In summary
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Sports
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Duration8 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationEurope / Suede
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions57.02 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
Embark on an unforgettable adventure in the heart of the Swedish Alps, following the legendary Kungsleden, the "King's Trail," designed to reveal the full splendor of Lapland's landscapes. You'll traverse a 110 km section between Abisko and Nikkaluokta, deep in Sami territory. On Nordic skis, you'll glide through glacial valleys, tundra, birch forests, frozen lakes, and high peaks, including Kebnekaise, Sweden's highest mountain at 2,111 m. Each evening, you'll return to the simple yet warm comfort of Swedish mountain huts, complete with their essential saunas, perfect for relaxing after your exertions. More than just a sporting trek, a true immersion in Arctic nature and Far North culture awaits you on one of Europe's most beautiful Nordic routes.
The highlights
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Total disconnection in the heart of the Swedish Alps
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A winter raid on the iconic Kungsleden
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Cozy cabins with sauna and wood fire every evening
Photos
Sport
Level
Nordic ski touring
The expert's opinion
Circuit characteristics
Each day, expect 6 to 10 hours of activity with elevation changes of up to 500 m, in sometimes extreme conditions: polar cold (–5 °C to –35 °C), sustained winds, abundant snow and changeable weather.
Physical preparation
Good physical condition is essential. It is recommended to engage in endurance activity 1 to 2 times per week and to be accustomed to walking for several consecutive days (6 to 7 hours per day, 18–23 km, up to 1,000 m of elevation gain). Strength training in the two months prior to departure is advised.
Health and safety
Excellent health is essential. Medical facilities are nonexistent, and evacuations can be lengthy. The guide carries a first-aid kit and a satellite phone. A pre-departure medical check-up is recommended.
Activities during the stay
The trek is done on Nordic skis. Expertise isn't necessary, but snowplowing and endurance are essential. The start is gradual to allow participants to adapt. The 40 kg pulkas, shared among participants, increase the effort.
Spirit of the stay
Participatory stay: everyone contributes to carrying supplies, meals and equipment. Solidarity and group cohesion are essential.
This trip is not suitable for children, but for young adults aged 16 and over, provided they are used to practicing outdoor activities at a sustained level: hiking, mountain biking, skiing, sailing, etc.
In figures
Autre
- Average daily elevation gain: 330 m
- Average daily descent: 40 m
Nordic backcountry skiing
- Average duration/day: 6h
- Average daily elevation gain: 265 m
- Average daily descent: 179 m
Management
French
Based in Scandinavia for many years, our agency offers you much more than just a trip: an active adventure, led by passionate guides and made possible by perfectly managed local logistics. Throughout your stay, you will be accompanied by a specialist guide, a true all-rounder of adventure: they will manage the group, drive the vehicle, and even prepare meals. Versatile, available, and passionate, our guides are there to help you experience the best of Sweden, safely and with a smile.
Program
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Abiskojaure Alesjaure
- Transportation 20 km
- Activity Autre
- Positive elevation gain 330 m
- Negative elevation 40 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We continue our trek, crossing Lake Abiskojaure. We then ascend a gently rising path, passing through dwarf birch trees, before reaching a magnificent plateau surrounded by pristine mountains. Perhaps we'll be lucky enough to spot some reindeer, which are plentiful in this region. We continue our hike through this captivating landscape all afternoon, finally arriving at the Alesjaure refuge, situated in an exceptional location near a Sami summer village.Day 1 -
Start of the ski tour - Abiskojaure
- Activity Nordic backcountry skiing
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 150 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After a hearty breakfast, we load the pulkas, the expedition sleds that will carry our supplies for the week. Distributed among the participants, one or two pulkas circulate within the group, pulled in turn by each person, in addition to their individual backpacks. Their weight is felt with every step, adding constant effort, but it's the price to pay for our complete self-sufficiency.
We begin our first day through a birch forest, until we reach Lake Abiskojaure. It is there that the great glacial valleys that will mark our route open up before us.
First steps on Nordic skis: hesitant but enthusiastic. Between clumsy glides and bursts of laughter, everyone gets used to this new balance, carried by the exhilarating feeling of a unique adventure.
In the evening, we were welcomed to the refuge by our Swedish hosts. Comfortable bedding, a welcoming kitchen, a wood-burning stove, and... a sauna, of course! The perfect reward after our exertion.
Day 2 -
Stage Abiskojaure - Alesjaure
- Activity Nordic backcountry skiing
- Duration of the activity 7h
- Positive elevation gain 350 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We continue our trek along Lake Abiskojaure before beginning a gentle climb through sparse vegetation. At the summit, a vast plateau unfolds, surrounded by pristine mountains. With a bit of luck, we might spot some reindeer.
The afternoon takes place in the heart of nature, leading to the Alesjaure refuge, nestled in a magnificent setting, near a Sami summer village.
Each evening, a routine takes hold: loading and unloading the pulkas, replenishing water supplies, preparing dinner together… Simple, shared actions that gradually weave the spirit of the group.
Day 3 -
Alesjaure Stage - Tjäktja
- Activity Nordic backcountry skiing
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 350 m
- Negative elevation 300 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We resume our journey through the main valley, rejoining the Kungsleden trail. This shorter stage comes at just the right time. The climb to the Tjäktja refuge is the only real challenge of the day.
The vast plains give way to narrow valleys bordered by austere peaks. After our picnic at the Tjäktja hut, we have a choice: well-deserved relaxation or a short exploration of the surrounding heights.
As evening falls, eyes are raised to the sky, on the lookout for a miracle: the Northern Lights. If the weather is favorable, the magic happens, painting the sky with dancing green veils.
For the Sami, these lights are not merely a natural phenomenon: they embody the presence of spirits and deserve respect and silence. A mystical spectacle, steeped in legend, that gives the night a very special resonance.
Day 4 -
Tjäktja - Sälka stage
- Activity Nordic backcountry skiing
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 300 m
- Negative elevation 300 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We begin the ascent of the Tjäktja pass (1,150 m), the highest point of our route. From up there, the panorama is breathtaking: the white immensity, the ridges stretching as far as the eye can see… and this feeling of being alone in the world.
We leave the Padjelanta mountains and descend into a wide valley, passing through the largest summer Sami camp in Sweden. On the horizon, the chalets of Sälka appear.
The afternoon, depending on one's wishes, is divided between resting in the refuge and exploring the wild Nilla valley.
Day 5 -
Stage Sälka - Singi - Kebnekaise
- Activity Nordic backcountry skiing
- Duration of the activity 8h
- Positive elevation gain 290 m
- Negative elevation 250 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A demanding day awaits us: early wake-up call, the pulkas already prepared, and the longest stage of our trek is about to begin. Our destination: the Kebnekaise mountain station, at the foot of Sweden's highest peak.
We first cross the narrow Singi Valley, bordered by majestic peaks, before reaching the refuge of the same name. After a short break, we cross one last pass before beginning the descent towards the Kebnekaise refuge.
Here, the return to a certain "civilization" is palpable. The refuge is more frequented: an opportunity to chat with locals, share our experiences and savor this moment of conviviality.
Day 6 -
The grand finale: Kebnekaise - Nikkaluokta
- Activity Nordic backcountry skiing
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 150 m
- Negative elevation 220 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
After breakfast, we set off for the final leg of our trek to Lake Ladtjojaure and the village of Nikkaluokta. Our hike today offers stunning views of the Tuolpagorni peak and Kebnekaise. Having crossed the finish line, we return to our accommodation in Kiruna at the end of the day.Day 7 -
Back to France
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 70km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Last moments in this magical setting before the transfer to Kiruna airport.
The return flight takes us back to France, our eyes still full of white, light, and silence.
We leave enriched by breathtaking landscapes, bonds forged on the snow, and new sensations.
Day 8
Note
The itinerary presented is for guidance only. It may be modified at any time by your guide depending on weather and logistical conditions, in order to guarantee your safety and that of the group. Distances, activity times, and routes may therefore change on the ground.
The Northern Lights are luminous phenomena that are as spectacular as they are unpredictable. The remote nature of the route maximizes your chances of witnessing them, but their appearance remains unpredictable and cannot be guaranteed.
The Tjäktja refuge, the central point of our route, is a small mountain shelter with limited capacity, only 20 beds. Availability is therefore often very limited. In case of unavailability, the route may be adapted to pass via the Nallo refuge, located in a parallel valley.
Accommodation
Each night, you will sleep in a mountain refuge equipped with mixed dormitory-style rooms with bunk beds. Although located in the heart of nature, these accommodations offer simple yet welcoming comfort: wood-burning stove, sauna, fully equipped kitchen… everything you need to relax after a day of exertion.
There is no running water or electricity: the experience remains rustic and authentic. Dry toilets are available nearby, and water collection is an integral part of life in the refuge, a small collective ritual, typical of winter travel.
The capacity of the shelters varies: some can accommodate up to 50 people, while others are more intimate, with only about twenty beds. Each bed has a blanket and a pillow, but a sleeping bag liner is still necessary.
Access
Go to the starting point
Your flight with us
Your e-ticket will be available in your customer account 8 to 10 days before departure. Your login details and password will be sent to you upon registration.
To reach Kiruna, we primarily work with the regular airline, via Stockholm:
SAS: 1 checked bag of 23 kg + 1 hand bag included per person.
Note: Meals and drinks are not included on board and are available for purchase.
This information is provided for guidance purposes only and will be confirmed at the time of booking.
Price details
The price includes
- Paris / Kiruna / Paris flights
- Air taxes
- Round-trip airport transfers
- Travel according to the schedule
- Full board, unless otherwise stated
- The accommodation as described
- The tour is led by a French-speaking tour guide who is a specialist in the destination.
- Loan of Nordic ski equipment and pulkas
- The provision of collective and safety equipment
The price does not include
- Pre-delivery to Paris
- Meals indicated as free in the day-by-day
- The contribution to carbon neutrality
- Airport transfers if the arrival or departure day differs from that of the rest of the group and the program
Options
- Additional night in Stockholm in a double or twin room (price per person) : CHF105.20 / person
- Additional night in Stockholm in a single room : CHF189.36 / person
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
Passport
Passport or national identity card must be valid (check the expiry date now).
From January 15, 2017, a child travelling abroad without being accompanied by one of their parents must present the following 3 documents:
- Valid identity document for the minor: identity card or passport + possible visa depending on the requirements of the destination country (to be checked by consulting the country information sheets on the website diplomatie.gouv.fr)
- Photocopy of the valid identity document of the signing parent: identity card or passport
- Authorization form for leaving the territory signed by one of the parents holding parental authority.
Visa
No visa required for European citizens.
Identity card
Valid identity card required (check expiry date now).
Important: The authorities do not recognize the extension of validity for expired national identity cards. Only strictly valid cards are accepted.
Health recommendations
The health requirements of each country change frequently; it is important and your responsibility to consult them up until the day of your departure on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the "Travel Advice" section.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- The sticks
- Nordic skis (the skis provided do not require specific boots as they are equipped with a strap system).
- Pulkas, harnesses and ropes
Equipment to bring
- A pillowcase and a sleeping bag sheet as only blankets are provided in the accommodations.
- A towel for the saunas in the evening
- A personal first aid kit
- A lip balm
- A tube of sunscreen
- Vaseline or moisturizing cream
- A biodegradable soap
- A biodegradable toothpaste
- Toilet wipes
- High-protection sunglasses or ski goggles
- A ski mask (mandatory)
- A pair of sunglasses (glacier type)
- An insulated thermos to keep your drink hot at lunchtime
- A lightweight water bottle with a minimum capacity of 1 liter
- A Tupperware container, cutlery, and a cup
- Plastic bags to keep your belongings dry
- A headlamp, with spare batteries
- A specialty from your region to discover and share together
Optional:
- A camera
- An external battery (to be placed in carry-on luggage)
- Earplugs
- A knife (to be put in checked baggage)
- Some hand warmers
Clothing to bring
Plan for a "3-layer" system:
For clothing, the layering method is best. This involves wearing several layers of clothing, the closest to the body allowing perspiration to evaporate easily. The other layers retain heat or protect the body from external conditions.
1/ The base layer (directly against the skin)
Complete warm underwear (tights and long-sleeved top).
2/ The intermediate layer
A warm sweater or thick fleece.
3/ The outer layer
It protects you from the wind and snow. We recommend a Gore-Tex type jacket or a warm ski jacket.
- A long jacket with a hood (Gore-Tex type or ski jacket)
- Ski pants or ski touring pants
- A pair of shoes suitable for snowshoeing. They must have several qualities: a high upper, a minimum of rigidity, be warm and made for winter, and be waterproof. (The shoes are compatible with snowshoes or Nordic touring skis.) Sorel boots are ideal (Caribou or Glacier models).
- Fleece (synthetic fiber). This has the advantage of being resistant, warm, lightweight; it dries quickly and offers a soft feel.
- A down jacket (optional but very practical for staying warm during the lunch break or in the evening while observing the Northern Lights)
- Warm sweaters
- Technical underwear, top and bottom. This is your first layer of insulation, so make sure it's good. Fine technical fibers or wool are very effective, warm, flexible, comfortable, and lightweight. They also dry very quickly.
- Two to three long-sleeved t-shirts (Polypropylene - fleece - wool)
- Long underwear (Polypropylene - fleece - wool)
- One or two pairs of thin socks (polypropylene or wool)
- Three to four pairs of thick socks (wool-polypropylene, to be worn over thin socks)
- A neck warmer or balaclava
- A pair of thick (wool) gloves
- A pair of overmitts (optional, polypropylene or fleece)
- A pair of thick, windproof, waterproof gloves (Windstopper or Gore-Tex)
- A pair of inner gloves (wool)
- A beanie
- Nightwear
- A swimsuit to enjoy the saunas in the evening
- Remember to keep your extremities (hands, feet, nose) well covered as they are very sensitive to the cold. These parts of the body cool down very quickly when inactive.
They traveled with us
