Adventure to Norwegian Fjords: The Itinerary
Our Timetravels team has been talking about this trip for almost a year — planning, dreaming, and adjusting calendars to make it happen. As a student balancing two schools and work at the same time, making time for this journey wasn’t easy for me. It took serious time management, late nights, and a lot of determination.
But we made it happen! And now we are here in Norway, ready to explore the fjords and soak up everything this trip has to offer. This blog is my little corner to share what it’s like — the highs, the fresh & fun moments, and the magic of finally slowing down after pushing myself non-stop.
This itinerary was a part of our unforgettable Adventure trip to Norwegian Fjords, and we couldn’t wait to share them with you!
Note: The information in this post was recorded during Timetravels’ company trip in Spring 2025. Details may change over time.
DAY 0: Helsinki – Oslo
Today marked the beginning of our much-anticipated Norwegian fjords tour, and I couldn’t have asked for a smoother start. My colleagues and I flew to Oslo together, and from the very first moment, there was this shared excitement in the air. It already felt like a memorable trip in the making.
We took a Bolt taxi to Scandic City Hotel — super central, stylish, and just a short walk from our departure point tomorrow at Thon Hotel Opera. The hotel was warm and welcoming, and it felt great to settle in before our road trip kicks off.
After dropping off our bags, we headed out to explore the city. We took a long walk through central Oslo, enjoying the city’s clean air and refreshing energy. We passed through small squares and sunny streets, eventually finding our way to the Nobel Peace Center.
One of the coolest sights? The Oslo Floating Sauna — little wooden huts drifting on the water, where people were genuinely going in and out, barefoot and smiling. Norwegians really do winter wellness on a different level.
It still feels surreal to be in Norway. Oslo’s streets have this timeless mix of modern design and old-world charm. The air feels different here — maybe it’s the start of spring, or maybe it’s just that special Norway glow.
📍 Read more: [Tips in Oslo if you arrive early] (upcoming)
Tomorrow, we hit the road toward Lærdal, our first fjord destination. I’m a little nervous about all the hikes planned (spoiler alert: hiking isn’t exactly my thing), but I’m going to go with the flow and see what this adventure brings.
DAY 1: Departure day, Oslo – Lærdal
After a relaxing morning and a long walk around the city, we said goodbye to Oslo and officially began our journey into the fjords. Oslo had such a relaxing vibe, and the fact that we’d soon be heading into the heart of nature — cliffs, fjords, and all — made me even more excited for what was coming.
The views on the way were absolutely beautiful. The road curved around the lakes and passed mighty mountains that looked like something out of a postcard.
Around the evening, we stopped at the Flå supermarket to grab some essentials before heading to our accommodation. It was team time — our group had already started planning meals together, figuring out what to cook and how to share the load.
There was something really comforting about that moment. After a long drive, we moved through the aisles, sharing little jokes, asking each other what to make for dinner, laughing softly over snacks we’d never seen before. It felt like we were no longer just travelers, but a little team beginning to make a home — even if just for a few days. In that simple moment, Flå felt warm and familiar, like it had quietly opened its arms to us.
💡 Travel tip: Gather your cabin mates and plan your meals together! It’s not only more fun, but also saves time & money, avoids food waste, and brings everyone a little closer. Cooking together quickly becomes one of the best bonding moments of the trip.
– Timetravels Crew
After the shopping stop, we checked into our cabins at Lærdal Ferie- og Fritidspark — a peaceful little spot surrounded by mountains. We were welcomed by the beautiful sunset, calm and gentle, as if the whole valley was settling in for the night.
Some of us cooked dinner in the common kitchen, others went exploring and swimming in the fjords, and a few just curled up under blankets and finally relaxed. Our tour guide gave us a bunch of great suggestions for the area — but to be honest, just being there felt like enough.
📍 Read more: Accommodation in Norway Fjords – The Highlights
DAY 2: Bergen day – Tvindefossen – Ulriken mountain hike
We started the day early, packing our snacks, water bottles, and layers for what would turn out to be one of the most beautiful days of the trip. We began to drive towards Bergen!
Along the way, we stopped at Tvindefossen Waterfall. It was tall and peaceful, surrounded by quiet forest. The water flowed down in soft, steady streams — not wild or loud, but calm and graceful, like it had all the time in the world.
Aki, our guide, told us that the flow today was much quieter than just a week ago. He said, the waterfall was so powerful you actually needed a poncho just to stand nearby. I smiled imagining the same spot, but with everyone getting gently soaked under the spray. Even without the drama, it was still a beautiful and calming stop.
By 12:00, we arrived in Bergen, and the city welcomed us with bright sunshine and warm air. It felt like a gentle surprise — as if Bergen was happy to see us. Known as one of the rainiest cities in the world, with an average of 200 to 250 rainy days per year, getting clear skies felt like we’d won the weather lottery. We even joked that the sun had come out just for us.
Not everyone in our group chose to hike — some stayed to explore Bergen on their own. But many of us decided to take on the challenge and hike to the top of Mount Ulriken, the highest of Bergen’s seven mountains. I decided to challenge myself and join the Ulriken mountain hike — even though I’m very much a hiking beginner. Let’s just say my idea of “outdoorsy” usually involves walking to a coffee shop.
📍 Read more: Ulriken mountain hike and my effort to not die (upcoming)
After the hike, we had some free time to explore Bergen at our own pace. Tired legs aside, it felt good to just wander around — no rush, no plan. Some of us walked through Bryggen, the city’s old harbor area with colorful wooden buildings that looked like they belonged in a storybook. Others grabbed a coffee or beer in the sun, sat by the water, or roamed into little shops between the narrow alleys.
“Even after the hike, it didn’t feel like we were done — it felt like the day still had more to offer, and Bergen quietly gave it to us.”
– Comment from a fellow traveller
The sun was still shining (miraculously!), and the whole city felt calm and easy to fall in love with. Bergen had this peaceful charm — just the right mix of sea breeze, soft light, and cozy corners that made you want to slow down and stay a little longer.
📍 Read more: Roaming in Bergen (upcoming)
As the afternoon slowly turned to evening, we gathered again at Fløibanen to meet our bus. By the time we arrived back at our cabins around 21:00, it was properly dark. Some of us made dinner, others went straight to bed. It was the kind of tired that felt right — the kind you get from exploring somewhere new and being fully present.
Bergen didn’t rush us. It welcomed us gently, and we quietly said thank you with every step we took.
DAY 3: Vindhellavegen hike – Borgund Stave church – Flåm & Nærøyfjord – Luster
Time to check out today! We had spent two nights in Lærdal, and honestly, it didn’t feel like enough. The place had embraced us with slow mornings, quiet nights, and a calm that’s hard to describe. We packed our bags, tidied up the cabins, and loaded everything onto the bus.
It was time to say goodbye — but not before one last adventure.
We joined the optional activity and started the day with a visit to Borgund Stave Church.
I wasn’t sure what to expect, as I am neither an active hiker nor a church person — but I’m really glad we went. Our first stop was the Borgund Stave Church. It’s been standing there since the 1100s, and the moment I saw it,… wow! It looked like something out of a dark fairytale — almost unreal.
The wood was blackened with age, and the roof had these sharp, layered curves that made it feel almost like a ship or a dragon. I kept watching along the carvings, just imagining someone shaping those details by hand, hundreds of years ago. It felt surreal.
After visiting the church, we started the hike along Vindhellavegen. The trail weaved through quiet forest and over these curved stone paths — the kind of path that makes you pause, look up, and really see where you are. For a second, it felt like time had slowed down. It was quiet, peaceful, and strangely emotional — like the kind of moment you don’t know you needed until you’re in it.
For me, it felt more like a gentle walk than a hike — definitely the easiest one of the whole trip. But somehow, it’s the one that stayed with me the most.
📍 Read more: Borgund Stave Church & Vindhellavegen Hike — I Stepped Into a Viking Tale
We made a quick stop in the town to grab snacks and supplies (a helpful heads-up: there’s no shop in Luster, so this was the moment to stock up!). Then we hit the road again, heading toward Flåm. The drive was beautiful — mountains, rivers, and those picture-perfect houses that make you feel like in a fairy tale.
Many of us joined the fjord cruise from Flåm to Gudvangen — and honestly, if you ever get the chance, don’t even think twice. Just go. We found spots on the deck, bundled up in whatever jackets we had, and let the boat take us through the Nærøyfjord.
It was stunning. The water was so still, the cliffs rose on both sides like something out of a dream, and little waterfalls spilt down from way above. Every now and then, we’d pass a tiny village with just a few houses, and I kept wondering what it’s like to live there, waking up to that view every day.
Others stayed in Flåm and explored or hiked to the Brekkefossen waterfall, which I heard was lovely too. But for me, the cruise was a highlight. It felt like the kind of moment you’d remember long after the trip is over.
📍 Read more: Flåm-Gudvangen cruise on Nærøyfjord (upcoming)
After the cruise, we made our way to Luster — the final stop of the day. The drive there was quiet in the best way. People were napping, listening to music, or just staring out the window, lost in their own little world. I was one of the window-watchers — and with views like that, how could you not be?
We arrived around 20:00, just as the light was starting to soften. Our cabins were right next to the fjord — and I mean right next to it. Like, open your door and there it is, stretching out in front of you like a mirror. It was so peaceful I almost didn’t want to talk, just stand there and breathe it in.
Some people went swimming (yes, really — even with the cold!), while others started making dinner. The air smelled like barbecue and lake water, and there was that relaxed hum of people settling in, cooking and laughing. I remember thinking, yeah… I’m really going to miss this later.
📍 Read more: Accommodation in Norway Fjords – The Highlights
That night in Luster felt like the calm after a deep breath. We’d done so much in one day — walked through history, sailed through mountains, and ended up by the stillest water I’ve ever seen. And yet, it didn’t feel rushed. It felt full.
DAY 4: Glacier hike – Rib boat in Luster
This was one of those days when you could choose your own kind of adventure. Some of us (me included) signed up for the glacier hike, and to be honest, I was a bit nervous. I knew it was going to be a tough one, and I’m not exactly a regular hiker. But at the same time, I was excited. I mean… hiking on a glacier? That’s not something you get to do every day.
We packed sandwiches, layered up in wool and waterproofs, and checked our boots like we were about to summit Everest. Okay, maybe not that dramatic — but still, it felt like a big deal. There was this mix of adrenaline and “what did I get myself into,” and I kind of loved it.
The hike itself was something else. Walking on ice that’s been there for thousands of years? That’s not something you forget. We were roped up and guided across the glacier, crunching over blue-white ice, stopping to take in the views that didn’t even look real. Cold wind in the face, sun on the snow, and the sound of boots and laughter.
📍 Read more: Glacier hiking and the happiness of having lunch on ice — literally (upcoming)
It was tough at times, but the kind of tough that makes you feel proud when it’s done.
By late afternoon, we were all back at the campsite and prepared for the final activity of the day: Rib boat trip in Luster.
Taking the RIB boat out on Lustrafjorden was one of the trip’s nicest surprises. It was only 45 minutes, but in that short time, we saw the fjord from a whole new perspective — calm waters, cliffs, and tiny sheep farms tucked into the hillsides.
Our captain shared local stories as we cruised along. At one point, he cut the engine. Everything went quiet. Just the fjord, the sky, and us — small, still, and floating in the middle of it all.
📍 Read more: Wind in My Face, Fjord in My Heart: A Peaceful Ride on Lustrafjorden (upcoming)
Everyone was on their own rhythm — some people took out rowing boats (life jackets, of course), others went for a little hike nearby, and a few booked the sauna. I didn’t go in, but just seeing people come out rosy-cheeked and wrapped in towels made me smile. There’s something so wholesome about that kind of simple happiness.
By now, Luster had started to feel a bit like home, not because we were there long, but because the pace was so easy. No pressure to do everything, just pick what feels good and go with it.
DAY 5: Fuglesteg hike –Oslo
Our final morning in Luster started early. The sun hadn’t fully come up yet, and everything was still — the kind of quiet that makes you move a little slower, as you don’t want to wake the fjord. We packed up our things, made sure the cabins looked just like when we arrived, and handed over our large bags to the bus. It felt like we were leaving something behind — not just a place, but a rhythm we’ve gotten used to without even realising.
Some of us joined the optional Fuglesteg hike — the last hike of the trip. I had mixed feelings about it. Part of me was tired from the previous hike, but I also didn’t want to miss out. This was our final chance to truly be in the mountains, to feel the wind on our faces and take in the view from the top one more time.
The hike was about 8 kilometres and took around 3.5 to 4 hours. It was no walk in the park — parts were steep, rocky, but it had its own kind of magic. The trail wound through wild terrain, and every time we stopped to breathe (which, for me, was often), the view just kept getting better. I decided not to keep pace with the fast hikers. Instead, I slowed down, letting myself really look at the nature around me, wondering how it all came to be.
There’s something about that kind of climb that clears your head. It’s hard, it’s quiet, and it makes you feel like a tiny part of something much bigger.
And when we finally reached the top and pulled out our lunches — sitting on a rock, wind in our hair, fjords below us — it just felt right.
📍 Read more: Fulegsteg hike – The hike that changed my perspective on hiking (upcoming)
For those who didn’t join the hike, the day was much more relaxed. They stayed around the Luster area, spent time by the water, or just took it easy indoors at Luster Fjordhytter — coffee in hand, snacks nearby, and a peaceful view through the window.
A different kind of good.
By the afternoon, it was time to go. We boarded the bus one last time and began the journey back, tired, happy, and maybe a little quiet. Some of us drifted off to sleep, some stared out the window, and others scrolled through photos, already feeling nostalgic.
Trips like this don’t always hit you all at once. Sometimes it’s only later, days or even weeks down the line, that you realise just how much it meant.
This trip changed my perspective on hiking. I used to see it as a physical challenge — a race to the top. But once I learned to slow down, look around, and really take in the nature around me, it became something else entirely.
Talking to the guide along the way, learning about the landscape, the plants, the stories hidden in the mountains — it added a whole new layer to the journey.
Timetravels Crew 💙
In the end, it wasn’t just about reaching the summit. It was about everything in between.
And maybe that’s what travel is really about — not just the sights, but the way it shifts something in you.
Until next time, fjords. 💙
ACCOMMODATION ON THIS TRIP
- Camping and motel in Lærdal: Lærdal Ferie- og Fritidsparkrdal Ferie- og Fritidspark
- Camping in Luster: Luster Fjord Ca