On this breathtaking trip, we explore Norway and Swedish Lapland, journeying north into the Arctic Circle, where we seek out the magical Northern Lights.
All while traveling on some of Scandinavia’s most scenic railways.
Day 1 – Oslo to Trondheim
Fly to Oslo and then to Trondheim, where you’ll start your Northern Lights adventure. Trondheim is a city in Norway, separated from eastern Norway by the Dovrefjell Mountain Range. It has tremendous views of Sunndalsfjella National Park.
Day 2 – Exploring Trondheim
Take a guided city tour to see Trondheim’s popular sites. In the center of Trondheim, you’ll find the Old Town Bridge and the Nidaros Cathedral. As we walk over the Main Square, we pass the Royal Residence and stroll through the heart of the city, revealing the history and culture of Trondheim. The rest of the day is free.
Day 3 – Trondheim to Bodø on the Nordland Railway
We leave Trondheim early this morning and travel north on the Nordland Railway. The route takes us through a landscape of sloping hills, mountains, lakes, forests, rocky coastline, and views across small islands. The railroad reaches its highest point before we reach Lonsdal, which is 66 degrees north of the Arctic Circle. The train goes to Fauske, then turns west for the last part of the journey to Bodø. If the weather’s clear tonight, you could see the Northern Lights for the first time. After dinner, we travel by coach to a viewing point to maximize our chances of seeing the spectacular dance of the magnificent Northern Lights.
Day 4 – Bodø & the Lofoten Islands
After breakfast, we board the coach for a scenic trip to Bognes, where we catch a ferry to Lodingen. We’ll head to the Lofoten Islands after arriving in the Lofoten Islands. The Lofoten Islands are described as Europe’s most dramatic and spectacular islands, and are tethered to mainland Norway by a series of bridges. They resemble spikey, wired teeth. The islands are home to many small fishing communities, their homes built on wood piles of seawater under the floorboards and imposing cliffs 3,000 ft above. We spend two nights at the Thon Hotel Lofoten.
Day 5 – The Lofoten Islands & the Northern Lights
Today, as we explore Norway, we’ll take a scenic drive on the Lofoten islands to Nusfjord and Vestvagoy. Upon your return, you can explore Svolvaer and the Lofoten Islands at leisure. The islands have some excellent wildlife, including the densest population of sea eagles in the world, and large numbers of minke whales that roam the blue-water bays. Tonight, we go on a coach trip to the quiet side of the island, where there’s hardly any light pollution. The Northern Lights can be hunted for under these conditions, as well as creating a beautiful view of the wintry landscape. We return to Svolvaer by coach.
Day 6 – Svolvaer to Narvik
We return to the Norwegian mainland by coach this morning after leaving Svolvaer. The coach offers a wonderful opportunity to soak up the region’s breathtaking beauty, with views stretching down sheer drops to the majestic fjords in the valley below. We stay at the Thon Hotel Narvik and have the afternoon to ourselves. The ice-free seaport is located 250 miles north of the Arctic Circle. It has a war memorial museum documenting the German occupation during World War II and the battles for control of the harbor and iron ore supplies. Also worth visiting is the Ofoten Museum, located in the old NSB railway building and offers exhibitions on local cultural history and the construction of the Ofoten railway. We had an excellent day exploring Norway.
Day 7 – Narvik to Kiruna on the Ofoten Railway
Today we enjoy a journey on one of the most northern railway lines in the world, the Ofoten Railroad. Narvik was built as a port to export the iron ore mined near Kiruna, and the Ofoten Railroad was built to connect the mines with the port. This is the line we travel on as we cross the Swedish border, traversing barren plateaus and steep mountainsides as we make our way to Kiruna, Swedish Lapland’s largest city. The railroad’s route was carved out of the mountains, an incredible engineering project undertaken largely by hand. We have time at leisure when we arrive in Kiruna. We stay at the Camp Ripan Hotel for two nights.
Days 8 – Kiruna & the Sami Experience
This afternoon we take a ‘Sami experience’. We will discover the lives and culture of Sweden’s indigenous people. We’re going to a Sami village where we’ll meet reindeer, eat in a Sami tent, and listen to folk tales. We leave the village behind, heading to the Kiruna Ice Hotel for a guided tour and free time to explore. Next is a journey into a beautiful landscape of forests and mountains to attempt to view the Northern Lights again.
Day 9 – Lulea Husky Tour
We’ll go on a husky tour in Swedish Lapland this morning after breakfast. Here, we’ll meet some dogs and ride on a sled while leaning back to take some pictures of the beautiful scenery. We head back to the hotel for some free time and one final dinner before we say farewell after a warm drink and snack.
Days 10 – Tour Conclusion
We have had a great time exploring Norway! Now it is time to transfer to the airport for your return flight home via Stockholm.
It’s time! It is time to plan your next vacation and start exploring Norway! Call me today!
