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Northern lights ©SnowhotelKirkenes

Norway in a Nutshell® & Snowhotel

(7 days / 6 nights)

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Picture fjords, Arctic adventures & northern lights

Set your sights on the southern cities of Norway as well as the snowy landscape of the Arctic with this week-long adventure. You’ll spend time in the Norwegian capital, Oslo, before flying north to immerse yourself in the frozen tundra and snowy woodlands of the Arctic. Go on thrilling excursions and try spotting the northern lights before you come back south to explore the western fjords. You’ll then train and sail to Bergen on a Norway in a Nutshell journey.

7 days / 6 nights

Price p.p. from

EUR

The amount will be charged in EUR

Approx 4020 EUR

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— Why book with Nordic Visitor

  • Seamless travel experience
  • Handpicked hotels and routes designed by local experts
  • Trusted Norway tour operators and tour guides
  • Comprehensive itinerary & travel guide
  • 24/7 helpline during your tour
  • Service from local travel experts in Scandinavia
  • Great customer reviews
  • Carbon offsetting included

Read more

— Cancellation Protection

  • Rebook your tour on one occasion, or
  • Cancel for any reason and receive a partial refund and travel credit

Terms and conditions apply

Tour Highlights

  • Immerse yourself in history as you explore the southern cities, Oslo and Bergen
  • Admire the deep fjords and steep mountains on a Norway in a Nutshell adventure
  • Cross into the Arctic Circle to experience the true north
  • Stay in snow room for a memorable night at the Snowhotel
  • Enjoy the tranquility of the winter season in Norway
  • Hunt for the northern lights on guided excursions
  • Experience the legendary Flåm railway, one of the world’s steepest train rides
  • Pull king crab from the depth of the sea for a true Arctic delicacy
  • Choose to add more activities to your itinerary depending on your interests

Travel style

Partially Guided i

Interest

Active i, Countryside and natural scenery i, Fjords i, Honeymoon & Romance i, Ice/Snow hotel i, Northern Lights i

Season

Dec - Mar

Departure

See calendar

Interest

Active i, Countryside and natural scenery i, Fjords i, Honeymoon & Romance i, Ice/Snow hotel i, Northern Lights i

Itinerary

A day-by-day plan to guide your journey.

  • Day 1: WELCOME TO OSLO

    When you arrive at Oslo’s Gardermoen Airport, make your way into the city centre. You could take the express train to Oslo Central Station, or we can arrange a private transfer just for you (at an additional cost).

    If you’re arriving early in the day, you can explore Oslo on foot. Spend the rest of your day taking in the sights such as the Royal Palace, Akershus Fortress, Oslo City Hall, Oslo Opera House and the Aker Brygge area.

    Spend the night in Oslo.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day

  • Day 2: JOURNEY TO SNOWHOTEL

    This morning you’ll fly to Kirkenes, is a rustic town located about 400 kilometres (240 miles) above the Arctic Circle in Northern Norway.  Your transfer from Kirkenes Airport is included to head to the delightful Snowhotel.

    Kick off your stay with a tour of the Snowhotel before enjoying a drink at the Snow Bar. Later, you’ll be served a 3-course Arctic feast by the fireplace at the Høyloftet Restaurant. Then it’s time for your memorable night in a special suite made of snow and ice*! You could also join one of the northern lights tours this evening.

    Spend the night in a snow room at the Snowhotel.

    *Check optional activities if you’d like to stay in a private cabin instead of a snow room.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day

  • Day 3: KING CRAB SAFARI & DOGSLEDDING

    You have an action-packed day in front of you! This morning you’re in for a unique experience on a king crab safari. You will start by travelling by snowmobile out to the fjord. Here you will find the king crab traps that you’ll help pull up from the deep ocean, heavy with crabs. Later, you’ll head back to the Snowhotel to go learn how to cook your catch at the restaurant. Then enjoy the delicious meal and the views from the restaurant.

    Later, you’ll get dressed in winter clothing for an exciting dog-sledding ride. Travel over the fjord ice and through woodlands. After your adventures, you will head back to Kirkenes for the night. Your transfer is included straight to your accommodation in the city centre.

    Spend the night in Kirkenes.

    Attractions

  • Day 4: EXPLORE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF OSLO

    Today, you fly back to Oslo in the south of Norway. You have the rest of the day to explore the Norwegian capital at your leisure. You could catch sights you may have missed on day 1 or explore other scenic areas. We recommend a stroll along Karl Johans Street or at the beautiful Vigeland Sculpture Park. Enjoy a relaxed evening before the second leg of your journey starts tomorrow.

    Spend the night in Oslo.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions

  • Day 5: NORWAY IN A NUTSHELL TO FLÅM

    Get an early start and head to Oslo Central Station, where you’ll begin the Norway in a Nutshell® railway journey to Bergen, with an overnight stop in Flåm. For this, we recommend booking the luggage transfer between Oslo and Bergen so you can travel freely.

    Then you’re off on a scenic train ride that will take you over Norway’s “mountainous rooftops”, through charming villages like Gol and Geilo. In Myrdal, you’ll switch trains to hop on the famous Flåm Railway (“Flåmsbana”) for an incredible ride to the beautiful village of Flåm. Enjoy the rest of the day in Flåm.

    Spend the night in Flåm.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day

  • Day 6: NORWAY IN A NUTSHELL TO BERGEN

    Today you finish the Norway in a Nutshell® journey by travelling from Flåm to Bergen. First, you’ll sail through Aurlandsfjord into the World Heritage-listed Nærøyfjord, the narrowest fjord in all of Europe. This is perhaps the most beautiful arm of Sognefjord, with its mighty waterfalls and small farms clinging to the steep mountainsides. This is especially charming in the winter months.

    Then, your boat will dock in Gudvangen, from where the journey continues by bus through Nærøydalen, with its quaint villages and scenic winter landscape. The bus will arrive in Voss, where you’ll embark on the final stretch of your journey on the Bergen Railway.

    Spend the night in Bergen.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions

  • Day 7: DEPARTURE FROM BERGEN

    When it’s time for your trip to come to an end, make your way to Bergen Airport. You could take the airport bus or hop in a taxi directly from your accommodation. 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.

    If you are returning home via Oslo, we offer direct train transfers from Bergen to Oslo. Please keep in mind you might need to book an additional night in the city if your flight is early in the day.

    See Activities for this day
View full itinerary

Optional extras

Customise your adventure with these Optional Extras.

We recommend adding your extra activities to the tour now for the best booking experience and to secure your spot, as activities are likely to sell out.

Map

Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.

What's included

Don’t worry, we’ve got this covered.

Included

Not included

Optional Extras

7 days / 6 nights

Price p.p. from

EUR

The amount will be charged in EUR

Approx 4020 EUR

Find your price
Request info

Essential information

We recommend that you read carefully through the following information before booking this partially guided tour in Norway. We’ve answered the most frequently asked questions here so you know what to expect. You’ll also find more practical advice and attraction recommendations in our online Norway Travel Guide.

The minimum age for this tour is 7 years old.

On this tour, you’ll get to experience both independent travel and exciting excursions led by local guides to see the best of the Norwegian Arctic. All with the support and 24/7 helpline of Nordic Visitor.

You’ll be able to explore the vibrant “capital of Northern Norway”, Tromsø, at your leisure.

In between your own exploration, you’ll join some thrilling guided excursions to experience the variety of Arctic life. You’ll always be led by a local, knowledgeable guide, and all the details of your adventures will be included in your itinerary.

Due to the nature of this tour and the activities included, it’s not recommended for families with young children. That said, it is suitable for active children of 7 years or older. If in doubt, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Please wait to book flights to Scandinavia until we can confirm your desired travel dates for this tour. This is due to varying availabilities on services included in this package. 

After making a booking with Nordic Visitor, it might take a few weeks to confirm your travel arrangements. We recommend booking your flights once your personal travel consultant gets in touch to confirm your itinerary.

If you have any questions about your flights and itinerary, please contact us for more details.

Yes, you should have moderate to good physical fitness to take part comfortably in this tour. This is because packages set in the Arctic are considered adventure travel due to the specific conditions you’ll experience. Arctic travel can sometimes involve extreme weather conditions as well as vigorous activity and animals (like huskies and reindeer) on many excursions.

On your Norway tour, you’ll stay in accommodation that’s been hand-picked by our travel experts. We’ve partnered with local businesses and selected hotels and guesthouses based on excellent ratings, comfort and our personal experience. 

During the booking process, you can select whether you want Comfort Plus or Superior accommodation. Comfort Plus usually consists of standard rooms in good quality and comfortable 3-star hotels. Superior is standard rooms in 4-star hotels combined with Superior rooms in premium 3-star hotels.

You will also be able to choose between single, double or triple rooms. Please note that in Norway room types are based on European standard sizes, which means they are smaller than in North America. 

For example, a double bed often consists of 2 single beds pushed together. Twin rooms are 2 separate single beds. Triple rooms include a double bed along with an extra single bed, rollaway or sofa bed. And single rooms are often smaller than the standard double.

If you have anything specific in mind, please contact us to discuss customising your accommodation options.

This package includes 2 domestic flights (return journey) in Norway between Oslo and Kirkenes. These non-stop flights usually take around 2 hours.

Your travel consultant will book the best option for your travel dates, depending on availability. Flight times will be confirmed when we book your travel arrangements.

This package includes a one-night stay in a unique ice room at the Snowhotel. The hotel is an impressive complex with 20 rooms carved by master ice sculptors from around the world. 

Transfers to and from the hotel are included with the Snowhotel Experience. You will also take a tour of the hotel, and enjoy dinner here as well as a visit to the ice bar. 

If you would prefer not to stay in an ice room at the Snowhotel, there is the option of staying in a small cabin. You can select this option in the booking steps. 

The cabins are warm, comfortable and offer panoramic views if you want to stay up late looking out for the northern lights.

Your dog sledding tour from the Snowhotel will last around 1 hour. You’ll board the traditional sledge and be pulled by excited huskies on a 5-kilometre (3-mile) ride. The route will follow the fjord in the scenic Sandnesdalen.

This excursion is a fun way to admire the Arctic landscape. Picture snow-covered mountain plateaus, white tundra and long fjords.

No experience is required to take part. You should dress according to the weather, but a thermal suit and warm shoes will also be provided for the activity.

From the Snowhotel, you’ll travel by snowmobile to the nearby fjord. From here, you’ll help fishermen pull up king crab traps from the depths of the sea.

After the active, outdoors adventure, you’ll head back to the Snowhotel to go cook and enjoy your fresh catch of the day.

This tour includes the famous Norway in a Nutshell® tour from Oslo to Bergen. This is one of Norway’s most iconic journeys. You’ll travel by train, bus and ferry, seeing beautiful landscapes of steep mountains, cascading waterfalls, shimmering fjords, charming villages and scenic coastline.

The first leg of the journey is from Oslo to Flåm. Then you'll be travelling from Flåm to Bergen. The duration of both days will be around 6 hours. 

The connections will be announced and clearly explained in your travel documents. You will receive a ticket with all the information about transfer points and timings with your final travel documents.

Yes, you can customise this tour online. During the booking process, you can add extra nights to your itinerary as well as optional day trips, excursions and upgrades. 

If you have something specific in mind, get in touch with your travel consultant and they’ll create your dream trip.

By booking with Nordic Visitor, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that there’s always someone there for you throughout your trip.

For support and advice during the day, you can call our office. And if anything unexpected happens outside working hours, you can reach us on our 24/7 helpline. 

During your tour, there will always be a travel expert on call to handle any unforeseen situations, such as unusual weather or events.

If you have a passport from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand, you won’t need a visa to visit Norway. This visa-free entry is valid for up to 90 days.

Visiting from another country? You can find out whether you require a visa to enter Norway on the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Select your home country to view details. If you do require a visa, you will be directed to your local embassy website to learn about the visa requirements.

Your passport must also be valid for at least 3 months from your departure from Norway. It’s good to check your passport expiry date early in case you need to renew it.

Because of its northerly location close to and inside the Arctic Circle, Norway has limited daylight in winter. 

In the south, you can expect more daylight than in the north. For example, in Tromsø, you’ll have less than 7 hours of daylight from late October. Then from late November to mid-January, the sun never rises. This is called the “polar night”.

In Oslo and Bergen, you’ll get 5–10 hours of daylight across the winter. 

The beauty of these extended hours of darkness in Norway is that you’ll have a better chance of seeing the northern lights.

Find out what the daylight hours will be during the month of your visit in this guide to time and daylight in Norway.

Yes! Wintertime is the right season to visit Norway if you want to see the northern lights (or aurora borealis). You can experience the northern lights in the north of Norway between October and March, with peak visibility from December through February. 

For the best chances of seeing them, head into the Arctic Circle, to locations such as Tromsø, Kirkenes and the Lofoten islands. With Nordic Visitor, you can also pick from a selection of Norway northern lights tours.

Please note that the northern lights are a natural phenomenon, so sightings cannot be guaranteed. Even if you go out on a specific northern lights excursion, you might not see them, depending on the conditions or cloud cover. 

Read our Norway northern lights guide to learn more.

Visiting Northern Norway in the winter season will reward you with snow-blanketed landscapes and a festive, cosy atmosphere. There’s not much sunlight at this time of year, so the places you’ll visit will have the enchanting atmosphere of deep winter.

You’ll probably experience temperatures below freezing, around 0 to -7°C (31 to 19°F). This means you’ll want to come prepared with warm, insulated clothes and outer layers. You can read more about the weather conditions and what to pack on our Norway travel guide.

Please note that sightseeing and excursions depend on weather and road conditions. Your itinerary might need to be altered if these conditions are not favourable during your visit.

During Norway’s winter season, you can expect temperatures below freezing. For that reason, you’ll want to pack and dress with plenty of layers to keep yourself warm and dry.

Here is an essential winter packing list for your trip to Norway:

  • Insulated and waterproof jacket
  • Cosy wool or fleece jumpers
  • Snow or waterproof trousers depending on your destination
  • Warm gloves, hat and scarf
  • Insulated boots
  • A few pairs of thermal socks
  • Sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Electronic gear such as smartphone, external powerpack, and travel adapters
  • and don’t forget your camera!
     

If you’re heading north and plan on taking part in winter excursions, you could also bring glove liners and heat packs for extra warmth.

Some day tour operators will provide you with thermal suits for your comfort. To find out if equipment is provided check the details of each activity before you leave for Norway, or get in touch with your personal travel consultant.

For more information, check out this Norway packing list.

When you travel with Nordic Visitor, breakfast at your Norway accommodation is always included.  For the rest of your meals, the amount of spending money you need will depend on the standard of restaurants you decide to go to. 

That said, we recommend budgeting between 100–400 NOK for lunch per person, each day. Dinners at casual restaurants might cost between 500–1,000 NOK. Meanwhile, at upscale restaurants, you can expect to pay 1,500 NOK or more. This does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages. 

It’s best to book as soon as you can to secure your preferred travel dates. Once you have picked your tour, check the availability calendar to see which months are open for booking. Then, select the date you want and complete your booking. 

We recommend waiting for a confirmation from your travel consultant to ensure your travel dates are available. You’ll then be able to purchase your flights with confidence.

If you like to plan well ahead, you’ll find that it’s possible to book many tours for the following year. And if you have any questions or need advice, you can always contact us. 

After booking your tour package online, you will be contacted within 2 business days by your own dedicated travel consultant. They will be your point of contact for all your travel needs before, during and even after your trip. 

We aim to complete bookings within a few weeks. During this time we take care of booking your accommodation, activities, and transport, confirming all parts of your journey. Once this is done, your travel consultant will provide you with all the details of your trip. 

When we get back to you might depend slightly on how far ahead you’ve booked your travels and other tours running at the time. 

No need! Nordic Visitor is already working on offsetting the estimated carbon footprint of your package. We’ve partnered with an environmental fund in Iceland to carbon offset all our tours.

Carbon offsetting your international flights is not included, but we highly recommend you look into possibilities with your airline or directly through a local environment fund. 

If you have any questions before your trip, you can get in touch with our Norway travel experts. The live chat option is useful for getting a quick reply as someone answers live every day during office opening hours.

Once you’ve booked, we’ll provide you with a travel guide packed full of local tips and top attractions for your visit. You can also check out our online Norway Travel Guide where we’ve compiled useful information about topics, including:

After you have booked your tour, it will only take a few days to confirm its availability. But it may take a few weeks to create your itinerary and book everything. 

Once your trip details are finalised, we’ll send you e-copies of your travel documents. This will include your personalised itinerary, our Norway Travel Guide and your service vouchers. We recommend printing your tickets and vouchers to bring with you to Norway.

So when do you check in? And what can you expect when you land in Norway?
 
After picking up your luggage, you’ll make your way to your accommodation. Public transport is easy to access and convenient in Norway. Or you could catch a taxi.
 
Check-in times vary between hotels and guesthouses, but it normally starts between 2–4 PM. 
 
You are welcome to request an early check-in for an additional fee. Although this isn’t always available, you’ll be able to store your luggage at the hotel until check-in. Please contact your travel consultant well in advance of your trip if you’d like an early check-in.

When you depart may depend on the time of your return flight. Check out early if you’re heading to the airport for a morning flight. On the other hand, if you’re flying home later in the day, you might like to enjoy a leisurely day or visit one more attraction.

You will usually need to check out from your room around 10–11 AM. If you’re staying in town longer, you will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception. Simply return later to collect your bags before making your way to the airport.

All bookings are billed in Euro (EUR). Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate. This means conversions from EUR to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.

Accommodation

Sleep soundly, in the accommodation type of your choice, and wake up ready to enjoy another day of exploration.

Comfort Plus

Standard rooms in good quality and comfortable three-star hotels in combination with charming country hotels.

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Superior

Standard rooms in four-star hotels in combination with Superior rooms in premium three-star hotels.

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Price per person from

EUR

The amount will be charged in EUR

Approx 4020 EUR

Request info

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