Explore the mysterious Arctic by rail

Your journey begins at London Heathrow, as you meet your Tour Manager ahead of your flight to Oslo. In the Norwegian capital, connect with your onward flight to Tromsø. Situated in the Arctic Circle, Tromsø stands on its own forest-covered island and is known as the 'polar capital of Norway'.

At this time of the year, the attractive city is characterised by its polar nights, where the sun only briefly breaks over the horizon. After transferring to your hotel for two nights, you're free to begin your explorations.

Discover more of Tromsø on this morning's guided tour and visit the Polaria Museum and the charming Polar Museum. Housed in the city's former Customs House on the quayside, it tells the story of numerous polar expeditions that took place from Tromsø, as well as giving an insight into the hardy wildlife that populates this region.

This evening, enjoy an authentic and fascinating Sami experience in a nearby village, learning about the lives and culture of Scandinavia's indigenous people. During your visit meet reindeer before a wilderness dinner in a 'lavvu' tent. While you eat, you're regaled with local folk tales.

Then, you spread out around the campfire to try and view the captivating Northern Lights - the world's most spectacular natural phenomenon. Officially called Aurora Borealis, seeing this magical dance across the night sky is a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Drive to Narvik, a journey filled with Norway's dramatic scenery as you travel down steep valleys to the striking fjords below. On arrival, enjoy a free afternoon in Narvik. Perhaps make your way to the Red Cross War Memorial Museum, which documents the occupation of the city in WWII and the bitter air and sea battles that took place. The Ofoten Museum is also worth a visit, featuring exhibits documenting the life of the Narvik population over the previous centuries.

This evening, you embark on a drive by coach with a local guide to try and track down the Northern Lights again.

Enjoy a wonderful journey on the Ofoten Railway, also known as the Arctic Circle Express. This line, which at the time of construction was the most northern railway in the world, travels through the wild, beautiful landscapes of Lapland, passing breathtaking mountains, crossing barren plateaus, and traversing steep mountainsides as it approaches Sweden.

On arrival in Kiruna, check into your hotel for a two-night stay and enjoy an afternoon to explore. The Kiruna Church, built in 1912, is particularly impressive and is one of Sweden's largest wooden buildings.

Travel to a nearby husky camp for an informative tour of the kennels and a thrilling husky-hauled sled journey through the snow-covered countryside.

In the afternoon, make a visit to Kiruna's famous Ice Hotel, the first and largest hotel made of ice and snow in the world. First formed in 1989, it needs to be reconstructed at the beginning of each cold season, meaning each year is different. Explore the specta cular frozen structure and perhaps enjoy a drink in the ice bar, where everything, including the glasses, is made from ice. After dark, attempt to spot the Northern Lights once again. The countryside around Kiruna is one of the world's best places to get a sighting, so hopefully a clear night will permit a good show.

Bid Kiruna farewell as you transfer to the airport, flying via Stockholm to London Heathrow, where your holiday comes to an end.

The Ofoten Railway lies on a headland at the foot of the Fagernesfjellet, between the Beisfjord and Rornbaksfjord, and runs between the iron-ore mines at Kiruna in Swedish Lapland and the port town of Narvik on the Norwegian coast. The modern town of Narvik was developed as a port for the export of the iron-ore, and the Ofoten Railway, was built at the turn of the century as the link between the mines and the port.

At the time of construction, the Ofoten Railway was both the coldest and northern-most railway project in the world. The 26-mile (42km) line was painstakingly carved out the mountains - an incredible engineering project that was largely undertaken by hand. The result is a breathtaking route which takes passengers past deep fjords, through the wild, rugged mountains and the barren mountain plateaus north of the Arctic Circle.

The Ofoten Railway Museum is dedicated to the local history of Narvik and the Ofoten Railway, and is located close to the centre of Narvik.

Set just outside Kiruna, we stay at the 4-Star Camp Ripan, a hotel that offers that little something extra. Designed and built to reflect the nature and conservation of this area of Sweden, each room is an individual, cosy cabin, which features a television, a mini fridge, and free Wi-Fi. One of the main features of this hotel is its impressive Aurora Spa, boasting indoor and outdoor pools that are open all year round and a sauna. There is also a restaurant, serving delicious food made from local ingredients.

The 4-star Scandic Narvik is modern, spacious and within easy walking distance of museums and parks. The hotel offers a fitness centre, an á la carte restaurant and sky bar, with panoramic views of the city and the impressive Ofotfjord. The breakfast restaurant serves a generous buffet each morning with organic choices. Guest rooms, decorated with Scandinavian folk scenes, feature a television, small fridge, a bathroom with shower, tea & coffee making facilities, free Wi-Fi and a minibar.

In Tromsø, you stay at the Clarion Aurora Hotel.

The 4* Clarion Edge in Tromsø is wonderfully situated near the harbour, with most rooms offering views of the water or out over the city. The hotel features an elegant bar and restaurant, and its staff are excellent, multilingual and happy to help with any requirements you might have. Each bedroom comes equipped with a private bathroom, a television and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access.

Flight upgrades are available. Please see the information regarding the types of upgrades offered by the various airlines we use in the Add-ons section of 'Things you should know' or call us for details.

Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.

We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.

Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.

We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.