Floating on a frozen lake isn’t the first thing that comes to mind as a way to see the Northern Lights, but Arctic travel experts Off the Map Travel have launched a new program where participants do just that—the Aurora Floating Experience.
With a base of thermal underwear to keep warm, adventurers venture into the icy waters in Rovaniemi, Finland, outfitted in a red, head-to-toe survival suit that allows for a comfortable and dry float as they await the appearance of the Northern Lights.
“The Arctic is one of the best places to enjoy the night sky and the Northern Lights, and looking skyward while floating on your back is a really special way to enjoy them,” says Jonny Cooper, founder of Off the Map Travel and Arctic travel expert.
The three-hour Aurora Floating Experience starts at 7:30 in the evening when the last hints of daylight have vanished. Participants don a dry rescue suit over their clothing and take a short walk to the lake, directed by candles and a guide. The newly cut ice hole exposes the lake’s 32-degree fahrenheit water where the float begins. Surrounded by the starry night sky and the silence of the Arctic wilderness, participants float serenely waiting for the burst of colors.
“For some, seeing the Northern Lights can be quite spiritual . . . The option to float under the stars amplifies the relationship with the night sky and the Northern Lights, creating a new and powerful Aurora experience.”
“Although the Aurora can never be guaranteed, this is an experience that puts you in a wonderful position to search for the Northern Lights,” adds Cooper. “For some, seeing the Northern Lights can be quite spiritual, especially with the many local myths and stories surrounding them. The option to float under the stars amplifies the relationship with the night sky and the Northern Lights, creating a new and powerful Aurora experience.”
The program is available to guests through April 15th, 2018. No special swimming skill is required, but guests must be over 47 inches in height. The Aurora Floating Experience can be booked individually or for small groups of up to 16 people. As with any program from Off the Map Travel, every itinerary can be tailor-made to fit the wishes and requirements of all guests. As an example, a three-night, four-day itinerary is priced from $1,736 (at the time of this writing) per person based on two adults sharing a double suite with breakfast and dinner, accommodations at the one-of-a-kind Arctic Treehouse Hotel, transfers to and from Rovaniemi Airport, and the Aurora Floating Experience. For more information visit www.offthemap.travel/aurora-floating/ and www.offthemap.travel.