine where you can witness cutting-edge mining technology, including remotely operated drills and driverless loaders, and learn about the mine's significant role in shaping Kiruna’s past and future.

You will be accompanied throughout by Jamie Carter, a freelance science and travel writer with 25 years' experience writing about the night sky, eclipses and astronomy. He has written for over 50 publications, including Forbes, SPACE.com, Live Science and BBC Sky at Night magazine. He is the author of A Stargazing Program for Beginners.

This tour is perfect for those with a particular interest in astronomy and nature, or for anyone wanting a truly remote escape.

In partnership with Intrepid Travel.

DAY 1: KIRUNA TO STF ABISKO TURISTATION

Welcome to Kiruna! On arrival at Kiruna Airport, you will be met and transferred to the STF Abisko Turistation, in Abisko National Park, which takes around 90 minutes. There will be time for you to settle into your accommodation before this evening’s welcome meeting and activities.

Situated 200 kilometres north of the Arctic circle on the shores of Lake Torneträsk, Abisko National Park was established in 1909 by a group of Swedish scientists who wanted to preserve the area in its original condition for research. The region has continued to be of key scientific interest and is home to the Abisko Scientific Research Station. The station is primarily used for biological, climate, ecological, environmental and geological research and contains on-site laboratories as well as smaller off-site field research facilities.

In the evening, there will be a welcome meeting with the group and your tour leader before dinner at the hotel.

After dinner, take a short walk to the base of the nearby mountain, where you’ll be kitted out in warm clothing before a 20-minute ride on a chairlift to the Aurora Sky Station.

This world-famous spot is undoubtedly one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights. It lies 900 metres above sea level on Mount Nuolja, right at the centre of what is known as the "aurora oval", in an area with very few distracting sources of light or sound. During the winter months, with no light pollution and frequent cloudless skies, there is nothing to hinder auroral displays, and the peace and quiet of this area is the ideal atmosphere from which to look out for the northern lights.

Once at the station, you will learn more about the northern lights from Jamie and hopefully spend time enjoying this amazing natural phenomenon before returning to your hotel.

DAY 2: SNOWSHOEING IN ABISKO NATIONAL PARK AND EVENING WALK

Today begins with the expert lecture from Jamie.

In the afternoon, strap on snowshoes and set off into the peaceful wilderness around Abisko National Park, as the experienced guide helps you track the footprints and signs of local wildlife. Along the way, you will learn to recognise animal trails and hear stories about surviving and thriving in the Arctic environment.

As night falls, get ready for an evening walk and northern lights hunt. Following the guide’s favourite trails through mountain birch forests and along the Abiskojåkka river toward Lake Torneträsk, you will stop at prime viewing spots to catch the Aurora Borealis. Your guide will share knowledge and answer questions as you scan the sky for the magical dance of lights. The evening ends around a warm fire in a traditional Sami lavvu,.

DAY 3: TRAVEL TO THE ICEHOTEL AND AFTERNOON VISIT TO A LOCAL REINDEER FARM

After breakfast, you will be transferred by road to the Icehotel, a journey of around 90 minutes through Sweden’s beautiful snowy wilderness.

The first and original Icehotel was built in Jukkasjarvi, Swedish Lapland in 1989 and took just two weeks to complete. It was made out of ice, snow and "snice" – which combines snow, water and air. This was made using snow cannons and has a higher density than snow itself, making it stronger and perfect for building purposes. Small ice crystals in the snice trap air between them. It is as white as snow and a good insulator because of the trapped air. Kept at a constant -5°C to -8°C (23°F to 18°F), the interior actually feels quite pleasant, especially when outside temperatures can drop to around -37°C (-35°F)!

Enjoy a private tour of the Icehotel.

In the afternoon, after a short transfer you will visit Nutti Sámi Siida where you will step into the rich culture of the indigenous Sámi people. Meet and feed the friendly reindeer, learn about their significance in Sámi life, and try your hand at reindeer sledding, gliding around a 200 metre track in a wooden sled pulled by one of these gentle animals. Afterwards, warm up around the fire in a traditional Sámi tent (lavvu), enjoy freshly brewed coffee, and taste a hearty reindeer herder’s lunch, while hearing stories of a lifestyle deeply connected to nature and the Arctic landscape. Warm winter overall, warm shoes, gloves, and balaclava is included in your visit. 

Return to the Icehotel where you will spend the night sleeping in one of their warm rooms.

DAY 4: EXPLORE KIRUNA

This morning take a private transfer to the town of Kiruna, the northernmost town in Sweden. Surrounded by snow-covered mountains and vast wilderness, Kiruna is a place where industry, Arctic nature, and indigenous Sámi culture come together. It’s also a town undergoing a remarkable transformation due to the expansion of the iron ore mine beneath it. Much of Kiruna, including its historic church and town centre, is being relocated several kilometres to the east.

Upon arrival, meet your local guide for a guided tour through Kiruna’s unique landscape. You will explore the town's shifting architecture and learn about its fascinating history from its founding in the early 1900s as a mining hub, to its current role in space research and sustainable Arctic living. Next, continue to the Esrange Space Visitor Centre, located just outside the city in the vast northern wilderness. This pioneering facility is Europe’s gateway to the edge of space, where high-altitude balloons and satellites are launched. During your visit, you'll gain insight into Sweden's contributions to space science, Arctic research, and the exciting future of exploration.

Later, descend deep underground into the Kiruna mine (LKAB Visitor Centre) one of the world’s largest iron ore mines. Traveling by bus directly from the Tourist Centre into the mountain, you will arrive at the expansive visitor centre located 540 meters below the surface. Here, in a fully immersive environment, exhibitions, films, and heavy machinery showcase the story of over a century of mining. Learn how this industry shaped Kiruna and continues to define its future, including the massive urban relocation project currently underway. Your guide will also explain how modern mining technologies allow operations to reach depths of up to 1,365 meters.

After a long day pf travelling, conclude the day with a farewell dinner.

DAY 5: KIRUNA DEPARTURE

After breakfast, you will be transferred back to Kiruna Airport for your return flight home.