Rail and Fjords of Norway

Saturday 27th July to Monday 5th August 2013

This tour features one of the most unspoiled destinations in the world. We experience the magnificent Norwegian fjords, travel on one of the best maintained railway systems in Europe, whilst witnessing truly outstanding scenery. Our tour covers southern Norway beginning in Oslo, Norway’s capital, and also visiting the delightful cities of Bergen, Stavanger, and Kristiansand. We visit the National Railway Museum; travel on four preserved railway lines, including narrow gauge; and the world famous Flåm Railway.

Saturday 27th July
Tour of Oslo
We take a morning flight from London Heathrow to Oslo where we check in to our hotel for two nights. In the afternoon there will be a sightseeing tour of this rapidly developing city. Norway has eighteen hours of daylight at this time of year and we take full advantage of this during our tour. (D)

Sunday 28th July
Steam on the Krøderbanen and Urskog-Hølandsbanen Railways
Today, we travel by private road coach to Krøderen where we join a steam hauled train on the Krøderbanen. This is Norway’s longest preserved railway line and we travel the 26 km to Vikersund and back. Our journey, in carriages built of teak, is through changing scenery. In the afternoon our road coach takes us to Sørumsand where we have chartered a steam hauled train on the Urskog-Hølandsbanen line. There will be opportunities for the train to stop for photographic run pasts on this 750mm gauge preserved railway which was once part of the Oslo-Stockholm main line. We return to our hotel in Oslo. (B L D)

Monday 29th July
Spectacular Mountains and Fjords en Route to Bergen
We leave Oslo on the morning train to Bergen¹ for one of the greatest railway journeys in the world. The route climbs to high altitude at 1,303 metres (4,267 feet) passing lush forests, snow capped mountains, sparkling lakes, and thundering waterfalls. After Finse, the highest station on the line, our journey continues across barren and windswept mountain plateaux with everlasting snow giving a stunning backdrop. Our train passes through tunnels and beside deep fjords as it descends to Bergen where we arrive mid-afternoon. The remainder of the day is free for sightseeing in Bergen, a city surrounded by hills and fjords. Locations of note include the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site; fish market; the busy quayside; and the home of Edvard Grieg. Alternatively, it is possible to take the famous funicular railway to the top of Mount Fløien for panoramic views over the city and out to sea. Bergen will be our base for the next three nights. Dinner is not included this evening providing an opportunity to try one of Bergen’s excellent restaurants. (B)

Tuesday 30th July
Cruise Sognefjord and Ride the Flåm Railway
Bergen is the gateway to the fjords and today we board a ship there for a cruise along the Sognefjord to Balestrand and Flam. Sognefjord is Norway’s largest fjord and the second longest in the world at over 200 km (127 miles). Cliffs surrounding the fjord rise almost sheer from the water and pretty villages cling to the steep sides. We arrive at Flåm and find lunch ashore. In the afternoon we ride the electric Flåm Railway, one of the steepest railway lines in the world. It climbs 865 metres in 20 kilometres through spectacular scenery to Myrdal Station. The train stops by the famous Kjosfossen waterfall for passengers to take photographs. We change trains at Myrdal, for the journey back to Bergen. (B D)

Wednesday 31st July
Bergen and Garnes to Midttun
We have the morning free to explore Bergen. Mid-afternoon, we transfer by road coach to the Gamle Vossebanen, a heritage railway near Garnes. Here we join a chartered train from Garnes to Midttun, and return, hauled by an ex-main line steam locomotive. The line is 18 km long and we will arrange for the train to stop for photographic run pasts as we pass through the Arna Valley. We return to Bergen by road coach and have dinner in the hotel restaurant. (B D)

Thursday 1st August
Cruise to Stavanger; Kristiansand
We leave Bergen on the morning ferry for Stavanger, enjoying a relaxing cruise through the calm coastal waters of the south-western islands. We transfer by road coach from Stavanger Harbour to the railway station where we board a train for Kristiansand. We stay overnight in Kristiansand. (B D)

Friday 2nd August
The Setesdalsbanen Narrow Gauge Railway
Today we travel by road coach to Grovane where we join a steam charter train on 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 to Hamar via Oslo². We stay overnight in Hamar. (B D)

Saturday 3rd August
Hamar Railway Museum; Train to Ålesund
We visit the National Railway Museum at Hamar to view the national collection and take a trip on their steam operated museum line. We board an early afternoon train to Andalsnes, and then continue by road coach to Ålesund. This is Norway’s fishing capital and it is situated on several islands. We stay overnight in Ålesund.(B D)

Sunday 4th August
Cruise the Geirangerfjord
Today, we board a ship for a full day’s cruise along the Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is one of Norway’s most spectacular fjords and famous for its spectacularly high scenic waterfalls. We should arrive back in Ålesund by the early evening, providing time to explore this Art Nouveau town by the sea. Again, we stay overnight in Ålesund. (B D)

Monday 5th August
Return to London
We transfer by road coach from Ålesund to Andalsnes where we join a service train to Oslo Airport. We have a late afternoon flight back to London. (B)

Please note that due to ongoing engineering works around Oslo, a service bus will be provided between:-
1–Oslo and Hoenefoss on Monday 29th July.
2–Drammen to Oslo and Oslo to Lillestroem on Friday 2nd August.

Train Timings

Available on the tour

Price

Price per person: £2195
Single supplement: £255

Price includes

• Return flights London to Oslo
• 9 nights’ hotel accommodation in 3 and 4-star hotels including breakfasts
• 1 lunch and 8 dinners
• Rail travel as detailed in the itinerary
• All transfers
• All travel advertised by ship and road coach
• The services of a tour manager throughout

Meals included each day are shown as:
B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D= Dinner