TAILOR-MADE TOUR Grand Arctic Norway tour
15 NIGHTS / 16 DAYS
This is a grand tour of Norway ’ s Arctic Circle by train , boat and car that takes you across the magical landscape of northern Norway and visits the spectacular Lofoten Islands . You begin the tour in historic Trondheim , cross the Arctic Circle by train , cross to the Lofoten Islands by ferry , drive to the far northern town of Kirkenes on the Barents Sea and take a cruise around the northern tip of Europe before finishing in the lively Arctic Capital of Tromsø .
DAY-BY-DAY Day 1 Arrive in Trondheim Fly from London to Trondheim , either direct or via a connection in Oslo . Stay in Trondheim for two nights .
Day 2 In Trondheim Trondheim lies on the southern shore of the Trondheimfjord and has played a significant role in Norwegian history . As the country ’ s first capital city , it was the site where Norwegian kings were crowned for over 700 years , specifically in the Nidaros Cathedral . For a glimpse of the more rustic side of Norwegian life , a visit to the Trøndelag Folk museum is essential : dominated by the ruins of Sverresborg castle , this outdoor museum consists eighty historic buildings giving information about folk culture as well as rural monuments and the Haltdalen stave church , which dates back to 1170 . A picturesque area of the city is Bakklandet , a small neighbourhood of painted wooden warehouses home to galleries , cafes and restaurants .
Day 3 Trondheim to Bodø by Nordland train After two nights in Trondheim you will board the direct Nordland Railway service to Bodø . This 729 km railway line is Norway ’ s longest and presents huge variety in culture , climate and landscape . The journey starts by skirting around Trondheim Fjord , reaching the small town of Steinjker two hours later at the head of the longest arm of the fjord . Be sure to notice the colourful station buildings at the small Norwegian towns as you pass by . Leaving the steel works town of Mo I Rana the train skirts the Saltfjellet-Svartisen National Park , passing close by the Swedish border . Shortly after this you cross the Arctic Circle , before heading back towards the coast to reach the shores of Skjerstad Fjord . Bodø is the final stop on the Norwegian railway system .
Day 4 In Bodø From Bodø explore some of Norway ’ s best scenery and natural attractions . One of its most well-known features is the Saltstraumen maelstrom , a small strait , home to the world ’ s strongest tidal current . Slightly further out of the city is Kjerringøoy , a small , rural community featuring beautiful alpine landscapes ranging from mountains to white sandy beaches . The Kjeringøy trading post is a museum offering a unique insight into the lives of the powerful local merchants and information about the fish trade of the 19th century . For those looking for more adventurous activities , Bodø offers kayaking , RIB tours and even snorkelling in the surrounding fjords .
Day 5 Bodø to Svolvaer by Hurtigruten ferry After two nights in Bodø you board the Hurtigruten service in the mid-afternoon heading to the Lofoten Islands . This is a journey of roughly six hours which takes you across the open waters of the Vjestfjord to the port of Svolvaer . As you draw closer to the Lofoten Islands its majestic peaks will welcome you as you pull into Svolvaer , the largest town on the islands . We arrange for a taxi to collect you from the port .
Day 6 In Svolvaer This morning collect your hire-car and start exploring your surroundings . Svolvaer is the largest town in the Lofoten Islands and offers fishing excursions and cruises around the islands . Visit some of the picturesque fishing villages such as Henningsvaer and Kabelvag . Nusfjord is one of the best-preserved fishing villages and is now an open-air museum with a sawmill producing cod-liver oil . A perhaps unexpected attraction of the islands is their top-quality beaches . Uttakleiv Beach and Haukland Beach are easily accessible by car and can be reached in just over an hour from Svolvaer . For the best views the Lofoten Islands have to offer we recommend indulging in some of their hiking trails . Ryten , Svolvaer Floya and Festvagtind are short options which have a rewarding view from the top .
Day 7 Svolvaer to Andenes On your final day in the Lofoten Islands drive to the very northern tip of the islands , a journey of about three hours , and a chance to experience more dramatic scenery along the way . The vista is one of mountains , sky , green fields and water .
Day 8 Andenes to Senja by car ferry This morning you take the car ferry from Andenes to Gryllefjord , with a departure daily at 08.45 from 18 May until 3 September , with another departure at 13.00 hrs from 10 June until 13 August . The cost is about NOK 600 and you pay on board the ferry . The journey to Gryllefjord on Senja takes two hours and then it ’ s about 1 hour and 20 minutes ’ drive to your hotel . Given the next day is a long one , it ’ s worth arriving on Senja with the early ferry so you have some time to explor enja is a lot quieter than most other destinations , giving you chance to truly appreciate the scenery and tranquillity of this beautiful area . You may want to spend your time here exploring the Senja National Tourist Route , which will take you along the island ’ s rugged outer coastline . The beaches are also well-worth a visit , in particular Ersfjord Beach , a white sand beach . Senja is known for its fishing villages , the most active of which is Husøy .
Day 9 Senja to Alta After one night on the remote island of Senja you drive further into the heart of Arctic Norway to Alta , a journey of about six hours . Start by driving along the coast of Senja , skirting the beautiful Anderdalen National Park . You will cross back to mainland Norway at Silsand , arriving at the small town of Finnsnes . Continue along the coast , passing small harbours and quaint boating houses . You will then head further inland , passing through small towns and villages interspersed with dense forest , before skirting the edge of the remote lake of Finnfjordvatnet . As you proceed further north the settlements become less frequent and the mountains become bigger . Located 375 km above the Arctic Circle , Alta is a small town of just under 15,000 people .
Day 10 Alta to Karasjok After one night in the Town of the Northern Lights , you travel on to Karasjok , a journey of roughly two and a half hours . Much of the scenery you pass here consists of vast open landscapes interspersed with beautiful clear waters of small lakes . The mountains are much lower than many other places in Norway but still provide dramatic backgrounds as you traverse the open roads . The final stretch as you approach Karasjok gives you tantalising glimpses of the Karasjohka river , which meanders its way through the county of Finnmark . Arrive at the tiny town of Karasjok and check in to your hotel for one night . Karasjok is the main town of the Sami people , an indigenous group with a total population of approximately 80,000 .
Day 11 Karasjok to Kirkenes Depart Karasjok for your most remote destination – the town of Kirkenes . The first section of this 4-hour journey closely follows the Karasjohka . Upon reaching the tiny village of Tana you will eventually cross the river , traversing briefly back down the other side before branching off into more isolated scenery consisting of rolling fields and shining lakes . You skirt the edge of the large Varangerfjord , before arriving at Kirkenes .
Day 12 In Kirkenes This town in the far north-east of Norway has a rich history . During World War II Kirkenes was an important German base where 10,000 soldiers were stationed and the area around the town was the site of some ferocious battles . Over 80 prisons and prisoner of war camps were constructed around Kirkenes . In the centre of Kirkenes is a monument dedicated to the memory of the Soviet soldiers who fought and died here .
Day 13 Kirkenes to Tromsø on Hurtigruten The Hurtigruten ferry departs from Kirkenes at 12.30 and arrives at 23.45 the next day . This journey will take you along the outer edge of Norway ’ s northern coast , allowing you to take in spectacular views of the mountains and fjords . Following a relaxing lunch you will sail across the Barents Sea , with local experts often giving information about the wildlife found in the area such as king crabs and birds . The ship docks in Berlevag in the evening before continuing overnight .
Day 14 Arrive in Tromsø This morning the Hurtigruten cruise ship travels around North Cape to Hammerfest , Norway ’ s former polar capital , to reach the town at 11.00 you will witness the Meridian column , erected in 1854 to commemorate the Struve international land measurements of the earth . You have one hour and 45 minutes in Hammerfest and excursions can be arranged by Hurtigruten . After crossing the open sea , the ship reaches Tromsø at 23:45 . We book you into a hotel opposite the ferry port .
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