Hike, Kayak and Wild Camp the Norwegian Fjords in a Week

You're free to bring any luggage or suitcase you wish with you to Voss. On Day 2, you'll check out of your accommodation with all of your luggage and take a minivan to the host's kayaking base in Gudvangen. Here, you'll separate your items into what you will need for hiking, and what you need for kayaking. The remainder of your luggage (anything you don't need on the expedition) can be left at the kayaking base in Gudvangen, where it will be safely stored until your return.

For the kayaking, you will be given a 22-litre drybag to pack everything into for this part of the expedition (excluding a sleeping bag and sleeping mat, unless you bring your own). You will be given a hard waterproof case for your camera/phone too, and you'll want to keep certain things handy such as your water bottle, a cap, sunscreen and snacks. You'll need to pack light as your drybag has to fit into the hatched compartments (bulkheads) of your kayak, along with the group's food and equipment which will be shared among the kayaks. Don't stress! Your host will explain it all during the briefing.

Sure thing. On Day 2, you'll check out of your accommodation with all of your luggage and transfer to the host's kayaking base in Gudvangen. Here, you'll re-pack all your stuff, ready for the expedition (see 'How do I pack for this expedition?' above). The remainder of your luggage – anything that you don't need on the adventure itself – can be left behind at the kayaking base in Gudvangen, where it will be safely stored until your return.

One of the most beautiful places in the world. A fjord is a deep, narrow and elongated part of the sea, that stretches inland for miles, winding around mountains, valleys, and steep cliffs. The fjords were formed by the giant glacier tongues and shaped over several ice ages.

Most groups will have a mix of single and double kayaks. If you’d prefer a single, let your host know in advance – they will do their best to make it happen, but it can’t be guaranteed. They’ll need to balance kayak-to-guide safety ratios and juggle the fleet across multiple groups. If you start out in a double and fancy trying a single (or the other way around), have a chat with your fellow adventurers; someone might be up for a swap during the trip. If you're unsure about your paddling strength or confidence, sharing a double with a stronger member of the group can be a great shout.

Absolutely. The train is 45 minutes faster than the included transfer and is one of the most spectacular journeys you can take by rail. Here’s how:

From the airport, get the Flybussen airport shuttle to Bergen bus station, or the Bybanen (city light rail – cheaper, but slower). Buses to/from the airport run every 10-15 minutes, and cost roughly 90NOK (£9) each way. The Bybanen is approx 40NOK (£4). From Bergen bus station, it’s just a few minutes walk to the train station. A taxi from the airport to the train station can be booked for between 350-550NOK (£35-£55), depending on traffic.

Trains run regularly throughout the day and don’t need to be booked in advance, with a single ticket to Voss costing roughly 200NOK (£20). Trains to Oslo stop at Voss. You can buy tickets at the ticket office up until 17:30, or from ticket machines. You can check the timetable or book ahead online.

Voss Hostel is a 12-minute walk from Voss train station. Head out of the main station and turn right on the road. Follow the road until just before the roundabout (about 750m) then take the left turning, following the road for 200m more – straight to the hostel.

For the return, make your life easy by jumping on the already included transfers to Bergen Airport.

We can recommend the following, from budget to high-end. There are many other hotels, however these are selected for their convenience and/or from experience:

Accommodation in Voss

• Voss Hostel – great prices for individuals, couples or large groups.
• Voss Camping Cabins – ideal for small groups of 3 to 4.
• Store Ringheim Hotel – perfect for cosy traditional rooms and great food.

Accommodation in Bergen

• Montana Hostel – great prices for individuals, couples or large groups.
• Grand Terminus Hotel – older style, but right next to the train station.
• Thon Bristol Hotel – great central city location for sightseeing and nightlife.
• First Marin Hotel – also a great central city location for sightseeing and nightlife.

Here’s what your local guide has to say on drones:

We do not really encourage bringing drones on this trip for several reasons:

• There are limited times where there would be possibilities for flying the drone.
• We need to keep the campsites free of drone traffic in agreement with the landowners.
• There is often livestock animals in some areas that may get affected and we need to keep a good relationship with the farmers.
• We have seen some people being frustrated by drone traffic and can understand this.

Having said this, we do not prohibit drone use as it is out of our legislation. As long as it does not interfere with the issues mentioned above and you can fit the drone in the kayak, it will be OK to bring it along. Just please do discuss the use with other group members sometime after meeting up with them on the first morning to settle this.

The best way to meet your host is to take the train from Oslo centre to Voss (not Bergen), and then head to Voss Hostel. Voss Hostel is a 12-minute walk from Voss train station. Head out of the main station and turn right on the road. Follow the road until just before the roundabout (about 750m) then take the left turning, following the road for 200m more – straight to the hostel. The train journey takes about 6.5 hours and goes through some amazing scenery.

At Much Better Adventures, we work hard to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies so your trip is safe, inclusive and enjoyable. That said, options can vary by country, location and accommodation, and in some places options may be limited or unavailable. The information below has been provided by your host so you’re fully informed about what will be possible on your trip depending on your individual requirements. This information should be read carefully prior to your trip to ensure that you are adequately prepared for the situation ‘on the ground’.

Once you have booked on your trip, please fill out your passenger information form asap with any dietary requirements. Once you complete your passenger information, your dietary needs and any allergies are automatically shared with your host and, in turn, your guide. Please submit this as early as possible so they can plan accordingly and deliver the best experience. Please also remind your guide about your dietary requirements upon arrival, as mentioning these in person allows your guide to comprehend individual preferences and limitations as soon as you arrive.

BACKGROUND

Food on this trip is simple, hearty, and prepared in an outdoor setting. Meals are designed to be practical and satisfying: lunches are simple and may include build-your-own wraps or sandwiches, or soup and bread. Dinners typically feature garlic bread, creamy pasta with vegetables, and grilled meats (sausage and pork chop). Breakfasts are varied (yoghurt, bread, muesli, eggs, and pancakes). Guides are able to accommodate dietary needs (as outlined below) when informed in advance.

SPECIAL DIETS

Vegetarian Vegetarian diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.

Vegan Vegan diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.

Kosher Fully certified Kosher kitchens and supervision are rare and usually cannot be guaranteed unless expressly confirmed in advance by your host. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

Halal Halal diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.

INTOLERANCES

Gluten Free (for Coeliac, please see Allergies section below) Gluten-free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.

Lactose-free Lactose-free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.

ALLERGIES Our host has confirmed that they are able to accommodate mild allergies to the 14 allergens identified by the UK Food Standards Agency, where these are disclosed in advance. However, if you have a severe or life-threatening food allergy, please get in touch with our Customer Experience team prior to booking to discuss whether your requirements can be accommodated safely on this trip. This will allow us to carefully consider the sensitivity and severity of your allergy, the available provision on the trip and the accessibility of medical care should a reaction occur. Your safety is always our top priority.

Please note that when travelling overseas, local ingredients, food preparation methods and labelling standards may vary, particularly in remote areas. It is also worth noting that any allergies may result in more limited options and repetitive provision in some areas. Whilst your guide will help communicate dietary requirements where possible, customers remain responsible for managing their own allergies during the trip.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way. Check out our Community Values – a shared code to make sure that everyone's experience is safe, inclusive and brilliantly unforgettable.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

The weather in summer is generally very comfortable for kayaking and camping, with temperatures of 15-20°C, sometimes more. April and May typically see the lowest rainfall, but days are cooler (typically 10-15°C) and nights usually hover a few degrees above freezing. Snow cover often persists on higher ground into April and May (and occasionally even early June), so is likely to be encountered along a significant portion of the hike. Your host has a stock of snowshoes if necessary. We recommend joining this trip in July and August for the warmest temperatures, but it’s great all throughout the summer.

In any month it can rain and get chilly at night so waterproofs, good hiking boots, a warm jumper and some thermals are vital. At this time of year, daylight in Norway is near constant with only 2–3 hours of darkness in the evenings.