Great Rail Journeys
Grand Tour of Norway & Sweden
17 daysfrom $6,409
Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour
Grand Tour of Norway & Sweden (Arctic Circle Express)
Embark on a 17-day Nordic rail adventure of a lifetime to visit Majestic mountains and heavenly fjords in Norway combine with the tranquil landscapes of Sweden
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Stockholm
Welcome to Stockholm
Arrive in Stockholm and check in at the central hotel to meet the Tour Manager and fellow travelers for the first of two nights. Free time to explore before dinner at the hotel.
- Day 2overnight: Stockholm
Guided tour of Stockholm, the 'city between the bridges'
Guided sightseeing tour taking in City Hall, the Royal Palace, Östermalm, Långholm and Djurgården, then Stockholm's Old Town, Gamla Stan, with a stop for traditional Swedish 'fika'. Afternoon free to explore, including Museum Island's Vasa Museum; dinner independent.
- Day 3railovernight: Östersund
To lakeside Östersund
Board an InterCity train to Östersund, on the shores of Storsjön Lake, Sweden's only UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Free time to explore the lake, Frösön island and the Jamtli Museum; dinner independent.
- Day 4railovernight: Arjeplog
Through Swedish Lapland to a Sámi village
Scenic train journey on the Inlandsbanan north into Swedish Lapland to Sorsele, visiting the Inlandsbanan Museum, then by coach to a Sámi village to learn about the traditions and reindeer of Scandinavia's indigenous people. Continue to Arjeplog on Sweden's deepest lake, Hornavan, for the first of two nights, with an authentic Sámi dinner served in a tipi.
- Day 5overnight: Arjeplog
Into the Arctic Circle for a Sámi experience
All-day coach excursion to the remote Sámi town of Jokkmokk, crossing the Arctic Circle with a small ceremony to mark the entry. Visit the Ájtte Sámi Museum to see historic Sámi artefacts and learn about semi-nomadic Sámi traditions. Return to Arjeplog for dinner.
- Day 6overnight: Bodø
The Silver Road to Bodø in northern Norway
Coach journey along the historic Silver Road (Silvervägen) from Sweden to Bodø, Norway, passing the Arjeplog mountains and Saltdal Fjord. Visit the Norwegian Jekt Trade Museum in Bodø; afternoon at leisure before dinner at the hotel.
- Day 7overnight: Bodø
Embarking on a cruise to Beiar fjord
Visit the Norwegian Aviation Museum, then an afternoon four-hour boat tour aboard a hybrid-electric ship to the Saltstraumen maelstrom and Beiar fjord. Dinner independent in Bodø.
- Day 8railovernight: Trondheim
The Polar Express to Viking Trondheim
Leisurely morning in Bodø before boarding the Nordlandsbanen ('Polar Express'), Norway's longest train route at 453 miles, crossing the Arctic Circle and passing the Svartisen Glacier en route to Trondheim. Lunch and dinner independent (café available on board).
- Day 9overnight: Trondheim
Guided tour of Trondheim, the ancient Viking capital
Guided tour of Trondheim's Old Quarter and the waterfront houses of Bakklandet, and the Royal Residence, the largest wooden building in northern Europe. Free afternoon and independent dinner.
- Day 10railovernight: Geiranger
Aboard the spectacular Rauma Railway
Rail, road and ferry journey to Geiranger, changing trains at Dombås for the scenic Rauma Railway, crossing the Kylling Bridge and Romsdalen Valley past the Trollveggen (Troll Wall). Continue by coach up the Troll's Ladder and by ferry across Norddalsfjord to Geiranger. Buffet dinner at the hotel.
- Day 11overnight: Geiranger
Cruising Norway's superb Geirangerfjord
Fjord cruise across the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord, then a scenic drive to Hornindalsvatn, Europe's deepest lake. Return to Geiranger for dinner.
- Day 12overnight: Flåm
A journey through Norway's fjord country to Flåm
Coach journey through Norway's fjord country, stopping at the Dalsnibba viewing point and (seasonally) the Kaupanger Stave Church, before crossing the Sognefjord by ferry and continuing to Flåm via the world's longest road tunnel. Dinner at the four-star hotel.
- Day 13railovernight: Bergen
A fjord cruise and a ride on the Flåm Railway
Fjord cruise aboard a luxury eco boat across the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord to Gudvangen, then return to Flåm by coach for a ride on the Flåm Railway up to Myrdal, stopping at the Kjosfossen Falls, before transferring by coach to Bergen for two nights. Dinner at the hotel.
- Day 14overnight: Bergen
Exploring the Hanseatic city of Bergen
Guided tour of Bergen by coach and on foot, taking in the UNESCO-listed Bryggen waterfront and the Klosteret area. Free afternoon and evening, independent dinner.
- Day 15railovernight: Oslo
An iconic trip on the Bergen Railway to Oslo
Travel to Oslo aboard northern Europe's highest railway line, the Bergen Railway, passing the Hallingdal Valley and Hardangerjøkule Glacier. Check in to a central Oslo hotel; free evening, independent dinner.
- Day 16overnight: Oslo
Uncovering Oslo's history and culture
Guided coach tour of Oslo taking in the Opera House and the Royal Palace. Free afternoon for galleries, museums or an Oslofjord cruise. Celebration three-course dinner at a local restaurant this evening.
- Day 17
Homeward bound
Relaxed morning in Oslo before the tour concludes; transfer to the airport for the journey home or continue on at leisure.
Included
- Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
- 16 nights' 3 & 4-Star hotel accommodation
- Premium & Standard Class rail travel
- All rail, cruise, ferry and coach travel throughout your tour
- Breakfast each day, 1 lunch, 11 dinners
- Group luggage transfers between hotels from Stockholm to Arjeplog, Bodø to Geiranger, Bergen to Oslo
- All guided tours and excursions
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
- Flights and Airport transfers not included
