NORWAY IN A NUTSHELL

THE MOST POPULAR RAIL EXCURSIONS IN NORWAY

All year round!

Oslo - Flåm Railway - Flåm - Aurland & Nærøy Fjord cruise -

Gudvangen - Stalheim - Voss - Bergen

Also available from: Bergen- Oslo / Bergen - Bergen

Oslo - Bergen - Oslo / Oslo - Voss - Oslo

Departures daily, all year!

 This unique and best-selling Norway-in-a-Nutshell excursion combines spectacular train rides with an equally impressive

 cruise, taking you through some of the most picturesque scenery in the fjord region of Norway! Leave Oslo on the

 scenic Bergenbanen across snow capped mountains of the Hardanger Vidda, via Geilo and Finse to Myrdal. Ride on

 the world famous Flåm Railway, descending through the wild Flåm Valley to Flåm, passing steep mountain cliffs,

 waterfalls and quaint villages. Continue with a spectacular cruise from the Aurlandsfjord into the Naeroyfjord, the

 narrowest fjord in Europe. The boat winds its way through the narrowest part of the Sognefjord, passing snow-

 capped mountains, old farmsteads and colorful villages, before reaching the fjord village of Gudvangen. Continue by

 bus via the steep hairpin turns of the Stalheim Canyon Road to Voss, where you join the Bergenbanen bound for

 Bergen, capital of the Fjords. Norway - a true Wonderland all year! Optional direction of travel is permitted. We

 recommend a 1-3 day period to fully appreciate this tour.

 Rates 2009

The Bergen Railway - crossing the roof of Norway
The 471-km rail link between Oslo in east and Bergen in west is a dramatically beautiful train journey. This line is exposed to harsh weather and wind, which is one of the greatest challenges. At a height of

1222m, Finse is the highest station on the Bergen Line. At Myrdal the Flåm valley plunges down towards the Aurlandsfjord.

The Flåm Railway Line - a masterpiece of engineering
The journey on the Flåm Railway line is one of the highlights of the trip. It is fascinating to be on the train as it glides through tunnels and open stretches on its way down the wild Flåm valley from mountain to fjord in just 20 km! You have a view of an ever-changing panorama of huge mountains and thundering waterfalls.

Splendid Norwegian Fjords - now on UNESCOs World Heritage List!
Down at the idyllic Flam there is time to eat and to wander around little before continuing your journey by boat. The journey goes out from Aurlandsfjord and into the Naeroyfjord, the narrowest fjord in Europe. The Naeroyfjord is now included on UNESCOs famous World Heritage List. Surrounded by mighty mountains of up to 1,800 meters high, this branch of the Sognefjord is amazingly beautiful. On the journey you have views of the small traditional farms. If you are lucky you will catch sight of the goats which graze along the edge of the fjord or of the seals lying on rocks before the boat moors at Gudvangen.

Stalheimskleivane
The ship docks at beautiful Gudvangen. The next stage of the trip is the bus journey up the 13 steep, spectacular hairpin bends of the Stalheim Canyon Road, with views of the Stalheim and Sivle waterfalls, to the Stalheim hotel. After a brief stop here to enjoy the view, the journey continues to Voss followed by a relaxing train trip back to Bergen or Oslo.

Facts
Optional direction of travel, and may be started from any railway station along the selected route. Norway in a Nutshell can be enjoyed as day excursions or as extended round trip. For the longest suggested tour from Oslo via Voss and Bergen, normally the return to Oslo has to be done by the night train if this tour is done in one day.

The tour can be completed in one day or you can you can stop off along the selected railway. Should you wish to spend more time in the Fjord Region, we highly recommend overnight stays in Flåm at the lovely Fretheim Hotel, or in Gudvangen at the Gudvangen Fjord hotel prior to your journey to Bergen. 

Five exciting itineraries to choose from. Combine travel on train (2nd class), cruise on the spectacular Nærøy Fjord, and bus through breath-taking  mountain scenery. Includes travel on the famous Flåm Railway.

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  Related tours...          Flam Railway                              

  Norway in a Nutshell Rates 2009    Nutshell Schedules