Current as of: December 24, 2025 - 15:44

Signature Norway | Where Fjords Meet Sky

Signature Norway | Where Fjords Meet Sky Trip Notes

  • Ways to Travel: Guided Group
  • Destination: Norway
  • Programmes: Culture
  • Activity Level:

    2 out of 7 - Easy & Moderate

  • 8 Days: Land Only
  • Ages: 18+
  • Trip Code: LNW
  • Carbon Footprint: 52.6kg CO2e

Trip Overview

A deep passage through fjords and coastal culture, carved by water, work, and enduring tradition

Norway reveals itself not in moments, but in magnitude: a nation of dramatic coastlines, theatrical fjords, and a culture shaped by land and sea. Led by your handpicked Signature Guide, travel from Trondheim’s spiritual heart to the Atlantic edge, cruising through fjords, walking a sacred pilgrimage, and sharing produce-led meals grounded in season and place. With private access, unhurried pacing, and refined accommodation, this is a journey defined by connection: to landscape, to history, and to the people who live within it.

Venture to the very heart of each destination on our Signature Collection, where every journey is shaped by our unrivalled local connections and insider expertise. Step beyond the ordinary with private invitations, rare encounters, and experiences few will ever share. So when someone says, “I’ve been there,” you’ll simply smile, knowing you’ve experienced it differently.

Signature Experiences:

  • Walk the final stretch of the sacred St Olav pilgrimage route, finishing with a privately guided visit inside Nidaros Cathedral’s seldom-accessed inner spaces
  • Join an expertly guided introduction to the local specialities of stockfish and clipfish, preparing Kristiansund bacalao, then sharing the dish with locally brewed beer
  • Head deep into the famously beautiful Geirangerfjord by RIB, learning how families once lived along its steep, isolated banks
  • Board the Rauma Railway, gliding through Romsdalen’s soaring valleys, waterfalls, and farms, an unhurried ascent into Norway’s dramatic mountain heart

Signature Day: Experience our distinctive Signature Day, choosing between fjord paddling toward Tafjorden, e-biking and hiking, climbing Mefjellet, or meeting fjord farmers and cider-makers

Signature Stay: Reside at a thoughtfully restored clipfish factory at Sveggvika, where coastal heritage, considered design, and fjord views create an intimate base near Kristiansund

Signature Guide: Let your handpicked Signature Guide lead you to the country’s soul — sharing their home, heritage, and heart

Is This Trip for You?

We have graded this trip Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page.

Driving times: The longest travel time takes place on Day 7, a scenic rail journey of approximately 5hr 30min from Åndalsnes to Trondheim via Dombås. All other journeys are either short transfers or are broken up by ferry crossings, boat travel, or scenic stops, and remain under five hours in duration.

Prebooking activities: An immersive adventure of your choice awaits on the Signature Day. All you need to do is prebook the activity at least 60 days before departure through our Signature Collection travel experts. Additionally, a choice of two optional tours can be pre-booked if you intend to arrive early on Day 1.

Group

When it comes to unlocking a destination, your Signature Guide is the key holder. Hand-selected for their extensive experience and unrivalled local knowledge, they ensure your experience runs effortlessly thanks to their exceptional organisational skills. Our Signature Guides are named on our website, so you can begin your journey with complete confidence and anticipation of the wonders each day will bring.

Adult min age: 18

Min group size: 4

Max group size: 16

Itinerary

Land Only

  • Start City: Trondheim
  • End City: Trondheim

Land Only Itinerary

Day 1
Settle into Trondheim’s Nordic calm | Welcome reception
Signature Norway | Where Fjords Meet Sky

Welcome to Trondheim, where waterways and timbered wharves set a steady rhythm, your welcome eased by a complimentary arrival transfer to our elegant city hideaway.

Those arriving early can discover the city, either walking historic Bakklandet with a local guide or joining a guided bike ride through lesser-known neighbourhoods, pausing at a welcoming café in Ila to meet locals and taste traditional Norwegian fare (both available to pre-book).

As evening falls, gather for a welcome reception, meeting your Signature Guide and fellow travellers over seasonal Norwegian dishes crafted from locally sourced ingredients at the celebrated Restaurant Troll.

Overnight at Britannia Hotel

Meals included: Dinner

Day 2
Trace Norway’s spiritual heart | Walk the sacred St Olav pilgrimage route to Nidaros

Signature Experience: Today centres on Norway’s spiritual heart. Travel by tram into Trondheim’s forested hills, then walk the final stretch of the sacred St Olav pilgrimage route, a quiet passage shaped by centuries of devotion. Pause at the Sverresborg open-air museum to step inside historic buildings and enjoy lunch at the café, before descending on foot via the traditional pilgrim viewpoint near Utsikten. We finish at Nidaros Cathedral with a privately guided visit, enjoying rare access to the cellar and crypt, where archaeological remains and medieval tombstones lie beneath Norway’s national shrine.

Enjoy some leisure time in Trondheim, free to follow your curiosity through museums, cafés, or quiet waterside paths.

Second night at Britannia Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3
Travel by water to the coast | Settle into your Signature Stay
Signature Norway | Where Fjords Meet Sky

Begin with a guided city tour of Trondheim, climbing to Kristiansten Fortress for views once used to defend the city. Pass the Royal Residence of Stiftsgården, the Old Town Bridge, and the university quarter.

After a light lunch, board the express boat and cruise the Trondheimfjord past islands such as Hitra and Frøya. Arrive in Kristiansund, a working harbour city spread across four islands, before continuing to Sveggvika Guesthouse, your Signature Stay, a thoughtfully restored clipfish factory.

Dinner follows, a three-course meal shaped by the flavours of Norway’s Atlantic edge, after a guided tasting of locally brewed beers.

Overnight at Sveggvika Guesthouse

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4
Learn the language of the coast | Discover stockfish and clipfish traditions in an expertly led cooking workshop

Signature Experience: Join a hands-on workshop exploring Kristiansund’s stockfish and clipfish traditions, tasting each at different stages of curing. Learn how historic trade shaped local cuisine before preparing layered bacalao in a guided cooking class, then sit down to enjoy the dish with locally brewed beer, grounding culinary practice in place, history, and flavour.

Later, travel the Atlantic Road – a wonder of nature and engineering – crossing bridges to explore one of the most dramatic coastlines in Europe. Arriving in Molde, the City of Roses, we have a short visit, before taking the ferry to Vestnes and driving along a beautiful landscape of mountains and fjords to Valldal.

On arrival enjoy a gentle village walk and meet producers of jam and juice, whose work follows the seasons. Dinner at the hotel brings the day to a relaxed close.

Overnight at Blåtind Boutique Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5
Discover Norway’s natural wonders | Experience the beauty of the Geirangerfjord by RIB
Signature Norway | Where Fjords Meet Sky

Cross fjords by ferry and climb the Eagle Road into Geiranger, often cited as Norway’s most beautiful fjord, where sheer cliffs and famous waterfalls frame the narrow waterway below. Walk a short trail above the fjord before lunch at a working farm, then visit the fjord centre to understand the forces that shaped this landscape.

Signature Experience: Board a rigid inflatable boat and travel deep into Geirangerfjord, where steep rock walls edge the waterway and waterfalls trace long lines down the mountainsides. Pass abandoned farms anchored high above the fjord as your guide explains how families once built resilient lives within this demanding landscape.

After arrival in Hellesylt, continue with the bus to Stranda, take the next fjord ferry to Liabygda and arrive back in Valldal for dinner and overnight at the Blåtind Boutique Hotel.

Second night at Blåtind Boutique Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6
Signature Day | Trace Valldal through fjords, forests, or mountain paths
Signature Norway | Where Fjords Meet Sky

Today is your Signature Day, where you can select an authentic, curated experience to connect deeply with Norwegian culture. You could:

  • Kayak a sheltered fjord toward Fjørå and UNESCO-listed Tafjorden, crossing to a historic farmstead for lunch.
  • E-bike quiet valley roads and hike through pine forest, ending at a high viewpoint above Tafjorden, with a guided visit to Holy Olav Monastery.
  • Hike to the summit of Mefjellet, crossing farmland and mountain terrain to wide views over Tafjorden and surrounding valleys, with lunch en route.
  • Travel by ferry and minibus to Norddal, for a full day visiting family farms and producers to learn about sustainability-minded fjord living, traditional food, and handcrafted cider.

Third night at Blåtind Boutique Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7
Cross Norway’s mountain heart | Ride the Rauma Railway through Romsdalen
Signature Norway | Where Fjords Meet Sky

Travel the dramatic hairpins of Trollstigen, pausing to appreciate the scale of the mountains before continuing to Åndalsnes.

Signature Experience: Step aboard the Rauma Railway for one of Scandinavia’s most storied rail journeys. Settle into panoramic carriages as the line traces rivers and sheer valley walls through Romsdalen’s dramatic interior, revealing farms, waterfalls and engineering feats before reaching the high plateau at Dombås − an unhurried passage into Norway’s mountainous heart.

Then continue by train across the high plateau of Dovrefjell on the journey back to Trondheim.

This evening, enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of the Britannia Hotel with one of its custodians, before gathering for a farewell aperitif and three-course dinner, raising a glass to the landscapes, stories, and shared moments of your Norwegian journey.

Overnight at Britannia Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8
Say a fond farewell to Norway

After breakfast, take a final moment to reflect on the rhythm of fjords, coastlines, and communities encountered along the way. This journey may have come to an end, but Norway’s sense of place lingers long after departure.

Alternatively, open a new chapter of discovery by speaking to your Signature Collection travel expert about extending your stay.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation

Experience the best of Norwegian hospitality

Every aspect of the Signature Collection is meticulously planned to take you deeper into the destination. That means your accommodation is a refined showcase of local hospitality, whether you’re staying in a pioneering luxury hotel or enjoying privileged access to a characterful stay designed to fully immerse you in the local culture.

Below are the accommodations we use on this adventure:

Trondheim: Britannia Hotel (nights 1-2 and 7)

Signature Norway | Where Fjords Meet Sky

A landmark hotel at the centre of Trondheim’s cultural life, combining classical architecture with quietly contemporary interiors. Rooms provide polished comfort, while a guided exploration of the property reveals its layered past. The journey both begins and ends here, marked by a farewell dinner – an elegant closing note in the city’s historic heart.

Sveggvika: Sveggvika Guesthouse (night 3)

Signature Norway | Where Fjords Meet Sky

Your Signature Stay is this intimate guesthouse, which occupies a sensitively restored clipfish factory, where maritime history shapes every detail. Rooms are simply styled, with materials and references rooted in place. Your stay includes a guided stockfish and clipfish workshop followed by a local beer tasting, offering direct insight into the trade traditions that once defined Kristiansund’s economy and daily life.

Valldal: Blåtind Boutique Hotel (nights 4-6)

Signature Norway | Where Fjords Meet Sky

Set within the mountain-framed village of Valldal, this contemporary boutique hotel balances clean-lined design with regional character. Rooms offer calm, light-filled spaces after days exploring the surrounding valleys and fjords. Over three nights, the hotel serves as a comfortable base, with easy access to both cultural producers and dramatic landscapes.

  • Enhance your stay: Personalise your experience with curated room upgrades and additional nights tailored to your travel plans.

Food & Drink

This journey is designed to deepen your connection to Norway through its food and drink. Expect seasonal menus shaped by region and tradition, from city dining in Trondheim to coastal cooking in Sveggvika. Highlights include a hands-on bacalao workshop, farm lunches in fjord country, local beer tastings, and dinners that reflect both land and sea.

Transport

From the moment you land to the moment you depart, all transport is taken care of for you. This journey features private transfers, express boats, fjord ferries, scenic rail journeys, and comfortable minibuses, allowing the landscape to unfold naturally.

Weather & Seasonality

Central and western Norway have cool, changeable weather shaped by sea, fjords, and high plateaus. From late spring to early autumn, daylight is long and temperatures are generally mild. Coastal areas can feel cooler and unsettled, while inland valleys and uplands are colder. Showers are possible year-round, so layered clothing is recommended.

Joining Instructions

As with all adventures in the Signature Collection, we take care of your arrival and departure transfers, allowing you to fully relax and immerse yourself in the local culture.

  • Arrival airport: Trondheim (TRD)
    • Your adventure begins with a welcome reception at 6pm on Day 1 at our first accommodation.
  • Departure airport: Trondheim (TRD)
    • Your adventure concludes after breakfast on the final day.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: Trondheim
Location end: Trondheim

What To Take

Essential Equipment

There’s no specialist equipment you need for this trip. For more information on what you might need to pack, please see our packing guide.

Practical Information

Visa

Norway

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Norway. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Vaccinations and Health

Norway

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, rabies (bat lyssavirus) and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Local Time

Norway's time zone: Europe/Oslo (UTC +01:00)

Electricity

Norway's electricity: Plug types C (two round pins) and F (two round pins) – 230V, 50Hz

Signature Norway | Where Fjords Meet Sky

Money

Norway's currency: Norwegian krone (NOK)

Tipping

On this adventure, tipping for any local support staff is included and will be taken care of locally by your Signature Guide. Tips for your Signature Guide are not included. We recommend a starting point of NOK600 to NOK800 per group member, to be given at the end. This is discretionary and you may wish to tip a different amount, depending on the service you have received.

Sustainability and Impact

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

We also weave Signature Legacy moments into your itinerary, so the positive impact of your trip lasts long after your stay. These are moments to remember which help people and nature thrive, ensuring you build a harmonious, positive connection with the places you visit.

On this journey, you can:

  • Walk Valldal’s village centre with local hosts and meet the family behind Valldal Safteri, learning how small-scale enterprise and local produce sustain a resilient fjord community.
  • Visit Melchiorgarden and Kaltegarden Farm, meeting growers who explain how farming, grazing, and organic cultivation actively preserve the fjord landscape through careful land stewardship.

Important Information

Your Safe Participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call us and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary. 

Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity. 

By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred. 

Seatbelts
All vehicles used by us should be equipped with working seatbelts, except where approved by us based on the vehicle type or journey. Wherever seatbelts are available, we require our customers to use them for their own safety, even where it may not be a legal requirement.

Travel Safety
For additional information please have a look at the travel safety advice page on our website.

How To Book

Speak to our Signature Collection travel experts to plan your adventure:

  1. Check availability: our website shows real-time availability or contact our team by phone, email or live chat.
  2. Hold a space: You can provisionally hold a space to give you time to finalise your travel plans.
  3. Confirm your booking: Payment of a deposit will complete your booking and secure your place on the trip.

After booking
You will receive a confirmation document and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements. Our dedicated Customer Operations team will help you with any pre-travel questions or arrangements and can easily add extensions or extra accommodation to your booking. Final Joining Instructions will usually be sent out two to three weeks prior to departure.

Adding transfers to your booking
If you have arranged your own flights and would like to add transfers to your booking, please provide your arrival and departure details to our Customer Operations team around four to six weeks before departure. Where complimentary transfers are included, they are available for any flight but can only be added to your booking once we have received your flight schedule.

Trip Note validity
Trip notes may be updated after booking; if any updates significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary you will be advised in writing. A link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes will be sent out with your Final Joining Instructions before departure.

The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes, and occasionally it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.