Norway in Summer
This sample itinerary takes in some of Norway’s most spectacular scenery with an action-packed programme that will appeal to the whole family. Starting in Bergen, you will work your way deep into the fjordlands, stopping en route for mountain hikes, white water rafting, e-bike tours and much more. Some activities are more suitable for older children, with a reasonable level of fitness. However, as always, the itinerary can be tailored to your own family and we can suggest suitable activities for younger children.
Highlights
Take the Flam Railway
Boat trip on UNESCO fjord
Glacier guided hike
White water rafting
Kayaking next to icebergs
Stay in remote cabin
12 days from £2,500 pp
Plus international flights starting at £200
A 12-day summer trip to Norway for a family of four usually costs from £10,000 plus flights, based on good mid-range accommodation. Upgrade to more luxurious accommodation from £12,500.
Norway in Summer day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 Bergen
When you arrive in Bergen you will make your own way to your hotel. After checking in, the rest of the day is free to explore.
When you arrive in Bergen you will make your own way to your hotel. After checking in, the rest of the day is free to explore.
Day 2 Bergen – Flam
After breakfast, take the fantastically scenic Bergensbanen train ride over the Hardanger mountains before boarding the Flam Railway down Flam valley. This is undoubtedly one of the most scenic train-rides in the world, through the mountains and past gushing waterfalls. The last section is particularly beautiful, as you rise from sea level to 867m and then descend again to sea level with the hour.
This afternoon you will take a scenic RIB cruise passing through UNESCO World Heritage listed scenery in Naroyfjord. Along the way you will pass small, picturesque villages and perhaps see seals and eagles.
Day 3 Flam
An exciting day today, as you take the train to Vatnahalsen before taking a zip-line down the valley to Kardalen. The Zipline is the longest in the north at 1,381 meters, and will be a thrilling ride (although you can descend on foot if you prefer). It ends near the Rallarrosa goatfarm, where you can stop for a taste of traditional goats cheese and cured goatmeat.
Continue from here by bike, descending down Flam valley on the last part of the famous Rallar Road cycle route.
Day 4 Flam – Aardal
After breakfast transfer to Aardal for a kayaking trip on the Aardalfjord. Here the emerald green fjord is flanked by steep mountains and the landscape is pristine and tranquil. If you get all the way to the head of the fjord, there’s a lovely small café which offers waffles and pancakes, which will perk the kids up!
After lunch, there’s the option for a fantastic bike ride along the old road between Sletterust and Upper Aardal. The twisting incline brings you down from 1,000m above sea level and includes a tunnel along the way (keep your lights on!). The panoramic views towards Hurrungane mountains are superb.
Day 5 Vetifossen – Jostedal
After breakfast, hike to Vettifossen waterfall. The route is very scenic, passing through Utladelen Valley which is renowned for its dramatic landscapes. You will pass by four separate waterfalls, culminating at Vettifossen which is the highest freefall waterfall in Northern Europe.
If you prefer, you can also do this tour by bike.
You will return the same way to the start point of the hike and will then continue by car over the remote and stunning Peaks Road to Jostedal (2 hours). This is a narrow road that is open only in summertime, passing the spectacular Hurrungane mountains, some of the most famous and highest mountains in Norway. You will also drive by the Lusterfjord with a stunning view over the peaks and fjord, and through narrow Jostedal valley.
Read More Day 6 Iceberg kayak and glacier hike If you are travelling with younger children, you can travel by RIB instead of kayak. Day 7 White water rafting – Remote cabin Once you have finished your morning excursion, continue to your cabin ‘on the edge’. This is a small and simple off-grid wooden cabin perched in the most extraordinarily location overlooking a fjord. The facilities are outside but although this is simple, the views are out of this world. Day 8 Remote cabin Day 9 Hafslo – Veitastrond Fjord – Sogndal Day 10 Sogndal – Bergen Spend the afternoon starting to look around the lovely city of Bergen. If you are interested, we can arrange for you to hire bikes to explore on two wheels. Day 11 Bergen Other options for today include taking the famous Floyen Funicular up to a viewpoint or for a dose of culture, or visiting the Art Museum with its works by Edvard Munch, Nikolai Astrup, Pablo Picasso and Paul Klee. The bustling fishmarket is also well worth a visit. Enjoy a final evening in Bergen before you fly home. Day 12 Bergen
A fabulous day as you head out to kayak across Styggevatn Lake to a glacier. The views across the turquoise waters of the lake, littered with icebergs, are absolutely incredible. Once you arrive at the glacier you will strap on crampons and walk across a section of the ice, admiring the extraordinary landscape all around you.
Challenge yourself to an exciting white water rafting trip along the Jostedal River. This comes down from the Jostedal Glacier plateau, and twists and turns through the mountains, with some great rapids. These are grades 2-3 so are suitable for most families.
You have a full day to enjoy the beautiful scenery around your cabin. We can recommend a lovely walk (approx. 3 hours) directly from the cabin, looping through some nearby forest and sheep farms on the edge of the fjord. Alternatively there are electric bikes available for hire so that you can go off exploring. The cabin also offers the hire of a small vehicle and you can load this up with a couple of SUPs and drive down to the fjord shore and head out onto the water.
Leave your cabin behind you and head to Hafslo. From here take a RIB-tour up Veitastrond fjord, a beautiful fjord that changes colour during the year, from clear blue in springtime to emerald-green during the summer, as the glacier melts into the lake. Later you will ride e-bikes back along the fjordshore shore of the lake to Hafslo. The views across the lake are superb with good opportunities to spot deer and eagles along the way. You will then be transferred to Sogndal, the capital of the fjords.
This morning take the express ferry (4 hours) back to Bergen. The views along the way are stunning, and the ferry follows the route that the Vikings navigated hundreds of years ago.
Enjoy a full free day in Bergen – perhaps catch up on some souvenir shopping? Bergen is a wonderfully picturesque small city, in the centre of Norway’s fjord district. At the heart of the city are a series of steep cobbled streets that descend down to the famous wharf, lined with old colourful wooden buildings.
Make your way to the airport for your flight home.
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Norway in pictures
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