Fjords of Norway: Bergen, Geirangerfjord & Ålesund

Board an overnight flight to Bergen.

Welcome to Norway! Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Join a local guide and discover the historic sites in and around Bergen, Norway’s second city and a settlement that was first founded in 1070.

• Walk through Hanseatic-era alleyways and courtyards—and past one of the most famous photo ops in Bergen—in the UNESCO-listed Bryggen harbor district.
• Pass by the 13th-century, stone Bergenhus Fortress and the bustling Fish And Flower Market.
• Hop on the Fløibanen funicular in the city center, then relax and enjoy a remarkable panorama as you climb 1,050 feet above sea level in a matter of minutes. Disembark atop Mount Fløyen and take in more incredible views of Bergen and the surrounding fjords.

Spend a free afternoon in the city or add an excursion.

Spend the day journeying through Norway’s fjord country, a region of otherworldly natural beauty.

• Journey by train from Bergen to Myrdal.
• In Myrdal, board the historic Flåm Railway for a spectacularly scenic ride down a mountain on one of the steepest tracks in the world, then through the Sognefjord, the longest and deepest fjord in Norway.
• Disembark in tiny Flåm—a picturesque settlement of just 350 people that overlooks dramatic Aurlandsfjord and traces its roots back to the 1300s.

This evening, sit down for an included dinner with your group.

Board a RIB (a rigid inflatable boat) and take to the water on an expertly led safari through the UNESCO-listed Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord—both branches of the mighty Sognefjord.

• Cruise along the dramatic landscape and listen as your guide shares local lore and legends.
• Keep an eye out for wildlife, such as seals, porpoises, and eagles, as you take in the scenery from aboard your boat.
• Take in views of towering waterfalls, including the narrow Sagfossen, and quaint villages; one tiny village you’ll spot, Undredal, is home to roughly 100 people (and 500 goats) and served as inspiration for the animated smash-hit movie Frozen.

Return to Flåm and enjoy a free afternoon or add an excursion. This evening, join your fellow travelers for an included dinner at your hotel.

Please note: You’ll be divided into groups of 12 or fewer people per boat and be provided with a flotation suit, life vest, hat, gloves, and goggles—wearing layers and closed toed shoes are recommended.

Leave Flåm behind as you take a gorgeous drive inland to the Geirangerfjord region, the crown jewel of the Norwegian fjordlands.

• Head into the 16-mile-long Fjærlandsfjord and stop in its namesake village for some free time. Find a bite to eat for lunch, or do some quick exploring and discover why Fjærland earned its reputation as a book-loving town.
• Forge on to Briksdal Glacier—an arm of the Jostedalsbreen, the largest glacier in continental Europe—by way of Troll car. These open-air, off-road buggies take you to within a few hundred meters of Briksdal (and let you take in mountains, waterfalls, lakes, and more impressive scenery along the way).

Later, continue on to your hotel in the Geirangerfjord region and enjoy an included dinner this evening.

Please note: Visiting Briksdal Glacier is only possible from June to October, and it depends on the weather. When it isn’t open, a visit to a stave church will replace Briksdal Glacier and Fjærlandsfjord.

Sail through Norway’s stunning UNESCO-listed fjords today.

• Begin with a stop at the Norwegian Fjord Centre and explore exhibits that demonstrate the geological history and biodiversity of the area. Then, enjoy free time: Grab lunch or explore the outdoor areas around the Centre.
• Venture out onto the Geiranger Skywalk. With a gridded iron floor and glass-walled guard rails, this attraction offers an unparalleled view of the Geirangerfjord and its surrounding scenery—all from a perch on Mount Dalsnibba, almost 5,000 feet in the air.
• Board a sightseeing boat to sail through the Geirangerfjord and take in a host of magnificent waterfalls—like the Seven Sisters, the Bridal Veil, and the Suitor—as they plunge off towering cliffs. And don’t forget to keep a lookout for abandoned mountain farms and gorgeous marine wildlife, like playful porpoises.

Later, sit down for an included dinner at a local restaurant this evening.

Travel along the Trollstigen mountain pass—one of Norway’s most popular, scenic, and thrilling summer driving routes thanks to its mountainous setting and famous hairpin turns—as you make your way to Ålesund. The picturesque port town is known for its panoramic views of the surrounding archipelago and fjords, as well as the art nouveau architectural style in which many of its structures were built following a fire in 1904.

Today, embark on a guided tour of Ålesund, a seaside town spread over several islands that’s rich in Art Nouveau architecture.

• Start with a visit to the Giske archipelago, home to monuments from the Viking and Middle Ages.
• View the 12th-century Giske Church, which was built in the Norman style by an unknown architect and remains the only marble church in all of Norway; its structure presents an even bigger mystery than its creator, as nobody knows the source of the white marble used to build the church.
• Head to the nearby island of Godøya and climb to the top of the 19th-century Alnes Lighthouse.
• Make your way up Aksla Mountain to Fjellstua, a viewpoint offering sweeping, near-360-degree views of Ålesund and its archipelago below.
• Explore the streets of Ålesund and admire the Art Nouveau architecture, made prevalent after a fire ripped through the town in 1904.

Fly to Oslo in the morning. Then, step inside the Fram Museum to learn about Norway’s storied history of polar exploration through interactive exhibits and other displays. One can’t-miss highlight: the Gjøa, the sloop used by pioneering Arctic explorer Roald Amundsen to complete the first successful transit of the Northwest Passage.

Meet up with your local guide this morning to discover Oslo—the vibrant Norwegian capital and a city that was first settled in the mid-10th century.

• Take a private tour of the Nobel Peace Center. One of the most-visited museums in all of Norway, it occupies a former railway station. Here, through a series of interactive and multimedia exhibits, you’ll learn about the laureates whose tremendous humanitarian efforts helped make the world a better place.
• Walk through Vigeland Park and stroll among over 200 bronze, granite, and cast-iron sculptures created by artist Gustav Vigeland. Known as Frogner Park to the locals, this open-air exhibition doubles as the largest greenspace in all of Oslo.

Spend a free afternoon in Oslo or add an excursion.

Tonight, gather together to celebrate your trip during a farewell dinner.

Transfer to the airport for your flight home, or extend your trip to explore Bodø and the Lofoten Islands.