DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN OSLO
Spend the night in Oslo – Radisson Hotel Oslo Airport
DAY 2: ARRIVAL BERGEN
On arrival at Bergen Flesland Airport, you will pick up your rental car and drive to Bergen’s charming city centre, where your hotel for the night is located. For those arriving early, we recommend spending the afternoon strolling the city and discovering the lovely sights of scenic Bergen.
City highlights include the old wharf of Bryggen – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, centuries-old houses, a vibrant fish and flower market and an interesting range of museums. For a good overview of Bergen, we recommend taking the “Fløibanen” funicular up the mountainside, which reveals spectacular views.
Spend the night in Bergen – Bergen Harbour Hotel
Day 3: EXPERIENCE THE FJORDS BY CAR
Start the first leg of your self-drive trip by heading to Norway’s adventure capital, Voss, which is home to the beautiful Tvindefossen waterfall. Your journey will then continue to Sogndal along the Sognefjord – Norway’s longest and deepest fjord – taking in sights including the towns of Stalheim, before reaching the beautiful Aurlandsfjord and the town of Flåm.
We recommend stopping in Flåm and riding the renowned Flåmsbana railway, a steep train ride between Flåm and Myrdal – a treat for photographers or train enthusiasts alike! A stop at Stegastein viewpoint is recommended, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Aurlandsfjord. You will then take a short ferry ride before driving towards Sogndal, where you will spend the night.
Spend the night in Sogndal – Quality Hotel Sognal
DAY 4: SOGNEFJELLET NATIONAL TOURIST ROUTE & THE SKYWALK
Today you make your way north along Lustrafjorden to the famous National Tourist Route “Sognefjellsvegen”. This route is the highest and most impressive mountain pass in Northern Europe with a landscape that reveals vast, towering mountains as it passes through the Jotunheimen national park to Lom. From Lom, you will continue your journey to Geiranger and pass Dalsnibba, which is Europe’s highest fjord viewpoint by road.
There you can enjoy sweeping views of Geiranger, as well as across to the mountains and the mighty Blåbreen glacier. Final destination of the day is Geiranger where you spend the night.
Spend the night in Geiranger – Hotel Union
DAY 5: EXPLORE THE MAJESTIC GEIRANGER FJORD
After breakfast you can spend the morning on your own, exploring Geiranger until noon. With its fairytale landscape, Geiranger has a lot to offer for nature lovers like snow-covered mountain tops, lush green vegetation and the deep blue fjord. You can hike one of the many trails in the region, go kayaking, take a rib boat safari, relax at the nearby spa or visit the chocolate factory in town.
In the afternoon we recommend that you take a 65-minute ferry ride, with your car, through the UNESCO-protected Geirangerfjord where you see famous waterfalls like the Seven Sisters, the Suitor, and the Bridal Veil, along with abandoned fjord farms in the mountains. The sightseeing ferry ends in the small village of Hellesylt where you drive south to Loen.
Spend the night in Loen – Hotel Leonfjord
DAY 6: LOEN SKYLIFT & TWISTY ROADS
Get ready for an especially exciting drive today! This morning, we recommend boarding the magnificent Loen Skylift, a cable car that will transport you to an altitude of 1011 meters with amazing views of the fjord. Next, travel the scenic route of Gaularfjellet where the road twists and turns through nine hairpin bends, revealing jaw-dropping scenery, we recommend a stop at Utsikten where you can admire the panoramic views of towering mountains and lush valleys.
The final destination of the day is Balestrand, a village known as an art colony that inspired artists from all over the world for its wonderful light and breathtaking nature. In Balestrand we recommend a visit to the Cider house, a family-run organic orchard and cider producer. After, you can do some hiking, relax by the fjord or join an optional rib boat safari.
Spend the night in Balestrand – Comfort Hotel Floro
DAY 7: JOURNEY BACK TO BERGEN & CATCH TRAIN TO OSLO
Enjoy a relaxed morning in the idyllic village of Balestrand by Sognefjord. Balestrand is a hiking paradise with numerous trails to explore to take in the beautiful natural surroundings. You will board a ferry for a short crossing from Balestrand to Vagnes, passing the village of Vik where you can find Hove Church, the oldest stone building in the Sogn region.
After the ferry docks, drive along Vik mountain to Myrkdalen, the centre of agriculture for the region, and an area of great beauty. Next, return to Voss and continue to Bergen.
You will then leave your car and catch the evening train to Oslo.
Spend the night in Oslo Airport Hotel
DAY 8: DEPARTURE FROM Oslo
When it‘s time for your Norwegian adventure to come to an end, drive to the airport and return your vehicle at the rental car office. If your flight is in the afternoon, you can choose to enjoy some last-minute shopping, visit one of Bergen’s many museums or relax at a café, enjoying the last few moments of this amazing journey.
