Travel Inlandsbanan in the wintertime and at the same time take the opportunity to pay a visit to the legendary market in Jokkmokk. The tour also includes a optional trip to ICEHOTEL and Jukkasjärvi.

On the journey in the middle of march you can add a winter cruise on Hurtigruten  along the norwegian coast. This journey reveals Inlandsbanan wrapped in snow-white winter landscapes. This is the time when the blue winter light takes over, and with a bit of luck we may even see the Northern Lights.

It is now possible to do the Inlandsbanan tour in winter and to visit a legendary 400-year-old tradition – the Jokkmokk market. The Sami cultural heritage is of central interest these days. Join us and discover winter at its most beguiling right at the time when the days grow longer. The Northern Lights are part of Lapland – we may even get to see this phenomenon during the tour.

Programme 31 January – 6 February
Day 1 (Monday) Östersund
The package tour begins in Östersund with individual arrival and overnight stay in a hotel Try to get to Östersund early so you can enjoy all that Östersund has to offer in the winter. Not far from the hotel is Lake Storsjön, covered in a metre-deep sheet of ice. Take a walk along the shore or on the ice, or hire long-distance skates or skis to enjoy a tour of miles and miles of prepared tracks. A hot tip – wrap up your evening in the Winter City’s hot bath house, try a heated outdoor tub, a dip in the icy waters of the lake for the brave, followed by warming up in the sauna. Overnight stay in hotel, including breakfast.

Day 2 (Tuesday) Östersund–Kåbdalis
Having enjoyed a wonderful breakfast buffet at the hotel, the time has come for us to take a walk to Västra Station railway station, where we board the train for the
Inlandsbanan tour. Östersund and the peaks of Åreskutan mountain disappear in the distance. After some time of travelling through the Jämtland countryside, past picturesque small railway stations such as Munkflohögen and Ulriksfors, we eventually break for coffee. The journey continues into southern Lapland, past Meselefors and Dorotea. In Vilhelmina we take a guided tour of the area and learn about its culture and history. But first we will have lunch at the Station. We get on the train again and next stop is the Inlandsbanan museum in Sorsele. We continue our journey and make a stop in Moskosel at the Navvy Museum. The last stop for the evening is Kåbdalis by the ski resort. We will be picked up with snowmobiles that will take us to the ski resorts ski chalets. The restaurant is open until 9 pm. Overnight stay in shared apartments in ski chalets, including self-made breakfast.

Day 3 (Wednesday) Kåbdalis–Jokkmokk–Kåbdalis
Breakfast is to be prepared by you in the ski chalets in the fully equipped kitchen. The Inlandsbanan train starts in Kåbdalis where the teams of navvies working on the Inlandsbanan tracks from the north and the south, met on the northern part of the track. Just before arriving at Jokkmokk, we stop at the Arctic Circle for photo opportunities as we step across the Arctic Circle and are given a certificate to prove it. The visit to Jokkmokk starts with Jokkmoks Tenn (Pewter) and then free time to enjoy the market and its stalls with Sami handicraft, displays, activities and food. In the evening participants meet up for a guided tour of the Sami and Mountain Museum Ájtte and after that we board the Inlandsbanan train to continue the journey back to Kåbdalis. Overnight stay in the same apartment in ski chalets, including self-made breakfast.

Day 4 (Thursday) Kåbdalis–Jokkmokk – optional ICEHOTEL – Kåbdalis
After breakfast we return north to Jokkmokk with Inlandsbanan. Or you can choose to stay at Kåbdalis and participate in a guided snowmobile excursion or do some skiinf. Or you can for a whole day’s individual enjoyment of the market and its activities. The last option is a visit to ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi outside Kiruna. The trip begins with a lunch buffet served at restaurant ICEHOTEL, known for its excellent, local kitchen. We continue with a guided tour of the hotel building, the church and, of course, the ABSOLUTE ICEBAR. Everything here is built from snow and ice! Also time for individual excursions and shopping for souvenirs to take back home, or simply a walk, before the return journey begins to Gällivare where we will continue to Jokkmokk with Inlandsbanan. In the evening participants meet up on the Inlandsbanan train to continue the journey back to Kåbdalis. Overnight stay in the same apartment, including self-made breakfast.

Day 5 (Friday) Kåbdalis–Jokkmokks - Kåbdalis
After breakfast we return north to Jokkmokk for a whole day’s enjoyment of the market and its activities. If you want a faster pace, you can take a dog team ride or travel in a reindeer sled on the frozen Lake Talvatis. There are a number of exhibitions, slide shows and open day at the Sami school as well as shopping for handicraft in Jokkmokk. For a copy of the market leaflet and more tips on what to do, visit the Jokkmokk tourist information office. In the evening we return to Kåbdalis with Inlandsbanan. Overnight stay in the same apartment, including self-made breakfast.

Day 6 (Saturday) Kåbdalis – Jokkmokk - Arvidsjaur
After breakfast we return north back to Jokkmokk for a last visit of the market and its activities. The market and all the exhibitions take time to explore and now you have the chance to make a last impression and off course some last shopping. In late afternoon we travel south to Arvidsjaur. Overnight stay in hotel, including breakfast.

Day 7 (Sunday) Arvidsjaur - Östersund
The day is spent travelling back to Östersund on Inlandsbanan, but before leaving there will be time to have a look around Arvidsjaur. In Sorsele we make a coffee stop. We continue our journey south and lunch will be served in Vilhelmina. The last coffee stop will be in Hoting. Arrival in Östersund in the afternoon after 4 pm.

The package tour ends with arrival in Östersund. Return journey home must be booked individually, but we will of course be pleased to help you with connecting trains or extra night in a hotel, just let us know at the time of booking the package tour.

PACKAGE JOKKMOKK MARKET STARTS WITH OVERNIGHT STAY IN:
Östersund 31 January (Monday). Your journey on Inlandsbanan starts the following day.

A minimumnumber of 25 passengers required for the tour to go ahead

Price includes:
• two nights in mid-range hotel of varying standard, shared DR with shower/WC, incl. breakfast
• Four nights in shared Ski chalet apartment incl bed linen, towels and self-made breakfast. Four persons in each apartment. Breakfast ingredients to be prepared individual in the morning. The apartments are fully equipped with kitchen tools, coffee maker, microwave, flat screen TV, sauna/WC/shower. Final cleaning included.
• Travel on Inlandsbanan Östersund–Kåbdalis–Östersund incl. seat reservations
• Guided tour of Vilhelmina
• Lunch x 2
• Entry and guided tour of Ájtte Museum/Jokkmokk
• Visit to the historical and the Jokkmokk winter market
• Other activities as per programme
• Travel leader on board the train, to the hotels and activities
• Travel documents

NOTE! We reserve the right to make changes to the above.

Price

OPTIONAL per person  

Contact us via mail (info@grandnordic.se) or telephone (+46 771 53 53 53) to book this package. Or send us a booking request here.

This journey reveals Inlandsbanan wrapped in snow-white winter landscapes. This is the time when the blue winter light takes over, and with a bit of luck we may even see the Northern Lights. The tour includes a visit to Jukkasjärvi and the uniquely beautiful ICEHOTEL.

Day 1 (Mon) Östersund
The package tour begins in Östersund with individual arrival and overnight stay in a hotel Try to get to Östersund early so you can enjoy all that Östersund has to offer in the winter. Not far from the hotel is Lake Storsjön, covered by meters of ice. Take a walk along the shore or on the ice, hire long-distance skates or skis to enjoy a tour on miles and miles of prepared tracks. A hot tip, wrap up your evening in the Winter City bath house, try an outdoor hot tub, a dip in the icy waters of the lake for those brave enough, followed by warming up in the sauna. Overnight stay at Clarion Hotel Grand, including breakfast.

Day 2 (Tue) Östersund–Vilhelmina
Having enjoyed a wonderful breakfast buffet at the hotel, it is time for us to walk down to Västra Station railway station where we board the train for the tour with Inlandsbanan. Östersund and the white-clad Åreskutan mountain peaks disappear in the distance. We take our first coffee break after an hour of travelling through the Jämtland countryside. After an hour or two of riding past picturesque small railway stations such as Munkflohögen and Ulriksfors, we break for lunch at the hotel in Hoting (included in tour). But before the lunch we will visit the Motor museum in Hoting where they have the Royal Mercedes. The journey continues into southern Lapland across the island of Långön and past Dorotea. The day’s adventure on Inlandsbanan ends at Vilhelmina, where, having checked into the hotel, we continue our afternoon activities with a guided walk around Vilhelmina and a visit to the fine local heritage museum in Kyrkstan. The evening is free for dinner and individual activities. Overnight stay at Hotell Wilhelmina, including breakfast.

Day 3 (Wed) Vilhelmina–Jokkmokk
After an early breakfast, the journey continues to Jokkmokk, famed as a Sami heritage centre. The first stop is in Storuman for a visit to the old railway hotel, which today is a library. There is a café where you can quench your desire for coffee. In Sorsele we visit the Inlandsbanan museum by the railway station to learn more about the 100-year history of Inlandsbanan. The journey continues to Arvidsjaur where we break for lunch at a restaurant of your choice.. At Jokkmokk there is no need to worry about the luggage as it will be transported to the hotel, providing us with the opportunity to take a walk. The evening is free for dinner and individual activities. Overnight stay at Hotell Jokkmokk, including breakfast.

Day 4 (Thu) Jokkmokk–Gällivare
Our stay in Jokkmokk starts with group sightseeing for a guided tour of the old church and Jokkmokks tenn (Pewter) after that Ájtte Sami and Mountain Museum. The museum tour is followed by free time for lunch. The museum restaurant is a good choice as it serves specialities like suovas – lightly smoked reindeer meat – alpine char or lunch of the day. After lunch, we meet up at the railway station for departure on Inlandsbanan for a couple of hours’ journey to Gällivare. Just ahead of Jokkmokk, we cross the Arctic Circle again as we step across the Arctic Circle and are given a certificate to prove it. We are now travelling through Laponia, a world heritage area with miles and miles of marshes, national parks and mountain sceneries. On arrival in Gällivare, we will directly continue by coach to LKAB’s iron ore mine outside Gällivare to see how ore is extracted. We will go by a special bus 1000 metres down. The evening is free for dinner and individual activities. Overnight stay at Grand Hotel Lapland, including breakfast.

Day 5 (Fri) Gällivare–Kiruna-Gällivare
Today we travel north to Kiruna, from where we continue to Jukkasjärvi to visit the spectacular ICEHOTEL. The visit starts with a guided tour of the hotel and its facilities, the church, and of course also ABSOLUTE ICEBAR. Every bit is built from snow and ice! After some free time to digest all these new impressions, it is time to enjoy a sumptuous buffet lunch and dessert table at restaurant ICEHOTEL, famous for its excellent local kitchen. After a leisurely lunch there is time for exploration, shopping for souvenirs to take back home and a walk to stretch your legs before taking the train back to Kiruna. We will also visit Jukkasjärvi church to see the altarpiece by Bror Hjorth and the beautifully decorated Sami-inspired organ. In the afternoon we go to Kiruna, and if there is time, we will visit Kiruna’s very unusual church. We return to Gällivare in the evening to stay at the same hotel. The evening is free for dinner and individual activities. Overnight stay at hotel in Kiruna including breakfast.

Day 6 (Sat) Gällivare–Arvidsjaur
In the morning the time has come to turn south again on the return journey on Inlandsbanan. The scenery actually looks different when you travel in “the opposite direction”. The first stop is Kitajaur to visit a Danish couple who have taken over the station building and now run a café and a small souvenir shop selling their own design handicraft. From Kitajaur it is only a short distance to Kåbdalis, where the navvy teams from the north and from the south met when building the northern part of the Inlandsbanan railway. This is where the last nail was hammered in, and we will visit the memorial erected here in memory of the event. An hour later we visit the navvy museum to take a look at how the navvies lived and what it was like working on the railway. We will also have lunch in the café. We continue for a couple of minutes and stop in Auktsjaur by the dog-sledge kennel “Nymånen” and learn more about dog sledging. Anyone interested in going on a sledge tour can choose that as optinoal, transfer to Arvidsjaur included. The last journey of the day takes us to Arvidsjaur. The luggage will go straight to the hotel while we walk. In the afternoon there are some optionals: going on a guided snowmobile tour for 2 or 3 hours (including dinner). Going on a guided kick sledge tour and visit the Lappstaden “Sami town” or just stay at the hotel, order a massage and relax in the SPA. Overnight stay in Hotell Laponia, including breakfast.

Day 7 (Sun) Arvidsjaur–Östersund
The last day of the tour starts off later in the morning, so enjoy a leisurely buffet breakfast. This is the last leg of the journey with Inlandsbanan on the way south. On the way, we pass Avaviken. In the summer, you can take the Ångtåget steam train from Arvidsjaur to Avaviken for a barbecue and a dip in the lake, if you have the stamina. We make a short stop at Sorsele, and then continue to Vilhelmina for lunch. If you prefer, you can pick up your lunch here to eat on the train later (price of lunch is included). The last stop is Hoting for coffee and buns.

Arrival in Östersund is in the early evening, where the tour ends. The return journey home is booked individually, but we will of course be pleased to help you with connecting trains, just let us know at the time of booking the tour package

A minimum number of 25 passengers required for the tour to go ahead

PACKAGE INLANDSBANAN IN WHITE SHADE START WITH OVERNIGHT STAY IN:
Östersund: Monday 14 March.
Your journey on Inlandsbanan begins the third day.

Sample price per person

This journey reveals Inlandsbanan wrapped in snow-white winter landscapes. This is the time when the blue winter light takes over, and with a bit of luck we may even see the Northern Lights. The tour includes a visit to Jukkasjärvi and the uniquely beautiful ICEHOTEL.

Day 1 (Mon) Östersund
The package tour begins in Östersund with individual arrival and overnight stay in a hotel Try to get to Östersund early so you can enjoy all that Östersund has to offer in the winter. Not far from the hotel is Lake Storsjön, covered by meters of ice. Take a walk along the shore or on the ice, hire long-distance skates or skis to enjoy a tour on miles and miles of prepared tracks. A hot tip, wrap up your evening in the Winter City bath house, try an outdoor hot tub, a dip in the icy waters of the lake for those brave enough, followed by warming up in the sauna. Overnight stay at Hotel Älgen, including breakfast.

Day 2 (Tue) Östersund–Vilhelmina
Having enjoyed a wonderful breakfast buffet at the hotel, it is time for us to walk down to the station where we board the train for the tour with Inlandsbanan. Östersund and the white-clad Åreskutan mountain peaks disappear in the distance. We take our first coffee break after an hour of travelling through the Jämtland countryside. After an hour or two of riding past picturesque small railway stations such as Munkflohögen and Ulriksfors, we break for lunch at the hotel in Hoting (included in tour). But before the lunch we will visit the Motor museum in Hoting where they have the Royal Mercedes. The journey continues into southern Lapland across the island of Långön and past Dorotea. The day’s adventure on Inlandsbanan ends at Vilhelmina, where, having checked into the hotel, we continue our afternoon activities with a guided walk around Vilhelmina and a visit to the fine local heritage museum in Kyrkstan. The evening is free for dinner and individual activities. Overnight stay at Hotell Wilhelmina, including breakfast.

Day 3 (Wed) Vilhelmina–Jokkmokk
After an early breakfast, the journey continues to Jokkmokk, famed as a Sami heritage centre. The first stop is in Storuman for a visit to the old railway hotel, which today is a library. There is a café where you can quench your desire for coffee. In Sorsele we visit the Inlandsbanan museum by the railway station to learn more about the 100-year history of Inlandsbanan. The journey continues to Arvidsjaur where we break for lunch at a restaurant of your choice.. At Jokkmokk there is no need to worry about the luggage as it will be transported to the hotel, providing us with the opportunity to take a walk. The evening is free for dinner and individual activities. Overnight stay at Hotell Jokkmokk, including breakfast.

Day 4 (Thu) Jokkmokk–Gällivare
Our stay in Jokkmokk starts with group sightseeing for a guided tour of the old church and Jokkmokks tenn (Pewter) after that Ájtte Sami and Mountain Museum. The museum tour is followed by free time for lunch. The museum restaurant is a good choice as it serves specialities like suovas – lightly smoked reindeer meat – alpine char or lunch of the day. After lunch, we meet up at the railway station for departure on Inlandsbanan for a couple of hours’ journey to Gällivare. Just ahead of Jokkmokk, we cross the Arctic Circle again as we step across the Arctic Circle and are given a certificate to prove it. We are now travelling through Laponia, a world heritage area with miles and miles of marshes, national parks and mountain sceneries. On arrival in Gällivare, we will directly continue by coach to LKAB’s iron ore mine outside Gällivare to see how ore is extracted. We will go by a special bus 1000 metres down. The evening is free for dinner and individual activities. Overnight stay at Grand Hotel Lapland, including breakfast.

Day 5 (Fri) Gällivare–Kiruna
Today we travel north to Kiruna, from where we continue to Jukkasjärvi to visit the spectacular ICEHOTEL. The visit starts with a guided tour of the hotel and its facilities, the church, and of course also ABSOLUTE ICEBAR. Every bit is built from snow and ice! After some free time to digest all these new impressions, it is time to enjoy a sumptuous buffet lunch and dessert table at restaurant ICEHOTEL, famous for its excellent local kitchen. After a leisurely lunch there is time for exploration, shopping for souvenirs to take back home and a walk to stretch your legs before taking the train back to Kiruna. We will also visit Jukkasjärvi church to see the altarpiece by Bror Hjorth and the beautifully decorated Sami-inspired organ. In the afternoon we go to Kiruna, and if there is time, we will visit Kiruna’s very unusual church. The evening is free for dinner and individual activities. Overnight stay at hotel in Kiruna including breakfast.

Day 6 (Sat) Kiruna–Narvik–Harstad/ Norway
In the morning the journey continues further north by train (SJ) along Malmbanan, which has been voted the most beautiful train journey in Sweden. The train passes Abisko and delightful Lapporten, passing mighty mountain chains and the ski centre Riksgränsen. Once in Narvik, we board a bus to our overnight destination Harstad, the departure point for the cruise to Lofoten. Overnight stay in hotel, including breakfast.

Day 7 (Sun) Harstad–Stamsund (Hurtigruten)
After breakfast in the hotel it is time to walk down to the quay to board the Hurtigruten vessel to begin one of the most beautiful voyages in the world. See the stunning coastal landscapes of Norway, with the varied scenery of Vesterålen and Lofoten. It is said that this is one of the most beguiling stretches of the Hurtigruten cruise. Small, picturesque fishing villages typical of Norway alternate with high mountains descending steeply into the fjords. With a bit of luck we may even see whales or killer whales hunting large shoals of fish in the fjords. Overnight stay in cabin onboard Hurtigruten.

Day 8 (Mon) Bodø–Rørvik (Hurtigruten)
The Norwegian coastline in its winter attire seems quite different from the usual verdant farming areas along the steep slopes and narrow fjords, now covered by layers of snow. Huge mountains line the route, and the Syv Søstre (Seven Sisters) and Torghatten are imposing sights as the vessel glides past. In the morning we cross the Arctic Circle and leave the land of the Midnight Sun. On the way south, we meet the northbound Hurtigruten vessel. When our ship calls in at the various harbours, there is sufficient time to disembark for short individual expeditions. Overnight stay in cabin onboard Hurtigruten.

Day 9 (Tue) Trondheim–Östersund
Hurtigruten arrives in Trondheim in the early morning, and there is time to have breakfast onboard before disembarking. Trondheim is a historical city and we strongly recommend you take the opportunity to look around before you board the train back to Östersund. Nidarosdomen – an imposing cathedral – should not be missed on a visit to Trondheim, nor should the fishing harbour Ravnkloa and its marine delicacies be left out. If you prefer to see more of Östersund, there is a morning train that will take you back in time for lunch. The package tour ends with your arrival in Östersund, but we will of course be pleased to help you book an extra night in a hotel, or help you with connecting trains, just let us know at the time of booking the package

PACKAGE INLANDSBANAN IN WHITE SHADE AND HURTIGRUTEN START WITH OVERNIGHT STAY IN:
Östersund: Monday 14 March.
Your journey on Inlandsbanan starts the next day.

A minimum number of 25 passengers required for the tour to go ahead

Sample price per person