Scenic Norway Tour

Arrive in Ålesund and transfer to your lovely hotel by the water. Ålesund is known for its art nouveau architectural style in which most of the town was rebuilt after a fire in 1904. Explore on your own or add an adventure into your afternoon. Options include kayaking trips around the historic waterfront buildings; wildlife sea safari; climbing Mt. Aksla for lunch (418 steps); 6 hours long hike up the most famous summits in Norway (Mt Saksa); or perhaps a guided walking tour around the city centre.

Accommodation

This morning, meet your minivan driver and fellow passengers around 10am - be sure to enjoy the port before the minivan arrives. Make yourself comfortable in this private van that will take you through the fjords and along the coast.

Along the way today, you will travel through the Strandafjellet valley, stopping along the way at points of interest.

Your home for the next two nights is the Valldal Fjord Lodge, with a lovely backgarden and traditional livingg rooms and boasting breathtaking views of fjords and mountains. Check in and relax before your dinner at the hotel (2 courses).

Meals

Accommodation

Today is spent exploring the Valldalen region. Depending on your level of fitness, we include a day tour which allows you to experience this amazing landscape with great mountains, vast valleys, deep fjords, and historical Norwegian farmland.

The area around Valldal is a paradise for hiking. We have included an easy hike through traditional Norwegian farmland and wild nature, with multiple viewpoints with spectacular views. You will stop at Ruggå, a large boulder on top of the hill between Fjørå and Valldal, enjoy lunch, and try to make Ruggå sing! Before your group continues, you will of course enjoy the amazing view towards Valldal valley and the mountains beyond. On the way back you will follow a different trail, a panoramic trail that gives you spectacular mountain and UNESCO fjord views. Lunch along the way consists of local delicacies, including both hot and cold drinks (depending on the weather).

Meals

Accommodation

After breakfast, be sure to have your cameras charged as you travel from Valldal to Åndalsnes, with stops along the Trollstigen National Scenic Road. Trollstigen is Norway’s most visited tourist road, and this masterpiece in engineering in the midst of majestic natural landscapes is a true joy ride (particularly when you are in the safe hands of our Norwegian driver).

The eleven magnificent hairpin turns along Trollstigen offer fantastic scenery along the mountain road. Each bend has its own name, often named after the person who supervised the construction work on that particular section. At some locations, you will discover that the road is carved into the mountain itself, and in other places it is built in stone instead.

Historically, Trollstigen used to be an important transport passage between the villages Valldal in Indre Sunnmøre and Åndalsnes in Romsdalen. When the road opened in 1939, it wasn’t long before Trollstigen became a tourist attraction.

The Trollstigen is surrounded by mighty mountains that reach an altitude of over 1600 meters. To the west of the road lie the mountains of Bispen (1450m), Kongen (1614m) and Dronninga (1701m), and to the east of the road lie the Stigbottshornet (1583m) and the Storgrovfjellet (1629m).

Your minivan will stop along the way today for photos, rest stops and a stop at the Strawberry Cafe to sample the famous strawberry cakes on offer. You will also stop at the thundering ravine, Gudbrandsjuvet, near the Juvet Hotel. Gudbrandsjuvet is a 5 metre narrow and 20–25 metre high ravine through which the Valldøla River forces itself. The waters have formed a complex of deep potholes and intricate formations. The depth down from the surface of the water is about equal to the depth of ravine down to the river.

Meals

Accommodation

Today we have included an easy cultural hike to explore the region of Åndalsnes. Get to know the old history, culture and wildlife of the Rauma River. Join a local guide for a 2-hour hike on easy trails along the Rauma River. You will get the feel of the wilderness among the waterfalls, high mountains and boulders in the forest. Depending on your fitness level, alternative hikes can be included, such as the Romsdalseggen ridge hike. For those on a more relaxed timetable, how about visiting Tuen, the world’s northernmost vineyard and the only one of its kind in Norway. The wine is developed by using the finest hand reaped berries, flowers and even tree sap, all harvested from the garden or from the wild nature in Romsdalen. You can visit up to 11 different cellars..

There is also an option to include a walk to Rampestreken - the breathtaking lookout over the valley. This takes 3 hours return and can be organised as an extra outing or as a part of your hiking adventure. You can also decide to miss the walk and take the new Romsdals Gondola.

This evening, sit back and admire the view during your three course dinner.

Meals

Accommodation

After breakfast, spend your final day with your driver, travelling to Trondheim via the Atlantic Road. After leaving your hotel, the first stop is visiting the tiny Rødven Stave Church beside the fjord. The history of this church dates back to the 13th century, and a crucifix from that period is among the oldest furnishings. A new chancel and sacristy was built in the 17th century, and restored to its present look early in the 18th century.

Next along the route, stop to visit the Romsdal Museum, one of the largest and most comprehensive folk museums in Norway (optional entry) before heading out to the Atlantic Road. The Atlantic Road takes you from lush coastal landscapes and heaths to bare rocks along the exposed Hustadvika, where you can see the sun sink into the horizon. This National Tourist Route has been called the world’s most beautiful drive and has been voted the “Norwegian construction of the century”.

On arrival into Kristiansund, catch the late afternoon express boat (3 hours) to Trondheim. Enjoy your final night in Norway and bid farewell to your driver and fellow travellers.

Meals

Accommodation

After breakfast, transfer to the airport.

Meals