Premium 50 Degrees North mini-coach tours through Norway

Our premium 50 Degrees North mini-coach represent a new style of travel: 2-12 independent travellers traverse exceptionally beautiful, yet hard-to-reach areas of Norway, thus experiencing something unique and authentic while contributing to more modest local economies. With five different tours available for 2023 (and more in the works), the choice is yours!

The premium 50 Degrees North mini-coach tours represent a new style of travel: 2-12 independent travellers traverse exceptionally beautiful, yet hard-to-reach areas of Norway, with some days spent independently and others together, in the comfort and safety of a shared 50 Degrees North mini-coach with an experienced driver. This is very a comfortable and flexible way to travel, allowing for unexpected photo stops and food breaks, not to mention allowing you to journey into parts of Norway that are not easy to reach without your own car.

These "mini-coach tours" are not group tours as such, but for a few days during each of these itineraries, you will share the same mini-coach with other travellers (private, only for 50 Degrees North clients). You can make friends, enjoy the company of our knowledgeable Norwegian driver, and experience some of the country's finest boutique hotels and natural wonders. These tours represent the best of both worlds: They are independent small group tours, but really more like a private driver-guide experiences you share with other travellers. All the minor details are taken care of, allowing you the freedom to get on and enjoy the holiday.

These tours all link together; you could start in Oslo and end in Stockholm, one month later. You will meet four different drivers and a new group of travellers along the way. You can opt in to do a HIKING version of one or all of these tours as well. Travelling with someone else, they can either hike alongside you or join the tour alternatives. Hikes include summitting Norway's tallest mountain and sea cliff walks along the coast of Norway.

The tours have also been motivated by our sense of social responsibility: Introducing travellers to areas, hotels, and service providers outside of the more traditional and extremely busy routes not only tackles the problem of overtourism, but also distributes wealth to more modest local economies. And the scenery is equally - if not more - stunning and the experience all the more authentic for it!

IMPORTANT TO KNOW:

• Our Director’s Choice properties are those used in all these tours. They are handpicked boutique options, and combine great location, friendly and personal service, good food, unique design and something intangible -something that makes you feel that you have arrived at home.

• Many meals are included with our local hotels offering world class 2-3 course dinners in beautiful dining rooms.

• For those comparing between travelling independently or self-driving, these mini-coach tours offer an affordable and stress-free way to travel, eliminating the need for transfers and additional transport services.

Beautiful Norway - starting from Oslo

Beautiful Norway is an 8-day tour from Oslo to Bergen (departures on Saturdays). In the beginning, the itinerary follows the Norway in a Nutshell route, but then breaks away to journey through the Jotunheimen National Park, a largely undisturbed mountain area in the east, past Norway's highest peak, Galdhøpiggen. The journey then continues along the magnificent mountain pass routes of Sognefjellsveien and Aurlandsfjellet. These are spectacular areas away from the summer crowds, combining high mountains and rugged terrain with the inner reaches of the captivating Sognefjord.

Here is some lovely feedback and photos from Beautiful Norway.

There is also a premium version of this tour with upgraded hotels and more included activities. Likewise, short of time, this tour can be shortened to only 5 days.

Beautiful Norway Hike

Beautiful Norway Hike is a 8-day tour which includes hiking Galdhøpiggen, Northern Europe’s highest mountain and a guided hike to Mt. Prest with views across the UNESCO World Heritage Fjord of Nærøyfjord.

Western Fjords of Norway

Western Fjords of Norway is an 8-day tour from Bergen to Ålesund. In between, travellers get to join the locals on a ferry ride from Bergen to Måløy, followed by a 3-day mini-coach journey through the breathtaking and unique Western fjords with Loen as the main base from where to explore nearby glaciers, waterfalls, as well as local history, food, and culture. The last leg of the journey follows the Hjørundfjord, a stunning fjord surrounded by lush forests and small, scenic villages. Although largely unknown to international visitors, the Western fjords are a rare gem: The landscape is very unique, unspoilt and exceptionally beautiful even by Norwegian standards! Departures each week on Fridays, in connection with Beautiful Norway.

Western Fjords Hike

Western Fjords Hike is a 9-day tour from Bergen to Ålesund. It is a more active alternative to the Western Fjords of Norway above, but departs one day prior, so every Thursday.

Image: Silje Flotre Reed from Loen Skylift

Scenic Norway

Scenic Norway is a 7-day tour from Ålesund to Kristiansund / Trondheim. The tour explores the Northwestern fjord region - another stunning part of Norway that many tourists do not get to see, because it usually requires a private car or joining a big coach tour. However, with 50DN, travellers can relax and enjoy the incredible scenery as the mini-coach driver navigates two of the most famous Norwegian Scenic Routes: The Trollstigen Road with its eleven magnificent hairpin turns on a steep mountainside and the Atlantic Highway, famous for its twisting bridges over the coastline. Enjoy hiking alongside dramatic mountains, vast valleys, deep fjords, and historical Norwegian farmland while staying in beautiful boutique hotels with fjord and mountain views. Departures weekly on Thursdays, in connection with the Western Fjords itinerary.

Scenic Norway Hike

Scenic Norway Hike is a 6-day tour via the Troll Road, bagging Romsdalseggen, Rampestreken and Mefjellet.

Arctic Circle Traverse

Arctic Circle Traverse is a 7-day tour, exploring the outer reaches of Arctic Norway, visiting regions 'off the beaten track' and seeing true wilderness. Journey through the forests to stay at the lighthouse in Tranøy, visiting Sami and rock carving locations along the way.

Experience two overnight train journeys, a comfortable, relaxed way to see the countryside. According to Lonely Planet, one of the world’s best night train journeys from Trondheim to Bodø, the Nordland train is the longest train journey in Norway. 24-hour daylight means plenty of wildlife and sightseeing on your journey from Trondheim to Bodø, then Narvik to Stockholm on the Arctic Train.

Arctic Circle Traverse Hike

Arctic Circle Traverse adds glacier walking and hikes up onto jagged peaks to see the Lofoten Archipelago in the far north of Norway.

Sweden’s West Coast and Islands

Sweden's West Coast and Islands is a 5-day tour, travelling from Oslo down to Gothenburg along the Swedish coastline. Once you have arrived in Gothenburg, it is an easy train journey across to Stockholm.

Travelling along the coast in our premium mini-coach with driver, you’ll find quaint red fishing sheds, ocean front manor houses and gardens that haven’t changed since the 19th century. Join the local fishermen on an optional seafood hunt for lobster, oysters, and mussels. Visit ancient sites, the Gjellestad Ship, Blomsholm Stone Ship, Tanum Rock Carving and Vitlycke Museum.

Lapland Circle

In addition to our summer tours to Norway, we also have the Lapland Circle, an 11-day winter tour above the Arctic Circle, beginning in Finland and ending in Sweden, with a few days and nights spent in Norway. Experience an overnight stay at the ICEHOTEL, night visit to the Aurora Sky Station, countless winter activities from dogsledding to ice sculpting, and private 50 Degrees North minibus journeys from Kittilä to Tromsø and Harstad to Björkliden. Departures weekly from January to mid-March with fixed departures from Kittila every Monday.

Credit: Asaf Kliger, ICEHOTEL, Hotel Aak, Madeleine Landley, Cred Jeska and Visit Norway.