Your Itinerary
Welcome to Oslo, the capital city of Norway. Bordered on one side by serene blue waters and on the other an expansive mountain range; this compact, yet incredibly charming city will draw you in from the get-go. Renowned for its lush gardens, captivating museums and delectable culinary culture, Oslo will delight you in more ways than you expect.
We don’t want you to miss out on any aspect of your small group tour. To ensure that you don’t, we recommend you arrive at your starting destination by 2:00pm.
We’ll meet our fellow travellers and our tour director for a brief orientation before kickstarting our Oslo sightseeing at the fascinating Kon-Tiki Museum. Tonight, we will enjoy a delicious welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
The city of Oslo was founded in around 1050 A.D. as a Viking settlement and evolved quickly from its medieval roots to become Norway’s capital city in 1299. The 19th century saw big developments for Oslo, expanding and embracing modernity, a lasting identity that managed to seamlessly intertwine with its long history.
This morning we begin our city tour outside the award-winning Oslo Opera House. Built in 2007 this impressive piece of modern architecture is home to the Norwegian Opera and Ballet. Its surrounding terraces offer some fantastic viewing platforms from which to take in Oslo and its surrounding fjord. We then pass by the Royal Palace to the main street, Karl Johan’s gate. The main street was named in honour of King Charles III John who was also King of Sweden as Charles XIV John. It is a kilometre long and connects Oslo Central Station with the Royal Palace.
Our next stop is the ski jumping arena at Holmenkollbakken which has been hosting competitions since the late 19th century. We complete our sightseeing at the world’s largest sculpture park by a single artist – Vigeland Park. There are more than 200 sculptures in bronze, granite and wrought iron on display here.
The late afternoon is at leisure for you to explore at your own pace. During your free time, why not check out one of Oslo’s interesting museums? Perhaps a visit to the Norsk Folkemuseum, Munch Museum or Fram Museum will be on your agenda today.
Day 3 - Oslo – Lillehammer – Otta
This morning we say goodbye to Oslo as we make our way to Otta for the night, a destination ripe with beautiful lakes, dense forests and imposing mountains.
En route, we will drive to Lillehammer, a charming ski-resort town that gained international fame as the host of the 1994 Winter Olympic Games. Whilst here, we will explore the Norwegian Olympic Museum, a contemporary museum where we’ll uncover Olympic history from ancient times to the present day. We’ll also explore the epic Maihaugen open-air museum, one of northern-Europe’s largest museums of its kind.
Taking the famous Peer Gynt Road, we’ll travel through the mythical ‘kingdom of trolls’. Be sure to look out the window as we’ll be greeted with magical views of Norway’s beautiful countryside.
Day 4 - Otta – Dovrefjell - Sunndalsfjella National Park – Molde
Today our eyes are set on the quaint city of Molde, a small coastal town on the west coast of Norway. It’s affectionately referred to as the ‘City of Roses’ for its abundance of beautiful rose gardens, and it’s also home to the world’s oldest jazz festival, hosting hundreds of jazz enthusiasts from far and wide every summer.
First, we’ll stop at Viewpoint Snøhetta, located on the outskirts of the stunning Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella National Park. The pavilion here provides views over the adjacent mountain range and is an incredible piece of architecture that carefully combines newer technologies with traditional craftsmanship and winner of the ‘World Building of the Year’ in 2011. We’ll then head to the small village of Dombås, where we’ll enjoy some free time for lunch.
Special Experience
Board the Rauma Railway, one of Norway’s most scenic train journeys, and marvel at the dramatic natural landscapes passing by.
We’ll arrive in Molde in this evening, where the night is for you to enjoy at leisure.
Day 5 - Molde – Atlantic Road – Ålesund
This morning we depart beautiful Molde and wind our way to Ålesund, first travelling on one of Norway’s most scenic routes, the Atlantic Road. Famous for its Art Nouveau architecture painted in delightful pastel hues, Ålesund is considered the cultural centre of the Sunnmøre region and it’s not hard to understand why. Nestled along the water's edge, this compact town is framed by the majestic Alps in the backdrop and is a totally unique destination to visit. Ålesund is frequently referred to as Norway’s most pretty town!
On the Atlantic Road, we’ll travel from Bud to Kristiansund. This special stretch of road hugs the ocean’s edge and is considered to be one of the most beautiful drives in the world. Built to connect Averøy to the mainland, this 8-kilometre road will take us over pretty islands, islets and reefs. Make sure your camera is charged and you are seated next to a window!
We’ll continue our journey to Ålesund and arrive at our accommodation in the afternoon. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore Ålesund at your own pace. You may want to make the walk up to the Aksla Viewpoint for incredible panoramic vistas over the coastal town below.
Day 6 - Ålesund – Trollstigen Road – Geiranger
A slow morning spent in Ålesund is on the agenda today, where you can soak in the vibes of this delightful little spot. Perhaps you want to learn more about the city’s history at The Art Nouveau Centre & the Art Museum, or just take it easy strolling along the quaint streets. The choice is yours!
Later on, we’ll set off for the scenic Trollstigen Road with our eyes set on Geiranger. One of Norway’s top driving experiences, this mountain pass is home to windy roads that zig-zag their way around spectacular mountains. It loosely translates into English as ‘The Troll’s Path’, linking Åndalsnes with the Valldal Valley and Geiranger.
After taking a ferry, our drive continues along the iconic Ørnevegen, also known as Eagle’s Road, enjoying the magnificent fjord views before our arrival at Geiranger in the late afternoon.
Welcome to Geiranger, one of the most beautiful villages in Norway. Beckoning with its magic natural landscapes, the area is known for its towering mountains, cascading waterfalls like the Seven Sisters and dazzling blue waters of the Geirangerfjord. It’s often referred to as the ‘jewel in Norway’s crown of fjords’ and there’s good reason for it!
Our day is dedicated to seeing the sites in and around Geiranger. We begin at Dalsniba, experiencing the magic of the Geiranger Skywalk. Giving you the sensation of floating, the skywalk’s clear floor allows you to see 500 metres below into the fjord. Next, we’ll head to Lom where we’ll enjoy a three-course lunch of Norwegian fare – bring your appetite! We’ll also get the chance to view the iconic Lom Stave Church, one of the biggest and most beautiful in Norway.
Next we’ll visit Klimapark 2469, an outdoor discovery centre with a focus on climate history, hunting traditions, geology and biology. With an experienced guide, we’ll take a unique tour across the Juvflye route, situated at the foot of the Galdhøpiggen mountain. This 2-kilometre walk is full of educational information displays, and at the end of the walkway is the man-made Juvfonne Ice Tunnel that will see us walking 70 metres into 7000-year-old ice.
Special Experience
Step back in time to the Stone Age, descending into an ice tunnel to marvel at 7000-year-old ice at Kilmapark 2469.
We’ll drive back to Geiranger this afternoon and enjoy dinner at the hotel tonight.
Challenging Day
Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.
Day 8 - Geiranger – Loen - Sognefjord
We start our day with an incredible cruise down the famous Geirangerfjord, cruising between Geiranger and Hellesylt. A UNESCO Heritage-listed Site that frequents travellers’ bucket-lists; the Geirangerfjord is cocooned by steep mountains, azure waters and small farms that cling to the mountain’s sides. We’ll also marvel at the Knivsflå waterfalls – more commonly referred to as the ‘Seven Sisters’ and ‘the Suitor’ waterfalls – some of the most photographed in Norway!
Our journey then takes us to the small village of Loen, where we’ll go from fjord to mountain on the impressive Loen Skylift. We will board one of the steepest cable cars in the world and ascend over 1000m up Mount Hoven, enjoying spectacular views of the landscape below. Here we’ll indulge in a delicious three-course lunch, accompanied by vistas equally as incredible!
En route to our destination for the night, we’ll wind our way through pretty lakeside scenery to Bøyabreen Glacier Viewpoint for a stunning photo stop.
Day 9 - Sognefjord – Flam – Stalheim
Wake up in Leikanger, a stunning little town nestled on the shores of Sognefjord. Known for its natural beauty, Leikanger offers a captivating blend of fjords, mountains, and lush greenery. This morning, we’ll make our way to Flåm Ferry Terminal for our first activity of the day!
Special Experience
Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime cruise through the beautiful Nærøyfjord, marvelling at the scenery as you journey from Flåm to Gudvangen.
In Flåm, we’ll board a first-class electric vessel and enjoy a stunning 'silent' cruise along the Nærøyfjord to Gudvangen, a small town located at the end of the Nærøyfjord where the Nærøydalselvi River empties into the fjord. The fjord itself is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, due to the exceptional natural beauty stemming from the narrow and steep-sided crystalline rock walls that rise up 1,400 metres from the Norwegian Sea and extend 500 metres below sea level. It is amongst the world’s longest and deepest fjords and has many waterfalls, free-flowing rivers, forests, and glaciers. Here we’ll enjoy the breathtaking abundance of mountain scenery.
We’ll then make our way to Flåm Station, where we’ll take a stunning train ride from Flåm to Myrdal. Travelling the return journey on the Flåmsbana back to Flam, be sure not to miss any of the amazing vistas on offer. Said to be one of the greatest engineering feats in Norway, the Flåm Railway is a 20-kilometre track that runs past trickling waterfalls, imposing mountains, and bright fjords. A total feast for the eyes!
Travelling through the Nærøy Valley to our hotel, we’ll stop for an amazing photo opportunity looking down the valley, a true highlight for all travellers when visiting western Norway.
Day 10 - Stalheim – Bergen
Today our eyes are set on reaching the beautiful town of Bergen. We’ll start the day off by driving to Ulvik, a peaceful town set amongst steep mountains and lush orchards. While here, we will enjoy a tour of the Hardanger Factory and Cider Farm, a local farm that produces highly acclaimed apple-based products. We’ll also have some free time to explore the idyllic town.
Next, we will drive to Hardanger Akvasenter Salmon Farm, stopping for a photo at the Hardanger Bridge en route. This unique place is an informative visitor centre for aquaculture and includes interactive exhibitions about the life cycle of salmon and a floating salmon farm that’s in full production on the Hardangerfjord. We’ll also delight in a delicious lunch at this unique location!
We’ll make a photo stop at the impressive Steinsdal Waterfall en route to Bergen, where we’ll enjoy the evening at leisure to explore this exciting, yet cosy, city at your own pace.
Welcome to Bergen! This enchanting coastal city is surrounded by seven mountains and seven fjords, making it a unique location to explore. Home to colourful historic buildings that reflect traditional Norwegian architecture, Bergen offers a delightful blend of vibrant culture, rich history and incredible natural wonders – the jackpot for any keen traveller.
We begin our morning with a walking tour of Bergen, seeing the must-see sites of this pretty city. We’ll discover the Bryggen Quarter to marvel the photogenic traditional houses; visit St Mary’s Church, the oldest building in Bergen; and explore the fish market situated on the banks of the wharf.
The afternoon is at leisure for you to explore at your own pace, perhaps you’ll choose to ascend Mt Floien or visit Troldhaugen, the former home of composer Edvard Grieg. We’ll meet up again this evening at Bergen pier and journey to our dinner location in Holmen on a stunning cruise. We will delight in a farewell dinner at one of Bergen’s most loved (and delicious!) restaurants.
Our tour concludes after breakfast this morning. We bid farewell to our new friends and to the wonders of beautiful Norway.
