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Arctic Circle Express ACJ20

Resort:Arctic Circle Express ACJ20
Operator: Great Rail Journeys
Destination: Europe, Norway
Price From: Contact for latest offers

Overview

Majestic mountains and heavenly fjords in Norway combine with
the tranquil landscapes of Sweden on an epic journey that includes
every great Scandinavian rail experience. On this exciting 16-day
tour you’ll visit the fascinating cities Oslo and Stockholm and
travel beyond the Arctic Circle to the ‘Land of the Midnight
Sun.’

Highlights

  • Stockholm
  • Inland Railway
  • Swedish Lapland
  • Ofoten Railway to Narvik
  • Rauma Railway
  • Geiranger and Geirangerfjord cruise
  • Flm and Bergen Railways
  • Boat Cruise to Flm
  • Trondheim

whats Included

  • Standard Class Rail
  • NEW Inclusive Luggage Transfer
  • Return Scheduled Flights
  • 15 Nights’ Hotel Accommodation
  • Flights from London to Stockholm and from Oslo to London
  • Inclusive luggage transfers except where highlighted in itinerary 1x bag up to 25kg per hotel room (size and weight may vary)
  • To arrange for a second suitcase up to 25kg (size and weight may vary) – prices start from £65 per bag. Just let us know at time of booking.
  • Fjord Cruises
  • Standard Class rail travel throughout (Upgraded to Komfort Class between Fauske & Steinkjer, Bergen & Oslo)
  • Journeys on the Ofoten Railway, Nordland Railway, Rauma Railway, Flm Railway and Bergen Railway
  • The services of a professional UK Tour Manager from start to finish

Itinerary

Days 1-2 – London to Stockholm

We fly* from London to Stockholm, for two nights at the Scandic
Continental. On Day 2, we enjoy a sightseeing tour
of Stockholm, before you are free to explore at leisure.

*Please Note: you will need to take your luggage from the UK
with you as opposed to it travelling via our luggage transfer
service

Day 3 – Inland to stersund

Departing Stockholm we head inland by InterCity train to
stersund, nestled on the shore of beautiful Lake Storsjn. Here we
spend tonight at the Clarion Grand Hotel.

Day 4 – The Inlandsbanan and Lapland

We leave stersund and head north to Sorsele travelling through
some of Sweden’s most glorious scenery as we head towards the
untamed wilderness of Swedish Lapland Our journey on the
Inlandsbanan tourist train takes us through a landscape of crystal
clear lakes and towering forests, towards the ‘Land of the Midnight
Sun’. On arrival we make a visit to the Inlandsbanan Museum before
getting a real taste of Lapland with a visit to a Sami village in
Slagnas. From here we transfer to Arjeplog where we spend the
night.

Day 5 – Crossing the Arctic Circle.

Today we continue our adventure through the north as we travel
via coach to Jokkmokk, celebrating our crossing of the Arctic
circle on the way. On arrival, we check into the Hotel Jokkmokk for
a one night stay.

Days 6-7 – The Ofoten Railway to Narvik

After a free morning, during which entrance to the local Sami
museum is included, you will need to take an overnight bag with you
as your main luggage is transported to Stiklestad while we enjoy a
journey on one of the world’s most northerly railway lines, the
Ofoten Railway*. We travel through Sweden’s breathtaking mountains
into Norway, journeying through the region’s picturesque lakes and
mountain ranges. We arrive in Narvik, where we stay at the Scandic
Hotel Narvik.

Day 7 is then spent travelling to Fauske via
coach. On arrival in Fauske, we board our train to Verdal which
takes us along the incredible Nordland Railway on the ‘Polar
Express’, which travels past awesome fjords and bristling forests.
We disembark in Verdal for a night in Stiklestad.

*Please note: you will need to take an overnight bag with
you as your main luggage is transported to Stiklestad

Days 8-9 – South to Trondheim

Today is spent admiring the rugged shores of Norway as we follow
the coastline south to Trondheim on our coach. On the way, we stop
at Stiklestad, the site of King Olav’s death in 1030. Here we enjoy
a guided tour and lunch. Late this evening we arrive in Trondheim,
Norway’s religious capital. The Radisson Blu Royal Garden Hotel is
our home for two nights.

Day 9 is free to explore the atmospheric city
of Trondheim, one of the oldest cities in Norway. As well as
discovering the city’s broad avenues, old warehouses and pretty
timber dwellings, you could visit the Ringve Museum which features
a collection of musical instruments from all over the world.

Day 10 – The Rauma Railway

Today we join the 71 mile long Rauma Railway for a spectacular
journey through magnificent, contrasting landscape. We navigate the
same course as the emerald waters of the River Rauma for much of
the journey, the tracks following the river as it winds around the
hillsides below jagged mountain peaks. As we climb over rounded
mountain peaks and smooth plateaus we are treated to awesome views
across the expansive, unspoiled national parks that stretch into
the distance. On arrival into ndalsnes, we transfer by coach to
Geiranger for a two night stay at the Union Hotel Geiranger. The
hotel stands at the head of the Geirangerfjord. One of Norway’s
most picturesque sites, the Geirangerfjord is even more incredible
first-hand than in photographs.

Day 11 – Geirangerfjord boat cruise

Today we enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Geirangerfjord by
boat. As we cruise along the serene, deep water, the steep sides of
the fjord seem to tower over the boat. In sunshine, this UNESCO
World Heritage site is alive with colour and contrasts – the lush
greens of the trees clinging to the rock contrasting with the deep
blue water and the brilliant white of the distant snow-capped
peaks. When it rains, countless waterfalls appear from nowhere,
flowing majestically over exposed rocky outcrops and crashing down
into the water below. We take a scenic drive via Hellesylt back to
our hotel.

Day 12 – Through the Fjords to Flm

We leave Geiranger by coach this morning, continuing our scenic
voyage through Norway’s incredible fjord country. We travel through
valleys hemmed in by lofty mountains and along steep-sided fjords,
every bend in the road offering a new perspective, every mountain
pass delivering us into a new, beautiful valley. We reach Flm at
the head of the Aurlandsfjord and stay at the Fretheim Hotel.

Day 13 – The Flm Railway to Bergen

Today we enjoy a superb excursion on the Flm Railway. Our rail
journey takes us up into the mountains along one of the steepest
lines in the world, twisting and turning regularly as the railway
line does its best to accommodate the extreme terrain. We reach the
end at Myrdal and return to Flm, to board the express boat for an
afternoon journey along Norway’s longest and deepest fjord,
Sognefjord. Navigating coastal islets and skerries, we end the day
in Bergen, where we spend two nights at the Thon Rosenkrantz.

Day 14 – Bergen

Today we are treated to a guided walking tour of Bergen. The
town is nestled beneath seven hills and is surrounded by fjords. We
see a number of sights including Bryggen, the old city, a UNESCO
World Heritage site as well as enjoying a fresh seafood lunch at
the city’s fish market.

Day 15 – The Bergen Railway to Oslo

We leave Bergen by train for a magnificent journey on Northern
Europe’s highest railway line, the Bergen Railway. The train climbs
high above the tree line across some of the most remote areas of
western Norway before descending to the elegant city of Oslo, where
we overnight and enjoy dinner together.

Day 16 – Oslo to London

We bid farewell to Norway today as we transfer to the airport
for our flight* to London.

*Please Note: you will need to take your lugggage back to
the UK with you on your flight as opposed to it travelling via our
luggage transfer service.