13 day 'explore the fjords' Luxury vacation Norway
59700 NOK p.p
All ages
13 days
Easy
2 - 6 people
may - september
Highlights of your ‘explore the fjords’ luxury vacation in Norway
You will start your vacation in a spa hotel by the fjord close to UNESCO World Heritage listed city Bergen. Travel through the fjord, taste the traditions, discover the nature and learn our customs. From early Viking age to Modern history. Go from the rough coastal line to the dramatic glacial valleys.
By the end of this travel you will be bursting with experiences and new stories to tell your friends and family.
With our planning and detailed road book, you can travel safe and without any practical concerns. You will get all the insider tips including our own favourites.
Information
What to expect
- An independent self-guided vacation, off the beaten track, getting around by driving your own rental car
- Meet the locals and enjoy private guided activities for in-depth experiences
- Get a taste of the local cuisine
- You will stay in charming small scale hotels: from 4* fjord view hotels, to 3* historic or boutique hotels.
- At several locations you can enjoy spa & wellness
- With our planning and detailed road book, you can travel safe and without any practical concerns. You will get all the insider tips that will make your vacation extra fun.
Prices
The price starts from 59700 NOK, per person.
This estimate is based on 2 persons sharing a double room in 3-4* hotels including many dinners. If your rather downgrade the accommodation or remove some dinners from the package, please let us know.
Final price and availability are subject to price and availability upon time of booking.
The price includes VAT according to the 2023 regulations. If the Norwegian Government decides to change the VAT regime, the price might increase.
Exact prices depend on date, amount of people, and a few choices you can make. Contact us and we are pleased to send you an offer.
On all our tours our terms & conditions apply.
Included & not included
The above mentioned price estimate includes:
- 12 nights superior rooms/suites in 3 or 4* hotels
- Dinner on 11 evenings
- Private guided city walking tour in Bergen (2 hours)
- Private goat cheese tasting and storytelling (1 hour)
- Half day private guided hike in valley including packed lunch
- Outside hut tub and sauna session
- Tickets car/passengers ferry Sognefjord
- Private visit at our historic sheep farm (1,5 hours)
- Private guided walking tour in fishermen village (1 hour)
- Tickets car/passengers ferry Geirangerfjord
- Private guided half day e-bike tour
- Telephone assistance 7 days a week for urgent matters while traveling in Norway
- Detailed trip itinerary description with must do/see suggestions, routes, hikes and vouchers
- All services provided by Norway Adventures and our suppliers will be in English
- Transaction fee for using the online, secure, payment platform
The above mentioned price estimate does not include:
- All items not specifically mentioned under ’included in price’
- International nor domestic flights
- Airport transfers
- Car rental, petrol, parking, toll, small ferry costs
- Optional private guided kayak tour on Day 8 of the itinerary
- Entrance fees, activities, museums etc., if not specified under ‘included in price’
- Optional activities if not specified under ‘included in price’
- Drinks
- Insurance (we advise all our guests to buy a travel insurance)
- Personal expenses
- Visa fees (if applicable)
- Other options and extensions
Possible add-ons
On day 8 we can add a private guided kayak trip at the Coast. Easy paddling in stable double kayaks. Recommended for a pure nature experience with a knowledgeable guide.
It is also possible to add a stay in Oslo at the end of the trip. Take a domestic flight from Ålesund to Oslo and stay there for one or two nights before taking your flight out.
It is also possible to cut a day or two from this itinerary if you do not have so many days to spend here. Feel free to contact us for a tailor-made proposal.
FAQ
For tips and advice for travelling in Norway, click here.
If you have any other questions, feel free to contact us or send an email to info@norway-adventures.com
Day to Day
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Bergen, Gateway to the Fjords.
Save the exploring of the city for tomorrow. Today you can relax after your long flight at your beautiful 4* sea-side spa hotel. You will stay here for two nights. Visit the therapeutic pool or the sauna for a nice swim. The hotel was built in 1895 by Norway’s first prime minister, if you go down to the beach you will find a bust of him.
In the restaurant, you will taste some of western Norway’s specialties. You can go for a walk in the large hotel garden, looking out over the fjord and to the mountains on the other side. Get ready for your Norwegian adventure.
If you rather stay in town we can book a very charming boutique hotel for you close to the harbor.
Day 2: Discover the UNESCO listed World Heritage history of Bergen.
To get the most out of your visit to Bergen you will go on a 2 hour private guided city walk with our favorite guide. Learn all about the history of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Bergen Bryggen (Wharf), and get an answer to all the other questions you might have about the area.
Explore Bergen for the rest of the day. We recommend taking the funicular up Mt. Fløyen for a great view over the city, harbor and surrounding mountains. You can even hike down. Join a lunchtime concert at Grieg’s house where he lived and composed.
After a long day in Bergen drive back to your quiet hotel by the fjord. Sit on your balcony and enjoy the sundown after dinner.
Total driving time today: approx. 1,5 hours.
Day 3: Enjoy a goat cheese tasting and relax at the riverside farm lodge.
Leave Bergen and drive towards the UNESCO World Heritage listed Nærøyfjord. On your way visit the fjord village Undredal, famous for Norway’s tiniest stave church and their goat cheese. Leif Undredal will be your host and tell you about the special cheese that his family has been making for several generations, and you will have a private cheese tasting.
If you like you can visit the Viking Valley and see how Vikings worked, lived and affected the world. The living museum town is populated with Viking enthusiasts – perhaps you could try your hand at archery or axe throwing?
Continue for about 35 minutes to your Riverside Boutique hotel, a fantastic example of ecotourism which we know you will appreciate. You will stay here for two nights in a suite. Enjoy a 3-course dinner made of local specialties served in the smokehouse.
Total driving time today: approx. 3,5 – 4 hours
Day 4: Guided hike through the most stunning valley in Western Norway
Do a spectacular guided hike in the Aurland Valley, also known as the Grand Canyon of Norway. This is probably one of the most magnificent and spectacular routes you can take in Western Norway. You walk in a cultural landscape, past traditional farms, see roaring waterfalls and even a cave. The tour is about 4 hours in total. If you rather visit an authentic goat summer farm and eat lunch there, this is also possible.
Take the afternoon off and enjoy your surroundings. Drive up to Stegastein viewpoint for a great view over the Aurland fjord.
Have a dip in the wood-fired outside hot tub and sauna and relax under the open sky. Enjoy your dinner.
Day 5: Cruise through the world famous Nærøyfjord and go off the beaten track
Your journey continues with a fjord cruise through the narrow Nærøyfjord which is included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The Vikings series and the movie Frozen got their inspiration from this Fjord. You will understand this when you are sailing here: the tall mountains, farms, and waterfalls will take your breath away.
Continue to the Nordfjord area, a fantastic region, off the beaten track with a lot to explore. For the coming two nights you will stay in a 3* historic hotel by a lake. The hotel has been owned by the family for several generations.
From the hotel, you can do short hikes to a spectacular waterfall and a pasture. There are even found remains of a Viking settlement here, ask the owner of the hotel to tell you all about it.
The ferry takes approx. 2,5 hours. Continue by car for 2,5 hours.
Day 6: Explore the glacial valley
Explore more in the area of Loen where you can take the Skylift for great views over the fjord and glaciers.
Continue the drive up the valley along the Lovatn glacier lake, nestled between the steep mountains. This emerald green lake has a brutal history. You can visit the Tsunami monument and read about the hardships the small farms had to endure. Stay at the same hotel.
Day 7: Visit our historic farm and head for the Atlantic Coast
Leave the hotel and continue your journey towards the Fjord Coast.
In the town of Nordfjordeid you can visit Sagastad and go aboard a Viking Ship. This impressive replica is built according to the remains of the ship of a Viking King that once lived in this fjord. Buy a cinnamon roll at the local bakery and stroll through the historic mainstreet with charming wooden houses.
On your way, you will pass by our farm, from 1865. You are welcome for a cup of coffee, and we will show you around. Our Norwegian Elkhound Kira is always up for a cuddle. Our sheep, traditional Norwegian breed, will be happy to come and greet you as well.
Continue towards the Coast. You will stay in an authentic fishermen village for two nights. The 3* hotel consists of different buildings, fishermen cabins, apartments and the main building with the restaurant. The family that runs it will entertain you, no doubt. They have many good stories to tell.
Total driving time today is about 3 hours in total (including one 15-minutes ferry).
Day 8: Dive in the fishermen culture of the so-called Little Lofoten
This amazing area is also called Little Lofoten, with fishermen culture, sea cliffs, white sandy beaches, and crystal-clear water. Go out and explore this area and visit the exotic white beach of Grotle. From here you can hike to a viewpoint. The hike back and forth, including time to eat your lunch, will take approx. 5-6 hours. Many eagles live in this area, we are sure you will spot some.
If you are rather up for a private guided kayak tour in between the small islands, we are happy to organize that for you.
We have included a private walking tour around the village (approx. 1 hr) where you will learn everything about the glorious time of the herring fishery.
The restaurant here is famous for its seafood. Tonight we have included a 4-course dinner for you here. Velbekommen!
Day 9: Feel tiny while cruising the majestic Geirangerfjord
Check out of your hotel and drive to the next adventure, the Geiranger area. Board a ferry with your car and let it take you through the UNESCO World Heritage listed Geirangerfjord. Be amazed by the waterfalls and the tall mountains with the abandoned farms at the top. (the ferry takes appr. 70 minutes).
Drive the most spectacular Norwegian Scenic Route, Trollstigen. This is a 106 km (65 miles) long stretch of road through West Norwegian nature at its most powerful, with a dizzying view, waterfalls and lush valleys. Take the time to enjoy the scenery and take pictures.
In the valley of Romsdalen you will find your 3* historic hotel. Stay here for two nights and enjoy 3-course dinner made with local produce.
Driving time today will be approx. 4,5 hours in total, and you will take 3 ferries: traveling like the locals.
Day 10: Explore Norwegian Scenic Route Trollstigen by car or e-bike
Join a half day private guided adventure from your hotel. Either go for a nice hike in a hidden valley with amazing views all around or have a tour on their electrical bikes (because of the power of the bikes you do not have to be in good shape to do this: everybody can do it). The guide will teach you all the interesting facts and stories about the area.
Later today we suggest you take Raumabanen, the scenic train, which will take you by some of the most spectacular mountain formations in Norway. You will pass the famous Kylling Bridge, an engineering masterpiece and a tunnel that helps the train climb the steep valley by a 180-degree turn. Marvel at the Trollveggen wall which is Europe’s tallest vertical cliff with its’ 1000 meter drop from the top to the bottom. Though the trip can take you all the way to Dombås, we recommend only doing a part of it, and get off in Lesja where you can visit the open air museum, before you take the train back. You can do this as a roundtrip of approx. 3-4 hours.
Day 11: Learn about Norwegian mountaineering history and spend the evening at a luxurious lodge
Visit the fjord village of Åndalsnes and do a short hike to the viewpoint called ‘Rampestreken’ or visit the Norwegian mountaineering center. In the interactive exhibition, you can learn about the triumphs and tragedies of the Norwegian mountaineering history. You can even test your own climbing skills inside Norway’s highest indoor climbing wall. Drive to your hotel (approx.1,5 hours).
Your fjord exploration is coming to an end but we would not want you to miss out on at least one night in this special lodge. On a hillside, in between the tall pine trees, you will find your 4* boutique hotel for the night. From the windows, you will see the fjord and the Sunnmøre Alps. Breath in the fresh air and sit around the open fireplace in the hotel garden. Enjoy a 4-course dinner at the hotel, and the lovely Spa department.
It is possible to stay here for one more night, and drive to Ålesund (only 45 minutes) for sightseeing and then return to this same hotel, instead of moving to the harbor hotel in Ålesund on day 12.
Day 12: Visit the Art Nouveau city of Ålesund
Drive to Ålesund, appr. 45 minutes. Stroll through this beautiful Art Nouveau city on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. The city was burned down during the second world war. The result of this tragedy was that all the buildings were rebuilt in the Art Nouveau style. This is truly special and easy to see when looking around. Stay in a 4* harbor hotel for one night. The restaurant in the hotel is recommended.
Drive to the airport on the island outside of the city. Deliver your rental car and board your flight home. We thank you so much for visiting our beautiful country.
If you rather add a few days and discover another part of Norway, this is also possible. Please contact us if you want us to tailor this vacation.
Testimonials
Claudia
Thank you Anne, for designing the most beautiful car trip for us along the magical Atlantic coast of Norway. The sites, hotels, restaurants, adventures, suggestions, and private guides were outstanding. An unforgettable trip. And it was a pleasure to meet you in person.
Carol
Anne did a superb job of designing the trip for our family with two teenage girls, tailoring it perfectly to our requests. When we had a last minute change of plans, Anne was extremely accommodating and helpful. We can’t recommend Norway Adventures enough!