Day 1: We leave in the early afternoon from Bodø on the Hurtigrute-coastal steamer ship, to sail up through the wild and beautiful Trollfjord. We dine onboard the ship during our voyage to Stokmarknes. We land at Stokmarknes late at night and will check into our hotel.

 
Day 2: Today is a relaxing day to adjust to the "land of the midnight sun". There are a couple of easy, delightful bicycle rides on the island. You may also choose to hike up the mountain that is a focal point for the island. You may prefer to stroll around Stokmarknes and visit the Hurtigruten Museum.
 

Day 3: After bicycling to Melbu, we ferry across to the northern shores to the Lofoten Islands. These rugged, mountainous islands provide gentle and easy riding as we make our way along fjords and the coast to Svolvær. Svolvær is the "artist colony" of the Lofoten Islands. Many artists have been inspired by the the scenery, nature, and folk life. Numerous galleries and studios provide opportunities to see a variety of artistic expressions. Svolvær is the capital and has been a trading center since 1647. Most days you will find the open market by the harbor, a colorful center of activity with fresh flowers, vegetables, and dried sausages of reindeer, moose and whale meat for sale.

Day 4: On to Storvågan, once having the largest collection of rorbuers in Lofoten, now a popular tourist stop offers an aquarium, museum in the old trading center, and Kåre Espolin Johnson's Gallery. We have a side excursion to the classic fishing village of Henningsvær with its idyllic harbor surrounded by sea houses. Henningsvær stretches over several small islands connected by bridges. We will cycle across to the next island, ending the day at a delightful guest farm on Gimsøya.

Day 5: Today is a day of flat coastal cruising. You may either let your wheels trace the outline of Gimsøya or travel directly toward Stamsund, along the quiet road following the coast. Stamsund is one of the Hurtigrute's (coastal steamer) port of call.

Day 6: Today we follow the shores of the island to visit Leknes, a rich farming village,lively trading center and transportation hub. Cycling past old sea villages we reach the end of the peninsula where we will spend the next two nights and base our days' activities from.

Day 7: Ballstad. Today we will visit the Viking Museum at Borg, have a viking feast at the museum, and if we have the muscle power, we can try our rowing skills on a viking vessel. There are several hiking trails on the peninsula near our lodging; fishing or sea excursion opportunities are also available for optional activities.

Day 8: We will cross over to Flakstadøy Island via tunnel and visit Vikten before cycling to the quaint fishing village of Nusfjord. In Nusfjord it is easy to believe that you are walking in a place where fairytales began. Nearby is a wonderful trail through a soft, moss-carpeted landscape that provides an easy evening stroll.

Day 9:We will have the opportunity to enjoy the sandy beaches on the western side of the Lofotens before we come to Hamnøy and Reine. Both villages can easily make claim to being "the most beautiful place..." We will spend our last two nights in the quaint seaside village of Reine.

Day 10: Reine provides an ideal location to launch out on your own. Whether you choose hiking, fishing, a boat excursion, or cycling to Å, you will be rewarded with memorable experiences. Å is a village that has become a living museum. A boat trip to the legendary Maelstrom, made famous by Jules Vern and Edgar Allen Poe will require reservations. Taking a hike up to the mountain lakes from Støvågen provides a scenic retreat. Some other suggestions are:

• Fishing in the waters around Reine
• A boat trip to Refsvik cave with its exceptional pictographs of humans dating 500 years before Christ. This trip is weather dependent.
• The deserted settlement of Refsvik
• Ferry to Væroy with its exceptional countryside offering opportunities for hikes. The island is a nesting ground for large numbers of seabirds. Allow a minimum of two days.

Day 11: After our farewell breakfast, morning transportation is provided to Moskenes to board the ferry for your return to Bodø, on the mainland. After the trip, you are welcome to extend your stay on the islands for further explorations and interests.

The tour fee includes refreshments, all breakfasts, a viking feast, 7 dinners, overnight accommodations, passage on the coastal steamer to Stokmarknes, and entrance into the Viking Museum at Borg. Accommodations will be the traditional fishermen's cottages called rorbu, guest farm, and Nordland sea-house. Your luggage will be transported for you each day to the next evening's accommodations. The tour fee does not include transportation to and from the starting point, Bodø, Norway

Tour Reservations and More Information:

For a tour reservation, please fill out a Tour Application (pdf) or contact us for more information. An excellent source of information on the Lofoten area is the Lofoten Tourist Enterprises AS website.