Norwegian Fjords Multisport

Norwegian Fjords Multisport Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Your trip begins today in Bergen, Norway. Norway’s second largest city, Bergen is anything but an urban jungle, rather an enchanting mix of charming architecture, stunning views and vibrant local culture rich in maritime history. Located on a peninsula surrounded by a dramatic landscape filled with mountains and fjords, Bergen is considered one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Depending on your arrival time, you’ll have the remainder of today free to explore the city center, visit the fascinating Hanseatic Museum or stroll through Bryggen, the city’s historic old quarter notable for its rows of colorful wooden houses and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight tonight in a centrally located hotel.  All meals on your own today.

• Day 2

  We’ll be met by our local guides this morning and begin our scenic 3½-hour drive into the heart of the fjordland and to the trailhead of our first hike in the Aurland Valley. Our walk today, in a breathtaking region known as “Norway’s Grand Canyon”, starts in Østerbø (2,650’) and follows a riverside trail mostly downhill past waterfalls and wildflower meadows ending just 150’ above the nearby fjord. We’ll eat a picnic lunch en route at a picturesque spot along the riverbank and appreciate having our minibus waiting at trail’s end to transport us to our evening’s accommodations in the tiny village of Gudvangen, situated on the lovely deep blue Nærøyfjord. All meals included.
  
  Hiking distance: 12 miles (6 hours) with 2,500’ elevation loss.

• Day 3

  Our first day of paddling has us on the water by mid-morning, after loading our kayaks and listening to our guide’s safety briefing. The Nærøyfjord is an idyllic spot for our paddle, with typically calm water and plunging waterfalls cascading from the fjord’s 3,500-foot-high walls. This is the Norway of our imagination and we’ll marvel at the scenery as we gradually make our way towards the location of tonight’s campsite. Talk about a tent with a view!  We’ll set up our comfortable camp on the shore of the Nærøyfjord and enjoy some wine before a delicious dinner prepared by our guides. A bonfire completes the scene and makes for a cheerful gathering place before we turn in for a tranquil night’s sleep under the Norwegian sky. All camping gear provided. All meals included.
  
  Paddling distance: 8 miles.

• Day 4

  We’ll break down our camp after breakfast and paddle across the fjord to the village of Dyrdal. Here, we’ll leave our kayaks behind for the day and put on our daypacks for an invigorating hike to the top of one of the fjord’s towering peaks. From the summit, we’ll take in the magnificent views of the water-filled channel far below cutting its way through the mountainous landscape that surrounds us…truly a geological marvel to behold. We’ll eat a picnic lunch at the top before descending back down to Dyrdal where our guesthouse awaits. Dinner and overnight in Dyrdal. All meals included.
  
  Paddling distance: ½-mile. Hiking distance: Up to 15 miles with 3,500’ elevation gain/loss.

• Day 5

  Back on the water this morning as our route takes us from the now familiar Nærøyfjord into the larger Aurlandsfjord. These cold, clean waters are good for seal spotting, and with luck, we may even encounter some Niser, a local species of harbor porpoise, hunting for a snack of fresh sardines. By midday, we’ll be ready for a snack of our own and by now have come to appreciate that there are few places better suited for an al fresco lunch then the shores of these fantastic waterways. After enjoying our picnic and stretching our legs, we’ll continue paddling until mid-afternoon when we arrive at the path leading up to delightful Stigen Mountain Farm, owned by American Dee Cunningham and his Norwegian wife Hege. We’ll hike up the trail to the farm and have some time to relax in the guesthouse before being treated by our hosts to a three-course dinner consisting of fresh local ingredients. After dinner, we can take a soak in the Norwegian-style hot tub, perched 1,000 feet above the Aurlandsfjord with unparalleled panoramic views. All meals included.
  
  Paddling distance: 9 miles. Hiking distance: 1 mile with 1,000’ elevation gain.

• Day 6

  After breakfast, we’ll get back in our kayaks for one final day of classic paddling and head north along the wide and beautiful Aurlandsfjord. Depending on the pace of our group, we’ll reach the end of the Aurlandsfjord sometime during the afternoon and cross into the main channel of the Sognefjord.  Stretching for 125 miles across Western Norway and reaching depths of over 4,000’, the majestic Sognefjord is considered the longest navigable fjord in the world. Weather permitting, we’ll paddle our way across the massive fjord and climb out of our kayaks on the northern shore in late afternoon. Our private shuttle bus will pick us up at the take out point and we’ll begin our relaxing drive to Jotunheimen National Park, one of Norway’s most awe-inspiring hiking destinations. We’ll stop for dinner in the town of Sogndal before eventually reaching Jotunheimen and the Spiterstulen Lodge, our home for the next two nights. Note: If wind conditions make the Sognefjord crossing too challenging, we will be transported across the fjord by ferry. All meals included.
  
  Paddling distance: 20 miles. Hiking distance: 1 mile with 1,000’ elevation loss. 

• Day 7

  Jotunheimen (translated as “Home of the Giants”) National Park attracts hiking enthusiasts from all over the world with its soaring peaks, glittering glacial lakes and abundance of scenic trail options. The park contains over 150 summits that rise above 6,000 feet including Northern Europe’s two highest; Galdhøpiggen (8,098’) and Glittertind (8,085’). Our challenging but non-technical hike today points us toward either Galdhøpiggen’s or Glittertind’s snow-speckled summit with our eventual reward coming by way of a bird’s-eye panorama of Jotenhiemen’s larger-than-life landscape and the satisfaction of having reached the roof of Norway! We return to Spiterstulen for a well-deserved dinner and rest tonight. Note: With group safety always our primary concern, should the weather be inclement, we will substitute the Galdhøpiggen/Glittertind hike with a lower elevation hike in the national park. All meals included.
  
  Hiking distance: 8-11 miles (8-9 hours) with 4,000’ elevation gain/loss.

• Day 8

  Our last full day but certainly not our least thrilling, today we leave Jotunheimen after breakfast and drive southwest to Jostedalsbreen National Park and its namesake icecap (mainland Europe’s largest). Arriving at midday, we continue to Nigardsbreen, one of the park’s most dramatic glacial tongues, and transfer by small boat to the glacier’s snout. It’s here that, after a briefing by our guides, we’ll strap on crampons and set out on an unforgettable hike in this icy wonderland filled with fantastically-shaped pinnacles, tunnels and frozen waterfalls. After completing the hike and returning to our vehicle, we’ll continue our drive back to Bergen where we spend a final evening celebrating our memorable adventure in the company of our newfound friends. Overnight in Bergen tonight. Glacier hiking gear included. Breakfast, lunch included.
  
  Hiking distance: 5 miles (4-5 hours) with 1,000’ elevation gain/loss.

• Day 9

  After breakfast, transfer to the airport on your own or extend your stay to spend a more time exploring this colorful city and its environs.  Breakfast included.

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control including weather and terrain conditions.

Hotel/guesthouse accommodations (7 nights) and camping accommodations (1 night); all meals from breakfast on Day 2 through lunch on Day 8; guides; private vehicle transportation within Norway; all group camping gear including tents and sleeping bags; kayaking gear (including wetsuits and PFDS) and kayaks; entrance to Jotunheimen National Park; glacier hike and related gear on Day 8.

Air transportation to from Norway; alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (except as noted on itinerary); transfer to Bergen hotel; dinner on Day 1 and Day 8; guide gratuities; travel insurance; laundry expenses and items of a personal nature.

This adventure is rated as Moderate plus [3 4]. It is not necessary to be an expert hiker or kayaker to participate, but you should enjoy both activities, feel comfortable spending 4-7 hours on-trail and/or on the water during most days and arrive at the beginning of the trip in as good a shape as possible. Two of our hiking days involve substantial elevation gain/loss (3,000’-4,000’) and some steep terrain (although trip members will have the option to not participate in these hikes). Some hikes will also involve short stretches of exposed, narrow trail. To maximize your enjoyment of the trip and to avoid sore muscles, we suggest beginning a regular exercise regimen at least 3 months prior to departure. Recommended exercises include hiking, jogging, paddling, cycling and/or swimming. The better shape you are in, the more fun you will have. Get out on those hills if possible!

Southwestern Norway’s summer temperatures generally range from the mid to high 60s during the day, dropping into the low 50s at night. While clear weather is not unusual during June, July and August, at least some rainfall is a possibility during any month of the year in this region. Participants must be prepared for weather conditions that can vary greatly and should arrive equipped with appropriate gear and clothing (see the trip Gear List for specific recommendations).

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased within 21 days of your initial trip deposit, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

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