Lapland Adventure And The Icehotel Sweden - Winter Activity Holiday

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 17 reviews.

Andrew Kyle

LAPLAND ADVENTURE & THE ICEHOTEL

Written December 2011
The trip was very enjoyable overall with some great activities, spectacular scenery and a magical trip to the Ice Hotel. However, there were some issues that prevented a higher rating, which primarily were around whether the trip represented value for money. I suspect the trip could be booked independently at a much cheaper price and without much difficulty.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The Ice Hotel truly is somewhere that can take the breath away (not just because it is so cold..) and an experience that you can find in many parts of the world. Very much a worthwhile part of the trip, in a very scenic part of the world.
The husky sledding was also a lot of fun and the dogs were wonderful, and we were also lucky enough to experience the Northern Lights.
What did you think of your group leader?
One of the biggest disappointments leading to the view that the trip didn't represent value for money was that there wasn't an Exodus representative on the trip, which given the cost of the trip, was a surprise. We were left to rely on the owner of the place where we stayed, who, possibly as the result of the accomodation being a late change, didn't appear to be very familiar with our itinerary. As a result, some activities that were promised in the initial itinerary were never offered (e.g. the snowmobiling option, survival skills) without any explanation. Without an Exodus rep present, it wasn't possible to get the full information around issues affecting the trip such as the change to the itinerary which meant we weren't able to spend the night away in the wilderness lodge as the result of the warmer than expected weather in the weeks before our trip. This information was not shared in advance and the lack of an Exodus rep meant the information was not shared well. Information around the trip to the Ice Hotel was also not well shared, and meant that we had to find out a lot of this information ourselves, which was also not expected. Having been on a previous Exodus trip where the quality of rep was exemplary, I was disappointed about this aspect of the trip.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I would recommend that people who are looking to book on this trip, book for a time in January or February as the date over Christmas appears to be early in the season to ensure there are not weather related impacts on the itinerary.
Sweden is a beautiful part of the world and I would recommend that it is worth visiting, but it may be possible to book this sort of trip independently and therefore save on the costs of the trip.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
With the fact that elements of the trip were not delivered as anticipated, I am keen to find out the situation with regard to compensation.
Hannah Buckley

LAPLAND ADVENTURE & THE ICEHOTEL

Written March 2011
Excellent holiday, unique location away from commercial hustle and bustle - action packed, wide range of activities with modern equipment and facilities- local cuisine included reindeer, elk and wild boar very tasty, seconds or 3rds every day!! It is all sorted for you so you can focus on having a fantastic holiday.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Too many to recount, every day has something unique to recall but the igloo building and night in it will remain with me forever, as will the northern lights not once but twice, the dog sledding, the dogs antics and chasing after a run away sled! Oh and jumping in the snow after a swedish sauna!
My personal favourite though has to be taking the skidoo through the forest, digging the machine out of the powder and then pushing it to its limit across the lakes- Thanks Barbara.
What did you think of your group leader?
Staff at Lappeasuado make the trip what it is. Specialist staff depending on what activity your doing add to the experience.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take your own water proof ski gloves/mittens, 2 pairs of silk gloves, a snood, and hip flask! Get plenty of rest before you go, its non stop until thursday. Dont forget goggles for skidoo and the sun cream!
And don't forget the camera charger, and extra memory card!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would recommend this trip over a 3 day trip to the ice hotel any day, but be mindful with this trip you only get a snow room in the ice hotel, not a carved suite! But don't forget your asleep and you can see all the suites during the day!
The weather in March and daylight hours make it one of the optimum times to go especially for you Northern light fans!
In a nutsell, the holiday was worth every penny!
Mike Bicknell

LAPLAND ADVENTURE & THE ICEHOTEL

Written March 2011
The huskies & the dog-sled was my favourite experience. Just a shame that for such an expensive holiday the taxi meeting us at Kiruna Airport upon our arrival was very late in turning-up. Not a good start, but things improved after this early nuisance.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Also loved the ski-doo's on the snow, & the igloo building, & we saw the Northern Lights twice on our six day stay.
What did you think of your group leader?
Excellent.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Bring your own gloves & mittens to fit over them.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The Old Homestead restaurant was expensive & boring at The Ice Hotel, although the Ice Hotel was a fantastic experience. One night's stay was just enough for me though.
Neil Powell

LAPLAND ADVENTURE & THE ICEHOTEL

Written February 2011
Great holiday, well planned, great company, lovely fresh prepared food, even in wilderness lodge and when out for the day either on a campfire or in a nearby lodge.Scenary fantastic, activities amazing - especially dogsledding - the huskies were great, very friendy and eager to run. Activities not too challenging - basic level of fitness onlyStaff in Lappis Lodge made you very welcome, all very friendly and helpful and all made the effort to talk. Acoomdation at lodge first class - Wifi Internet access throughout - great for free SKYPE calls home! Great holiday and experience with Exodus who booked bespoke flights for me from Manchester to enable me to meet the group in StockholmWould highly recommend!
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Dog Sledding with the Hiuskies by far, followed by Snowmobiling and the nioght in the Amazing Ice Hotel
What did you think of your group leader?
Different group leaders for each activity - all very friendly,,knowledgable and helpful - made you feel welcome and ensured that you were safe and looked after.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
You currently dont need all the equipment on the list - especially the sleeping bag liner.
Head Torch is a good idea
As are layers of clothing - but the supplied suits and boots are great in keeping you warm - didnt feel cold once even in temps of minus 38!
Take some Alcholol - ist very expensive, but the lodge is licensed as is the widerness camp so you can buy as you go..
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Would highly recommend - well done Exodus and well done to the wonderful Lappis Lodge for an excellant break.
Kathy Kerr

LAPLAND ADVENTURE & THE ICEHOTEL

Written February 2011
We had a really good time, loved the dog sledding and driving the SkiDoos. Found the Snowshoeing hard. Spent all day on the friday building an igloo and quinzee, great fun. The Ice Hotel was amazing, planning to go back again in a couple of years.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
We were very lucky to see the Northern Lights twice and very spectacular, even the locals said they were magnificent.
What did you think of your group leader?
Communication could have been better but all of the staff and instructors where very nice.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
We had exceptional weather, -40c everyday, even the locals had problems, this was exceptional but prevented us starting our day at 0930 as it was too cold for the dogs and skidoos. Be prepared for extremes, although this did have an effect on the trip we felt we had really seen Lapland in its full glory, the scenery was beautiful and the extreme cold added to the beauty in its own way. Dont worry if you feel you cant do everything, we mixed and matched our partners to help out or just stayed in the lodge, but we do recommend you have a go at everything if you can.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We where provided with hats, mittens, boots and a "romper suit" which really did the job, great kit, kept us lovely and warm.
Norma Elliss

LAPLAND ADVENTURE & THE ICEHOTEL

Written February 2010
Absolutely fantastic, I loved it. Great group leaders, lodges were top grade with good food & friendly staff. AND amazing scenery. Loved the snow. I learnt to mush dogs, ride a snowmobile, walk in snow (I had never seen snow before) and build an igloo.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Driving the sled dogs. My dogs were just the best, fast & very strong.
What did you think of your group leader?
All leaders were excellent. Very professional & their love & pride in their country shone through.
And I will forever remember our arrival at Lappeasuando lodge (after a 36 hour flight for me) and being so warmly welcomed with soup a wonderful drink made from cloudberry.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Ensure you have thermals for layers. I also took finger gloves with liners plus my own balaclava & winter hat & I was never cold even though the temperature was in the minus 20s & colder. Good thermals are especially needed for the overnight stay at the amazing Ice Hotel.
Make an effort to get to know your group members. We all came from very different backgrounds but became good friends & helped each other.
Dont miss any of the activities. They are all excellent. Unfortunately I had to have one day enforced rest after injuring my shoulder (later found it was disclocated) and unfortunately missed the Sami & reindeer trip.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Coming from the desert in Australia this was a total "climate shock" for me but I loved it. A stunning holiday. I want to do it again.
Katharine Pearson

LAPLAND ADVENTURE & THE ICEHOTEL

Written January 2010
Simply amazing, we had the best time ever. The whole experience has left me inspired and a total bore at work.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I think I had several 'moments' Silliest was falling face first off an ice bed at the Ice Hotel, scariest was overturning our snowmobile, most fun was dog sledding and most inspirational was digging out our quinzee by the light of a red headtorch,
What did you think of your group leader?
We had several leaders, all very capable and confident. All were friendly and happy to tell you about their lives in Sweden. They seemed to have a huge love and respect for the region.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Don't forget your thermals, extra gloves, thin and thick socks, head light, water bottle and balaclava. Everything else is provided. If you are taking a 16 year old, as I did, they will love it, they don't have to wash (not advisable nor are water based skin creams) nor do they have to change very often!
I would also advise taking Lithium batteries for your camera, I did and 1 set lasted the whole week.
Also, if you are not sure about cross country skiing, ask to have snow shoes instead.
Pack playing cards, DS, books etc. Mobile phone etc. reception is good, so take your charger.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We had a great time, especially as it was Christmas. There were 4 hours of daylight, and we crammed everything into that time slot. The accommodation was excellent, the newly opened cabins at the main lodge are warm and well designed ( apart from our 'curtains' that kept falling down). We had the strange experience of returning to our cabins each day to find an extra piece of furniture had been installed - we were holding out for a plasma TV, maybe the next guests will get one... The food was filling and tasty - always plentiful, we even had turkey on Christmas day, and a preset from Santa.
The Ice Hotel is cold, -5 inside, and the beds are not very comfortable, but the sleeping bags are perfect. Two words of caution, go to the loo before you retire and don't wriggle once on the bed, the reindeer skins are surprisingly slippery.
Best laugh was dog sledding, the only thing I didn't fall off.
Thought I was an old and knackered 50 year old but I managed to do everything. Please go on this trip - it is awesome!