Rail and Fjords of Norway
Saturday 5th July to Monday 14th July 2008
This tour features one of the most unspoilt travel destinations of the world. We experience the magnificent Norwegian fjords, travel on some of the most well maintained railway systems in Europe whilst witnessing truly outstanding scenery. Our tour covers southern Norway, starting in Oslo, Norway’s capital, and finishing with a visit to Alesund and the spectacular Geiranger Fjord. Apart from Oslo we see the very attractive cities of Bergen and Stavanger, plus pay a visit to the National Railway Museum at Hamar.
Saturday 5th July
Tour of Oslo
The morning flight from London Heathrow takes us to Oslo to check into our hotel for two nights. In the afternoon, we have time for a sightseeing tour of this rapidly developing city. At this time of year Norway has eighteen hours of daylight which is great for exploring on our tour. (D)
Sunday 6th July
Steam on Krøderbanen and Urskog Railways
We travel by private coach to Vikersund to join a steam hauled train on the Krøderbanen, Norway’s longest preserved line at 26km. Our journey, in carriages built of teak, passes through changing scenery. In the afternoon, the coach takes us to the Urskog - Hølandsbanen 750mm gauge preserved railway where we have chartered a steam hauled train. There will be opportunities for photo run pasts. We return to our hotel in Oslo. (B L D)
Monday 7th July
Spectacular Mountains and Fjords to Bergen
We leave Oslo on the morning train to Bergen which is one of Europe’s most spectacular rail journeys taking in lush forests, snow capped mountains, sparkling lakes and thundering waterfalls. After Ustaoset, at 1,222 metres the highest point on the line, we continue across barren and windswept mountain plateaus with everlasting snow that provide a stunning backdrop. Our train continues downhill to Bergen arriving mid-afternoon. The rest of the day is free for sightseeing, perhaps going to the fish market, strolling along the busy quayside or visiting the home of Edvard Grieg. Alternatively take its famous funicular to the highest point to gaze down on the city and the sea.
We stay in Bergen for three nights. (B D)
Tuesday 8th July
Cruise Sognefjord and ride the Flåmsbanan
Bergen is the gateway to the fjords and today we board a ship in Bergen and cruise along the Sognefjord to Balestrand and Flam. Sogne Fjord is the world’s longest fjord and is sheltered by surrounding rugged mountains. Quiet inlets and pretty villages seem to cling to its sides. We arrive in Flåm and have time to explore this pretty little spot. In the afternoon we ride Flåmsbanan to Myrdal railway which climbs 865 metres in 20 kilometres. The train stops by the famous waterfall for photographs. We change at Myrdal to catch the train back to Bergen. (B D)
Wednesday 9th July
Garnes to Midttun
We have a free morning to explore Bergen. Mid afternoon, a coach will transfer us to the Gamle Vossebanen,near Garnes. Here we take our chartered train from Garnes to Midttun hauled by an ex-main line steam locomotive. The line is 18km long and photo run pasts will be arranged and there will be two stops en route at restored stations. The journey passes through the Arna valley and the scenery changes to dramatic mountainsides that rise straight out of the fjord. Please note that dinner is not included tonight giving you the opportunity to try one of Bergen’s excellent restaurants. (B L)
Thursday 10th July
Cruise to Stavanger
We leave Bergen on the morning ferry bound for Stavanger for an enjoyable cruise through the calm coastal waters of the southwestern fjords of Norway. We transfer by coach from the harbour to the station in Stavanger to board the train for Kristiansand staying here overnight. (B D)
Friday 11th July
The Setesdalsbanen Narrow Gauge Railway
A road coach will take us to Grovane where we join a steam charter train along the Setesdalsbanen. This is a 1067mm narrow gauge railway that has some rare types of locomotives including two delightful Dubbs tank locomotives, built in 1894. Later we join a regular train from Kristiansand via Oslo to Hamar where we stay overnight. (B D)
Saturday 12th July
Hamar Museum and railway
Today we visit the National Railway Museum at Hamar to view the national collection and take a trip on their steam operated museum line.
We then board an early afternoon train to Ålesund where we stay overnight.
Ålesund is Norway’s fishing capital and is situated on several islands. (B D)
Sunday 13th July
Cruise the Geiranger Fjord
We join our ship for a full day cruise along the Geiranger Fjord which is renowned for its high and very scenic waterfalls. We should arrive back to Ålesund early evening when there will be further time to explore this “art nouveau” town by the sea. Overnight accommodation is again in Ålesund. (B D)
Monday 14th July
Return to London
Today we transfer from Ålesund to Oslo by train before catching our afternoon flight back to London. (B)
Tour of Oslo
The morning flight from London Heathrow takes us to Oslo to check into our hotel for two nights. In the afternoon, we have time for a sightseeing tour of this rapidly developing city. At this time of year Norway has eighteen hours of daylight which is great for exploring on our tour. (D)
Sunday 6th July
Steam on Krøderbanen and Urskog Railways
We travel by private coach to Vikersund to join a steam hauled train on the Krøderbanen, Norway’s longest preserved line at 26km. Our journey, in carriages built of teak, passes through changing scenery. In the afternoon, the coach takes us to the Urskog - Hølandsbanen 750mm gauge preserved railway where we have chartered a steam hauled train. There will be opportunities for photo run pasts. We return to our hotel in Oslo. (B L D)
Monday 7th July
Spectacular Mountains and Fjords to Bergen
We leave Oslo on the morning train to Bergen which is one of Europe’s most spectacular rail journeys taking in lush forests, snow capped mountains, sparkling lakes and thundering waterfalls. After Ustaoset, at 1,222 metres the highest point on the line, we continue across barren and windswept mountain plateaus with everlasting snow that provide a stunning backdrop. Our train continues downhill to Bergen arriving mid-afternoon. The rest of the day is free for sightseeing, perhaps going to the fish market, strolling along the busy quayside or visiting the home of Edvard Grieg. Alternatively take its famous funicular to the highest point to gaze down on the city and the sea.
We stay in Bergen for three nights. (B D)
Tuesday 8th July
Cruise Sognefjord and ride the Flåmsbanan
Bergen is the gateway to the fjords and today we board a ship in Bergen and cruise along the Sognefjord to Balestrand and Flam. Sogne Fjord is the world’s longest fjord and is sheltered by surrounding rugged mountains. Quiet inlets and pretty villages seem to cling to its sides. We arrive in Flåm and have time to explore this pretty little spot. In the afternoon we ride Flåmsbanan to Myrdal railway which climbs 865 metres in 20 kilometres. The train stops by the famous waterfall for photographs. We change at Myrdal to catch the train back to Bergen. (B D)
Wednesday 9th July
Garnes to Midttun
We have a free morning to explore Bergen. Mid afternoon, a coach will transfer us to the Gamle Vossebanen,near Garnes. Here we take our chartered train from Garnes to Midttun hauled by an ex-main line steam locomotive. The line is 18km long and photo run pasts will be arranged and there will be two stops en route at restored stations. The journey passes through the Arna valley and the scenery changes to dramatic mountainsides that rise straight out of the fjord. Please note that dinner is not included tonight giving you the opportunity to try one of Bergen’s excellent restaurants. (B L)
Thursday 10th July
Cruise to Stavanger
We leave Bergen on the morning ferry bound for Stavanger for an enjoyable cruise through the calm coastal waters of the southwestern fjords of Norway. We transfer by coach from the harbour to the station in Stavanger to board the train for Kristiansand staying here overnight. (B D)
Friday 11th July
The Setesdalsbanen Narrow Gauge Railway
A road coach will take us to Grovane where we join a steam charter train along the Setesdalsbanen. This is a 1067mm narrow gauge railway that has some rare types of locomotives including two delightful Dubbs tank locomotives, built in 1894. Later we join a regular train from Kristiansand via Oslo to Hamar where we stay overnight. (B D)
Saturday 12th July
Hamar Museum and railway
Today we visit the National Railway Museum at Hamar to view the national collection and take a trip on their steam operated museum line.
We then board an early afternoon train to Ålesund where we stay overnight.
Ålesund is Norway’s fishing capital and is situated on several islands. (B D)
Sunday 13th July
Cruise the Geiranger Fjord
We join our ship for a full day cruise along the Geiranger Fjord which is renowned for its high and very scenic waterfalls. We should arrive back to Ålesund early evening when there will be further time to explore this “art nouveau” town by the sea. Overnight accommodation is again in Ålesund. (B D)
Monday 14th July
Return to London
Today we transfer from Ålesund to Oslo by train before catching our afternoon flight back to London. (B)
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Price
| Price per person | £1535 |
| Single supplement | £185 |
Price includes:
- Return flights London to Oslo
- 9 nights’ hotel accommodation in 3 and 4-star hotels including breakfasts
- 2 lunches and 8 dinners
- Rail travel as detailed in the itinerary
- All transfers
- All travel advertised by ship and coach
- The services of a tour manager throughout
Meals included each day are shown as:
B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D= Dinner
This tour can be taken with the Swedish Steam Safari at a combined price of £2695 plus a single supplement of £345 if required.
B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D= Dinner
This tour can be taken with the Swedish Steam Safari at a combined price of £2695 plus a single supplement of £345 if required.