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Norway

Northern Norway’s Arctic Coast & Lofoten

 
You are viewing the 2027 itinerary. Select your departure year
20272028
Duration
11 days
From per person
$5,199 $4,799
Tour code
NLS27
Mobility Rating 3
View Dates & Pricing
View Dates & Pricing
Travel among a group of like-minded travelers led by a professional tour manager
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Discover the spellbinding natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of Norway's northern coast on summertime journey across the Arctic Circle

Embark on an immersive exploration of Norway's northern coast, witnessing striking natural wonders and encountering captivating history.

Beginning in the ancient Viking city of Trondheim, board the iconic Nordland Railway for a scenic journey across the Arctic Circle to Bodø. Enjoy a serene cruise across Beiar fjord and visit a Sámi village before traveling to Svolvær, the capital of the remote Lofoten Islands.

Discover fascinating Viking and World War II history before a spectacular journey on the Arctic Train from Narvik to Bjørnfjell.

Unforgettable Experiences

Cruising the spectacular Beiar fjord
Cruising the spectacular Beiar fjord
Glide silently through the winding Beiar fjord on a hybrid-electric sightseeing ship, marveling at the picturesque coast as our guide shares stories about the fjord’s history, geology and wildlife.
Learning about indigenous Sámi culture
Learning about indigenous Sámi culture
With an expert local guide, discover the history and lifestyle of Norway’s indigenous Sámi people, meeting their reindeer and enjoying an authentic lunch in a traditional tent.
Stepping back in time at the Lofotr Viking Museum
Stepping back in time at the Lofotr Viking Museum
Visit a living history museum where historians, actors and craftsmen in period dress give visitors a taste of life in the Lofoten Islands during the Viking Age, and enjoy a light lunch featuring local ingredients.
Encountering World War Two history at Narvik War Museum
Encountering World War Two history at Narvik War Museum
Discover the fascinating history of the Battles of Narvik on a guided tour of the Narvik War Museum, viewing a large collection of artifacts from the war, including weapons, uniforms, photos and more.

What’s included on the tour?

Itinerary

DAY1Arrival in Oslo

Your Scandinavian vacation begins as you touch down in Norway's capital, Oslo. On arrival, make your own way to our centrally located hotel. The easiest way to transfer is to board the express service to Oslo Central Station. These spacious and sleek modern trains provide an immediate glimpse of the country's effective railway system as you arrive efficiently into the heart of the city.

After checking in to our four-star hotel directly outside the station, the rest of the day is at leisure. Only a short distance from the hotel is the 17th-century cathedral. Used for state occasions, it is encircled on three sides by the beautiful Romanesque Revival bazaars - a charming, curved arcade built in the mid-1800s to house butcher stalls; they now contain independent stores and cozy restaurants.

This evening, you can enjoy your first taste of Norway's cuisine at one of the city's many appetizing restaurants. Overnight Oslo.

DAY2Flying to Trondheim, the former Viking capital

After breakfast, you have a free morning to finish exploring Oslo, before you make your way to the airport. Here, you meet the Tour Manager and rest of the travel group before boarding a flight to Trondheim.

Separated from eastern Norway by the mighty Dovrefjell Mountains, Trondheim was founded by Olaf Tryggvason, a Viking king, more than 1,000 years ago. Today, it's one of Norway's most populous cities and a technological hub, boasting several tech-focused and scientific institutions.

On arrival in this fascinating city, we transfer by motorcoach to our hotel beside the Nidelva River, just a short distance from the historic center. With spare time before dinner, you're free to relax or explore your surroundings. In the evening, we return to the hotel for dinner. Overnight Trondheim.

Includes
  • Dinner
DAY3Discovering Trondheim on a guided walking tour

After breakfast at our hotel, we set off on a walking tour of this historic city with an expert guide.

Strolling along the cobblestone streets of Bakklandet, the city's Old Quarter, we pass cheerful houses in shades of red, blue, yellow and green. Just outside the city center, we marvel at the Gothic exterior of Nidaros Cathedral, the world's northernmost medieval cathedral and a pilgrim destination for more than 1,000 years. We also visit the Baroque Stiftsgården Royal Residence, one of the largest wooden buildings in Scandinavia with 140 rooms.

In the afternoon, you're free to continue sightseeing at your own pace. The Ringve Music Museum is situated on a hill and surrounded by the city's botanical gardens, and the Archbishop's Palace Museum is a treasure trove of local archaeological finds. You might like to revisit the Old Quarter, where you can enjoy lunch or a coffee in one of the relaxed cafés or bakeries. Returning to our hotel in the evening, we enjoy dinner together. Overnight Trondheim.

Includes
  • Breakfast
DAY4A journey on the epic Nordland Railway

Leaving Trondheim early this morning, we join the spectacular Nordland Railway. Equally beautiful in summer as it is in winter, this train makes its way across the Arctic Circle to Bodø, a 453-mile route that passes through some of Norway's most amazing landscapes.

As we cross the Arctic Circle, gaze out at the sparkling lakes, rugged peaks and tranquil fjords. Look out for reindeer in the mountains or elusive sea eagles soaring over the coast. For lunch, you can visit the onboard café, which serves main and side dishes, pastries and drinks made with local ingredients.

As our train reaches Fauske, it turns west along the shimmering shore of Skjerstad Fjord before arriving in Bodø, known as the city with the world's most beautiful coastline. Transferring to our hotel, we enjoy dinner. Overnight Bodø.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY5Cruising Beiar fjord and a special Sámi experience

Heading to Bodø pier after breakfast, we embark on a vacation highlight: a spectacular fjord cruise. Our hybrid-electric sightseeing ship glides silently through the sparkling water, providing the perfect environment to appreciate the fjord's natural beauty. As we sail, a knowledgeable host shares fascinating insights about the fjord's history, geology and wildlife.

We sail first to Saltstraumen, the world's strongest tidal current, where we marvel at the swirling water from a safe distance. From here, we journey into the narrow Beiar fjord, hugging the rugged coast - traveling by boat is one of the only ways to see these spectacular landscapes in their totality.

Back in Bodø, we board a motorcoach to a Sámi village for a special experience. For thousands of years, the indigenous Sámi have lived a semi-nomadic, reindeer-herding lifestyle in northern Scandinavia. With a local guide, we have an exciting chance to meet and feed the reindeer. As we learn more about life in the village, we enjoy a Sámi-style lunch in a traditional tent called a 'lavvu' and listen to age-old folk tales. Later, we return to our hotel. Overnight Bodø.

Includes
  • Breakfast
DAY6To Svolvær, the capital of the Lofoten Islands

Today brings a scenic motorcoach journey of around four hours from Bodø to Bognes. From here, we catch the ferry to Lødingen on the remote Lofoten Islands. After disembarking, we take a scenic drive through idyllic fishing villages to Svolvær for a three-night stay in the tiny capital of the Lofoten Isles.

Described as Europe's most dramatic and spectacular islands, the Lofoten archipelago is connected to mainland Norway by a series of bridges and ferries. These remote Arctic Circle islands are defined by jagged mountains with vivid green slopes extending to the aquamarine sea, white sandy beaches and traditional red fishing huts. With a deep connection to the Viking era, Lofoten is known for its abundant fishing, which is why people have settled here for millennia.

Arriving in Svolvær in the late afternoon, we check in to our central hotel before dinner. Overnight Svolvær.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY7Exploring the preserved fishing village of Nusfjord

In the morning, we set out on a scenic drive with a local guide across the Lofoten Islands to Nusfjord, one of Norway's oldest and best-preserved villages. Once home to cod fishermen who used to hang their catch outside their homes, the tiny settlement is now a destination for visitors who want to experience the atmosphere of a traditional seafaring village.

Huddled around the harbor are the village's famous wooden cabins, or "rorbu", painted mustard, cream and red. Set against the craggy peaks and deep blue waters, these colorful cabins make for a picture-postcard scene of Norwegian coastal life. We can also see former community buildings like the old fish oil factory and smokery, which have been lovingly renovated.

Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore the charming village before we return to Svolvær in the evening. You're free to dine independently before our midnight sun excursion*. We travel by motorcoach to Gimsøy Beach - a white sand beach next to a range of spectacular mountains - a popular place to experience this natural phenomenon. Overnight Svolvær.

*Please note: the midnight sun excursion will only run on the May 31 and July 8 departures.

Includes
  • Breakfast
DAY8Free time in Svolvær and the Lofotr Viking Museum

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and a free morning to relax or explore Svolvær. With a variety of shops, galleries, restaurants and cafés, the compact capital of the Lofoten Islands is a lovely place to wander. For a taste of history, you might like to visit the War Memorial Museum housed in the old post office. Or visit the tiny island of Svinøya (directly translating to "Pig Island" in English) for a stroll around the old fishing village. You can reach it by walking across the Svinøya Bridge, only a short distance from the town center.

Later, we travel by motorcoach to the Lofotr Viking Museum, a living history museum where historians, actors and craftsmen in period dress give visitors a taste of life in the Lofoten Islands during the Viking Age. Boasting the world's longest reconstructed longhouse, historical exhibitions and a reconstructed Viking ship moored in the harbor, this museum brings the fascinating Viking Age to life. Here, we enjoy a light lunch of local delicacies including juniper-smoked salmon, cured meats and side dishes.

In the evening, we return to the hotel for dinner. Overnight Svolvær.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY9A guided tour of Narvik War Museum

Leaving Svolvær after breakfast, we travel by motorcoach to Narvik, a pretty port town on a peninsula between two fjords. On arrival, we walk to the Narvik War Museum for a fascinating historical experience.

As a valuable ice-free harbor for transporting iron ore, Narvik was the center of intense battles during World War Two. The British Royal Navy, together with the Polish Navy, fought the German forces on the nearby Ofotfjord while a two-month campaign took place on land.

With an expert guide, we learn about the naval and land battles that took place in Ofotfjord and the mountains surrounding Narvik. Featuring a large collection of artifacts from the war, including weapons, uniforms, photos and more, the museum offers fascinating insights into the fight at the Arctic Front. After our museum visit, you have the rest of the afternoon to explore Narvik or relax at the hotel before we gather for dinner in the evening. Overnight Narvik.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY10A breathtaking journey on the Arctic Train

Today brings another vacation highlight: a scenic return journey on the Arctic Train from Narvik to Bjørnfjell on the Swedish border. After breakfast, we head to the station to board this iconic train.

The Arctic Train has a fascinating history, overlapping with the stories we heard yesterday at the Narvik War Museum. Built in 1902, it was an essential means of transporting iron ore from the mines in Kiruna, Sweden, to the ice-free port of Narvik. In 1940, the line became strategically important during the Battle of Narvik, when both sides wanted control of the ore.

Today, the line is popular with visitors for a different reason. Passing through breathtaking Arctic scenery, it offers incredible views of the fjord in Narvik, immense mountains and cascading waterfalls. As we gaze at the panoramic views, our expert guide shares insights about the line's history. Returning to Narvik, you have a free afternoon to relax or explore the town further before we gather for our final dinner together. Overnight Narvik.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY11Traveling home

From feeding reindeer in an authentic Sámi village to stepping back in time at the immersive Lofotr Viking Museum, this tour brought Norway's fascinating history, culture and natural beauty to life. We discovered the World War Two history of Narvik with an expert guide, cruised through the spectacular Beiar fjord, and experienced a breathtaking journey on the Arctic Train.

After a final breakfast, we transfer by coach to Evenes airport for a flight to Oslo, where your Arctic vacation comes to a close.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours, they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. Please reference our Mobility Ratings Information, and if you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-877-929-7245.

Hotels

Thon Hotel Nordlys, Bodø
Thon Hotel Nordlys, Bodø
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Quality Hotel Grand Royal, Narvik
Quality Hotel Grand Royal, Narvik
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Thon Hotel Opera, Oslo
Thon Hotel Opera, Oslo
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Thon Hotel Lofoten, Svolvaer
Thon Hotel Lofoten, Svolvaer
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Radisson Blu Royal Garden Hotel, Trondheim
Radisson Blu Royal Garden Hotel, Trondheim
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Trains

See more details about this tour's trains.

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Nordland Railway
Nordland Railway

The Nordland Railway runs between the historic Viking capital of Norway, Trondheim, to the beautiful coastal city of Bodø in northern Norway. The railway is 453 miles in length, making it Norway's longest mainline railway. It is also one of only a few railway lines in the world that crosses the Arctic Circle. The railway, also called Polar Express, takes passengers through the beautifully varied scenery of northern Norway, and includes views of lakes, rivers and fjords, as well as the spectacular Svartisen Glacier.

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Enhance your holiday

Extend your stay

Many of our guests choose to spend additional nights before or after their trip. Vacations By Rail would be happy to make hotel arrangements for you.