A very early start and we headed north on the 06.21 train to Kiruna (200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle) via Umeå and Boden. The 1,000-km journey took 14 hours and although we could have caught a night train, we opted for the day train so we could see as much of the scenery as possible. It was light by 08.00 and we were blessed with a beautiful clear day and blue sky. Throughout the route we saw frozen lakes and snow-covered forests and fields which glistened beneath the wintry sun.

We were even served coffee and breakfast on this extremely comfortable train!

Yes! We made it and we were in the hostel/hotel by 21.00!!!!