Explore the amazing Arctic Circle by rail on this short wintertime tour chasing the Northern Lights through the untamed beauty of Norway and Swedish Lapland

Your Arctic holiday begins at London Heathrow, meeting the Tour Manager ahead of our group's flight to Oslo. In the Norwegian capital, we transfer to a 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.

Our hotel for the next two nights overlooks the harbour - which remains ice-free year-round due to the warming Gulf Stream. For the rest of the afternoon, you are free to explore the picturesque old streets lined with quaint wooden buildings or you may like to visit one of the city's many museums, such as the Troll Museum or the North Norwegian Art Museum. This evening, we gather back at the hotel for our first dinner together.

A guided tour showcases some of Tromsø's main landmarks this morning. We visit the Arctic Cathedral, known officially as Tromsdalen Church. Consecrated in 1965, this striking church is notable for its design, believed to reference a nearby twin-peaked island.

We then enter the Polaria aquarium to view life below the icy waters and to encounter charming seals. Next, at the Polar Museum we hear about numerous polar expeditions which started out from Tromsø, and we gain an insight into the hardy wildlife that populates this region. There is free time this afternoon to explore Tromsø at leisure before a highlight of our holiday.

This evening, we learn about the lives of Sámi reindeer herders on an authentic experience in a nearby village. As Scandinavia's indigenous people, the Sámi have lived in this terrain for centuries. After hearing about the rich culture of the Sámi people, we meet their reindeer - before enjoying a wilderness dinner in a 'lavvu' tent. During our meal, we're regaled with local folk tales.

Following breakfast, we set out on a journey through Norway's dramatic scenery, travelling down steep valleys to reach striking fjords below.

On arrival in Narvik, your afternoon is at leisure. You could make your way to the Red Cross War Memorial Museum, which documents the occupation of the city in World War Two and the bitter air and sea battles that took place. Narvik is an important port and excels in seafood which you might like to sample over lunch. The harbour area has a range of restaurants offering international cuisine as well as local game such as reindeer.

This evening, we are joined by a local expert on a coach ride into an area where we may be lucky to see the Northern Lights - the world's most spectacular natural phenomenon. Officially known as Aurora Borealis, seeing this ethereal light show of vibrant, ever-changing colours dancing across a deep night sky is a truly unforgettable experience.

Today brings yet another highlight of our holiday, a fantastic journey on the Ofoten Railway.

Setting out after breakfast, with your luggage travelling on ahead, we board the 'Arctic Train' for an incredible trip across the border into Sweden. Built to transport iron ore to the vital port at Narvik, this scenic line was the most northern railway in the world at the time of its construction in 1902. Passing through isolated, rugged wilderness, the dramatic route provides views of plunging valleys, tranquil lakes and rolling hills as it traverses steep mountainsides through the vast taiga into Sweden.

On arrival in Kiruna, we transfer to our accommodation in Camp Ripan on the edge of the town. There is free time this afternoon to relax or maybe enjoy the spa facilities before dinner.

This morning brings a trip to Kiruna's wondrous Ice Hotel, the world's first, most famous and largest hotel constructed of ice and snow. First formed in 1989, this amazing venue is reconstructed at the beginning of each winter season, meaning each year is different. There's time here to look around this iconic frozen hotel and maybe enjoy a drink in the ice bar, where everything, including the glasses, is made from ice.

After some free time over lunch, we head to a nearby husky camp for a highlight of our time in Swedish Lapland. After an informative tour of the kennels, we are taken on a husky-hauled sled journey through snow-blanketed landscapes. During the tour, we pause for freshly prepared coffee and a bite to eat - a tradition the Swedish call 'fika'.

There's an afternoon at leisure, before we head out after dark, seeking out Northern Lights once again. The countryside around Kiruna is known to be one of the world's best places to spot the Aurora Borealis and, if we're lucky, a clear night will form the backdrop for a memorable show.

This seasonal tour of Norway and Swedish Lapland has featured breathtaking scenery and unique cultural experiences. These include a guided tour of Tromsø, learning about the lives of Sámi reindeer herders, travelling on the spectacular Ofoten Railway, gliding through the snow on a husky-hauled sleigh ride, and visiting the stunning Ice Hotel. And of course, we hope, the memorable experience of viewing the Northern Lights.

Your Nordic holiday draws to a close this morning as we transfer to the airport after an early breakfast. Flying from Kiruna to Stockholm, we connect to our flight to London Heathrow where you are free to continue your journey home.

Our Classic range is what we're known for. Enjoy curated moments with plenty of inclusions. Centrally located hotels, premium travel options and engaging group tours with a seasoned expert are included. You'll be in groups with an average of 20-25 travellers and a maximum of 30*. *Scandinavian and Worldwide tours are on average 30-35 and a maximum of 40.

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.

This striking 4-Star hotel is ideally location in central Kiruna. The hotel has a restaurant, which serves European cuisine and a continental breakfast, a bar, plus a sauna and fitness centre. The stylish guest rooms feature parquet flooring, and are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, tea & coffee-making facilities and hairdryer.

The Quality Hotel Grand Royal is situated in the centre of Narvik close to the railway station and the quayside. The hotel's facilities include two restaurants, a coffee shop and cocktail lounge. Rooms are equipped with a telephone, television and hairdryer.

This 4-Star central Tromsø hotel is located at the harbour, overlooking Tromsø Sound and the Arctic Cathedral. It features a sky bar, rooftop and on-site dining. Contemporary guest rooms are equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, a hairdryer and a desk.

Flight upgrades are available. For information regarding the types of upgrades offered by the various airlines we use, call our expert team 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.