KEBNEKAISE CONQUEST
Winter ascent of Sweden’s highest mountain
Nikkaluokta, Sweden
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Around 12:00 PM we meet in Kiruna. You’ll meet your guide and the rest of the group. Afterwards, we depart by minibus towards the Sami village of Nikkaluokta. We arrive there in the mid-afternoon. We sleep in simple, warm lodges. We cook for ourselves, eat together, and prepare for the days in the wilderness. You check your gear. Tomorrow morning, it truly begins.
In the early morning, the snowmobile is ready. We load our pulks and skis. For the first few tens of kilometers, we are taken into the Vistas Valley. Here, in lower terrain with trees and bushes, the snow is sometimes unreliable. With the snowmobile, we avoid those risks.
As soon as we get higher and the snow is better, we switch to our skis. From here, we continue on our own. Deep into the wilderness. Slowly, rhythmically, in silence. Towards noon, we have lunch in the snow. In the afternoon, we pitch our tent for the first time. You melt snow, eat warm food, crawl into your sleeping bag early.
We pack up camp and ski further, now heading southwest. The landscape opens up. You feel your body adapting to the rhythm. Your pulk glides behind you. We take regular breaks. Warm drinks. A small snack. In the afternoon, we set up our camp again. Everything revolves around simplicity. Efficiency. Staying warm. Getting rest.
Today we also continue our trek. In the familiar rhythm: an hour of walking, ten minutes break. Repeat. The silence is vast. The view expansive. If all goes according to plan, by the end of this day we will reach the spot where we set up our basecamp for the ascent of Kebnekaise. The tents stand firmly in the snow. We eat and rest. Tomorrow, the summit awaits.
Today John joins us. A local guide with knowledge of the mountain. We start early. First with skis, then on snowshoes. The route depends on the weather and conditions.
The ascent is not a technical climb. Knowledge of mountaineering is therefore not necessary.
The goal: to stand on the summit of Kebnekaise around noon. Sweden below you. The air thin. The silence absolute. In the afternoon, we descend to the basecamp. The tents are still there. We say goodbye to John.
We break camp and ski back to the agreed-upon point. There, the snowmobiles await us. They take us back through the valley to Nikkaluokta. In the village, we shower. There’s a warm meal. A chair. A bed. Your body feels tired, but satisfied.
Early in the morning, the minibus takes us to Kiruna airport. We arrive there around 09:30 AM, well in time for the first flight to Stockholm. If you prefer to stay an extra day in Kiruna, or if your flight is in the evening, you can also disembark there.
The climb of Kebnekaise is planned for day 5, but nature determines the moment. The guides maintain daily contact about the weather and conditions. If the chance of good weather is greater earlier or later, we shift the summit day. It remains an expedition. Flexibility is part of the adventure.
We meet once before the trip. Live or digital. We pick the date by mutual agreement. Then we get to know each other. You’ll get an explanation of the materials and we’ll consider the map. With tea and coffee, we will discuss the trip and if possible set up the tent.
We keep in touch with each other before (and often after) in a WhatsApp group.
You can provide your dietary requirements when registering. Vegetarian is not a problem. For other requirements, we’ll discuss internally to see if we can accommodate them. The food will be sent to you prior to the trip and you’ll bring it with you on the journey.
This “Expedition Challenge” is a Red Label expedition and is challenging in design. Good fitness is necessary. Depending on the weather, it could be a spirited ride.
You don’t need to run a marathon. But assume that you should be able to walk 15 kilometers with a 15-kilo backpack at a normal pace, 15 days in a row.
Running 15 kilometers non-stop is also good. Do you have questions about this? Then contact the guide.
During the trip, there’s mainly physical stress on the knees and lower back.
Are you older than 55 and want to participate in this trip? Then we strongly advise you to have a sports medical examination performed. Read more about the possibilities here.
Tours with Arctic Adventure are Expedition Experiences. You experience what an expedition is like. Sometimes spicy, sometimes easy. But always together.
We mainly sleep in tents. You do this with someone else (or your partner) from the group. On winter trips, at least two people always sleep in a tent for safety reasons.
Moving, cooking and navigating are done together. The beauty of small groups is that there is always a real and good group feeling. Sometimes there are friendships and reunions years later.
You receive the full winter expedition equipment on loan. Skis, sleeping bags, pulk, boots, tent. Handle it with care. This can make or break your expedition.
After your registration (or upon request) you’ll receive a detailed packing list.
During the trek, we are in uninhabited territory. In case of emergency, our position can always be reached by rescue services with a snowmobile or helicopter.
The guide carries satellite communication equipment and both digital (GPS) and analog (Compass) navigation.
The guide has at least a Wilderness Advanced First Aid and WGA I (Wilderness Guide Association) certification.
Do you want to read more (everything) about cross-country skiing? Because that’s what we’ll be doing during this expedition. Then read it on the site of toerlanglauftochten.nl.
Participant 1: Female, 27
Participant 2: Man, 58
Participant 3: Man, 57
Participant 4: Woman, 43
Participant 5: Woman, 36
Participant 6: Man, 45
Participant 7: Man, 45
The trip is confirmed with 5 participants and is full with 7 participants.
There is currently 1 spot available for this trip.
Participant 1: Male, 20
Participant 2: male, 48
Participant 3: Male, 17
Participant 4: Female, 28
Participant 5: Male, 51
Participant 6: Female, 49
Participant 7: Male, 58
The trip will proceed with 5 participants and is full at 7 participants.
This trip is now completely full.
Participants in our trips often sign up alone.
It happens that couples sign up.
The age of most participants is between 30 and 50 years.
There are certainly exceptions. The youngest participant was 23 and the oldest 66.
The male-female ratio is 50/50. The more challenging treks attract slightly more men. 60/40. But often the distribution is nicely balanced.
March 1 – 7, 2026
March 8 – 14, 2026
March 1 or 8, 2026.
Meet the guide in Kiruna city center at 12:00 PM at Malmfältens Folhögskola
March 7 or 14, 2026.
Departure from Nikkaluokta around 07:30 AM. Arrival Kiruna airport at 09:30 AM
The return flight at 10:25 AM is feasible with this.
This trip connects well with the flight from Düsseldorf with Eurowings. This flight is on Saturday late afternoon. So you can arrive on Saturday. You can stay at Malmfältens STF, where we’ll meet on Sunday at 12:00.
You book flights yourself.
You can also come to Sweden by train or car.
€ 1,987
Maximum 7
If during the trip it is collectively decided to undertake extras (Excursions, overnight stays, meals), these costs will be divided among the participants.
Food
Sleeping
Hygiene
Clothing
You will receive a detailed packing list after your registration, or upon request.
An expedition down jacket can be rented through Arctic Adventure for €50
As a participant in our trips, you receive 10% discount in Bever stores.
So make use of this if you still need to purchase equipment.
Please contact us if you have questions about the equipment.
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