Coastal Norway & Hardangerfjord

DAY 1

First night in Oslo

Individual arrival to Oslo and check in at a centrally located hotel.
In Oslo you can visit the iconic Opera House, the spectacular Vigeland Sculpture Park, the Munch Museum, the Holmenkollen Ski Jump.
Spend 1 night in Oslo (included in the tour price)
• Read about Oslo
• See pictures from Oslo

Optional:
• Add Fjord cruise or City sightseeing in Oslo

DAY 2

Oslo to Stavanger

Take the train to Stavanger through the lush landscape of Southern Norway. The train ride takes about 8 hours. Sørtoget (the Southern Line) follows an inner route to Kongsberg, Bø in Telemark and through Indre Agder to Kristiansand. Further west, the railway goes across the many valleys of Vest-Agder before reaching the coast of Egersund, crossing Jæren northbound to Stavanger.
Check in at a centrally located hotel in Stavanger.
Spend 3 nights in Stavanger

DAY 3

Self-guided Hike to Preikestolen

Take the morning coach to the Preikestolen Mountain Lodge where you will start your hike to Preikestolen (the Pulpit Rock).
The hike up to Preikestolen is challenging. It is 8 km (4.9 mi)  long in total and you have 5 hours to complete the round trip. You will do the hike on your own, without a guide, following well-marked trails. Make sure to bring enough food, drink and supplies to last you through your hike.

Preikestolen is the most famous tourist attraction in Ryfylke county, towering an impressive 604 metres over the Lysefjord. The hike consists of slightly hilly terrain with a difference of altitude of 350 metres. The prime attraction on the hike you obtain on top of the plateau with a mesmerising view of the outstanding Lysefjord. Additionally, there are nice spots to take a dip, as well as enjoyable resting areas along the path.
Return to Stavanger by coach from the Preikestolen Mountain Lodge.

Main hiking season: April – September
Duration: 4-5 hours round trip + transfer 50 min each way
Length: 8 km (4.9 mi)
Effort Level: Challenging

DAY 4

Lysefjord cruise

On this tour, you will be taken on a refreshing fjord cruise to the Lysefjord. The Lysefjord offers waterfalls, idyllic islands and stunning nature. Discover the “mysterious” Fantahålå (Vagabonds’ Cave), the goats on summer pasture and get a taste of the fresh mountain water from Hengjanefossen waterfall. And last but not least, see the world famous Pulpit Rock high above the fjord. Enjoy the view from the panoramic salons or outside on the sundeck on this comfortable, electric boat.

DAY 5

Stavanger to Bergen

Take the Kystbussen coastal coach to Bergen. Kystbussen takes you between the south-western coastal cities Stavanger and Bergen. The two ferries, Mortavika-Arsvågen crossing the Boknafjord and Sandvikvåg-Halhjem over the Bjørnafjord, are included in the price and journey time. The bus ride takes about 5 hours, and gives great opportunities to relax and admire the beautiful coastal scenery.
Check in at a centrally located hotel in Bergen.
Spend 1 night in Bergen

DAY 6

Bergen to Lofthus

Take the morning coach to Norheimsund through beautiful western fjord landscape. On the way you will pass Osterøy, the largest inland island in Norway which doesn’t directly face the open ocean. Continue passed Kvamskogen, a popular ski resort in winter, before reaching the fjord area and Norheimsund where you change to the connecting express boat.

Hardangerfjord
Board the boat in Norheimsund for a cruise on the verdant and scenic Hardangerfjord. This is the second longest fjord in Norway stretching 180 km inland from the North Sea to Odda. The shores of this fjord is lined with fruit farms with beautiful white apple blossoms in spring and juicy fruits in autumn.

Disembark in Lofthus. This small fjord village is idyllically located on the shores of the Hardangerfjord with spectacular nature from fjord to mountain.
Spend 1 night in Lofthus

Cider tasting

Enjoy cider tasting with a guided tour of one of the fruit and cider farms in Lofthus, and get to taste some delicious apple cider, often called “the Nordic champagne”.

DAY 7

Vøringsfossen waterfall & Hardangerfjord cruise

Norwegian Nature Centre & Vøringsfossen waterfall
In the morning, embark the boat to Eidfjord. Join the sightseeing bus to the Norwegian Nature Centre & Vøringsfossen waterfall. The Norwegian Nature Centre is an experience centre for Norwegian nature, climate and environment.
Continue with a drive up the steep Måbødalen canyon to the Vøringsfossen waterfall, one of the most famous waterfalls in Norway. See great water masses plumet 182 m from the Hardangervidda mountain plateau and to the Måbødalen valley down below.

Hardangerfjord
Return to Bergen by boat on the Hardangerfjord from Eidfjord to Norheimsund, then by bus – including a photo stop at Steinsdalsfossen waterfall. Try walking behind the cascading water of Steinsdalsfossen waterfall for an extraordinary experience.
Spend 1 night in Bergen

This trip includes:

Accommodation
4* Hotels w. breakfast buffet (+dinner in Lofthus)
in Oslo, Stavanger, Bergen & Lofthus

Transport
• Train Oslo-Stavanger
• Coach Stavanger-Bergen, incl. 2 ferries

Hardangerfjord Cruise and Vøringsfossen Waterfall combination ticket:
• Coach Bergen-Norheimsund
• Boat Norheimsund-Lofthus
• Boat Lofthus-Eidfjord
• Sightseeing bus to Norwegian Nature Centre & Vøringsfossen waterfall, incl. audio guiding
• Boat Eidfjord-Norheimsund
• Bus Norheimsund-Steinsdalsfossen
• Bus Steinsdalsfossen-Bergen

Activities & Excursions
• Coach transfer Stavanger-Preikestolen Mountain Lodge-Stavanger for your individual hike to Preikestolen (the Pulpit Rock)
• Lysefjord cruise incl. audio-guiding
• Cider tasting tour

All taxes & VAT
Detailed itinerary & directions

NOT INCLUDED:
• Flights to/from Norway
• Airport transfers
• Personal travel insurance