Intrepid Travel
Northern Sweden by Rail
9 daysfrom $3,436
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour
The Northern Lights & Lapland
Our escorted rail adventure seeks out the Northern Lights and the Arctic circle. Travel on Scandinavia's most scenic railways and see spectacular sights.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Trondheim
Arrival in Trondheim, the former Viking capital
Your Scandinavian holiday begins at London Heathrow this morning, where you meet the Tour Manager before boarding a flight to Trondheim via Oslo. Separated from eastern Norway by the mighty Dovrefjell Mountains, Trondheim was founded by Olaf Tryggvason, a Viking king, more than a thousand years ago. On arrival in this fascinating city, we transfer by coach to our hotel in the stylish harbourside, just a short distance from the historic centre. There is time to look around our new surroundings before dinner at the hotel this evening.
Meals: Dinner
- Day 2railovernight: Bodø
Crossing the Arctic Circle on the stunning Nordland Railway
Leaving Trondheim early this morning, we join the spectacular Nordland Railway. Known as the Polar Express due to the route's picture-book snow scenes, the train makes its way across the Arctic Circle to Bodø - a 453-mile route that passes through some of Norway's most amazing landscapes. We witness sunrise over wintry northern Norway, passing frozen lakes, snow-covered mountains, tranquil fjords and frosted forests as we cross the Arctic Circle. Enroute, look out for reindeer in the mountains or elusive sea eagles soaring over the picturesque coast. As the train reaches Fauske, it turns west along the shimmering shore of Skjerstad Fjord before arriving in Bodø. Transferring to our hotel, we enjoy dinner together. As we're situated above the Arctic Circle, there's a chance of viewing the magnificent Northern Lights.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 3overnight: Svolvær
To the Lofoten Isles & seeking the Northern Lights
After breakfast, we take a scenic coach journey of around four hours, travelling from Bodø to Bognes. From here, we catch the ferry to Lødingen on the Lofoten Isles. After disembarking, our atmospheric drive continues to Svolvær, the tiny capital of these stunning islands. Set beneath the auroral oval, the Lofoten Isles are one of the world's best locations to see the Northern Lights. After dark, we venture out by coach to seek the wondrous yet elusive spectacle, before returning to our Svolvær hotel for dinner. If the weather is clear, after dinner we have another chance to experience their spectral swirling dance on a Northern Lights hunt.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 4overnight: Svolvær
The villages of the Lofoten archipelago
A scenic drive with a local guide takes us to one of Norway's oldest and best-preserved fishing villages, Nusfjord. Huddled around its fjordside harbour, we find a scattering of colourful wooden cabins, known as rorbu, painted mustard, cream and crimson. We continue our drive amid the Lofoten scenery to Vestvågøy. Dinner is served back at our Svolvær hotel tonight, after which we can venture out once again to look for the Northern Lights.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 5overnight: Narvik
Dramatic scenery on a journey to mainland Narvik
Saying goodbye to Svolvær after breakfast, we set out by coach for the return journey to the Norwegian mainland. On arrival in Narvik, we check in to our hotel and have some free time to explore. This ice-free seaport is located 250 miles north of the Arctic Circle and has lots of fascinating attractions, including the Red Cross War Memorial Museum and the Ofoten Museum. This evening, we gather back at our hotel for dinner together.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 6railovernight: Kiruna
The breathtaking Ofoten Railway to Sweden
A highlight of the holiday awaits today as we travel on one of the world's most northerly railway lines, the Ofoten Railway, aboard the Arctic Train. The Ofoten Railway was built to transport iron ore from Sweden to the Norwegian port of Narvik. Twenty-seven miles of this route was painstakingly carved out of the mountains. Our rail journey takes us across the Swedish border, continuing across barren plateaus and alongside steep mountains to Kiruna, Swedish Lapland's largest city. On arrival in Kiruna, we transfer to our accommodation. There is free time this afternoon to relax or enjoy the spa facilities before dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 7overnight: Kiruna
Traditional Sámi experience and the Ice Hotel
We discover the lives and culture of Scandinavia's indigenous people today with a special Sámi experience. We travel to a Sámi village where a local guide introduces us to the reindeer and we get the opportunity to feed these beautiful animals. We enjoy a Sámi-style lunch in a traditional tent called a 'lavvu' and listen to age-old folk tales. In the afternoon, we visit Kiruna's world-famous Ice Hotel, constructed afresh every year since 1989 from huge, hand-sculpted blocks of ice sourced from the nearby river. We tour the hotel's frozen rooms with a guide before visiting the Ice bar for a chilled drink served in ice glasses.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 8overnight: Kiruna
Husky-hauled ride through a winter wonderland
A unique husky safari experience awaits this morning. With a pack of energetic huskies at the helm, steered by an expert guide, we set out on a large sled through the snowy scenery. Our trip takes us through a winter wonderland and we also take part in a traditional Swedish 'fika', gathering around a campfire with a hot drink. Around midday, a coach transfers us back to hotel, where there's an afternoon to unwind. This evening, we enjoy a farewell dinner together at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 9
Homeward bound
After a final breakfast, we transfer by coach to Kiruna airport for our connecting flight to Stockholm. From the Swedish capital, we fly direct to London Heathrow, where your tour of Scandinavia draws to a close.
Meals: Breakfast
Included
- Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
- 8 nights' 3 & 4-Star hotel accommodation
- Standard Class rail travel
- All rail, ferry and coach travel throughout the tour
- Flights from London Heathrow to Trondheim via Oslo
- Return flights from Kiruna to London Heathrow via Stockholm
- Breakfast each day
- 1 lunch
- 7 dinners
- Group luggage transfers between hotels from Trondheim to Bodø and Narvik to Kiruna
- All guided tours and excursions
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance
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