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 1:00pm.
We’ll meet our fellow travellers and our tour director for a brief orientation before kickstarting our Oslo sightseeing. We begin our city tour outside the award-winning Oslo Opera House. Completed 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. Named after King Charles III John, it stretches a kilometre from Oslo Central Station to the Royal Palace, lined with shops, cafes and historic buildings.
Continuing, we’ll head to Holmenkollbakken, the legendary ski jumping arena that’s been hosting competitions since the late 1800s. A great opportunity to soak in the views and learn all about Norway’s ski culture.
Our last stop will be a visit to Vigeland Park, the world's largest sculpture park by a single artist, Gustav Vigeland. There are more than 200 sculptures in bronze, granite and cast iron on display here.
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 explore some of this history at the fascinating Kon-Tiki Museum. Here we’ll uncover the life of Norwegian adventurer and scientist Thor Heyerdahl, who crossed the Pacific Ocean on the balsawood raft ‘Kon-Tiki’ in 1947. We’ll be able to marvel at the original vessel, as well as learning about his expeditions to Polynesia, Easter Island, the Galapagos and more through interesting exhibits.
The rest of the day 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 or Fram Museum will be on your agenda today.
Day 3 - Oslo – Lillehammer – Gudbrandsdalen Valley
This morning we make our way to Lillehammer, a charming ski-resort town that gained international fame as the host of the 1994 Winter Olympic Games. Situated in the heart of Norway and just north of Oslo, Lillehammer’s unique combination of culture and historical significance make it a joy to explore. Since 2017, it has been recognised as a UNESCO City of Literature, and it’s in Lillehammer that the Norwegian Festival of Literature takes place—the largest of its kind in Scandinavia.
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 fascinating Maihaugen, one of the oldest open-air museums in Europe. Here we will get the opportunity to see more than 200 historic houses than span from the 13th century to now, giving us an authentic insight into the Norwegian culture and of course, its rich heritage. A visit to Maihaugen is often described as a travelling back in time—ready to hop into the time machine?
We’ll journey through the famous Peer Gynt region and the mythical ‘kingdom of trolls’, immersing ourselves in the evocative landscapes that inspired the story. This area, nestled within the stunning Gudbrandsdalen Valley, offers magical panoramic views of Norway’s beautiful countryside.
We'll arrive at our hotel in the early evening, enjoying its peaceful location along the Gudbrandsdalslågen river, bordered by dense forests and rugged mountains.
Day 4 - Gudbrandsdalen Valley – Åndalsnes – Molde
We spend the morning driving through the Norwegian countryside as we make our way to Dombås, home to enchanting vistas and cozy cafes! Once you step off the coach, wander through the quaint streets and treat yourself to a local snack for lunch. Next, making our way to Bjorli we prepare for an extraordinary delight — a full-spectrum sensory feast awaits us aboard the Golden Train!
Special Experience
Board the Rauma Railway, one of Norway’s most scenic train journeys, and marvel at the dramatic natural landscapes passing by.
Named Europe’s most beautiful railway line (and used as a backdrop for blockbusters like Harry Potter and Mission: Impossible), this train journey will put us front-row centre to Norway’s postcard-perfect scenery. While we will not be crossing paths with Tom Cruise here, we will be left captivated by steep peaks, serene rivers and charming rustic villages. Snap photos of the iconic Kylling Bridge and watch waterfalls cascade from mighty cliffs as we sit back, soak up the rolling scenery and experience the joy of slow travel to Åndalsnes.
In the early evening, we’ll arrive in 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. 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. On the Atlantic Road, we’ll travel between Bud and 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!
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!
We’ll arrive in Ålesund, where the remainder of the day is free for you to explore this lovely town 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.
Later on, we’ll set off to our next destination Geiranger, taking the scenic Trollstigen Road. One of Norway’s top driving experiences and most famous routes, 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. We’ll stop at beautiful look-out points along the way, so make sure you keep your cameras handy!
After taking a short ferry trip, our drive continues along the iconic Ørnevegen, also known as Eagle’s Road. This road was officially opened in 1955 and gave the village of Geiranger year-round access, allowing the town to develop quicker over the years. This steep stretch of road was given its name because its highest point passed through a terrain traditionally inhabited by a large number of eagles!
We’ll enjoy the road’s magnificent fjord and mountain views before our arrival at Geiranger in the late afternoon.
Welcome to Geiranger, one of the most beautiful villages in all of 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—which is 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. The air coming up from the iron grid floor gives you the sensation of floating, while the skywalk’s clear glass wall allows you to see 500 metres below into the fjord.
Next we stop in the village of Lom to take a photo of the Lom Stave Church, one of the biggest and most beautiful in Norway. Built in the mid-12th century, this iconic church is incredibly well-preserved and acts as a fantastic example of medieval-stave churches. Interestingly, despite its ancient age, it is still an active parish!
After lunch we continue to 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, which are more commonly referred to as the ‘Seven Sisters’ and ‘the Suitor’ waterfalls—these are some of the most photographed in the whole of 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 1-kilometre almost straight up Mount Hoven, enjoying spectacular views of the landscape below. At the top, we’ll indulge in a delicious three-course lunch at Hoven Restaurant, complete with locally sourced ingredients. This unique eatery is situated on the edge of the cliffside and boasts panoramic views of the fjord landscapes below—this is definitely not your average lunch!
We continue on to our next destination, winding our way past the stunning Stryn and Loen Vatn lakes. We’ll make a photo stop at Bøyabreen Glacier viewpoint, taking in the vistas of the incredible fjord up close, before making our way to Sognefjord.
Day 9 - Sognefjord – Flåm – Stalheim
Wake up in a stunning little town nestled on the shores of Sognefjord. Known for its natural beauty, this area offers a captivating blend of fjords, mountains, and lush greenery. This morning, we’ll make our way to the village of Flåm via the Lærdal Tunnel for our first activity of the day! As we make our way through the tunnel, you’ll notice the tunnel walls lit up beautifully, giving the illusion of gliding through a sparkling iceberg.
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.
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 Flåm, 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 will 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, one of the world’s longest suspension bridges. 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, where we have the opportunity to walk behind the falls themselves—without getting wet, of course! The waterfall has a 50-metre drop which makes for a fantastic picture. Continuing on, we’ll reach Bergen in the late afternoon and enjoy the evening at leisure to explore this exciting, yet super cosy, city at our own pace.
The enchanting coastal city of Bergen is surrounded by seven mountains and seven fjords, making it a totally unique location to explore. Norway’s second largest city, Bergen is 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 absolute jackpot for any keen traveller. They say Bergen captures the very essence of Norway, and we’re about to see why—we’re in store for a real treat!
We begin our morning with a walking tour of Bergen, exploring the must-see sites of this pretty city. First, we head to the UNESCO Heritage-listed Bryggen Quarter to marvel at the photogenic traditional houses that hug the Hanseatic wharf—a recognisable symbol of not only Bergen, but Norway as a whole. Once a place of trade for thousands of years, Bryggen is now home to local artisans and traders! We’ll then continue on with a visit St Mary’s Church, the oldest building in Bergen, before exploring the fish market that is situated on the banks of the stunning 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.