8 days | Small group tour | May–Sep | Oslo to Bergen | 6–15 guests
Small group summer tour from Oslo through Norway’s mountain valleys and UNESCO-listed fjords to Bergen, designed for scenic travel and regional character throughout.
Travel from Norway’s capital by rail to Lillehammer before continuing by private mini-coach through Gudbrandsdalen, Jotunheimen and the high mountain passes to Lom. Explore Geirangerfjord by RIB safari, visit the 12th-century Lom Stave Church and journey across Sognefjellet before descending to Aurland for fjord cruising through Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord. The itinerary concludes with the Flåm Railway to Bergen, staying in historic and boutique hotels that reflect the spirit of each region.
This tour can be combined with the Scenic Fjords of Norway (10 days from Bergen to Trondheim) to become the Norway in-Depth tour (17 days from Oslo to Trondheim).
As a Certified B Corporation, 50 Degrees North has designed this itinerary using handpicked local hoteliers and suppliers who share our ethos of delivering services and activities of high social and environmental standards.
Through our Climate Action Plan, we measure our carbon emissions each year and set goals to reduce them. But our responsibility does not end when the journey does. A share of our annual profits goes to our Impact Fund, supporting conservation, restoration and the communities we work in.
All transportation (by buses, trains, and boats) between destinations is included in the price (note: upon your arrival to Oslo, we recommend the express train between the airport and main train station). This includes travel between Lillehammer and Aurland by private 50 Degrees North mini-coach, which will accommodate spontaneous photo stops as well as food and rest stops. Arrival and departure transfers are NOT included.
(Drinks paid locally)
A small tip for the bus driver will be appreciated - your escort will advise you with details about this.
Arrive Oslo and make your own way to your central hotel in the heart of Oslo. The Norwegian capital has a great deal to offer the discerning traveller. If you arrive early, we can recommend a walk around the centre of town to view the Parliament, the Castle & the Harbour area. Close to the hotel, climb the new Opera House for a chance to orient yourself to this small capital. Near your hotel is the super helpful Oslo tourist information booth with maps and information for your exploration. If you have a few hours, we suggest heading to close by beautiful peninsula of Bygdøy by ferry to visit the Cultural Museum and Fram Museum this afternoon.
Your Tour Leader will meet you this evening in the hotel lobby and then enjoy a welcome dinner.
After breakfast, board your train at Oslo Central Station and travel to Lillehammer, the charming town that gained international recognition as host of the 1994 Winter Olympics. Upon arrival, enjoy admission to Maihaugen, Norway’s largest open-air museum, where you can explore the historic buildings and exhibitions at your own pace before checking in to your centrally located hotel.
Spend the rest of the day at leisure. You may wish to visit the Norwegian Olympic Museum and the iconic Lysgårdsbakken Ski Jump, or explore the impressive Garmo Stave Church.
After breakfast, take a private minibus to Lom, a 3-hour scenic drive from Lillehammer. This bus trip takes you through some of Norway’s most beautiful highlands and lush valleys. Experience the valley of Gudbrandsdalen surrounded by the national parks, an abundance of locally produced food, old architecture, and good hiking.
Lom is a small town encapsulating the very essence of the Norwegian countryside. Situated in the famous Jotunheimen National Park, Lom is surrounded by majestic nature. Check into your charming historic hotel. Dinner is included this evening.
Day tour to Geiranger, which is 1.5 hours’ drive away from Lom. On arrival, join a fjord rib boat safari and experience the Geirangerfjord UNESCO World Heritage site. The scenery here is absolutely breathtaking. Take a closer look at the “Seven Sisters”, “Bridal Veil” and “Suitor” waterfalls, the majestic fjord cliffs and abandoned mountain farms. Perhaps you’ll be lucky enough to see porpoises playing in the fjord.
Travelling back from Geiranger, the minibus can stop at the famous Lom Stave Church, constructed in Norman-style in 1170. It still operates as the local church today.
Please note that the Geirangerfjord visit is subject to change due to weather and snow conditions. The mountain road from Lom to Geiranger normally opens from end of May. Alternatively, enjoy the day in Lom, visiting Brimi Bue, a popular Lom hot-spot for fresh local produce and traditional Nordic flavours, owned by renowned chef Arne Brimi. Indulge yourselves in the historic atmosphere of Lom open-air museum and its houses dating from the early 1600s and experience the old farmer culture. The Norwegian Mountain Centre is also worth a visit.
Depart Lom for another scenic journey through the spectacular mountain and fjord country of Breheimen and Jostedalsheimen. Stop at Sognefjellshytta (approx. 1 hr drive) for a coffee/tea break, then sit back and enjoy the scenery until your next stop at the cubist stone at Mefjellet. The final stop before descending down the mountain is at Nedre Oscarshaug – another fantastic spot for photos and great views.
After a local lunch, continue along the fjord and over Aurlandsfjellet. Lastly, enjoy a stop at Stegastein before arriving to the peaceful village of Aurland.
After breakfast, spend your day relaxing, hiking and taking in the views in the peaceful little town of Aurland. Enjoy the harbour area with unspoilt views of the fjord and surrounding gardens.
After breakfast it will be a short transfer from Aurland to Flåm and embark the fjord cruise. Enjoy its journey sailing through the idyllic Aurlandsfjord, which is also inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Furthermore, the boat continues through the narrow Nærøyfjord before arriving Gudvangen, innermost in the Nærøyfjord.
On the return to Flåm, step aboard the world famous Flåm Railway to Myrdal Station with several stunning lookout points along the way. Thanks to its steep incline (from sea level to almost 900 meters above sea level in a short hour), the train-ride is rated as one of Europe’s best rail journeys and has become a real highlight for visitors in Norway.
The journey continues by train from Myrdal to Bergen where you will check-in to your lovely hotel. Head out with the group for a wander, an optional dinner or a celebratory drink to enjoy the long summer night!
After breakfast, depart Bergen or extend your stay.
Bergen is the perfect strolling town so enjoy any extra time you have before your departure to explore the historical centre of Bergen, being transported back to a time when Bergen was the centre of political power and trade for the entire North Atlantic. It was the Capital of the Kingdom of Norway for a short period, before the capital was moved to Oslo in 1299, and the town grew to become the largest in Scandinavia.
The Hanseatic League established itself here in 1350 and had a trade monopoly that lasted 200 years. While in Bergen you might wish to visit the UNESCO heritage listed historical area around the harbour known as the Bryggen district, and the home of Edvard Grieg, Troldhaugen, Norway's internationally famous composer. Enjoy lunch at the new Bergen Fish Market - a fantastic modern architectural designed building with a great outdoor and indoor dining area.
All prices listed are per person, based on two people sharing a room.
NOTE: Accommodations are subject to change and twin rooms can be requested but not guaranteed. Upgrades are not available.
Please note this tour is not suitable for children under the age of 14.
A Norwegian coastal voyage can be added to this tour before or afterwards, depending on availability.
What to expect from your tour leader
This tour travels with one of our own tour leaders. Your tour leader is with you from the first day to the last, and they are the person who makes the journey run. They are not a local guide, and knowing the difference helps you get the most from the trip.
What your tour leader does
Your tour leader looks after the journey itself. Timings, transfers, check-ins, the daily rhythm of the trip, the practical problems that travel throws up. They also share what they know of the region as you travel. They are your constant point of contact and the person holding everything together, so you can give your attention to the places rather than the logistics.
Why your tour leader may not be Nordic
Many of our tour leaders are from the Nordics. Some are not. We choose them for how well they lead a group, how they care for people across long days and changing conditions, and the passion they have for the Nordic region. The Nordic region is vast, and even a single country holds more local knowledge than any one person can carry. A tour leader who knows one fjord intimately will not know every town, trail and tradition along your route. So we don't ask them to. That knowledge comes from elsewhere.
Where the local knowledge comes from
Local guides. In the places where it matters, and for the activities that call for it, you are joined by guides who live there and know it first-hand: the fjord, the city, the wilderness, the culture. This is where the Nordic expertise we are known for reaches you, from the people who hold it. Your tour leader joins these activities alongside you, so the group shares them together.
Is this a guided tour?
Not in the sense of one guide narrating from start to finish. Your tour leader leads the journey; your local guides lead the experiences within it. If you are hoping for continuous commentary from a single person throughout, this way of travelling works differently, and it is worth knowing that before you go. Your tour leader will, however, share their own insights and experiences along the way, including what to do with your free time.
The short version
Your tour leader leads the journey and shares what they know. Your local guides reveal the places and their culture. Both are with you where it counts.
MEDICAL AND HEALTH INFORMATION:
All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy group travel. Please consider carefully how much luggage you bring as you will be responsible for carrying all the luggage. There is limited portage service in Scandinavia and your tour escorts cannot help you, beyond reason.
Scandinavia is a fairly accessible destination for people with restricted mobility and other disabilities and is actively working to be more accessible every day. However, please note that our group tours are often not suitable for persons with limited accessibility due to inclusions and pace. 50 Degrees North is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability and we can tailor-make independent itineraries for travellers when needed. Please contact us for further details.
SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL:
This itinerary has been designed to not only showcase the best of Norway, but to highlight some of the beautiful regions which are accessible by public transport, and to keep bus driving to a minimum. This includes the famous Flåm railway, which is powered by the Kjosfossen waterfall, one of the iconic stops on route.
All of the accommodations have been hand selected for their ties to the local community, and for their environmental credentials. One example is our support of Nordic Choice hotels, which are famous for their efforts in sustainability. The accommodation is ISO 14001 certified (which is given to enterprises that have a high-quality environmental managing system for organizational performance), has launched plastic free initiatives in partnership with WWF, where possible is powered by renewable energy and are taking great strides to reduce water consumption and reduce the use of chemicals. Even though access to water is not an issue in Nordic countries compared to other parts of the world, this hotel is conscious of the energy consumed for heating, and chemicals required for purification, so reduction makes up part of their overall environmental policy. In addition to this they provide sustainable, organic, fair trade food, and only use sustainably produced palm oil. Your hosts also encourages guests to eat less meat and substitute this for plant based alternatives.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Weather conditions may occasionally affect certain activities, and as a result, the schedule may be adjusted to ensure the best possible experience for all guests. For multi-activity stays, often the order of the activities will be confirmed locally on arrival. Activities might vary slightly in their duration or location due to the weather and local conditions. Any activities that are unable to be re-scheduled due to weather conditions will be refunded as a general practice, as determined by the activity provider.
Take a closer look at the boutique hotels and restaurants that we recommend as a part of our independent 'Beautiful Norway' tour across the fjords. We start in Lom, take a culinary stopover in Skjolden after having journeyed along the mountain pass across Sognefjellet, and finish at our beautiful accommodation in Aurland.
These premium mini-coach journeys blend Norway’s celebrated landmarks with remote mountain passes and quieter fjord communities, offering 2–12 independent travellers a thoughtfully paced and seamless way to explore.
50 Degrees North CEO Mari Räsänen shares the routine she relies on to arrive from long-haul flights ready to work rather than wiped out.
Our core values are underpinned by our belief that travel can be a force for good. It has the potential to bring economic benefits to small communities, support local businesses, and, when done right, act as a driving force for boosting biodiversity and supporting habitats.
However, we recognise that the flights required to reach our destinations come at an environmental cost, with air travel likely to account for the majority of your holiday’s carbon footprint.
But here’s something you may not know: not all flights between the same origin and destination have the same carbon footprint. In some cases, emissions can differ by as much as double, depending on factors like flight routes and aircraft type.
That’s why we’ve put together this simple guide to help you book the most carbon-efficient flight possible. With just a few small changes to how you plan your journey, you can significantly reduce your travel impact while enjoying the incredible experiences that travel has to offer.
There are many reasons why one flight may have a lower carbon footprint than another, but this often comes down to the age and type of aircraft. It can be difficult and time-consuming to research this yourself, but fortunately, there are now flight search engines that do the hard work for you. A great example is Google Flights which not only lists the CO2e generated per flight but also provides handy comparisons to help you understand the impact.
Take-offs and landings use a considerable amount of fuel—sometimes up to 25% of a flight’s overall emissions. The more direct a flight is, the less distance is travelled overall. Whenever possible, look for direct flights or options with fewer connections.
First and business class seats take up significantly more space on a plane than economy seats, meaning they occupy a larger share of the plane's carbon footprint. Flying economy reduces the demand for business class seats and helps keep your footprint lower.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), also known as biofuel, is a renewable alternative to conventional airplane fuel, designed to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in aviation. It is made from sustainable sources such as waste wood chips, manure, and used cooking oils, with a carbon footprint 65-80% lower than traditional airplane fuels. While SAF faces challenges (and therefore sadly it currently accounts for less than 1% of total aviation fuel) you can support its production by choosing flights that include SAF as part of the booking process, or asking your travel agent to include this. Many airlines already provide this option, often at minimal extra cost (please see an example below from SAS).
The contrails (vapour trails left behind by aeroplanes) generated at night have a greater warming effect compared to those created during the day. While this is not directly related to the amount of carbon released, flying during the day reduces the overall environmental impact of your journey. Although this might not always be feasible for long-haul flights, it’s worth considering for short and medium-haul trips.
The heavier an aircraft, the greater its fuel consumption. While reducing your luggage might not drastically affect an aircraft's total weight, every little bit helps. For example, many of your toiletries can be sourced locally, as most accommodations provide the basics, and shopping in the Nordics is both convenient and hassle-free. Additionally, many of our excursion partners provide suitable clothing and equipment for winter activities, so you can often avoid packing these items.
We firmly believe that avoiding emissions is better than offsetting them, which is why our Climate Action Plan focuses primarily on emission reductions. However, contributing to verified offsetting schemes is a positive step for addressing emissions from flights that cannot be avoided.
For further information on sustainable travel, please see our Sustainable Tourism page, including our Tips for Travellers section.
On a related topic, you might also like to read our CEO's useful article "How I Beat Jet Lag: A Frequent Traveller's Guide" where she shares the routine she relies on to arrive from long-haul flights ready to work rather than exhausted.
Start here for practical advice, seasonal planning, sustainability information and general Nordic travel inspiration.
More inspiration and news can be found at fiftydegreesnorth.com/articles/news
