Norway holiday
| country: | Norway |
| location: | Fjords |
| departures: | 2008: 23 Aug |
| price: | From £1249 - £1299 (10 days) including flights from the UK, from £1045 excluding flights. Local payment NK 2250 (approx £183) |
the amazing things you'll be doing
In the Ice Ages Norway's elevated highlands were buried under a 2000 metre thick ice sheet, which over millennia carved out glacial valleys unequalled anywhere else in the world. Towering cliffs, ice-capped mountains and deep blue fjords make up a landscape so majestic it almost defies belief.
It is an otherworldly place, where the awesome power and beauty of nature dominate the endeavours of man. Travelling by train, boat, bus and on foot, our journey takes us through the greatest of the fjords and up amongst the blue ice caps which created this land.
Oslo & Journey to the Fjords
Built at the head of a fjord and connected by ferries to offshore islands and beaches, Norway's beautifully sited capital city is also home to some notable sites - such as the Viking Ships Museum - and a vibrant, lively nightlife atmosphere. From Oslo we reach the Western Fjords on one of Europe's most dramatic rail journeys - first north on the Dovre railway then west on the Rauma railway to Andalsnes, connecting with a spectacular bus and ferry route over the Trollstigen Pass to Geiranger.
Exploring the Western Fjords
Set at the head of an impossibly narrow fjord, and surrounded by 1500m mountains, the village of Geiranger is our base for two nights. We enjoy a boat trip through Geirangerfjord and can hike to spectacular vantage points overlooking the valley below. Then by ferry and bus we travel south through the heart of the fjords to Jostedalsbreen, Norway's largest and most impressive icecap. We include a guided walk on the glacier itself, a chance to see the pale blue shapes of this icy wonderland close up, then continue to the charming village of Aurland, at the head of Aurlandsfjord. From here we hike through the beautiful Aurland valley, one of the historic trading routes between eastern and western Norway, or for a change of scene we can sea kayak amidst the spectacular scenery of the fjords.
Flam Railway to Bergen
We climb 900 vertiginous metres on one of Europe's most famous mountain trains - the Flamsbana - to the village of Myrdal, then connect onto the hardly less spectacular train line to Bergen. A full day and a half in this attractive and historic trading city, built on the sea and backed by forested mountains, rounds off our short but comprehensive journey through Norway's Western Fjords.
It is an otherworldly place, where the awesome power and beauty of nature dominate the endeavours of man. Travelling by train, boat, bus and on foot, our journey takes us through the greatest of the fjords and up amongst the blue ice caps which created this land.
Oslo & Journey to the Fjords
Built at the head of a fjord and connected by ferries to offshore islands and beaches, Norway's beautifully sited capital city is also home to some notable sites - such as the Viking Ships Museum - and a vibrant, lively nightlife atmosphere. From Oslo we reach the Western Fjords on one of Europe's most dramatic rail journeys - first north on the Dovre railway then west on the Rauma railway to Andalsnes, connecting with a spectacular bus and ferry route over the Trollstigen Pass to Geiranger.
Exploring the Western Fjords
Set at the head of an impossibly narrow fjord, and surrounded by 1500m mountains, the village of Geiranger is our base for two nights. We enjoy a boat trip through Geirangerfjord and can hike to spectacular vantage points overlooking the valley below. Then by ferry and bus we travel south through the heart of the fjords to Jostedalsbreen, Norway's largest and most impressive icecap. We include a guided walk on the glacier itself, a chance to see the pale blue shapes of this icy wonderland close up, then continue to the charming village of Aurland, at the head of Aurlandsfjord. From here we hike through the beautiful Aurland valley, one of the historic trading routes between eastern and western Norway, or for a change of scene we can sea kayak amidst the spectacular scenery of the fjords.
Flam Railway to Bergen
We climb 900 vertiginous metres on one of Europe's most famous mountain trains - the Flamsbana - to the village of Myrdal, then connect onto the hardly less spectacular train line to Bergen. A full day and a half in this attractive and historic trading city, built on the sea and backed by forested mountains, rounds off our short but comprehensive journey through Norway's Western Fjords.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Fly London/Oslo. |
| Day 2: | In Oslo; AM ferry to Viking Ships Museum; PM optional cycling to city beaches. |
| Day 3: | Train via Dombas to Andalsnes, bus via Trollstigen Pass to Geiranger. |
| Day 4: | Cruise on Geirangerfjord, hike to fjord viewpoints. |
| Day 5: | Ferry to Hellesylt, bus to Loen. |
| Day 6: | Guided walk on Jostedalsbreen glacier, drive to Aurland. |
| Day 7: | Optional walk in the Aurland valley with connecting bus transfer, optional sea-kayaking or ferry trip. |
| Day 8: | Flam railway to Myrdal, train to Bergen, PM visit historic city centre. |
| Day 9: | In Bergen, optional walks and boat trips. |
| Day 10: | Fly London. |
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.how this holiday makes a difference
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In a progressive country enjoying a good infrastructure, we have chosen to use public transport for the majority of journeys on this trip, rather than chartered buses, thus minimising our impact on the environment. It’s also a great way of bonding with the locals: most speak some English, and learning a few words of Norwegian is certainly an excellent ice-breaker! Many of the places we visit are small fishing communities and by staying in local hotels, eating out in local restaurants and using local excursion providers we are making a valuable contribution to the local economy.
The emphasis of the tour is on appreciating the natural beauty of northern Norway and we ensure that we minimise our impact on the terrain by following strict environmental guidelines on walks and in national parks. As a company we offset the carbon dioxide emissions created by our staff flights by supporting Climate Care, who run a number of carbon balancing projects. This is particularly relevant in a country where pollution from fossil fuel emissions has affected the forests. We encourage customers to do likewise for their own flights. As well as the above, we support a variety of charities and projects worldwide which support vulnerable communities and habitats including Friends of Conservation, Hope Worldwide and Send A Cow. We are also actively engaged with UK travel industry bodies which promote best practice in responsible tourism, such as Tourism Concern, The Travel Foundation and AITO. Our commitment to responsible tourism is not limited to our overseas operation and we have measures to ensure our UK office operates according to our responsible tourism policy. Carbon offsets for all flights booked with us are included in the tour cost. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |