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17 days - Escorted summer tour of Norwegian Fjords from Oslo to Trondheim
This incredible guided 17-day summer journey traverses the stunning landscape of Norway. Join our exclusive 50 Degrees North escorted tour, travelling from Oslo to Bergen, Bergen to Trondheim. Visit the traditional Stave Church of Lom and the magnificent Luster and Sognefjord region. Experience the valley of Gudbrandsdalen, surrounded by national parks, an abundance of locally produced food, old architecture, and great hiking trails.
Board the classic Norway in a nutshell® train journey from Flåm and catch the express boat along the Norwegian fjords to Bergen. Feast on fresh seafood at the Bergen Fish Markets and enjoy the Norwegian summer vibes.
From Bergen, travel via Ålesund, Åndalsnes and end in Trondheim. Follow along this coastline from Bergen to Kalvåg on an express ferry with the locals. Stop along the way for skylift gondola ride, waterfalls and cultural visits, such as a small, local folk museum and the new Sagastad Viking Museum beside the Nordfjord.
After a stay in Ålesund, head north as your driver navigates two of the most famous Norwegian Scenic Routes. Be amazed by Norway’s most visited tourist road, Trollstigen Road with its eleven magnificent hairpin turns and the Atlantic Highway, famous for its twisting bridges over the coast.
This tour is a combination of two tours - Best of Norway (8 days from Oslo to Bergen) and Scenic Fjords of Norway (10 days from Bergen to Trondheim).
As a Certified B Corporation, 50 Degrees North has designed this tour using handpicked local hoteliers and suppliers who share our ethos of delivering services and activities of high social and environmental standards.
The CO2-e per person per day of all tours is carefully measured following each season. We fully offset all emissions of our tours on your behalf, and we constantly look at ways to reduce emissions where possible.
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, Kalvåg to Trondheim by private 50 Degrees North mini-coach, which will accommodate spontaneous photo stops as well as food and rest stops.
International flights, travel insurance, luggage handling, arrival and departure transfer, lunches and dinners that have not been detailed in the program, and items of personal nature. A small tip for the bus driver will be appreciated - your escort will advise you with details about this.
Portage is not included - you will be responsible for carrying all your luggage.
Arrival and departure transfers are not included.
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. Within 20 metres of the hotel reception 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 escort will meet you this evening in the hotel lobby and then you will travel by tram to The Ekebergrestaurant to enjoy a welcome dinner at, a special modernist, 1920s hillside restaurant, with your group.
After breakfast, board your train at the Oslo Central Station and head towards Lillehammer, the small town that rose to international fame when it hosted the Winter Olympics in 1994. Check into your central hotel.
Spend the day at your leisure: browse the local shops, visit the Norwegian Olympic Museum (ski jump), and do not miss 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 to the charming Urnes Stave Church (a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest church in Norway). Catch a ferry to Solvorn and continue over Aurlandsfjellet. Lastly, enjoy a stop at Stegastein before arriving to the peaceful village of Aurland.
After breakfast, embark the fjord cruise in Aurland and 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.
Short transfer from Aurland to Flåm, and 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.
Return to Flåm to board the express ferry to Bergen. Take in the fresh air on Norway’s longest fjord, the Sognefjord, during this 5-hour ferry-ride towards Bergen. Check into your centrally located hotel at the end of the day.
This evening, you will be arriving a little late for a formal group dinner so just head out with the group for a wander around the fish markets (metres from your hotel) for a casual dinner and a celebratory drink to enjoy the long summer night!
Spending the day strolling the city and exploring the lovely sights of scenic Bergen. City highlights include the old wharf of Bryggen – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an interesting range of museums, as well as the city’s vibrant fish and flower market. For a good overview of Bergen, we recommend taking the “Fløibanen” funicular up the mountainside, which reveals spectacular views and for hikers, catch a cable car up to Ulriken643 to walk in the hills overlooking Bergen.
Enjoy a morning guided sightseeing around Bergen before you head to the ferry port for the 4:30pm ferry to Kalvåg. With a small cafe on board, you can relax while you take in the stunning Norwegian coastline. The ferry stops along the way to drop off and pick up locals before arriving at Kalvåg at 8.20pm. You will get a short transfer up to the hotel and check in.
Kalvåg has one of the best preserved fishing village milieus in Vestlandet. The little houses stand closely together around the small bay to create a charming setting.
This morning, meet our minivan and driver around 10am - be sure to enjoy the port before he arrives. Follow along the magnificent Nordfjord today. Along the way to Loen, you will first stop at the Sagastad Viking Exhibition (optional entry), followed by a stop at the Nordfjord Folk Museum with entrance and a guide included. Explore the old historic buildings of Nordfjordeid with a collection of 44 old houses of historical interest. Many of the houses are furnished and show different periods of time, mostly from the 18th and 19th centuries. There is also a cultural-history collection in the main building.
Arrive at Loen in the middle of the afternoon and check in at Hotel Alexandra. Loen has a lovely little wooden church to visit late in the afternoon, or you can relax by the pool and day spa. This evening, dinner at the hotel is included.
After breakfast, meet your driver and head out to walk up the Kjenndalen valley to the Kjenndalen Glacier, Jostedal Glacier's lowest glacier arm. Afterwards, at the end of Lovatn Lake, you'll find Kjenndalsstova, a cafe which is open from May to September and you can stop for lunch here.
Next is a visit to the Loen Sky Lift, a cable car that climbs 1,011 metres to the top of Mount Hoven, above the Nordfjord. There is a cafe at the top with a spectacular viewing platform at the roof. You can have a walk around the top and marvel at the view.
Return to the hotel for dinner.
Today you will travel from Loen via Hjørundfjord to Ålesund - your final leg of the journey by mini-coach. First stop today is the small town of Stryn. The driver stops along the way on request as you spend the day travelling through this beautiful section of road. Highlights include Horndøla Bru (Bridge), built between 1810 and 1813 and Norangsdalen, one of the narrowest valleys in Norway. This route follows the 'Queens' Route', rich in both spectacular sceneries as well as cultural memories.
Pass by Hellesyltfossen, one of the most well-known waterfalls of the Sunnfjord region, an area which encompasses dozens upon dozens of waterfalls. This lake was formed when an avalanche dammed up the river more than 100 years ago. Drive along the Hjørundfjord and catch the ferry across from Leknes to Sæbø before enjoying a 2 course lunch at Sagafjord Hotel.
Then it is time to make your way to Ålesund, a drive past lakes, Norwegian farms and ocean view.
Enjoy a 3 hours morning city walk of the picturesque city center of Ålesund.
In the afternoon, at your leisure, you have the day to explore more of the city. Ålesund is known for its art nouveau architectural style in which most of the town was rebuilt after a fire in 1904. Optional activities are available such as kayaking trips around the historic waterfront buildings, wildlife sea safari or climbing Mt. Aksla for lunch (418 steps).
After breakfast, be sure to have your cameras charged as you travel to Åndalsnes, with stops along the Trollstigen National Scenic Road. Trollstigen is Norway’s most visited tourist road, and this masterpiece in engineering in the midst of majestic natural landscapes is a true joy ride (particularly when you are in the safe hands of our Norwegian driver).
The eleven magnificent hairpin turns along Trollstigen offer fantastic scenery along the mountain road. Each bend has its own name, often named after the person who supervised the construction work on that particular section. At some locations, you will discover that the road is carved into the mountain itself, and in other places it is built in stone instead.
Historically, Trollstigen used to be an important transport passage between the villages Valldal in Indre Sunnmøre and Åndalsnes in Romsdalen. When the road opened in 1939, it wasn’t long before Trollstigen became a tourist attraction.
The Trollstigen is surrounded by mighty mountains that reach an altitude of over 1600 meters. To the west of the road lie the mountains of Bispen (1450m), Kongen (1614m) and Dronninga (1701m), and to the east of the road lie the Stigbottshornet (1583m) and the Storgrovfjellet (1629m).
Your minivan will stop along the way today for photos, rest stops and a stop at the Strawberry Cafe to sample the famous strawberry cakes on offer. You will also stop at the thundering ravine, Gudbrandsjuvet, near the Juvet Hotel. Gudbrandsjuvet is a 5 metre narrow and 20–25 metre high ravine through which the Valldøla River forces itself. The waters have formed a complex of deep potholes and intricate formations. The depth down from the surface of the water is about equal to the depth of ravine down to the river.
Today we have included an easy cultural hike to explore the region of Åndalsnes. Get to know the old history, culture and wildlife of the Romsdalen area. Join a local guide for a 2-hour hike on easy trails along the Romsdalen valley. You will get the feel of the wilderness among the waterfalls, high mountains and boulders in the forest.
This evening, sit back and admire the view during your three course dinner.
After breakfast, spend your final day with your driver, travelling to Trondheim via the Atlantic Road. After leaving your hotel, the first stop is visiting the tiny Rødven Stave Church beside the fjord. The history of this church dates back to the 13th century, and a crucifix from that period is among the oldest furnishings. A new chancel and sacristy was built in the 17th century, and restored to its present look early in the 18th century.
Next along the route, stop to visit the Romsdal Museum, one of the largest and most comprehensive folk museums in Norway (optional entry) before heading out to the Atlantic Road. The Atlantic Road takes you from lush coastal landscapes and heaths to bare rocks along the exposed Hustadvika, where you can see the sun sink into the horizon. This National Tourist Route has been called the world’s most beautiful drive and has been voted the “Norwegian construction of the century”.
On arrival into Kristiansund, catch the late afternoon express boat (3 hours) to Trondheim. Enjoy your final night in Norway and bid farewell to your escort and fellow travellers.
After breakfast, make your own way to the airport.
Price per person, double share.
NOTE: Accommodations are subject to change and twin rooms can be requested but not guaranteed.
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.
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.
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.
Our premium 50 Degrees North mini-coach represent a new style of travel: 2-12 independent travellers traverse exceptionally beautiful, yet hard-to-reach areas of Norway, thus experiencing something unique and authentic while contributing to more modest local economies.
Before departure, or while dreaming of a Scandinavian adventure, get your fill of inspiring travel books here.
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