Aurora Hot Air Ballooning and Stargazing

 

A new way to experience the Northern Light in Swedish Lapland has been launched allowing guests to float into the Arctic skies and hover amongst the stars, in search of the Aurora.

The new travel concept launched by Off the Map Travel was created by the founders of the Aurora Safari Camp, Jonas Gejke and Fredrik Broman, who are starting hot air balloon operations along with ballooning expert Andrew Peart who has been flying hot air balloons more than 25 years over the African savannahs.

“This is a first,” says Jonathan Cooper, founder of Off the Map Travel and Arctic Travel expert. “We’ve never heard of anything like this before and everything is pointing to this being the regions next big highlight Aurora experience.”

The first aurora flight will take off in December 2020 and will be available through to April – with bookings officially due to open for gests in May 2020. The experience will see the expert guide take off and ascend up to 40 meters into the air where it will hover to hunt for the Northern Lights, anchored to the arctic ice below. Those keen to experience the new Aurora ballooning are advised to contact the team at Off the Map Travel to include in itineraries for next winter.

If visitors are more interested in the Arctic landscapes, then the new Lapland Ballooning team will also be running daytime expedition flights from its home base in Gunnarsbyn, Råneå River Valley, over the spectacular Arctic wilderness.

aurora and small cabin, our only neighbour

The new Lapland Ballooning experiences are available for groups of up to six people and is recommended for guests over six years old. As flights will be weather dependent it is also recommended that the experience be included as part of a multi-day stay to allow guests flexibility for their flight.

“To experience the Northern Lights from the tranquility of the balloon in a remote wilderness region of Northern Sweden is a very special experience and one that will serve as a highlight for any luxury Arctic adventure,” adds Off the Map Travel’s Jonathan Cooper. “Although the Aurora is never guaranteed, what better place to hunt for it than by ascending into the stars yourself.”

As with any itinerary from Off the Map Travel, every adventure can be tailor-made to fit the wishes and requirements of any guest. As an example, the full board four-day, three-night Aurora in the Sky itinerary costs from £2,275 per person, not including flights. This includes meals, private transfers, accommodation at the Outpost and Aurora Safari Camp, snowmobile adventure with lunch on the Arctic circle, Aurora Hot Air Balloon experience, and a Snowmobile adventure to “meet the locals” experience,


For more information on tailor-made travel itineraries visit www.offthemap.travel; call +44 (0) 800 566 8901; email [email protected].

Mark Bibby Jackson

Mark Bibby Jackson

Before setting up Travel Begins at 40, Mark was the publisher of AsiaLIFE Cambodia and a freelance travel writer. When he is not packing and unpacking his travelling bag, Mark writes novels, including To Cook A Spider and Peppered Justice. He loves walking, eating, tasting beer, isolation and arthouse movies, as well as talking to strangers on planes, buses and trains whenever possible. Most at home when not at home.

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