The Grand Tour of Norway

The fjord region on the west coast of Norway offer some of the most dramatic and beautiful sceneries in the world. You are treated to a variety of wilderness experiences, including mountains, glaciers, national parks, crystal-clear waterfalls, fertile green valleys and hillsides.  The centuries-old fjord villages are rich with traditional stave churches and historical sites. North of the Arctic Circle, the population thins, the horizons grow wider and the temperature dips. Here the terrain ranges from soaring coastal peaks to vast boreal forests and barren treeless peninsulas.

Dates and Prices

The itinerary shown below is intended as a guide only indicating a typical itinerary and series of activities. While our intention is to adhere to the published day by day route, the itinerary, distance travelled and available activities may vary due to group input, weather, road conditions and local restrictions.

 

 

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Day 1 Oslo – Eidfjord
Enjoy beautiful scenery as we head out of Oslo along the shores of the Tyrifjord , past trim farms and into densely forested Hallingdal. We continue to the ski resort of Geilo and then across the wild Hardangervidda , Norway's largest national park.Hardangervidda is Northern Europe's largest mountain plateau with untouched nature as far as your eye can see. In Eidsfjord we’ll experience the legendary old road trough the Måbø Valley and Vøringfossen, the most known waterfall in Norway.

Day 2 Eidfjord – Bergen
A scenic drive along the Hardanger Fjord with views of towering mountains, waterfalls and idyllic orchards to Norheimsund, passing the impressive Steindalsfossen waterfall and crossing the Kvamskogen mountain plateau before we arrive in Bergen , capital of Western Norway, rest of the day free to explore Bergen on your own.

Day 3 Bergen – Flåm
The tour continues to the town of Voss , before we reach Stalheim with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain peaks and the Nærøy Valley. Descend to Gudevangen through the spectacular hairpin bends of Stalheimskleiva and enjoy the wonderful views of the Stalheimsfossen and Sivlefossen waterfalls. From Gudevangen we’ll travel by boat on the
UNESCO’s World Heritage Listed Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord to Flåm. The tour continues on the Flåm Railway one of Norway's most spectacular tourist attractions. The train journey provides some of Norway's wildest and most magnificent scenery. From Myrdal station we hike back down to Flåm were we’ll spend the night.

Day 4 Flåm – Olden
The day starts with a drive trough the world’s longest road tunnel from Aurland to Lærdal (24,51km), before we visit the 12th-century Borgund Stave Church.A ferry ride across The Sognefjord , Norway's deepest (1309 m) and longest (204 km) fjord, take us to Kaupanger then Sogndal and Fjærland with the opportunity to visit The Norwegian Glacier Museum (optional) before we reach Olden and the Briksdal Glacier. The powerful Briksdal Glacier is a part of the Jostedal Glacier National Park. The wild glacier swoops down from a height of 1200m to the lush, narrow Briksdal Valley.

Day 5 Olden – Geiranger
Experience the incredible views of the Geiranger Fjord and the surrounding scenery from Dalsnippa (1500 metres above sea level) and the famous viewpoint Flydalsjuvet, before we reach Geiranger.The
UNESCO’s World Heritage Listed Geiranger Fjord is one of nature's masterpieces, and the title "The most beautiful fjord in the world" is no exaggeration We may take a guided tour on the fjord or visit the mountain farm Skageflå. If you enjoy wandering through beautiful scenery, there are many sign-posted walks of varying degrees of difficulty.

Day 6 Geiranger – Ålesund
From Geiranger we’ll drive the Ørnevegen route trough the Eidsdalen valley, take the ferry across the Valldalsfjord, then passing Stordal and Sjøholt on our way to Ålesund.From the town mountain, Aksla, we’ll get a magnificent view of the town and the surrounding district. Ålesund is famous for its Jugendstil /Art Nouveau architecture. After the fire in 1904 the town was rebuilt in this unique architectural style with a myriad of spires, towers and richly detailed ornamentation. Rest of the day free to explore Ålesund on your own.

Day 7 Ålesund - Oppdal
Today’s drive will take us through the wild and beautiful valley of Romsdalen. The drive down Trollstigen (Troll’s Path) is a unique experience, with sheer cliff faces, thundering waterfalls and the road itself, snaking through hairpin bends down the steep mountainside, then a stop at Trollveggen ("The Troll Wall") the highest vertical mountain wall in Europe. From Romsdalen we’ll enter the Dovrefjell National Park.

Day 8 Oppdal – Trondheim
Today we’ll experience the wonderful nature in Dovrefjell National Park. The park was established to protect an impressive mountain landscape and an unusual rich flora and fauna. Dovre is the last surviving mountain ecosystem in Europe where reindeer, wolverine and Arctic fox coexist. The main attraction in the park is the musk’s. A local guide will take us into the park and show us the musk’s and tell us about the plants and wildlife in the Dovrefjell National Park. In the afternoon the tour continues to Trondheim, Norway’s third-largest city.

Day 9 Trondheim – Mo i Rana
We’ll drive trough “Hell” today , then enjoy the forests and rivers of Namsdalen Valley before taking in more of Norway’s stunning beauty as we travel past spectacular scenery to Mosjøen and Mo i Rana.

Day 10 Mo i Rana – Moskenes
Entering the Arctic region of Norway we’ll take the Arctic Highway through Saltfjellet-Svartisen National park . When we cross the Arctic Circle, we have arrived in the "Land of the Midnight Sun!". The Arctic Circle marks the southernmost point at which the sun shines virtually 24 hours a day during the summer months. Our next stop is Saltstraumen , the strongest maelstrom in the world. In the afternoon we’ll take the ferry from Bodø across Vestfjorden to Moskenes and the Islands of Lofoten.

Day 11 Moskenes – Sortland
All day exploring Lofoten , these rugged islands featuring dramatic mountain scenery, picturesque villages and sheltered bays with crystal-clear seas. Among the places we’re going to visit today is the fishing village Å where it’s possible to visit the Lofoten Stockfish Museum, and the Norwegian Fishing Village Museum. We’ll visit Reine, Nusfjord and Svolvær. There is also an opportunity to visit The Viking Museum of Borg.

Day 12 Stø
All day Whale safari outside Vesterålen's coastline Each summer the male sperm whales abandon their families in more tropical regions and head north. Outside Vesterålen's coastline, they gather to feed on octopus and fish. These huge animals can be seen just over the side of our boat, replenishing their air supply before the plunge back down into the ocean's depths. During the trip, we may be lucky enough to also see minke whales, fin whales, dolphins or killer whales.

Day 13 Sortland – Tromsø
Laving the islands of Vesterålen behind we continue our tour into Norway’s northern counties of Troms and Finnmark , which arc across the top of Europe , represent the last frontier of European civilisation on the mainland In the afternoon we arrive in Tromsø, "Capital of the Arctic." Known for its rich cultural life, Tromsø is an important fishing and shipping centre, and home to the world's northernmost university.

Day 14 Tromsø – Nordkapp
From Tromsø we enter in to Finnmark , the county has varied and breathtaking nature, from an uncompromising and harsh coastal landscape to peaceful, mile-long plains. On the way, admire the beautiful Lyng Alps rising high above the sea. After crossing the Finnmark Mountain Plateau we travel through the North Cape Tunnel to the North Cape Peninsular. North Cape is something extraordinary , the climatic conditions, the dramatic cliff itself and the fact that one is located on the utmost point of Europe, enhances the experience. This evening a visit the North Cape Plateau to enjoy the Midnight Sun.

Day 15 Nordkapp
The North Cape Plateau is not continental Europe’s northernmost point, that award belong to Knivskjelodden and today we’ll walk the world’s northernmost hiking trail to Europe’s northernmost point Knivskjelodden (71°11’08’’) whit excellent view towards the North Cape Plateau. In the afternoon it’s possible to take a bird-watching safari to observe Finnmark's largest groupings of puffins and kittiwakes or just hang out in the town Honningsvåg.

Day 16 Nordkapp – Alta
Sápmi , the land of the Sami people , stretches over four countries: Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. Around 50.000 sami people live in this area, and about half of them live in Norway. In Alta we may visit the Boazo Sami Siida, a traditional Sami village. We can also visit the UNESCO World Heritage Rock Art Site in Alta , the largest area of rock carvings in northern Europe made by prehistoric hunters. The rock art is between 6200 and 2000 year old.

Day 17 Alta - Narvik
Today we’ll continue our unforgettable journey south along the stunning shoreline of Norway. The road meanders along Kvaenangenfjord and Lyngenfjord. Stop for pictures at the thundering Malselvfossen Waterfall. There is also an opportunity to visit Polar Zoo, the world’s most northern zoo ,before we reach Narvik.

Day 18 Narvik – Mosjøen
The day starts whit a ferry ride across Tysfjorden , then a scenic drive trough the Hamarøy mountains to Fauske before we enter Nordland, cross the Arctic Circle again and are back in a world where the sun rises and sets every day of the year. We may take a guided cave tour trough the Grønnligrotta cave before we continue to Mosjøen.

Day 19 Mosjøen – Røros
Enjoy the forests and rivers of Namsdalen Valley as we drive south to Stjørdal before we leave the main road and travel southeast through some fine alpine scenery to Røros, not far from the Swedish border. Røros is a mining town with soul and atmosphere. The characteristic low wooden houses, the history , the atmosphere and the experiences have an unique flavour which you will find nowhere else. The complete town centre is under a preservation order and is found on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Day 20 Røros – Lillehammer
A scenic day starts with a morning drive in Dovrefjell National Park then trough the wide Gudbrandsdal Valley to Lillehammer, proud host of the 1994 Winter Olympics.In Lillehammer's Olympic Park we may visit Lysgårdsbakkene ski jump arena. From the top of the ski jump tower, we can enjoy Lillehammer's best view, The Norwegian Olympic Museum in Håkons Hall shows the Summer and Winter Olympic history from Antiquity and up today.The city's biggest attraction is the Sandvig Collection at Maihaugen, which ranks as the largest open-air museum in Europe and houses 185 buildings plus more than 40000 objects.

Day 21 Lillehammer – Oslo
A last chance to explore more of Lillehammer, then we continue our tour along Lake Mjøsa, passing Hamar and Eidsvoll, before we reach Oslo and the end of our journey.

 Included in The Price:
 
 Services of a company-trained trek leader
 20 nights camping
 Use of top quality camping and cooking gear
 Road tolls and fares on all ferry's
 Admission to National parks
 Vøringsfossen hike
 Gudevangen cruise on the narrow Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord
The Flåm Railway
 Flåm Valley hike
 The Briksdal Glacier
 Entry fees to Dalsnibba
 The Troll's Path
 The Troll’s Wall
 Musk ox safari *(dependant on season)
 Saltstraumen , the strongest maelstrom in the world.
 3,5 Hour cruise across Vestfjorden
 All day Whale safari *(dependant on season)
 Entry fees to The North Cape Plateau
 Knivskjelodden hike
 UNESCO's World Heritage Listed town Røros

 *(Musk ox safari is only included between 18.June - 21.Aug)
 *(Whale safari is only included between 1.Jun – 15.Sep.)

  Optional Activities:

The Troll Train down the legendary old road trough Måbødalen
UNESCO's World Heritage Listed Bryggen i Bergen
Borgund Stave Church
The Norwegian Glacier Museum
Guided tour on the Briksdal Glacier
Summer skiing on the Tystigen Glacier
The Atlantic Sea Park in Ålesund
Nidaros Cathedral tour
Lofoten Stockfish Museum
Norwegian Fishing Village Museum
The Viking Museum of Borg
Bird watching safari outside Nordkapp
The UNESCO World Heritage Rock Art Site in Alta
Boazo Sami Siida a traditional Sami village
Grønligrotta cave tour
The Blood Road Museum in Fauske
Tour in the Olavsgruva mine
Smelthytta model museum
River rafting
River boarding
Lillehammer Olympic Park
Maihaugen open air museum
And many more…….

Extra Costs:
Food kitty participation
Restaurant meals
Personal expenses
Insurance
Flights
Airport transfers
Hotel accommodation before and after
the tour.

 

 

Departure Dates

Oslo - Oslo

Dates Price in EUR Availability
2008    
     
 14.July - 3.Aug. 1499 0
     
     
     

This list is updated daily by TrekNorway during regular business hours. It is an indication only and no guarantee. Only TrekNorway’s written booking confirmation guarantees the booking.  Seats get assigned on a first come, first serve basis.