Norway in Depth

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. Near your hotel 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 Tour Leader will meet you this evening in the hotel lobby and then enjoy a welcome dinner. (D)

After breakfast, board your train at Oslo Central Station and travel to Lillehammer, the charming town that gained international recognition as host of the 1994 Winter Olympics. Upon arrival, enjoy admission to Maihaugen, Norway’s largest open-air museum, where you can explore the historic buildings and exhibitions at your own pace before checking in to your centrally located hotel.

Spend the rest of the day at leisure. You may wish to visit the Norwegian Olympic Museum and the iconic Lysgårdsbakken Ski Jump, or explore the impressive Garmo Stave Church. (B)

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. (B,D)

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. (B,D)

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 along the fjord and over Aurlandsfjellet. Lastly, enjoy a stop at Stegastein before arriving to the peaceful village of Aurland. (B,L,D)

After breakfast, spend your day relaxing, hiking and taking in the views in the peaceful little town of Aurland. Enjoy the harbour area with unspoilt views of the fjord and surrounding gardens. (B,D)

After breakfast it will be a short transfer from Aurland to Flåm and embark the fjord cruise. 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.

On the return to Flåm, 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.

The journey continues by train from Myrdal to Bergen where you will check-in to your lovely hotel. Head out with the group for a wander, an optional dinner or a celebratory drink to enjoy the long summer night! (B)

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. (B)

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. (B,D)

This morning, meet our minivan and driver around 10am - be sure to enjoy the port before he arrives. Follow along the magnificent Nordfjord today. On your journey to Loen, you will first stop at the Sagastad Viking Exhibition, which includes the entrance.
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. (B,D)

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. (B,D)

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.  (B,L)

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).  (B)

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.

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.  (B,D)

Today you will have a guided activity in the region of Åndalsnes. Take the gondola to the summit of the mountain, 708 meters above sea level — a scenic seven‑minute journey offering breathtaking views of Romsdalen’s fjords and surrounding peaks.
At the top, you’ll be guided at a relaxed pace. Enjoy a packed lunch in the heart of the high mountains, surrounded by dramatic scenery in every direction. As you traverse some of Norway’s wildest and most striking landscapes, you’ll also gain insight into the region’s rich history and culture. Your guide will share stories, local secrets, and point out secluded spots cherished by the community.

This evening, sit back and admire the view during your three course dinner.  (B,L,D)

After breakfast, you will board the famous and scenic Raumabanen railway en route to Trondheim, often referred to as the “Golden Train.” This remarkable journey takes you through the heart of Romsdalen, renowned for its dramatic landscapes. Along the way, enjoy sensational views of towering peaks, jagged rock faces, and sweeping mountain slopes that rise toward windswept plateaus, making this one of Europe’s most scenic rail journeys.

You will arrive in Trondheim in the afternoon, with some free time to explore the city before enjoying your final night in Norway. This evening, bid farewell to your tour leader and fellow travellers. (B,D)

After breakfast, make your own way to the airport. (B)