NorwaySignature: Norway's Fjords & Mountain Vistas
Welcome to Norway. Your expedition begins at the airport where you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the heart of Bergen, the ‘Gateway to the Fjords’. In the evening, meet your fellow travellers and National Geographic Expedition Leader for an introduction to your journey along with a welcome reception and short presentation from the National Geographic Expedition Expert before dinner.
Arrival Transfer
You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group
Your opportunity to meet your Expedition Leader and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group. There will be an included group welcome dinner after the meeting.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Opus XVI Hotel Bergen
Set off and explore the city on a guided walk through Bergen’s historic centre. Stroll through Bryggen, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hanseatic wharf, where brightly painted wooden warehouses stand as living reminders of medieval trade. The walk concludes at the vibrant Fish Market, a mainstay since the 13th century, where you’ll enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant, showcasing the best of Norway’s coastal cuisine in a vibrant, authentic setting. The remainder of the day is free for your individual exploration, such as visiting the Kode Art Museum or taking a funicular ride for scenic views.
Bergen Walking Tour
Discover the legacy of the Hanseatic League as you explore the colorful alleys of Bryggen while hearing captivating tales of the seafarers who built this trading empire. Afterward, immerse yourself in the sights and scents of the legendary Fish Market, where centuries of maritime tradition continue through a bounty of fresh local delicacies.
Free Time
Explore charming Bergen on your own this evening with free time.
Optional Activities - Day 2Show
Accommodation
Opus XVI Hotel Bergen
Depart Bergen this morning aboard the Bergen Railway, one of Europe’s most scenic trains. As the train winds its way across soaring mountains, travel in comfort, taking in breathtaking views of Norway’s landscapes. At Myrdal Station, connect to the legendary Flåm Railway — an engineering wonder and among the steepest standard-gauge lines in the world. Over the course of this unforgettable hour-long ride, you'll admire plunging waterfalls, towering cliffs, and sweeping fjord panoramas before arriving in the idyllic village of Flåm. Join a short orientation before spending the afternoon at leisure — perfect for a gentle stroll along the waterfront before gathering for dinner at the hotel, along with some local beer samples.
Local Train
Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Local Train
Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Orientation Walk Flåm
Enjoy a brief walk with your Expedition Leader. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Accommodation
Fretheim Hotel
Embark on a boat cruise through the majestic Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord, part of the UNESCO World Heritage landscape. Glide past sheer cliffs and cascading waterfalls soaking up the views — a moment of natural grandeur. The trip continues to the Flåm Fjord Farm, where you'll enjoy a guided tour and cultural experience, meeting local hosts who share their traditions and stories of life on the fjord. Your visit culminates with a seasonal farm-to-table lunch — a memorable tasting menu reflecting the fjord’s bounty. In the evening, join a special floating sauna session with a local sauna master, who will introduce you to this deep Norwegian cultural tradition of cleansing both body and mind.
Private Fjord Cruise
Set out on rib boats with your fellow group mates and cruise through Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord, where dramatic scenery, stunningly narrow, emerald-green waterways are framed by sheer, snow-capped mountains and cascading waterfalls, earning them a rightful place as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Flåm Fjord Farm Visit with Lunch
Set out for a short guided farm tour and cultural experience, meeting local hosts who share their traditions and stories of life on the fjord. Finish things off with a delicious farm-to-table lunch, highlighting the regional specialties and fresh, local ingredients.
Signature Moment: Floating Sauna Experience
Surrounded by the calm waters of the Aurlandsfjord and dramatic mountains, unwind in the most unique way possible, in two floating saunas docked just steps from the Flåm town center. Join a local sauna master and immerse yourself in a deeply ingrained part of the Norwegian culture, serving as a historic and traditional way to cleanse both the body and mind.
Accommodation
Fretheim Hotel
Set off from Flåm this morning and visit the extraordinary Borgund Stave Church, one of Norway’s best-preserved medieval wooden churches, dating back to the 12th century. View the intricate carvings and dragon-headed details, followed by a local-style lunch at the museum cafe. Continue onwards as the coach winds its way toward Loen, pausing for a stop at the spectacular Bøyabreen Glacier. In the evening, ascend the dramatic Loen Skylift, one of the world’s steepest cable cars, soaring 1,011m (3,609 ft) straight up Mount Hoven. At the summit, you'll be treated to an unforgettable dinner, with panoramic views over Nordfjord.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Borgund Stave Church
Explore Borgund Stave Church, a masterclass in medieval timber engineering and the best-preserved of its kind.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Loen Skylift
In just five minutes, the record-breaking Loen Skylift transports you from the shoreline to the 1,011-meter peak of Mount Hoven. This engineering marvel offers a near-vertical journey into the clouds, revealing some of Norway’s most spectacular alpine panoramas.
Accommodation
Hotel Alexandra Loen
Travel toward Geiranger this morning, one of Norway’s most famous fjord destinations. En route,ascend to the spectacular Geiranger Skywalk at Dalsnibba, Europe’s highest fjord view platform at 1,500m (4,921 ft) above sea level. From this vantage point, admire views over snow-capped peaks and the deep-blue waters of the Geirangerfjord. In the afternoon, embark on a fjord cruise through Geirangerfjord, sailing past sheer cliffs, abandoned mountain farms, and the legendary Seven Sisters Waterfall — a true sight to behold. The remainder of the day is free to relax before gathering in the evening for dinner.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Geiranger Skywalk
Gaze from the 1,500-meter-high Geiranger Skywalk for Europe’s highest panoramic view of the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord.
Geiranger Orientation Walk
Join your Expedition Leader on a short orientation of Geiranger before enjoying free time for lunch.
Scenic Boat Cruise
Head out by boat to explore the nooks and crannies of this UNESCO fjord. View waterfalls and breathtaking scenery.
Free Time
Return to the hotel, then explore Geiranger however you wish with free time.
Accommodation
Hotel Union Geiranger AS
This morning, enjoy a special curator-led visit to the Norwegian Fjord Centre before it opens to the public. Peruse exhibits on the region’s natural and cultural history, learning about how the dramatic landscape was forged. Next, set out on a full-day trip along the legendary Trollstigen (Troll’s Road), a masterpiece of engineering. Stop at the Trollstigen viewpoint and step out onto dramatic platforms suspended over the cliffs to admire cascading waterfalls and sweeping valley views, then board the Romsdalen Gondola and glide silently up Mount Nesaksla for lunch featuring beautiful views and gourmet cuisine. Make a final stop at an apple farm, where you'll enjoy a guided walk and taste artisanal products such as ciders and jams before returning to Geiranger for the evening.
Signature Moment: Fjord Centre Private Access
Experience an exclusive, pre-opening tour of the Norwegian Fjord Centre personally led by the museum’s curator.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Trollstigen Viewpoint
Stretch your legs with a stop at the iconic Trollstigen viewpoint, where you can walk along the architecturally striking platforms suspended over the valley. From this vantage point, you will witness the dramatic 11 hairpin bends of the "Troll's Path" as it snakes past the thundering Stigfossen waterfall.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Romsdalen Gondola
Take a modern cable car journey up Mount Nesaksla for unrivaled aerial perspectives of the winding Rauma River and the dramatic peaks of the Romsdal Alps.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Lingebakken Apple Farm
Discover the legacy of Norwegian fruit farming during an immersive orchard walk, followed by a curated tasting of premium, estate-made ciders and preserves.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Hotel Union Geiranger AS
Depart for Oslo, passing between the dramatic peaks of Jotunheimen and Rondane National Parks. A highlight stop awaits in Lillehammer, the host city of the 1994 Winter Olympics. Visit the fascinating Maihaugen Open-Air Museum, one of Norway’s largest cultural heritage museums. With more than 200 historic buildings, Maihaugen paints a vivid picture of Norwegian life through the centuries. After a guided introduction, enjoy lunch and some free time to explore the open-air grounds before travelling onwards to Oslo, arriving in the early evening.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Maihaugen Open Air Museum
Explore Maihaugen at your own pace, wandering through a park-like landscape featuring over 200 historic structures—from medieval stave churches to 20th-century homes—that illustrate the evolution of Norwegian life.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Oslo Orientation Walk
Get your bearings alongside your leader on an orientation walk through town, culminating in a visit to the iconic Oslo Opera House and the vibrant Bjørvika district.
Accommodation
Grand Hotel Oslo
Venture out to the Bygdøy Peninsula for a visit to the Fram Museum, which features the incredible history of polar exploration. Walk on board the original polar ship Fram, and imagine yourself as one of the early explorers venturing into the unknown. Next, at the Kon-Tiki Museum, enjoy a specially arranged meeting with a family member or biographer of Thor Heyerdahl, learning about his family’s scientific seafaring adventures, often chronicled in National Geographic magazine. Continue to Bybi, an urban beekeeping program, learning about biodiversity projects and how the community supports apiaries in this vital mission. In the evening, gather for a farewell dinner to toast an unforgettable Norwegian expedition.
Bybi Community Program
Join the experts at Bybi to explore how this local network of beekeepers and urban farmers is transforming the city into a haven for bees. Your visit includes an insightful look at urban biodiversity and a complimentary jar of delicious, locally produced honey.
Fram Museum
Step aboard the legendary Fram, the world’s toughest wooden ship, and explore the very decks that conquered both poles. This immersive museum brings the heroic age of polar exploration to life through gripping tales and authentic artifacts.
Kon-Tiki Museum
Enjoy a private talk with a Heyerdahl family member or biographer about the daring expeditions famously featured in National Geographic. Signature Moment: View the legendary Kon-Tiki raft and the papyrus boat Ra II up close.
Accommodation
Grand Hotel Oslo
Your expedition concludes today. Transfers are provided to the airport at any time during the day.
Departure Transfer
You will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport at the end of your adventure.
