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Fjords and Northern Lights: from Bergen to Tromso

A twelve-day journey from Bergen to Tromso exploring the Norwegian fjords, Sami culture and the northern lights in a total Nordic immersion trip.

12 days1 countryFrom September to March for the northern lights; July and August for ice-free fjords

Description

This itinerary starts in Bergen, the gateway to the Norwegian fjords, where the traveler walks along the Hanseatic wharf of Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From there, the journey continues to Flam, where the Flam Railway descends the mountain down to the Aurland fjord. A cruise through the Naeroyfjord allows you to admire waterfalls and rugged mountains. The route continues to Geiranger, where the Seven Sisters waterfalls plunge straight into the fjord and the Eagle Road winds its way down from Dalsnibba. Then Alesund, with its Art Nouveau architecture rebuilt after the 1904 fire. In Trondheim, Nidaros Cathedral dominates the old town. The trip culminates in the Lofoten Islands, where the village of Reine and Haukland Beach showcase the wild beauty of the Arctic. From Tromso, the traveler joins the northern lights hunt and visits a Sami reindeer farm.

Health & safety

  • Winter temperatures in Tromso can drop to 20 degrees below zero
  • Winter driving requires studded tires

Day-by-day itinerary

1

Arrival in Bergen and first taste of the fjords

Bergen, Norway

Exploring the Bryggen wharf and the ride up Mount Floyen.

Walk along the Bryggen wharf

Culture2h

Funicular ride up Mount Floyen

Nature3h

Dinner at the fish market

gastronomy2h

Evening stroll through the old town

Culture1.5h
2

From Bergen to Flam: the most beautiful train in the world

Flam, Norway

Ride the Flam Railway and cruise the Naeroyfjord.

Flam Railway

Culture1.5h

Cruise on the Naeroyfjord

Nature2.5h

Hike to the Stegastein viewpoint

Nature2h

Dinner at a local restaurant in Flam

gastronomy1.5h
3

Flam to Geiranger: waterfalls and the Eagle Road

Geiranger, Norway

Boat trips to the waterfalls and a visit to the Dalsnibba viewpoint.

Boat trip to the Seven Sisters

Nature2h

Dalsnibba viewpoint

Nature1.5h

Drive along the Eagle Road

Nature1h

Visit to the Geiranger Viking Center

Culture1.5h
4

Geiranger to Alesund: Art Nouveau architecture

Alesund, Norway

Visit to the Aksla viewpoint and a tour of the Art Nouveau district.

Climb up to the Aksla viewpoint

Culture1.5h

Art Nouveau tour of the city center

Culture2h

Visit to Atlanterhavsparken

Nature2h

Stroll through the marina

Culture1h
5

Alesund to Trondheim: cathedrals and wooden quarters

Trondheim, Norway

Visit to Nidaros Cathedral and a stroll through Bakklandet.

Visit to Nidaros Cathedral

Culture2h

Stroll through Bakklandet

Culture1.5h

Visit to the Museum of Science and Technology

Culture2h

Dinner at the Tyholt Tower

gastronomy2h
6

Trondheim to the Lofoten Islands: the Norwegian Arctic

Svolvaer, Lofoten, Norway

Arrival in the Lofoten Islands and a visit to the Cod Museum.

Arrival in Svolvaer

Nature1h

Visit to the Lofoten Stockfish Museum

Culture1.5h

Walk around the village of Reine

Nature2h

Dried cod dinner at a local restaurant

gastronomy1.5h
7

Lofoten: Arctic beaches and hiking

Lofoten, Norway

Trip to Haukland Beach and a hike to Festvagtind.

Visit to Haukland Beach

Nature2h

Hike to Festvagtind peak

Nature4h

Visit to a traditional fishermen's cabin

Culture1.5h

Birdwatching at the cliff

Nature1h
8

From Lofoten to Tromso: the gateway to the Arctic

Tromso, Norway

Arrival in Tromso with the cable car and the Arctic Cathedral.

Fjellheisen cable car ride

Nature2h

Visit to the Arctic Cathedral

Culture1h

Tour of the Polaria Museum

Culture1.5h

Stroll around the harbor of Tromso

Culture1h
9

Chasing the northern lights

Tromso, Norway

Night of northern lights hunting with an expert guide.

Preparation for aurora hunting

Nature1h

Northern lights night excursion

Nature5h

Night photography of the Arctic sky

Nature2h

Hot chocolate and bonfire in the snow

gastronomy1h
10

Sami culture: reindeer and tradition

Tromso, Norway

Visit to a Sami reindeer farm.

Visit to a Sami reindeer farm

Culture3h

Reindeer sledding ride

Nature1.5h

Traditional Sami lunch

gastronomy1.5h

Joik singing demonstration

Culture1h
11

Tromso: museums and last discoveries

Tromso, Norway

Arctic University Museum and botanical garden.

Visit to the Arctic University Museum

Culture2h

Stroll through the Arctic botanical garden

Nature1.5h

Visit to the Cathedral Museum

Culture1h

Farewell dinner at Mathallen

gastronomy2h
12

Departure from Tromso

Tromso, Norway

One last stroll and airport transfer.

Last stroll around the harbor

Culture1h

Sami handicraft shopping

Culture1h

Airport transfer

Culture0.5h

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