8 days - Independent visit to the mountains, fjords and valleys of Norway. Enjoy staying at boutique hotels and touring around in our private 50DN minibus.
"It's the best of both worlds. It's touring without really being on a tour, so all the minor details are taken care of, allowing you the freedom to get on and enjoy the holiday."
Wander through the Vigeland Sculpture Park and explore the hidden gems of Norway’s capital, Oslo. Discover the Akershus Fortress and the many harbour side restaurants along Aker Brygge. Travelling on a private 50 Degrees North minibus, cross the mountains to visit the traditional Stave Church of Lom and the magnificent Luster and Sognefjord. Experience the valley of Gudbrandsdalen, surrounded by national parks, an abundance of locally produced food, old architecture, and good hiking trails.
The trip runs weekly from May to September with fixed departures from Oslo every Saturday. The trip can also run in reverse starting from Bergen every Monday between May 2020 to Sep 2020. It isn't a group tour as such but for a few days during this itinerary, everyone shares the same minibus, you make friends and enjoy the company of our Norwegian bus driver!
Highlights include
Take a ride on the steep Flåm Railway full of hairpin turns
Travel on a private 50 Degrees North minibus through the Norwegian mountains
Visit the stunning Geiranger fjord
Visit Northern Europe's highest and arguably the most striking mountain pass, Sognefjellet
Discover Bryggen, the old Hanseatic wharf in Bergen, and take the funicular to the top of Mt Fløien.
Day 1
Arrive in Oslo and transfer to your centrally located hotel.
Day 2
Train to Lillehammer - visit the impressive Garmo Stave Church, open-air museums and the Olympic museum.
Day 3
Join 50 Degrees North's private minibus to travel to Lom, a small town encapsulating the very essence of the Norwegian countryside.
Day 4
Day tour to Geiranger and join a fjord cruise before returning to Lom to visit its famous Stave Church
Day 5
Continue your minibus journey together to the heart of the Norwegian fjords
Day 6
Spend your day relaxing, hiking and taking in the views in the peaceful little town of Aurland. Enjoy the harbour area with unspoilt views of the fjord and gardens.
Day 7
Get your private transfer from Aurland to Flåm, and step aboard the world famous Flåm Railway to Myrdal Station with several stunning lookout points along the way, then express boat to Bergen.
Day 8
Depart Bergen
Start Place
Oslo, Norway tours
End Place
Bergen, Norway tours
Country Visited
Norway tours
Duration
8 Days
Group Size
12
Suitability
Easy
Code
BNOR19
Details
Transportation
All transportation (by buses, trains, and boats) between destinations is included in the price. This includes travel between Lillehammer and Aurland by private 50 Degrees North minibus, which will accommodate spontaneous photo stops, as well as food and rest stops.
Included
7 nights’ hotel accommodation in shared double/twin rooms with private facilities
7 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 2 dinners
All transport between destinations by buses, trains and boats
50 Degrees North minibus (or similar) which travels weekly between Lom and Aurland. This minibus works like a hop-on, hop-off scheduled weekly bus and may have only yourselves onboard or up to 10-12 people in addition to the driver. Stop along the way for unexpected photo opportunities, National Tourist Route monuments or quick rest stops.
Geiranger day tour with fjord cruise. (Available from late May, subject to change due to weather/snow conditions on the mountain).
Røisheim Historic Hotel included 2 x 4 course meals
29|2 Aurland
Added inclusions: Waterfall walk, hot tub, sauna and day tour to local farm during your 29|2 Aurland stay.
Not Included
International flights, lunches and dinners that have not been detailed in the program, and items of personal nature. A small tip for the bus driver will be appreciated.
Please note there is no guide for this tour. Your bus driver will offer help and answer questions when possible.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in Oslo and transfer to your centrally located hotel.
Arrive in Oslo, the beautiful Norwegian capital by the Oslofjord. Make your own way to your centrally located hotel in the heart of Oslo, an easy direct express train ride away from the airport. The Norwegian capital has a great deal to offer for the observant traveller. We can recommend a walk around the centre of town to view the Parliament, the Castle, and the Harbour area.
Accommodation
Comfort Hotel Grand Central
Restaurants
Maaemo
Restaurant options in Oslo
Optional Add Ons
Summer night on Oslo fjord
Day 2 - Train to Lillehammer - visit the impressive Garmo Stave Church, open-air museums and the Olympic museum.
Board your train at the Oslo Central Station and head towards Lillehammer, the small town that rose to international fame when it hosted the Winter Olympics in 1994. Check into your central hotel.
Spend the day at your leisure: Browse the local shops, visit open-air museum Maihaugen, the Norwegian Olympic Museum, and do not miss the impressive Garmo Stave Church.
Meals
1 Breakfast
Accommodation
Clarion Collection Hotel Hammer or similar
Day 3 - Join 50 Degrees North's private minibus to travel to Lom, a small town encapsulating the very essence of the Norwegian countryside.
Join the 50 Degrees North private minibus to Lom, a 3-hour scenic drive from Lillehammer. This bus trip takes you through some of Norway’s most beautiful highlands and lush valleys. Experience the valley of Gudbrandsdalen surrounded by the national parks, an abundance of locally produced food, old architecture, and good hiking.
Lom is a small town encapsulating the very essence of the Norwegian countryside. Situated in the famous Jotunheimen National Park, Lom is surrounded by majestic nature. Check into your charming historic hotel. Dinner is included this evening.
Meals
1 Breakfast 1 Dinner
Accommodation
Fossheim Hotel or similar
Day 4 - Day tour to Geiranger and join a fjord cruise before returning to Lom to visit its famous Stave Church
Join the 50 Degrees North minibus for a day tour to Geiranger, which is 1.5 hours’ drive away from Lom. On arrival, join a fjord cruise and experience the Geirangerfjord UNESCO World Heritage site. The scenery here is absolutely breathtaking. Take a closer look at the “Seven Sisters”, “Bridal Veil” and “Suitor” waterfalls, the majestic fjord cliffs and abandoned mountain farms. Perhaps you’ll be lucky enough to see porpoises playing in the fjord.
Travelling back from Geiranger, the minibus can stop at the famous Lom Stave Church, constructed in Norman-style in 1170. It still operates as the local church today.
Please note that the Geirangerfjord visit is subject to change due to weather and snow conditions. The mountain road from Lom to Geiranger normally opens from end of May. Alternatively, have a day to yourself in Lom. We suggest visiting Brimi Bue, a popular Lom hot-spot for fresh local produce and traditional Nordic flavours, owned by renowned chef Arne Brimi. Indulge yourselves in the historic atmosphere of Lom open-air museum and its houses dating from the early 1600s and experience the old farmer culture. The Norwegian Mountain Centre is also worth a visit.
Meals
1 Breakfast 1 Dinner
Accommodation
Fossheim Hotel
Day 5 - Continue your minibus journey together to the heart of the Norwegian fjords
Depart Lom for another scenic journey through the spectacular mountain and fjord country of Breheimen and Jostedalsheimen. Stop at Sognefjellshytta (approx. 1 hr drive) for a coffee/tea break, then sit back and enjoy the scenery until your next stop at the cubist stone at Mefjellet. The final stop before descending down the mountain is at Nedre Oscarshaug – another fantastic spot for photos and great views.
After an early lunch at Skjolden Hotel, drive approx. 20-30 mins to Feigumfossen and continue to the charming Urnes Stave Church (a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest church in Norway). Catch a ferry to Solvorn and continue over Aurlandsfjellet. Lastly, enjoy a stop at Stegastein before arriving to the peaceful village of Aurland.
Read about today's drive along Northern Europe's highest and arguably the most striking mountain pass, the road over Sognefjellet.
Meals
1 Breakfast 1 Lunch
Accommodation
Vangsgården Gjestegiveri or similar
Day 6 - Spend your day relaxing, hiking and taking in the views in the peaceful little town of Aurland. Enjoy the harbour area with unspoilt views of the fjord and gardens.
Spend your day relaxing, hiking and taking in the views in the peaceful little town of Aurland. Enjoy the harbour area with unspoilt views of the fjord and surrounding gardens. Optional visits to local mountain farms, guided hikes or a fjord safari can be pre-booked (at additional cost).
Meals
1 Breakfast
Accommodation
Vangsgården Gjestegiveri or similar
Day 7 - Get your private transfer from Aurland to Flåm, and step aboard the world famous Flåm Railway to Myrdal Station with several stunning lookout points along the way, then express boat to Bergen.
Get your private transfer from Aurland to Flåm, and step aboard the world famous Flåm Railway to Myrdal Station with several stunning lookout points along the way. Thanks to its steep incline (from sea level to almost 900 meters above sea level in a short hour), the train-ride is rated as one of Europe’s best rail journeys and has become a real highlight for visitors in Norway.
Return to Flåm to board the express ferry to Bergen. Take in the fresh air on Norway’s longest fjord, the Sognefjord, during this 5-hour ferry-ride towards Bergen. Check into your centrally located hotel at the end of the day.
Meals
1 Breakfast
Accommodation
Clarion Hotel Admiral
Day 8 - Depart Bergen
After breakfast, transfer to the airport or extend your stay with a short Hurtigruten voyage.
Meals
1 Breakfast
Dates & Prices
All prices listed are per person.
The trip runs weekly from May to September with fixed departures from Oslo every Saturday. First departure for 2020 is Saturday 23rd May.
All listed departures are guaranteed, accommodation is subject to availability.
Short of time? It is possible to join this tour in Lillehammer on the evening of Day 2. There are direct trains from Gardemoen airport (1.5hrs). This tour also runs in reverse, departing in Bergen.
The side trip to Geiranger travels over mountains and is available late May, subject to change due to weather/snow conditions on the mountain.
An premium version of this tour is available - please ask us for details.
Our 'Beautiful Norway' and 'Beautiful Norway Express' tours work as a hop-on, hop-off scheduled weekly bus for a certain section so depending on the date, you can be travelling with potential 2 - 8 people. This is a great option for a solo traveller.
Gallery
Beautiful Norway, credit: Tim Warrington@digernes - ferry crossing near Vangsgården GjestegiveriNational Tourist Route SognefjelletVangsgården Gjestegiveri - Deluxe room upgradeGeiranger FjordFossheim Hotel, credit: Tim WarringtonGeiranger, Credits: Øyvind Heen - Visitnorway.comLom Bakery, Tina Stafrèn/Visitnorway.comVisit Norway National Tourist Route SognefjelletAurlandsfjorden, credit: Robin Strand, Fjord NorwayAurlandsfjorden, credit: Bergen Tourist Board / Girish ChouhanVangsgården GjestegiveriVangsgården GjestegiveriVangsgården GjestegiveriYour hotel in Bergen, Clarion Hotel Admiral, credit: Atle RasmussenFjord Accommodation, credit: Tim Warrington Clarion Hotel Admiral in BergenSunset in Bergen, credit: Bergen Tourist Board / Girish Chouhan - visitBergen.comMan and woman dancing on Bryggen, the wharf in Bergen, credit: Bergen Tourist Board / Tom Kjøde – visitBergen.comOsloNational Tourist Route SognefjelletNational Tourist Route SognefjelletNational Tourist Route SognefjelletNational Tourist Route SognefjelletNational Tourist Route SognefjelletNational Tourist Route SognefjelletNational Tourist Route SognefjelletNational Tourist Route SognefjelletNational Tourist Route SognefjelletNational Tourist Route SognefjelletRøisheim Hotell - Beautiful Norway Premium UpgradeRøisheim Hotell - Beautiful Norway Premium UpgradeRiverside lodge, www.montag.noStegastein LookoutNedre Oscarhaug - National Tourist RoadBergen Expess boatComfort Hotel Grand Centralcredit: Susanne Strattoncredit: Susanne Strattoncredit: Susanne Strattoncredit: Susanne Strattoncredit: Susanne StrattonSusanne StrattonSusanne StrattonSusanne Stratton
Interactive Tour Map
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Oslo restaurants, in the tradition of the New Nordic Food Movement, have the depth and sophistication you would expect from the capital city of Norway. Read our options for places to try.
In Oslo you find restaurants in all price categories and genres.
Norwegian cuisine in its traditional form is based largely on the raw materials readily available in Norway and its mountains, wilderness and coast. It differs in many respects from its continental counterparts with a stronger focus on game and fish. Many of the traditional dishes are results of using conserved materials, with respect to the long winters.
Here is a few of ourfavouritesin Oslo's wide variety of restaurants:
Lofoten Fish Restaurant, traditional and quaint with the broths and creamy fish options you would expect in Norway
Restaurant Kontrast , near Mathallen, 1 Michelin-star restaurant with a moderate price tag (pictured above)
Topp Hem, Norwegian, seasonal and local from nearby farms served as share-platters
Maaemo
Nedre Foss Gård - it’s an old historic farm in Oslo that is now a refurbished (after a fire in 2016) restaurant/ bar with and outdoor courtyard. Nedre Foss Gård means Lower Waterfall (Foss) Farm.
Theatercafeen
Solsiden Restaurant
-De Fem Stuer, is located in the old wooden building from 1894 and is one of Oslo's best restaurant set in a great surrounding on top of hill overlooking Oslo
Ekebergrestauranten
Engebret Café
Frognerseteren Restaurant: Finstua
For less expensive restaurants, head to the Grunerlokka district. It is great place to take in the city's pulse in the city's more ethnically diverse east. In this once working-class area, the vital signs of budget Oslo are most apparent, with low-cost restaurants, second-hand clothes shops and student bars grouped around the streets Markveien and Thorvald Meyers Gate. Among them, the café bar Fru Hagen has a legion of blond locals seeking cheap eats. On a Sunday evening, when much of the city is almost deserted, Fru Hagen is heaving.
When in Oslo try these local cuisines:
Smoked Salmon or Røkt Laks
Kjøttboller - Meatballs
Krumkake - waffle-like pancake, which are then filled with whipped cream
In Oslo you find restaurants in all price categories and genres.
Norwegian cuisine in its traditional form is based largely on the raw materials readily available in Norway and its mountains, wilderness and coast. It differs in many respects from its continental counterparts with a stronger focus on game and fish. Many of the traditional dishes are results of using conserved materials, with respect to the long winters.
Here is few of ourfavouritesto Oslo's wide variety of restaurants:
Lofoten Fish Restaurant Kontrast Tom Hem
Maaemo Nedre Foss Gård
Theatercafeen
Solsiden Restaurant
De Fem Stuer
Ekebergrestauranten
Engebret Café
Frognerseteren Restaurant: Finstua
For less expensive restaurants, head to the Grunerlokka district. It is great place to take in the city's pulse in the city's more ethnically diverse east. In this once working-class area, the vital signs of budget Oslo are most apparent, with low-cost restaurants, second-hand clothes shops and student bars grouped around the streets Markveien and Thorvald Meyers Gate. Among them, the café bar Fru Hagen has a legion of blond locals seeking cheap eats. On a Sunday evening, when much of the city is almost deserted, Fru Hagen is heaving.
**When in Oslo try these local cuisines: **
Smoked Salmon or Røkt Laks
Kjøttboller - Meatballs
Krumkake - waffle-like pancake, which are then filled with whipped cream
