Northern Stars Jokkmokk
The Northern Star programme is an exceptional opportunity to get to know the way of life of people who settled in the Far North and at the same time enjoy the incredible ambience of snow and sun that characterises life in Lapland in the second half of Winter.
With this special train the trip is easy and worry-free, we have thought of all the things that are needed to ensure you just concentrate on enjoying the sights and sounds along the way
Introduction
Starting in Stockholm you'll then travel ever northwards, via Östersund, to the Arctic Circle and beyond. On the way you'll enjoy the comfort of good hotels or self-catering accommodation,visits to museums and the fabulous, once-a-year Jokkmokk Market as well as the world-renowned Ice Hotel near Kiruna.
An action-packed and rewarding week, the memories of which will be cherished for many a year.
Photos ©mariedorigny, taken during our 2010 voyage.
Departure point: Stockholm
End point: Stockholm
Departure dates: 27th January 2012
Language spoken: English/Anglais, French/Français,
Journey type: Escorted / Accompagné,
Details
Friday 27th January 2012
Individual arrivals in Stockholm. Our 3/4**** hôtel is very close to the main line railway station, arrival and departure point of trains to the rest of Sweden and to Arlanda and Skavsta airports. It is also close to Drottningsgatan («Queen Street»), Stockholm's main thoroughfare, where shops, restaurants and cafés abound. All of Stockholm's city centre sights are within easy reach on foot; the Town hall, the Royal Palace, the Old Town (Gamla Stan), and of course the harbour, even if it is iced over...
Early evening we meet our escort for the week and afterwards the evening is free for dinner at leisure.
Saturday 28th January 2012
After a buffet breakfast we take the morning Inter City train to Mora, a typical town in Dalarna, considered to be the birthplace of Swedish handicrafts. Upon arrival, registration at the Best Western Hôtel Mora on the shores of Lake Siljan. During the afternoon free time to explore this delightful town, the Zorn Museum or the handicraft shops. Dinner at leisure and overnight in Mora.
Sunday 29th January 2012
After breakfast we leave for the nearby town of Orsa, in the heart of the «Orsa Finnmark» region and so called because many Finnish migrants settled there, attracted by the opportunities offered by the forestry industry. We will visit the Animal Park where lynx, bears, elks and other animals live in semi freedom. We return to Mora at the end of the afternoon and board the once-weekly railcar that links Mora to Östersund, crossing the wild and hilly region that separates the two towns. We arrive in Östersund at approximately 20h30 and walk the very short distance to our hôtel, the Clarion Hôtel Grand. We are now already at the same latitude as Reykjavik! Dinner at leisure and overnight in Östersund.
Monday 30th January 2012
After breakfast the day is free to explore Östersund and enjoy its location on the banks of the frozen Lake Storsjön - warm clothing is a must. There are also "hot tubs" and saunas in the Winter City leisure area* and even the opportunity for a dip in the icy waters of the lake. Evening free for dinner at leisure, either at the hôtel or in town. Overnight in Östersund.
Tuesday 31st January 2012
After a buffet breakfast our special railcar will draw into the station to take us on the first leg of our journey northward, first to Dorotea in Southern Lapland, where we stop for coffee. On board the train we will meet our local guides and other passengers who will be going to Jokkmokk. Our special train is one of only two journeys made along the 1,000 km railway line in winter, the line normally has passenger trafic in the summer only. Continuing northward our next stop is for lunch (served in the train) in the town of Vilhelmina.
After re-boarding and a further stop at Sorsele, and a visit to the Railway Museum, our train then takes us on to Kåbdalis, a small Lapland ski resort, where we arrive in the evening. Snowmobiles will take our luggage the short distance to our self-catering ski chalets. Evening free and dinner at leisure, either in the apartment or in the resort's restaurant.
Wednesday 1st February 2012
After breakfast, the morning is free before we rejoin our special train for the journey to Northern Lapland, the Arctic Circle and the Sami Winter Market in Jokkmokk. We stop en route as we cross the Arctic Circle !
When we arrive in Jokkmokk we have a short walk to the pewter exhibition and then free time to enjoy the atmosphere of the market and the incredible variety of wares on sale. Almost anything can be found in the market, handicraft items, typical local foodstuffs, quality winter clothing, heated tents for hot snacks and drinks and numerous opportunities to observe and absorb the way of life of the inhabitants of this isolated region.
At the end of the afternoon we regroup for a guided visit of the Ättje Sami Museum followed by the official opening ceremony of the Winter Market. In the evening our railcar takes us back to Kåbdalis for our second overnight stay there.
Thursday 2nd February 2012
After breakfast, we take our railcar northwards to Gällivare, for a day's excursion to the world-renowned Ice Hôtel in Jukkasjärvi, near Kiruna. On arrival in Gällivare a motor-coach awaits us for the final leg of the journey to Jukkasjärvi.
On arrival lunch is served before our guided visit of the amazing domain. We learn all about the origins and the operations of the hôtel and we have plenty of free time also to just wander through the incredible ice rooms and even pick up some souvenirs before returning to Gällivare. Our train then returns to Kåbdalis, stopping at Jokkmokk on the way to pick up other passengers. Overnight in Kåbdalis.
Friday 3rd February 2012
After breakfast our train returns to Jokkmokk for our second visit to the Winter Market. In the afternoon we head southwards by train for the town of Arvidsjaur where we will stay the night at the Hôtel Laponia.
Saturday 4th February 2012
We leave Arvidsjaur after breakfast for our journey back to Östersund. We will stop several times to let other passengers off and also for a visit of the homestead of Vilhelmina followed by a light lunch on board the train. After a final stop in Hoting we arrive at our destination early evening and stay for the second time at the Clarion Hôtel Grand.
Sunday 5th February 2012
Today we take an X2000 express train back to Stockholm and our voyage comes to an end at Stockholm's central station upon our arrival at 13h30.
NB We strongly advise you to leave enough margin between arrival and departure times in Stockholm so you can have a stress-free journey outward and back.
*Depending on the dates of the Lake Festival, subject to weather conditions and the thickness of the ice.
Tariffs
The tariff of 1960 € includes, per person, from Stockholm :
(On the basis of two persons² sharing a room, all taxes included)
² For other group numbers please email us with your request and we will be pleased to quote.
Accommodation :
Accommodation and buffet breakfasts : 6 nights in 3/4**** hôtels
Accommodation in self-catering flat, with breakfasts included : 3 nights
Transport :
Train travel Stockholm- Mora, 2nd Class reserved seats
Train travel Mora-Östersund
Special train Östersund-Arvidsjaur-Jokkmokk-Gällivare and return, 2nd Class reserved seats
Coach transfer to the Animal Park
Coach transfer to Jukkasjärvi
The following visits :
- The Animal Park in Orsa
- The Railway Museum in Sorsele
- The Sami museum in Jokkmokk (including entrance fee)
- The Ice Hôtel in Jukkasjärvi
- The homestead in Vilhelmina
Meals :
- 6 buffet breakfasts
- 3 self-prepared breakfasts
- Lunch in Vilhelmina and the Ice Hôtel
English, French and Italian speaking tour guide
This tariff does not include :
Insurance :
Medical/Repatriation (mandatory)
Loss/theft of luggage (optional)
Single supplement for the week : 440 € single room in hôtels and single room in shared châlet accommodation with shared kitchen and bathroom.
* For other group numbers please email us with your request and we will be pleased to quote.
NB
Minimum number of participants for this trip : 12
Options
NORTHERN STARS - JOKKMOKK
NOTES
Entry requirements for European citizens :
Valid Identity Card or Passport. Your Passport should have at least two empty pages. If you are not a citizen of the Eurpopean Union please contact the appropriate consular services for advice.
Climate
We are going beyond the Artic Circle and temperatures are much lower than in most European countries. During the day the temperature can vary between -10°C et - 25°C , and at night between - 15°C and - 35°C. However it is usually a very dry cold and the impression is not the same, rendering the lower temperatures more tolerable. You must have warm clothing, preferably clothing that can be put on or taken off easily as you pass from the outside to the inside and vice-versa. For the additional or optional snow-based activities, appropriate clothing will be provided by the organisers.
Contrary to belief, there is a fair amount of daylight in the far north in February ! The day breaks around 9h30 and dusk falls around 16h. Given the amount of lying snow (4 metres accumulated, 1 metre at any one time) the slighest sunray is reflected and the days can be very bright.
The Northern Lights appear often at these latitudes in winter, but obviously clear skies are needed - as well as some luck !
Luggage
There are some short walks between stations and hôtels ; usually less than 200-300 metres but you will have to carry your own luggage during these transfers and also place your luggage on racks in the train. We advise you therefore to travel as lightly as possible, with a small piece of luggage.
Money (Applies to all tours to Scandinavia)
Sweden, like Denmark and Norway, isn't part of the Euro zone. The local currency in Sweden is the Swedish crown and one Euro equates to roughly 10 crowns. Confusingly crowns are also the local currencies of Norway and Denmark but they are not interchangeable and have different foreign currency values. Almost all major credit cards are accepted and you will find ATM's in all the towns where we stay.
For the meals that are not included in the programme, a light lunch might cost around 70-90 Swedish crowns. Eating out in restaurants for an evening dinner with wine included can however be more expensive than in other countries, except perhaps the UK. A special mention should be made for Norway where prices are approximately 50% higher than in other European countries. You can check all exchange rates before leaving by using our currency converter on our links page.
Miscellaneous
English is widely spoken in both Sweden and Norway, other foreign languages (French, German etc.) far less so. In the north of Lapland, inhabitants often speak, in addition to Swedish, one of the several variants of the Sami language which is spoken in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia.
Swedes and Norwegians attach great importance to respecting Mother Nature and like cleanliness and respect for others. If you smoke please consider bringing a travel ashtray with you and note that all trains, hotels, bars and restaurants are strictly non-smoking.
Journey to Stockholm and back
You have numerous possibilities ; the following airline companies have flights from major European cities to Stockholm : Lufthansa, Air France, Norwegian, Ryanair, SAS. You'll find on our site a link to BravoFly where you can compare schedules, tariffs and even book your flight. You can also get to Stockholm by train quite easily from most cities and we will be pleased to supply details on request.
Please note that discoveryTRAINS assumes no responsibility for the exactitude of any information given about, nor for the execution, of your journey to and from Stockholm, as this is not part of our package, unless specifically requested. You remain sole responsible for the organisation of your journey.
