Northern Lights & Arctic Circle by Rail

Company : G Adventures
Countries: Norway / Sweden
Duration: 1 week to 2 weeks
Approx Costs: 2500 to 3000+ £ Pound (UK)

Ride the rails of Scandinavia across the Arctic Circle, explore the Lofoten Islands with an eye out for the Northern Lights, check out life in the small towns of the far north

If it’s a picturesque train journey through wintery mountains and past tiny Scandinavian towns you’re looking for, then check out our very own version of the Polar Express. On this scenic 9-day trip, you’ll start in Oslo and head up north to get a taste of the highlights of Lapland.

Once you disembark, there’ll be plenty of opportunities to visit museums, taking part in winter activities like snowshoeing and dog-sledding, and getting acquainted with small-town life in snow-covered northern Sweden. Be sure to watch the sky for a chance to spot the Northern Lights in their full glory!

Itinerary

Day 1 Oslo
Arrive at any time.

Days 2-3 Trondheim
Visit Vigeland Park in Oslo before departing on the Dovre Railway north to Trondheim. With a free time, opt to visit sights like the neighbourhood of Bakklandet, the old town bridge, cafés along the wharves, Market Square, Nidaros Cathedral or the old city streets. On the evening of Day 3, board an overnight train on the Norland Railway to Bodø and wake up north of the Arctic Circle in a coastal port town.

Days 4-5 Bodø/Lofoten islands
Arrive to Bodø and spend some free time exploring this small transfer city. Hop an afternoon ferry for the ride to the Lofoten Islands. Stay in charming fishing cabins on the coast. On the evening of Day 4, take an included tour to track down the Northern Lights. Enjoy free time on the islands with an optional wildlife-spotting cruise or scenic hikes.

Days 6-7 Tromsø
Travel by bus to Tromsø. Arrive in time for dinner and an optional evening concert at the Arctic Cathedral. With a free day in town opt to try dog-sledding, snowshoeing or reindeer-sledding. In the evening on Day 7, enjoy an included visit to Mt Storsteinen by cable car with an optional dinner at the top.

Day 8 Kiruna
Travel to Narvik by bus before switching to the famous Ofoten Railway to continue by train to Kiruna. Enjoy a stay in cabins outside the city and opt to enjoy their on-site sauna. Cross your fingers for one more chance to see the Northern Lights from the hotel's viewing area.

Day 9 Kiruna
Depart at any time. With a little more time in Kiruna there are plenty of options to enjoy. We recommend booking a post-night accommodation to have the chance to try dog-sledding, reindeer sleighs, visit the ice hotel, snowshoeing or a Sami cultural experience.

What's Included

Oslo orientation walk. Vigeland Park visit. Dovre Railway. Norland Railway. Lofoten Islands stay. Northern Lights tour. Mt Storsteinen visit with cable car. Ofoten Railway.
8 breakfasts. (Allow EUR400-500 for meals not included.)
Standard hotel (4 nts), fishing cabins (2 nts), winter cabins (1 nt), overnight train (1 nt).
Train (seats), train (beds), private van, ferry, public bus, walking.
Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.
Small group experience; Max 16, avg 12