Summer Group Tours

Travelling together, without compromise

Group touring in the Nordic region works particularly well. The landscapes are vast, the logistics are complex, and the experiences that stay with people longest, a RIB safari beneath a waterfall, a farm dinner at the edge of a fjord, a slow morning in a fishing village before the day trips arrive, tend to be the ones that are easier to reach with expert guidance and a well-considered itinerary behind them. Our summer group tours are built for travellers who want to explore this part of the world in good company, without giving up depth or pace. Browse the departures below, and read on beneath them for how the tours differ and what to expect.

What makes your group tours different?

A few things, mainly.

Considered group sizes. Most of our summer tours across Norway travel in groups of around 15. Our Iceland summer journeys run a little larger, up to somewhere between 20 and 25, and our Classic range tour, the Norwegian Fjord Journey from Oslo to Stavanger, carries up to 30. These are maximums, and many departures travel below them, so the group you join is often smaller than the cap suggests. Either way, there are no long queues, rushed stops or crowded coaches.

Someone with you throughout. Tours are led by an experienced tour leader from start to finish, backed by knowledgeable local guides, rather than handed between operators along the way. Every departure is also backed by 24-hour in-destination emergency support, so help is there if anything unexpected happens.

Designed in-house by Nordic specialists. We plan the Scandinavia-based tours ourselves, ensuring that they reach quieter corners of the region that larger international companies tend to miss, and travel at a pace set by the place rather than the schedule.

Room to travel well. Many of our Norway summer tours use our own premium mini-coach, which allows for spontaneous photo stops, scenic detours and a relaxed pace that larger coaches can't manage. On other routes, travel is by scenic rail, fjord ferry and coastal ship, chosen to suit the landscape rather than for convenience.

Accommodation chosen for character, not just convenience. On most tours, expect handpicked boutique and historic hotels, fjordside stays and locally owned properties, each chosen for its character and connection to the landscape. There's more on this below.

A certified B Corporation. We meet independently audited standards for social and environmental performance, and a share of our profits goes to environmental and community initiatives across the Nordic region through our Impact Fund.

How do I choose between them?

The tours differ in a few main ways: where they go, how long they are, group size and the standard of stay.

If you want one country in depth, tours like Best of Norway and Scenic Fjords of Norway focus on Norway's fjords and mountain valleys, and can be combined into the longer Norway In-Depth journey. If you'd rather cover more ground, Scandinavian Capitals and Fjords links Norway's fjords with several Nordic capitals across 16 days. Iceland tours range from a focused South and West loop to the full Grand Tour of the island, and our Northern Norway journey trades fjords for the Arctic coast and midnight sun.

On group size, most Norway tours travel in around 15, the Iceland tours a little larger, and the Classic Norwegian Fjord Journey up to 30. On standard of stay, most tours sit in the Original range of 4-star boutique and historic hotels, while Classic departures are centred on comfortable, well-located 3-star hotels that keep the journey more affordable. Each tour page shows its route, length, group size, tier and inclusions, so you can weigh them side by side.

When is the best time to travel?

The summer season runs from roughly May to September (even though May is still officially spring and September is autumn), and it's shaped by long daylight rather than by warmth. Late May, June and early July bring the midnight sun in the Arctic north, where the sun barely sets and days stretch well past midnight, ideal for the Lofoten and Senja journeys. Across Norway's fjords and the Scandinavian capitals, the whole May-to-September window offers long, bright days and the fullest range of open attractions, ferries and mountain roads. Iceland's summer tours run June to August, when the highland roads to areas like Landmannalaugar are passable and the coastal bird cliffs are at their busiest.

What's the weather like, and how fit do I need to be?

Nordic summers are mild rather than hot, with fjord and Arctic regions cooler than the cities, so layers and a waterproof outer matter more than warm-weather clothing (unless you only stay in the south). Conditions can shift through a single day, particularly on the coast and in the mountains. Most tours are graded moderate, with short walks, city touring and the occasional optional hike, such as Pulpit Rock on the Norwegian Fjord Journey, rather than challenging activities. If you have any concerns about a particular departure, our specialists can talk you through what each one involves.

Where do you stay?

Accommodation is part of the experience on these tours, not just a place to sleep. On most departures, expect handpicked boutique and historic hotels, fjordside stays and locally owned properties, chosen for character and location rather than size, typically in the 4-star range.

On our Classic departures, such as the Norwegian Fjord Journey, accommodation is centred on comfortable, well-located 3-star hotels. This keeps the journey more affordable while the design stays focused on the route, the activities and time spent in each destination.

What's included?

The tours are designed so the cost is clear upfront. Local guides, the key activities and all transport are included, along with your 50 Degrees North tour leader and 24-hour in-destination emergency support. The balance of guided time and free time varies by tour, so each itinerary sets out exactly what's covered. The aim is a trip with few surprises, so you can focus on the experience rather than the logistics.

What are the experiences like?

The tours are built around the summer north: fjord cruises through UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord, RIB safaris beneath waterfalls and along sea-eagle coastlines, the Flåm Railway, farm-to-table dining such as Kvitnes Gård in the Arctic, and time in historic towns like Bergen. The pace is unhurried by design, with genuine, unrushed experiences in places that reward the effort of getting there, rather than a checklist of stops.

Plan your journey

Browse our summer group tours above, or explore our complete summer collection, including independent packages and self-drive itineraries, for the full picture of what is possible in the region.

You can also download our Small Group Tours booklet for a different look at what each journey includes.