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

The trip will be split into groups of up to 12 people. Let us know if you are travelling with friends, and we will make sure you are in the same group as friends who have booked.

Our local host operates multiple trips starting on the same date, so for your included group transfers between Bergen and Voss, you'll share a coach. When you are dropped off at your accommodation in Voss, your host will let you know who will be in your group so you can introduce yourselves and perhaps grab some dinner together. On your first night, although the rooms at the hostel in Voss are multi-share, you won't necessarily be sharing with people from your group due to room configurations and gender mix. When you arrive at the kayaking base in Gudvangen the next day, you'll separate into your group of up to 12 and hit the water.

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 and they’ll do their best to make it happen, but it can’t be guaranteed. They 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 vice versa), 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.

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 transfer by bus to the host's kayaking base in Gudvangen. Here, you'll be given a 22-litre dry bag to pack everything into for your kayaking, camping and hiking adventure (excluding your 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, cap, sunscreen and snacks. You'll need to pack light as your dry bag has to fit into the hatched compartments (bulkheads) of the kayak, along with the group's food and equipment which will be shared among the kayaks. The remainder of your luggage that you don't need on the adventure can be left behind at the kayaking base in Gudvangen, where it will be safely stored until your return.

Don't stress, your host will explain all during the briefing.

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 (opens in new tab) 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 (opens in new tab) is approx 40NOK (£4).

From the bus station it’s a few minutes walk to the train station. A taxi from the airport to 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 5.30 pm, or from ticket machines. If you want to check the timetable or book online head here (opens in new tab).

Voss Hostel (opens in new tab) is a 12 minute walk from the 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 price. There are many other hotels, however these are selected for their convenience and/or from experience:

Accommodation in Voss

• Voss Hostel (opens in new tab) - great prices for individuals, couples or large groups.
• Voss Camping Cabins (opens in new tab) - ideal for small groups of 3 to 4.
• Store Ringheim Hotel (opens in new tab) - perfect for cosy traditional rooms and great food.

Accommodation in Bergen

• Montana Hostel (opens in new tab) - great prices for individuals, couples or large groups.
• Grand Terminus Hotel (opens in new tab) - Older style but right next to the train station.
• Thon Bristol Hotel (opens in new tab) - great central city location for sightseeing and nightlife.
• First Marin Hotel (opens in new tab) - 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. See the FAQ how to get to Voss hostel from the airport and just follow the directions from Voss station 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 (opens in new tab) 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 (opens in new tab). 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 (opens in new tab), 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 (opens in new tab) 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 (opens in new tab) – 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 (opens in new tab) for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

The weather in summer is generally very comfortable for kayaking and camping, with temperatures of 15-20ºC, sometimes more. April and May typically see the lowest rainfall but days are cooler (typically 10-15ºC) and nights usually hover a few degrees above freezing. Snow cover often persists on higher ground into April and May (and occasionally early June) and is likely to be encountered along a significant portion of the hike (your host has a stock of snowshoes if needed). We recommend joining this trip in July and August for the warmest temperatures, but it’s great all 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. This time of year daylight in Norway is constant with only 2–3 hours of darkness in the evenings.