Fjords & the Far North

Overview

Explore Norway’s most spectacular scenery as you hike the mountain trails of Balestrand and Jotunheimen National Park on Sognefjord, and then board your Hurtigruten cruise ship for an unforgettable adventure to the Arctic. Savor the coast’s pristine beauty as you sail along towering cliffs, immense glaciers, and through remote fjords.

Days: 12
Best time to visit: May-September
Ideal for: Couples

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive in Oslo

Arrive in Oslo, settle into your hotel, and start exploring. Located on Oslo Fjord, surrounded on three sides by mountains, the city is an outdoor lover’s paradise with more than 1,500 miles of hiking, cycling, and ski trails within the city limits. Enjoy a show by the Philharmonic Orchestra, or visit the Akershus Fortress, a medieval castle that has served as a prison, military base and government offices.

 

Day 2 – Highlights of Oslo Tour

Get an insider’s look at the city on a private tour of Oslo, visiting sites like the Palace, Stortinget, and Vigeland Sculpture Garden. Visit the Viking Ship Museum, which showcases archaeological finds from the prehistoric to modern times, and end the day at the Fram Museum—dedicated to Norwegian polar exploration—or at the open-air Norsk Folkemuseum, which focuses on cultural history.

 

Day 3 – Oslo to Balestrand

Hop on a morning train to Myrdal and then transfer to the historic Flamsbana Train. Travel through a magnificent valley cut by pristine rivers, to the fjord village of Flåm, where isolated farms cling to the steep mountain slopes and waterfalls cascade to the valley floor. Spend a few hours exploring before boarding a ferry across the Sognefjord to the village of Balestrand.

 

Day 4 – Hiking in Balestrand

Balenstand is a hiking haven, with trails snaking into the mountains right from town. Just a short ascent offers stunning views over the town and fjord, and longer routes winding upwards offer even more panoramic vantage points—spend a few hours hiking and you will be constantly rewarded with amazing scenery.

 

Day 5 – Sognefjord Ferry to Bergen

Today, board a ferry to Bergen and cruise along the Sognefjord, which runs from the peaks of Jotunheimen National Park to the north of Bergen. At its deepest, the fjord is over 4,000 feet deep, and the mountains lining it rise 5,500 feet—a dazzling journey every inch of the way. Spend the rest of the day exploring Bergen, an ancient capital of Norway.

 

Day 6 – On Board Your Hurtigruten Cruise Ship

Bergen’s history comes to life with a guided walking tour taking you through the lore of Vikings, its seafaring legacy, and the way it was shaped by WWII. Go for a short hike nearby, or continue to explore downtown before boarding your Hurtigruten cruise ship.

 

Day 7 – Sail from Florø to Molde

Traveling north from Floro to Molde, wake up early and see the impressive walls of Hornelen, Europe’s highest sea cliff at 2,820 feet, which dwarfs the ship sailing below. Today the ship makes a rare journey into open-ocean as you cruise past the West Cape, and then turns toward Geirangerfjord, where mountain peaks, sheer cliffs, and waterfalls drop precipitously to meet the water. In the fall, explore the idyllic Hjorundfjord instead.

 

Day 8 – Explore Trondheim, Sail to Rorvik

Travel from Kristiansund and land in Trondheim, a city founded by the Viking King Olav Tryggvason in 997 CE. Now Norway’s third largest city, there is no shortage of activities for a day ashore, whether you want to tour Nidaros Cathedral or kayak on the river Nid. Cycle or walk through the Bakklandet district to experience Trondheim’s most dynamic architecture before heading back to the ship and traveling north to Rorvik.

 

Day 9 – Into the Arctic

Today, traveling past Bronnoysund toward Svolvaer, you cross into the Arctic Circle, an invisible line at 66° 33′ North which marks the southernmost point of the midnight sun in summer, and 24 hours of darkness in the winter. Sail past Norway’s second largest glacier, Svartisen, near your port of call in Ornes. Travel on in the afternoon from Bodo across Vestfjord toward the looming peaks for the Lofoten Islands.

 

Day 10 – On Shore in Tromsø

Sail through the Lofoten Islands from Stokmarknes, past Ånderdalen National Park, to Tromsø, the capital of the Arctic. Landing in Tromsø, get ready for an action-packed afternoon no matter the time of year you sail—go whale watching, dog sledding, hiking, or kayaking. Whatever you choose to do, you will get a glimpse of Norway’s enigmatic and fascinating polar legacy. Continue north to Skjervoy.

 

Day 11 – Truly North

Soak up the views in this isolated environment, which only becomes more remote and spectacular the further you travel toward the North Cape. Join a cultural walk through the colorful town of Honningsvag, and then sail into the heart of the Sami homeland to the port of Kjollefjord, an area known for its abundant birdlife. Crossing the 71st parallel to the North Cape, you are arriving at the northernmost point on the continent.

 

Day 12 – Disembark, Fly to Oslo & Home

Arrive in Kirkenes this morning and disembark from the cruise ship. Catch your flight back to Oslo and connect to your flight back to the US.

Remarkable Journeys has partnered with Lost World Adventures to create this journey. We partnered with Lost World due to their well-mannered relationships with tour guides, hotellers, airlines, and ground management services in the region. In our opinion, they offer the best value and experience in the region.

What’s next?

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