PRIVATE GUIDED TOUR: The Heart of Norway – Viking Special, 8-9 hours – WINTER

Our tour starts in the city of Bergen - the Gateway to the Fjords. The city was founded in 1070 and contains many historical and cultural landmarks. We will pass some of them on our way from the city and also on our return to Bergen.

We pass through the town of Voss on our way to Gudvangen. The main historical attractions are Vangskyrkja - church from 1277, and the St.Olaf's cross from 1023.

We make a stop at Tvindefossen waterfall, locaded 12 km (7.5 miles) to the north of Voss town center. We can come close this cascading 110 meters (360 ft) tall waterfall. In autumn and spring Tvindefossen is usually at its fullest flow, due to the autumn rainfalls and melting snow in spring. During winter months the waterfall can be frozen.

Our next stop is at Stalheim Hotel, an establishment which history is closely related to postal service in Norway and goes back all the way to 1647. The hotel and its outlook terrace is closed from the end of September till May. We can visit another view point close by - a short walk up a moderately steep path is required.

Stalheimsfossen waterfall is one of the 2 waterfalls on each side of the hairpin turn road Stalheimskleiva (the road is closed for car traffic this time of year). We can take a short walk to come closer to the waterfall. Stalheimsfossen is 126 meter / 413 feet tall.

Alternatively, we can take a short walk uphill to come closer toanother waterfall: Sivlefossen waterfall is one of the 2 waterfalls on each side of the hairpin turn road Stalheimskleiva (the road is closed for car traffic this time of year). Sivlefossen is 142 meter / 466 feet tall.

Our main destination on this tour is a small village of Gudvangen, in the very end of the Nærøyfjord. This cosy little village, snuggly located under the tallest waterfall in Norway, Kjelfossen (840 meters / 2755 feet), has attracted tourists ever since the 19th century. When we arrive here, it will be time for lunch, which we can have at the local hotel's restaurant/cafe or inside the Viking Village.

From Gudvangen we drive to the village of Bakka, on the shore of the Nærøyfjord, where Bakka Church from 1859 is located beneath Mount Bakkanosi (4 586 ft or 1398 m above sea level). The main attraction on this stop is not the church but the scenery: the magnificent Nærøyfjord and the surrounding mountains.

Njardarheimr is the name of the Viking Village in Gudvangen. We visit the village with a guided tour and learn about the Viking history, culture and society, and take part in activities like archery and axe throwing. There are also some interesting people to meet: real modern day Vikings who come to live in the Village and engage in their authentic arts and crafts.

You have 2 options when visiting the Viking Village:
1) Regular: Entrance tickets to the Village are included. You can participate in a scheduled tour around the Village with a local guide.
2) Private Viking: Entrance tickets to the Village are included. Your tour around the Village is with a private Viking guide, who is with your party for a whole hour.

On our way back to Bergen we pass the town of Voss again. This time we can make a stop here to take Voss Gondol cable car to the top of Mount Hangur (2690 ft / 820 m above sea level). Additional payment for extra time and cable car tickets is required.

Alternatively, we can stop in Dale, where the famous sweater factory is located – “Dale of Norway”. We can visit the factory outlet and maybe pick up some woolen souvenirs there (good deals and discount here all year round). Closed on Sundays.

Our tour ends in Bergen. Sceduled time for return is 6:00pm.