10 Days: Copenhagen - Aarhus - Stavanger - Bergen - Balestrand - Flåm - Oslo - Karlstad - Stockholm

Tour overview:

Experience the best of what Scandinavia has to offer: fjords, waterfalls, coastal and city culture, the unique Viking History, mountains & majestic forests. The tour will lead you through Nordic cities: Copenhagen, Aarhus, Stavanger, Bergen, Oslo, Karlstad and Stockholm. The rest of the time is to explore beautiful nature, fjords, waterfalls, mountains and lakes. There will be an escort following the route all the way from Copenhagen to Stockholm to share some interesting stories about the countries and their habitants. Don’t worry about having any vouchers for the hotels or trains, these will be taken care of, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!

Day 1 - Arrival to Copenhagen

Welcome to Copenhagen - The Kingdom of Denmark. Arrive in Copenhagen and transfer to your hotel. Discover the city at your own pace. Meet your Tour Leader at the reception of our hotel for an informative meeting about your tour (In case of late arrivals the tour leader will leave a note at reception with a new meeting time and place) Overnight in Copenhagen at Scandic Copenhagen or similar.

Day 2 - Copenhagen - Aarhus

Breakfast in the hotel. A local guide will take you for a panoramic tour of the capital of Denmark. This thousand year old city offers historical charm and modern amenities. During the tour you´ll have the chance to appreciate the old architecture, and the famous district of Nyhavn. we will pass alongside Amalienborg Palace -home of the Royal family of Denmark, through to the island of power where sights such as Christianborg Palace - where the Danish parliament sits, the old stock exchange, and the National Museum are located.

We recommend the optional canal tour which will take you around other well-known sights in Copenhagen such as ‘the little mermaid’ statue and the neighborhood of Christianshavn.

Option: Classic Canal Tour

In the afternoon, departure to Aarhus taking the ferry from Odden. Overnight in Aarhus at Comwell Aarhus City or similar. (B)

Day 3 - Aarhus - Fjord Line

Breakfast in the hotel. In the morning historical tour with local guide through Aarhus; This is the second most populous city in Denmark and was named the European Capital of Culture in 2017. Its strategic location made it an important Viking city, and later a flourishing commercial place. Stop at the Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral. Free time to continue discovering the city on your own.

In the afternoon we will continue to the North of Denmark to reach Hirtshals where we board an overnight cruise to Norway. Dinner and overnight on board. (B,D)

Day 4 - Stavanger - Pulpit Rock

After early arrival in Stavanger breakfast at hotel or restaurant.

In the morning take part in a panoramic walk with our Tour Leader to discover the charming old town of Stavanger. Rest of the day free. We recommend doing one of the two optional activities*:

Option A: Cruise on the Lysefjord. This 3-hour cruise on the Lysefjord will get us close enough to one of the fjord's waterfalls to feel the mist and to witness the imposing presence of the Pulpit Rock towering above all the other stunning scenery.

Option B: Lysefjord Cruise + Preikestolen (Pulpit) Climb – From the fjord to the mountaintop. This fjord cruise from Stavanger to Lysefjord is combined with a spectacular hike to world famous Preikestolen. See the panoramic view from the plateau!

*Travelers choosing Option B will not take the morning tour of Stavanger. Please note only one option can be selected.

Overnight in Stavanger at Scandic Stavanger City Hotel or similar. (B)

Day 5 - Stavanger - Bergen

Breakfast in the hotel. Continue driving to Bergen by taking ferry from Mortavika to Årsvågen and from Sandvikvåg to Halhjem. Arrival in Bergen and free time for lunch. In the afternoon, panoramic tour of Bergen with a local guide to see the most emblematic places of the city, including the famous fish market and the Hanseatic quarter, a World Heritage Site (UNESCO).

In the afternoon, you will have a chance to take a ride with the Floibanen funicular to the top of mountain Floyen. From there, you can admire the magnificent views of the city and its surrounding landscapes.

Overnight in Bergen at Scandic Ornen or similar. (B)

Day 6 - Bergen - Flam - Balestrand

Breakfast in the hotel. After breakfast we are heading to Voss to start our spectacular train trip ascending almost 900 meters with incredible views of the fjord. The train journey will start from Voss and take you to Myrdal station, which is a mountain railway station and junction, located about 13 km from the village of Flåm. In Myrdal, board the famous Flam Railway Flåmsbana - one of the steepest trainlines in the world. The train journey runs through fantastic nature, past the Rallar road, steep mountains, breath-taking waterfalls and no less than 20 tunnels. It offers many viewpoints that will make you want to repeat the journey over and over.

Upon arrival in Flåm, enjoy some leisure time to explore the scenic village between the fjords.

The journey continues by cruise on the Sognefjord to our accommodation in Balestrand or Voss, a rural area surrounded by nature. Sognefjord - the King of Norway and the longest fjord in Norway. The initial part of the fjord, called Aurlandsfjord, is a 17-kilometer arm of the world’s second longest fjord, the Sognefjord (204 km). It is one of the most picturesque fjords in the world.

Overnight & dinner in Balestrand / Voss at Kviknes Hotel, Myrkdalen Hotel or similar. (B,D)

Day 7 - Balestrand - Borgund Church - Oslo

Breakfast in the hotel. We will continue our route through mountains, valleys and incredible landscapes with numerous villages scattered by nature, taking the ferries. We will make a stop to visit the Borgund Church, a wooden church dating back to 1,180 AD. In the afternoon we will continue to Lake Tyrifjord and arrive in Oslo. Overnight in Oslo at Thon Hotel Terminus or similar. (B)

Day 8 - Oslo - Vigeland Park - Karlstad

Breakfast in the hotel. Guided tour of Oslo including Frogner Park with the Vigeland sculpture complex, passing the City Hall, the Royal Palace, and the modern Opera. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon, departure to Sweden. Arrival in Karlstad, located in the delta formed by two of Sweden's great natural waterways: the Klara River and the impressive Lake Vänern. Enjoy the welcoming atmosphere of the hotel and feel like home with a casual self-service buffet in the hotel lounge area. Make the most of the excellent wellness facilities, including the indoor jacuzzi, relaxing traditional sauna with panoramic view and fully equipped fitness center. For environmentally conscious travelers, the hotel is proudly certified with the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, one of the most recognized sustainability certifications in the Nordic region, reflecting its commitment to responsible and sustainable hospitality. Overnight and light supper in Karlstad at Home Plaza. (B,light supper)

Day 9 - Karlstad - Stockholm

Breakfast in the hotel. In the morning departure to the East until reaching Stockholm - the Swedish capital, built on 14 islands. Surrounded by the Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea, with its grand public buildings, palaces, rich cultural history and museums tell its beautiful 700-year history. Upon arrival in Stockholm, you will enjoy a panoramic tour of the city with a local guide, visiting the old town or "Gamla Stan" with its network of small squares and cobbled streets, and we will see the exteriors of the Royal Palace, the Cathedral and the Parliament. Overnight in Stockholm at Clarion Sign or similar. (B)

Day 10 - Departure

Breakfast in the hotel. Depending on your departure time, you might still have some time to enjoy in the city. Optional canal tour Djurgården island. This 1-hour tour offers stunning views of Stockholm, including historical buildings and lush nature. Private transfer to the airport. (B)