aurora borealis bootcamp apukka lapland

It should of course come as no surprise that we at Traveltomtom are big fans of Rovaniemi, Lapland and Finland. Since our first visit in the Summer of 2022 we have been back twice to experience a different Lapland in Winter.

You might remember our stay in early 2024 at the most amazing accommodation of Rovaniemi, Apukka Resort Rovaniemi.

For us staying at Apukka Resort was a bucket list thing to do, so we never thought we would end up staying here ever again. Until we started making plans to experience Rovaniemi's and Lapland's famous Autumn season, known as Ruska.

Apukka Resort happened to organize their famous Ultimate Aurora Borealis Bootcamp while we were in Rovaniemi. Of course we didn't have to think twice about staying at Apukka Resort again and better yet, experiencing their Aurora bootcamp.

Apukka Aurora Bootcamp 1

This blog was written by travel writer and Traveltomtom team member Ashley. She stayed at Apukka Resort, on behalf of Traveltomtom, and wrote this blog about her experiences.

Table of contents

About Apukka Resort

Apukka resort drone 2

Because we already have an extensive blog about Apukka Resort on our website, I will not go into too much detail here, but will briefly highlight what exactly Apukka Resort is.

Apukka Resort is one of those ultimate bucket list destinations that you come across everywhere when you google Lapland or Rovaniemi. Apukka is a high-end resort where you will only find dreamy igloo accommodation.

Apukka aurora cabin 1

The resort is located only 8 minutes from Santa Claus Village and only 16 minutes from Rovaniemi City Center. They offer a shuttle bus service to both. Staying at Apukka is the best of both worlds, close to the city and its highlights, but also located in the middle of the nature right at a beautiful lake.

Apukka Resort Autumn 1

After the busy 2023-2024 winter season, Apukka closed its doors for a number of months. They used this time to thoroughly renovate everything and be ready for the winter season 2024-2025.

Apukka Resort Autumn 3

Previously, the reception was in a smaller building, which also contained a cafe and the activities desk. Especially during the busiest periods in winter, this turned out to be too small for all these facilities and filled up far too quickly. For example, they have added a large extension to the building where their restaurant was already located.

Apukka resort drone 1

They have built a larger cafe here and you will now find the reception here. The Adventure House is now located in the former reception building. You can now go here for all activities.

Check out our extensive blog about Apukka Resort if you want to know more.

Related: Travel to Rovaniemi by Train from Helsinki

Apukka Ultimate Aurora Borealis Bootcamp

Apukka Aurora Bootcamp 3

Apukka Resort is already a super cool destination in itself, but with the annual Ultimate Aurora Borealis Bootcamp they really go next level. During that weekend, your entire stay will be dedicated to the magical Northern Lights.

The bootcamp includes three nights, but of course you can extend this further to more nights as desired.

Apukka Aurora Bootcamp 4

This Ultimate Aurora Borealis Bootcamp is a unique experience like no other. You will stay in a unique igloo accommodation at Apukka Resort during your entire stay. In addition, 2 nights are completely dedicated to the Northern Lights. You will go out with two professional Aurora photographers and hunters. They know better than anyone the best spots to see the Northern Lights and know how tobest capture them. Beautiful photos guaranteed!

Autumn Equinox

Aurora at Apukka Resort 1

Of course I hear you thinking, why is this weekend taking place in September, in the fall? And why not in winter, when there is a thick layer of snow and everything is extra magical? Well, there are several reasons for this, but the most important one is the Autumn Equinox.

What is Autumn Equinox? Autumn Equinox marks the day when we experience roughly the same amount of daytime and nighttime. We have two equinox moments a year, in Spring and in Autumn. An equinox is a moment in the planet's orbit around the sun when the axis, the line connecting the north and south pole, points neither towards nor away from the sun.

Aurora at Apukka Resort 3

What does this have to do with the Northern Lights then? Well, the autumn equinox is known to produce more geomagnetic storms than other times of the year. This can ultimately lead to some amazing Northern Lights displays. So picking September and specifically the equinox weekend for the Aurora Borealis Bootcamp is actually very well thought out by Apukka Resort.

Autumn Aurora's

Aurora at Apukka Resort 4

We now know that Auroras love equinoxes and that equinoxes provide an extra boost for Northern Lights activity. But, autumn is a special month for the Northern Lights in more ways than one. Partly because of the equinox, September is known as one of the best months to see the Northern Lights. What makes this period special is the beautiful autumn colors of nature.

In addition, there is no snow yet and the lakes are still free of ice. This gives you a good chance of seeing the special phenomenon 'Double Aurora'. This is when the Northern Lights are so strong that the reflection is visible in the lake and you see a double aurora. Also the temperatures are much more pleasant than in winter.

When?

For 2024 the Ultimate Aurora Borealis Bootcamp took place on the weekend of September 20 to 23. In 2024 Autumn Equinox was on September 22nd, so absolutely perfect in the weekend of the bootcamp.

Costs?

What about the costs? The price for the Ultimate Aurora Borealis Bootcamp for two starts from €1,700 EUR. This is the starting price and is in an Aurora Cabin. The price obviously changes when you decide to choose a different type of accommodation.

What's included in this bootcamp package?

The package and price as mentioned above includes a 3 nights stay at Apukka Resort, daily breakfast and two Ultimate Aurora Borealis hunting tours. You will also be fully taken care of on the evenings of the Aurora hunts. Hot drinks, sandwiches and bags of snacks are provided.

Should the nights get too cold already during the weekend, thermal clothing is also provided by Apukka Resort.

What does a night of Aurora Hunting look like?

Aurora Bootcamp Seminar Alex 1

During the weekend you will be accompanied by two professional Aurora Borealis photographers. They are two of the best and most experienced photographers and aurora hunters in Rovaniemi and the surrounding area. In 2024, Alex from All About Lapland and Filippo Dias were the Aurora hunters.

What can you expect from such an evening Aurora hunting?

Aurora Bootcamp Seminar Alex 2

Both evenings start early, around 5PM, with a seminar by Alex and Filippo. In his seminar, Alex discussed the Northern Lights phenomenon in more detail, what exactly it is, how it is created and what is needed to see it.

Aurora Bootcamp Seminar Filippo 3

In his seminar, Filippo enthusiastically discussed his life story and his path to becoming the content creator he is today.

Aurora Bootcamp Seminar Filippo 4

After the seminars you will have about an hour and a half of free time until the bus leaves and the real Aurora hunt begins. You are expected at the luxury bus around 7.30PM and the adventure begins.

Next to the professional Northern Lights hunters there's also an Apukka guide who joins the tour. So with the Apukka guide, the Aurora hunter and the bus driver the guidance of the tour consists of 3 persons. Alex guided Aurora hunting on the first evening and Filippo took care of the second evening.

Because the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, it is of course impossible to predict where and when they will be visible. The Northern Lights hunters use all possible resources to predict the best place to go. The most important thing is that there are no clouds and there are clear skies.

During the Aurora hunts you can end up in Sweden and the north of Finland. They will do whatever it takes to find the Northern Lights for you. In our case we were more than 2 hours away from Rovaniemi both evenings.

Apukka Aurora Bootcamp 5

Once they have found the Northern Lights, they look for a nice place to get out and the fun can begin. Alex and Filippo are professional photographers and have all the equipment to take the most beautiful photos of you under the Northern Lights. Only when the Northern Lights hunters think they have had the best of the evening do they return to Apukka. In our case, we didn't get back to our igloo until around 3.30AM both evenings.

If you get too cold or tired during the evening/night, you can always sit in the bus to warm up or take a power nap.

Why should you book?

This is actually a simple question to answer. This Aurora Bootcamp experience is ideal for anyone who has a dream or wish to one day see the Northern Lights. Apukka Resort has taken the best ingredients together, mixed them and shaped them into this ultimate Aurora weekend.

The Apukka Ultimate Aurora Bootcamp significantly increases your chances of seeing the Northern Lights. Honestly, there really isn't a better chance of seeing them. In addition to spending 2 evenings out with professionals, you will also stay in glass igloos that maximize your chances of seeing the Northern Lights.

Please note that this package is not suitable for children.

Autumn Activities

kayak rental 2

Even though the days are long and the nights are short during this special weekend, there is still so much more to do at Apukka that you won't want to miss. Especially during this autumn period, Apukka is a special place to do extra activities.

Apukka Resort Autumn 2

From our own experience we can recommend a number of fun activities. The first one isn't even really an activity by the way. But if you stay at Apukka Resort in the fall, make sure you take a walk around the resort. That's how we discovered our new favorite place in the resort, the pond! This was completely covered in snow in the winter and we therefore did not see it. This is an amazing place in the fall. The reflections here are really beautiful.

Kayaking

kayak rental 1

Apukka Resort is located directly on a lake, so an activity on or in the water should definitely not be missed. Our first recommendation is to rent a kayak. You go out yourself after detailed instructions from the staff member. There is really nothing more beautiful than going out on the water on a beautiful, sunny autumn day and enjoying the ultimate Finnish nature and pure silence.

Floating Sauna

Floating sauna and arctic swim 2

A classic Finnish activity is obviously the Finnish sauna. Of course, this should not be missed if you stay at Apukka Resort. They have special floating saunas here. These float on the lake, so you can combine a floating sauna with an arctic swim here.

Floating sauna and arctic swim 3

During our stay at Apukka last September the water temperatures were around 3-8 degrees Celsius. So after the sauna that guarantees a refreshing swim in the lake!

Rent a fat bike

e fatbike rental 3

Last but certainly not least, renting an e-fat bike is also highly recommended. This is also an independent rental and you get the choice of 3 routes, 16 km, 30 km and 39 km.

e fatbike rental 6

The routes go straight through the forests around Apukka and are truly beautiful cycling routes.

Apukka Ultimate Aurora Borealis Bootcamp review

Apukka Aurora Bootcamp 2

As you can probably read and see, we had a very special weekend during this Aurora Bootcamp. Everything revolves around autumn, the outdoors and the Northern Lights. It is special every time you see the Northern Lights, it is never boring.

Every time I jump and cheer when it gets bright, when it explodes or when it starts to dance. To anyone who has seeing the Northern Lights on their bucket list, consider the Ultimate Aurora Borealis Bootcamp from Apukka Resort.

You maximize your chances, you stay at an amazing resort in the most beautiful accommodations and you also stay in a beautiful part of Finland. A win-win-win situation if you ask me!

We hope this travel blog got you excited to travel to Finnish Lapland.