LAPLAND BASECAMP ADVENTURE | WITH YOUR FAMILY
Huskies, reindeer and snow
The story of
this expedition
Eight days in Lapland with your family, or together with friends and their families: with the huskies through the forest, by snowmobile across frozen lakes and out to a reindeer herder. Children and parents experience a real expedition together, at a pace that suits you, and at least one X Guide from Element X always comes along. The days are full of adventure, and in the evening a warm cabin with its own sauna is waiting, above the Arctic Circle on the border of Sweden and Finland.
On arrival you try on your thermal clothing, and if the sky is clear you may already see the first northern lights. On snowshoes you head through the forest, where the X Guide teaches the children to make fire in the snow and melt water. Then you drive your own husky sled while the children ride along, and by snowmobile you cross frozen lakes and rivers, with a stop to go ice fishing.
The highlight comes from our own expedition Escape The Arctic: with snowshoes and a sled carrying your gear you head out to camp, dig a snow cave together, cook over a wood fire and spend one night in the cave. Back at the lodge the sauna is waiting. On the last full day you feed reindeer at a reindeer herder and ride along on the reindeer sleigh, before a farewell evening under the Arctic sky.
Through the forest
snowshoes, fire and huskiesOn snowshoes you head through the snowy forest with the children. The X Guide teaches them to make fire in the snow and melt water over the flames. The next day you spend half a day out with the huskies: the parents drive the sled, the children ride along. In the evening the cabin with its own sauna is waiting, and on a clear night the northern lights.
Across the ice
snowmobiles and ice fishingBy snowmobile you ride across frozen lakes and rivers, through a white and silent landscape. The children ride in the sled behind. Out on the ice we stop, drill a hole and fish under the ice together.
Under the snow
a night in the snow caveWith snowshoes and a pulka, a sled that carries your gear, you head out to camp in the wilderness. There we dig a snow cave together, just like on our expedition Escape The Arctic. We cook over a wood fire, melt snow into drinking water and sleep in the cave, in sleeping bags rated to minus 30 degrees. The next day the sauna at the lodge is waiting, and on the last full day the reindeer and the reindeer sleigh.
What makes this
expedition unique?
A night in the snow cave
Digging it together, then sleeping in the silence under the snow.
Your own husky sled
The parents drive the team, the children ride along.
By reindeer sleigh
Feeding reindeer and riding along at a reindeer herder.
Looking for the northern lights
On clear evenings out into the dark, far from city lights.
In Lapland the cold is dry, and that makes it easier than you think. The difference is in your hands and feet: dry gloves, good boots and something warm to drink in time. So we stop briefly and often, and go inside before anyone gets really cold. On clear evenings we simply head back out afterwards, for the northern lights.Koen De LeeuwFounder and expedition leader, known from De Expeditie on PlayParacommando · Wilderness First Responder Meet Koen
De Expeditie
De Tijd
Humo
Play MediaHow we
work
Self-sufficient,
never alone
Your base is a lodge with cabins that each have their own sauna, above the Arctic Circle on the border of Sweden and Finland. During the day we head out into the snow; the evenings are warm and taken care of. One night we sleep in the wilderness, in a snow cave we dig together.
Together with your children you learn to make fire in the snow, melt water and stay warm in the cold, guided by at least one X Guide from Element X.
Safety and
guidance
Safety is our top priority. Our X Guides are professionally trained, hold WFR certificates and have years of experience in extreme conditions, including the Arctic winter.
Everyone receives thermal clothing, we work with satellite communication and an evacuation plan, and in the snow cave you sleep in sleeping bags rated to minus 30 degrees. Every child joins in at their own pace.
Before
you go
Beforehand you receive an online briefing and a packing list, and you pass on your medical details and dietary requirements. On site we start with introductions and a safety briefing.
Everything
at a glance
Every Basecamp Adventure is tailored to your family: the dates, the programme and the price. We arrange the flights together with you.
- Departure
- 06/02 to 13/02/2027 02/01 to 09/01/2028
- Tailor made
- Other dates are possible too, fully tailored to your family.
- Duration
- 8 days, 7 nights, in the school holidays
- Level
- Explore2/5Basecamp Adventure, for families
- Group
- One or more families
- Price
- On requestTailored to your family
Included
- At least one X Guide from Element X, all week
- All overnight stays: six nights in a cabin with its own sauna and one night in a snow cave you dig yourselves
- All meals during the expedition
- Transfers to and from the airport in Lapland
- Thermal clothing for the activities
- Sleeping bags rated to minus 30 degrees and camping gear for the night in the snow cave
- All activities
Not included
- Flights to Lapland
- Transport to and from the airport in Belgium
- Personal clothing (top, bottom, shoes)
- Insurance (cancellation and assistance)
Frequently asked questions
See all questionsWhat is a Basecamp Adventure?
An adventure at Explore level, made for families. During the day you experience a real expedition together; the evenings are adventurous but come with comfort. Unlike our standard expeditions there is no long preparation programme: you receive a briefing and a packing list, and we tailor everything to your family.
From what age can children come along?
We look at that together in a conversation. With the huskies and on the snowmobile the children ride along in the sled, and for the snow cave too we choose what suits your family.
When do you leave?
We plan two departures: 6 to 13 February 2027 (spring half term) and 2 to 9 January 2028 (Christmas holidays), each eight days and seven nights. Other dates are possible too: we tailor it completely to your family.
Where do we sleep?
For six nights you sleep in a cabin with its own sauna at a lodge, above the Arctic Circle on the border of Sweden and Finland. One night you sleep in the wilderness, in a snow cave you dig together, in sleeping bags rated to minus 30 degrees.
How safe is it for children?
Safety is our top priority. At least one X Guide from Element X always comes along, with a Wilderness First Responder certificate. Everyone receives thermal clothing, we work with satellite communication and an evacuation plan, and every child joins in at their own pace.
How do we get to Lapland?
You fly to Lapland. From there the transfer to the lodge is arranged. We arrange the flights together with you.
How cold is Lapland in January and February?
During the day it is usually minus 5 to minus 20 degrees; at night it can get colder, down to minus 30. In early January the days are short, with a few hours of daylight; in February the light returns quickly. With the right clothing and plenty of movement you stay warm.
Will we see the northern lights?
We cannot promise it: the northern lights depend on solar activity and a clear sky. Above the Arctic Circle and far from city lights, January and February are good months for it, and on clear evenings we go out to look together.
What does the Lapland Basecamp Adventure cost?
The price depends on the number of participants and your wishes. After a first conversation you receive a tailored proposal for your family, with all activities included.
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