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    7 days - Explore Southern Norway with boutique stays and fjords

    Explore Norwegian fjords, mountains, charming villages and rivers at your own pace. Driving only a short distance away from Oslo to the Telemark region, Norway's cradle of skiing, step back in time with this 7-day independent tour. Stay in two beautiful fjord side historic hotels as you continue on to Bergen.

    Enjoy the trip along this canal from the deck on one of the historical canal boats M/S Henrik Ibsen & M/S Victoria - little has changed since it was done 150 years ago. Relax on-board as the historical landscape, steep mountains in the grand western fjords, narrow channels, open water and lakes pass you by. Continue to the Hardangerfjord and stay at the historic Ullensvang hotel. Explore the Norwegian fjords and mountains before arriving into Bergen.

    This 7-day self drive exploration gets you to best of the Norwegian fjords and valleys, staying in boutique hotels with many meals included.

    Highlights include

    • Sauna in the new Soria Moria Sauna on the fjord
    • Discover the charms of Rjukan and hike or cable car to the top of Gaustatoppen mountain
    • Stay overnight in historical Hotel Dalen and Hotel Ullensvang
    • Day cruise on Telemark Canal on a historical canal boat
    • Drive along Hardanger route and enjoy the magnificent views of the fjords and the mountains

    Screen Shot 2023-05-08 at 3.42.42 pm

    Day 1
    Depart Oslo & drive through the valleys to Rjukan
    Day 2
    Morning in Rjukan to climb or cable car up Gaustatoppen & then continue to Dalen.
    Day 3
    Telemark Canal on MS Victoria or MS Henrik Ibsen
    Day 4
    Day in Dalen to explore the cultural history of the region.
    Day 5
    Drive to Lofthus, following the Hardanger route, one of Norway's eighteen National Tourist Routes.
    Day 6
    Day in Lofthus to explore the Hardangerfjord region
    Day 7
    Stunning fjord-view drive to Bergen - waterfalls, fjords & mountains.
    Start Place
    Oslo, Norway
    End Place
    Bergen, Norway
    Country Visited
    Norway
    Duration
    7 Days
    Start Date
    Flexible
    Travel Style
    Independent
    Suitability
    Easy independent self-drive holiday suitable
    Code
    50DN0950

    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.

    Details

    Transportation

    Car hire 7 days; Toyota Yaris Sedan or similar with free mileage and CDW. Day trip on the Telemark Canal on either MS Victoria or MS Henrik Ibsen, as well as the canal bus back to Dalen.

    Included
    • Accommodation 6 nights at historic and well-located hotels
    • Daily breakfast and dinner (5B & 5D)
    • Car hire 7 days; Toyota Yaris sedan or similar with free mileage and CDW
    • Day trip on the Telemark Canal on either MS Victoria or MS Henrik Ibsen, as well as the canal bus back to Dalen
    • 24-hour emergency service
    • Taxes and service fees
    Not Included

    Accommodation in Oslo or Bergen, international flights, lunches and items of personal nature.

    Itinerary

    Day 1 - Depart Oslo & drive through the valleys to Rjukan

    Pick up your car from central Oslo (or Gardermoen airport) in the morning, and drive to Rjukan (2h50m) in Telemark. Telemark is the heartland of modern day skiing in Norway and worldwide, where Sondre Nordheim pioneered in new ski techniques in the mid 1800’s.

    At Rjukan you will stay at the magnificent Gaustablikk Hotel at the foot of Gaustatoppen (1883m). Rjukan is famous for the heavy water plant at Vemork held by the Germans during WWII, and which was sabotaged by the ‘Heros of Telemark’. The plant is now the Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum, and well worth a visit to gain some in-depth knowledge about the WWII events.

    Meals
    1 Dinner
    Accommodation
    Historic Gaustablikk Hotel

    Day 2 - Morning in Rjukan to climb or cable car up Gaustatoppen & then continue to Dalen.

    The morning is at your leisure in Rjukan, and we recommend either climbing Gaustatoppen, or taking the Gaustabanen - a unique cable car that goes inside the Gaustatoppen mountain. You can also venture to the other side of the valley and take the Krossobanen cable car up onto the Hardanger Mountain Plateau. Krossobanen is the first cable car to be built in Northern Europe.

    In the afternoon continue your drive south to Dalen (1h30min) Stay at the historic Hotel Dalen built in a Swiss style in the late 19th century. The hotel is a landmark for Norwegian cultural heritage. Dinner is served in the hotel restaurant and is inspired by Telemark as a region with high quality products and long culinary traditions.

    Meals
    1 Breakfast
    1 Dinner
    Accommodation
    Historic Dalen Hotel

    Day 3 - Telemark Canal on MS Victoria or MS Henrik Ibsen

    In the morning join either of the two historic canal boats MS Victoria or MS Henrik Ibsen on the famous Telemark Canal from Dalen to Ulefoss. Departing from Dalen you may always start your day with a delicious on-board breakfast. For guests having spent the night at the Dalen Hotel breakfast is included. You will pass 14 locks and arrive in Ulefoss in the early afternoon, from where the canal bus takes you back to Dalen. Overnight Dalen Hotel with half board.

    Meals
    1 Breakfast
    1 Dinner
    Accommodation
    Historic Dalen Hotel

    Day 4 - Day in Dalen to explore the cultural history of the region.

    Spend a free day in Dalen to explore the region by bike or on foot. There is plenty of beautiful nature and history in the area. You can also go canoeing, fishing or horse riding, or just relax at the hotel with a good book. Be sure to watch for beavers working hard in the lake close by. Consider adding a Sauna in this evening at the lakes edge Soria Maria Sauna.

    Overnight Dalen Hotel with half board.

    Meals
    1 Breakfast
    1 Dinner
    Accommodation
    Historic Dalen Hotel

    Day 5 - Drive to Lofthus, following the Hardanger route, one of Norway's eighteen National Tourist Routes.

    It's time to leave Telemark behind and head towards the famous fjords and Lofthus (3h20min). Part of your way will follow the Hardanger route, one of Norway's eighteen National Tourist Routes. Be prepared for a beautiful but slow drive with frequent photo stops, and take a refreshing break at the twin cascades of Låtefoss waterfall, where the spray from the plunging falls softly showers the road while it disappears under an old stone-vault bridge and onwards.

    In Lofthus, you will stay at the historical Ullensvang Hotel, which dates back to 1846 and is owned and run by the same family to this day. The hotel is beautifully situated on the shores of the Hardangerfjord, with a magnificent view of the fjord, the mountains and the Folgefonna glacier. The hotel beautifully combines local traditions, history and modern comforts. Relax in the sauna with panorama views of the fjord and mountains, followed by a refreshing dip in the outdoors pool.

    Overnight in Ullensvang Hotel with half board.

    Meals
    1 Breakfast
    1 Dinner
    Accommodation
    Historical Ullensvang Hotel

    Day 6 - Day in Lofthus to explore the Hardangerfjord region

    Spend a free day in Lofthus to explore the region. We recommend taking the hop-on hop-off Hardangerfjord Cruise (daily from mid-June to early August) on board a veteran boat to visit Aga, an authentic farm village dating back to 13th century and then continuing onwards to Utne and the Hardanger Folk Museum. For those who are fit and active, the starting point to the famous Trolltunga hike is only a short drive away from your hotel. The hike itself takes 8-10 hours and if you would like to do it with a local mountain guide, please ask us for more information. Alternatively you could visit one of the local fruit and cider farms or spend a relaxing day at the Ullensvang hotel.

    At the hotel you have all the ingredients for a leisurely day out. The fjord garden is the place to be on a sunny day as situated directly by the water, you have beautiful views over the fjord from your sun chair. You could also explore the fjord with a rowing or paddle boat, available at the hotel in the summer months. To freshen up, a dip in the fjord or a swim in the Ullensvang Bath (minimum age 18) is recommended. Heated indoor and outdoor pools with a waterfall and Jacuzzi effects and panoramic sauna are perfect for relaxing after busy days on the road. For the whole family there is a brand new and Europe’s longest outdoor swimming channel (88 m) which ends up in an outdoor infinity pool. There is also indoor swimming pool, sauna, Jacuzzi and Japanese foot massage pool which are open for the whole family. Entry to the swimming facilities is free of charge for the hotel guests.

    Overnight Ullensvang Hotel with half board.

    Meals
    1 Breakfast
    1 Dinner
    Accommodation
    Historic Ullensvang Hotel

    Day 7 - Stunning fjord-view drive to Bergen - waterfalls, fjords & mountains.

    The stunning fjord-view drive continues today from Lofthus to Bergen, and here you can choose to either follow the main road via Voss (2h30min), or to continue along the tourist route (3h) and follow the road along the fjords and through the mountains to Bergen. Either way, allow some time for stops as both routes pass by stunning waterfalls and beautiful views.

    Meals
    1 Breakfast
    Dates & Prices

    All prices listed are per person, based on two people sharing a room. Prices are indicative due to the current uncertainty across Europe with increasing energy and volatile fuel costs.

    Dates
    Valid From
    Valid To
    From Price
    Status
    Accommodation
    16 May 2025
    30 Sep 2025
    16 May 2025
    30 Sep 2025
    USD 3,455
    On request
    Standard
    16 May 2025
    30 Sep 2025
    16 May 2025
    30 Sep 2025
    USD 2,441
    On request
    Extra for Single

    Important Information

    For a greener option, please ask us about changing your vehicle to a 'green' car; either a diesel or a hybrid.

    Please note that this trip can easily be shortened or lengthened. Call us for more options, as it is just such a lovely place in the world to explore.

    Driving in Norway during the peak season (July - early August):

    Europeans love driving in Norway and during the summer months, the more popular tourist roads becomes crowded with European vans. This can slow the roads down, as it can be difficult to pass these vans. Norwegian country roads are often quite narrow. Having said this, these roads are incredibly scenic and have lots of picnic & photo spots.

    If you are going to be using ferries during your drive, depending on the size of the ferry, this might involve a wait to get on. The ferries are reliable and regular but you may need to arrive early to secure a spot in the line. On some of the ferries, we suggest considering catching a ferry outside of the peak times. Your accommodation hosts can help with suggestions for your following days travel with the most up to date local information.

    Interactive Tour Map

    Inspiration
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