Discover the most magnificient locations of Norway on this fjord tour. Visit the heart of the beautiful Hardangerfjord, experience the stunning scenery of the majestic Geirangerfjord and the famous Sognefjord, explore Bergen and the capital of Norway, Oslo. The tour also includes a journey on the spectacular Flåm Railway and an excursion to the Briksdal Glacier.
If you prefer a shorter tour from Bergen to Oslo - see our Land of the Fjords 6 day/5 night tour.
Itinerary
Day 1 Oslo Arrival
Make your own way from Oslo Gardermoen Airport to your hotel. Time at leisure. Tonight at 18.00hrs meet your tour escort and fellow travelling companions in the hotel lobby for a welcome drink. Overnight at Thon Hotel Bristol or similar.
Day 2 Oslo - Ulvik: City Sightseeing, Valleys, Mountains & Waterfalls
After breakfast, enjoy a panoramic tour of Oslo, including entrance to the Fram Museum, before driving via Hønefoss along the Halling Valley to Gol tourist resort town. After lunch in Gol at a local restaurant, continue across wild Hardanger Mountain Plateau to Fossli, stopping to view the thundering Vøringsfoss Waterfall, with a drop of 180m, the highest in Norway. Descend the amazing Mabodal Canyon to idyllic Hardanger Fjord, then cross the Hardanger bridge and on to the picturesque village of Ulvik. Dinner and overnight in Ulvik at the Brakanes Hotel, ideally located on the banks of the fjord.
Day 3 Ulvik - Bergen: Hardangerfjord, City Sightseeing and Floibanen
After breakfast start the scenic drive along the beautiful Hardangerfjord, famous for its many fruit orchards and vivd green fields, travelling via the towns of Øystese and Norheimsund, to arrive in the old Hanseatic trading town of Bergen around midday. This afternoon enjoy a city sightseeing tour of Bergen, including a visit to the popular Fish and Flower Market, the famous Bryggen Harbour with its gabled packhouses, and the old Hanseatic Quarter. After the city tour, enjoy a return ride on the Bergen Funicular to the top of Mount Fløien. Enjoy great views over the fjords and mountains surrounding the city of Bergen. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Norge by Scandic or similar.
Day 4 Bergen - Sognefjord - Balestrand: Journey on the Flåm Railway
After breakfast, depart from Bergen and drive via Voss to Flåm. Board the Flåmsbana train for an excursion on the spectacular Flåm Railway, one of the most beautiful and steepest standard-gauge railway lines in the world. There will be many photo opportunities along the way, passing waterfalls and spectacular mountain scenery. From Flåm, we cruise along narrow Aurlands and Nærøy Fjords - both are branches of Sognefjord, the world's longest and deepest fjord, known as Queen of the Fjords. Enjoy spectacular cascading waterfalls, sheer mountain cliffs, snow-clad peaks and a variety of wildlife. Disembark in Gudvangen at the head of Nærøy Fjord, and continue by coach through amazing Stalheim Canyon and Nærøy Valley, and across the Vika Mountains to Vangsnes. Here we take a short ferry ride across to lovely Balestrand. Dinner and two nights accommodation in Balestrand at Kvikne's Hotel, superbly located on the banks of the fjord and surrounded by mountains. Optional upgrade to fjord view room for two nights.
Day 5 Balestrand: Day in the Fjords
A day at leisure in Balestrand gives you the opportunity to enjoy the outstanding beauty and nature of the fjords. Start with a traditional Norwegian buffet breakfast in the hotel's elegant dining room, as you decide how to spend your day. This morning, you may want to relax on the hotel terrace, breathing in the fresh mountain air and enjoying the spectacular views. Or you may like to visit the local aquarium and art gallery, rent a bike or rowing boat from the hotel, or even go on foot up the nearby mountains. A walking tour of Balestrand village, with its historic buildings and other noteworthy sites, can also be arranged. Dinner and 2nd night in Balestrand at Kvikne's Hotel.
Day 6 Balestrand - Briksdal Glacier - Geiranger
After breakfast, depart by ferry from Dragsvik to Hella, before a scenic tour along the northern side of the Sognefjord. Continue by road to Fjaerland, passing under Jostedal Glacier (Europe's largest). Descend to beautiful Nord Fjord, making a detour at Olden to visit world-famous Briksdal Glacier. Journey up to the glacier in open troll cars, for the best views. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue by coach to picturesque Hellesylt village. From here, continue by ferry on a cruise along the spectacular Geiranger Fjord, possibly the most impressive of all the Norwegian fjords. During the cruise, you will pass close to some magnificent waterfalls, including the Bridal Veil and Seven Sisters falls. Dinner and overnight in Geiranger at the Union Hotel, overlooking the Geirangerfjord. Optional upgrade to fjord view room for one night.
Day 7 Geiranger - Oslo
Experience the roads that twist and turn through hairpin bends to Geiranger Skywalk - Mt. Dalsnibba - for a panoramic fjord view view (weather permitting). Continue across the rugged Grotli Mountains to Lom, well known for its 14th Century stave church. Then continue via Lake Vågå, before descending the magnificent Gudbrands Valley to lovely Lillehammer. Afterwards, the journey continues alongside Lake Mjøsa, Norway's largest lake, back to Oslo. Overnight in Oslo at Thon Hotel Bristol or similar.
Day 8 Oslo Departure
Breakfast at the hotel and end of arrangements. Make your own way to Oslo Gardermoen Airport.
2024 departures:
09, 23 July
Notes:
Maximum Group Size: 31 persons
Pre and post nights in Oslo can be added
