Have you ever wanted to go kayaking on Norway’s famous fjords?
This is a comprehensive review of the 2 day Norway Sea Kayaking Tour across Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord run by Nordic Ventures. It is one of the most popular sea kayaking experiences in Norway’s fjords and one I have also been on!
This trip will have you exploring a UNESCO World Heritage site over two days by kayak. You will also spend one night camping along the banks of the fjords.
The tour starts at Nordic Venture’s base in Gudvangen and ends at a small town called Undredal where they will drive you back to the Gudvangen base.
Pros
- Amazing once in a lifetime experience with some of the best views in the world
- Experienced, passionate, English-speaking guides
- Great camping experience
- Small group sizes
- Includes hikes up to waterfalls
- Good, tasty food. They can cater for lots of different dietary requirements
- Easy for kayak beginners
- High quality gear
- Great customer service
- Free luggage storage at their base
- Reasonable cancellation policy
- Eco-friendly tours
Cons
- The starting point is a long distance from the airport: 2-2.5 hour car trip or 2.5-4h bus trip from Bergen
- Sleeping bag and mat are not included but you can rent them for additional fees
- Expensive compared to other European trips (once you include all the transport fees to get there)
- No showers at the campsite
- The paddle jacket provided smelt nasty (this was not everyone’s jacket just mine so make sure you get a good one at the start)
Verdict
This is one of the best kayaking tours in the world and a once in a lifetime experience! Although expensive, for a backpacker on a budget, it is worth every penny and is a unique and amazing way to explore Norway’s beautiful fjords. The guides are English-speaking, experienced and just a good bunch of people who really go out of their way to make sure you have a good time. If you are not use to camping and you have below average fitness levels then you may be a bit out of your comfort zone. However, you don’t need any kayaking experience. So it comes as no surprise, I highly recommend you going on this trip! You can find out more at Nordic Ventures here.
What does Nordic Venture’s 2 Day Sea Kayaking Tour include?
– Norway Kayaking Tour Review: The Guided Experience
This is an awesome way to explore Norway’s fjords and see the surrounding mountains and waterfalls. You will spend two full days on the water and the guides will stop along the fjords for breaks and will let you get up close to some of the waterfalls.
The guides are top tier. They lead the way and make sure everyone is safe but are also happy for you to go at your own pace and have the freedom to explore if you want to. They are also friendly and are happy to have a chat.
These tours really immerse you in Norway’s wilderness and you really do get a sense of what it’s like to live in this environment. Nordic ventures also have a focus on sustainability and show how you can have fun while taking care of the place and “leaving no traces”.
How fit do I need to be?
An average level of fitness is enough. You do not need any kayaking experience.
– Norway Kayaking Tour Review: Kayaks and other gear
High quality kayaking and camping gear is provided
They provide:
- Kayaks (single and doubles), paddle, spray deck/skirt
- Paddle jacket
- Life jacket
- Sleaveless wet suit and paddling booties
- Waterproof cases for phones and cameras
- Dry bag to keep your things dry
- Tents and cooking gear
- Food for all the main meals during the tour
HOT TIP! The guides can help you pack your things into the dry bags and kayaks snugly. Any extra luggage you do not need can be stored securely at their home base while you go on your trip.
– Norway Kayaking Tour Review: Camping overnight
The campsite is a good one with well set out areas. There’s a nice spot where everyone pitches in to set up their two person tents. The tents are good quality and if you’ve never pitched a tent don’t worry as the guides and other people in the group will help you.
There is an eco-toilet. However, there are no showers. Given how remote the place is, it’s understandable. If you really feel like bathing, you can try the fjord :p.
The guides do a good job cooking meals and there’s a nice campfire at night.
Take some time to wander around the campsite and take a few photos of the fjord as the sun sets as well. The views are amazeballs!
HOT TIP! Make sure you take warm clothes as it can get chilly at night.
– Norway Kayaking Tour Review: Customer service, organising the trip, cancellations
It is easy to book and if you have any questions Nordic ventures are usually quick to respond. Book early as this is a popular tour.
Once you have booked your tour you can then organise transport etc. Note, some travel companies will offer a package with the Kayaking tour and transport included.
If you need to cancel, you will receive a full or partial refund if you cancel early enough. If you cancel more than 5 days before the trip you will get a full refund. If you cancel 2-5 days before the trip you will get a 70% of the trip’s price back. If you cancel in the 48 hours before the start of the trip you will receive no refund. (Check their website for the current conditions)
How Much Does Nordic Venture’s 2 Day Sea Kayaking Tour Cost?
It costs 3750 NOK or 305 pounds. That is approximately $550 AUD which is relatively expensive when you compare this to other Europe trips.
It was one of my pricier trips as the flights and car rental to get to tour can increase the costs quite a bit. I did travel with three friends which made it more cost effective for the rental car and for accommodation before and after the trip.
How Many Days Will You Need to do the Nordic Venture Tour?
You will need a minimum of two full days and three nights to do Nordic Venture’s 2 day Sea Kayaking Tour (this includes transport time to and from Bergen).
When to Book a Nordic Venture Tour?
You can book between April and October. I recommend going in August during the Summer when there are warmer, longer and more sunny days.
This tour hardly ever gets cancelled due to weather but I am sure it is much nicer when it is not raining.
How to get to the Nordic Venture Tour?
Nordic Ventures recommend you fly to Bergen.
From here you can:
– Organise a rental car and drive to their base in Gudvangen. It will take approximately 2-2.5 hours to get there.
– Travel from Bergen to Gudvangen by bus directly. It will take approximately 2.5 hours.
– Train to Voss and then bus to Gudvangen. It will take approximately 3-4 hours
– Some companies have made a package which includes hostel stay in Bergen for one night and bus transfers to their base in Gudvangen and back. However, you could easily organise this yourself.
What to Bring on your Norway Kayaking Tour?
- Waterproof jacket with hood (you can buy one in Bergen if needed)
- Warm clothes (jacket, fleece, long pants, gloves, thick woollen socks). Do not take clothes made from cotton as they dry slowly and stay cold and heavy when wet. Wool and fleece clothes are ideal.
- Sun cream
- Towel
- Thermals
- Hat
- Beanie
- Sun glasses
- Swimmers to wear under the wetsuit
- Camera (ideally waterproof), Go Pro
- Sleeping bag and mat (You can rent these if you do not have them)
- Toothbrush, dental floss and other toiletries
- Torch
- Extra snacks
- Water bottle
- Extra socks
- Day pack
Can I Book as a Solo Traveller?
Yes you can and everyone is very friendly. Travelling solo would not stop me from going on this trip. That being said, I also think this is a great trip to do with friends. Going with a partner or a group will make transport and car rental cheaper. It’s also a great way to spend time with people away from the hustle and bustle of city life. If you can go with an even number of people this will work better as they mostly provide two person kayaks and tents (there are single person kayaks too though!).
Optional Norway Trip Add-on Ideas
- Explore Bergen
- Go on a Glacier hiking trip – The Long blue ice hike in Nigardsbreen is a cool experience (My friends and I did this. It was awesome!)
- Try hiking to Trolltunga or hike up Mt Skala
- Go on a Scenic Drive along the Golden route: Geirangerfjord, Trollstigen, Andalsnes
How to Sign Up for Nordic Venture’s 2 day Sea Kayaking Tour
You can sign up to fjord kayaking tours run by Nordic Ventures online on their website here.
Conclusion
This is one of those trips every person who loves the outdoors should go on. For anyone who is planning to travel to Norway, make sure you book this trip and organise all the transport arrangements well in advance as it is very popular.