3 FJORDS EXPEDITIONS
The ultimate SUP & Norway experience. An epic odyssey over 8 days and 3 areas of outstanding beauty. Everything that’s in the Sognefjord expedition plus: 3 x UNESCO fjords, Glacier lake and glaciers, Skylift cable car, Cliff top/Lake side/Fjord side restaurants, mountain tour, optional mountain climb & Europe’s longest wire foot bridge and new for 2023, Indoor skydiving!
The ultimate SUP Norway experience!
You spoke and we listened. The result is the SUP Norway 3 Fjords expedition.
We will take just a lucky few to 3 areas of mind-blowing natural beauty over 8 days for an adventure of a lifetime!
Highlights
Passion
As those that have shared adventures with SUP Norway know. There is so much more to our expeditions than we can display on a web page.
This is our passion.
We love to surprise you with the unexpected and curious along the way. From local Norwegian delicacies to secret spots and spontaneous activities. We love challenging preconceptions/limiting beliefs and exceeding our guests expectations in providing outstanding life experiences.
Because our focus is on fun and being totally present in the awe inspiring grandeur and sheer majesty of Western Norway. We find that many of our guests report profound experiences during their time with us.
“I joined an expedition in 2018 and came back from the experience a changed person. It is remarkable what just 5 days out in the Norwegian Fjords can do with your mindset. As an athlete I was used to have my focus on the future, my next goal, whatever was next to accomplish.
In Norway I truly experienced for the first time what it was like to live in the moment. Out there, I could calm my mind and I found a connection to nature that I had never experienced before.”
Kim Clijsters, World Champion tennis player
Details
1. Geirangerfjorden
First is the Geirangerfjord
The deep blue UNESCO protected Geirangerfjord is surrounded by majestic, snow-covered mountain peaks, precarious cliff side farm houses and lush, green vegetation. Waterfalls such as the famous ‘seven sisters’, dwarf the world’s largest passenger ships. Basically it is AWESOME! Mere words and pictures just don’t do it justice, but luckily Stand up paddling it absolutely does.
2. Nordfjord & Loen
We will spend two days around Nordfjord. First we’ll climb the via ferrata* (optional) and cross Europe’s longest rope bridge for a stunning view across the fjords before eating at 1000 meters in the famous cliff-top restaurant. Finally, we ride the ‘Skylift’ cable car down again. If this is not your thing, you may alternatively ride up in the Skylift and take a mountain top tour before meeting the climbers in the restaurant.
*A Via Ferrata is a series of steel ladders, cables, and bridges that are bolted into mountain rocks that enable novice climbers to access the otherwise inaccessible.
Next day we will Stand up paddle the stunningly beautiful ‘lovatnet’ glacier lake. It’s peculiar and exquisite aquamarine waters are known for those classic mirrored images of the surrounding mountains, it also hosts some excellent fresh water fishing. Arriving at the end of Lovatnet we will find ourselves in an amazing amphitheatre like setting surrounded by sheer mountains. In the evening we have a restaurant meal of fresh trout, caught that morning from the glacier lake itself.
3. Aurlandsfjord & Nærøyfjord
First well head South, stopping at Bøyabreen (Glacier) and perhaps braving a dip in the icy waters below the glacier before travelling to Aurlandsvangen for lunch. We’ll paddle across Aurlandsfjord to the tiny but wonderful village of Undredal, where we can enjoy the famous local goat cheeses and meats in the fjord-side restaurant. The huge goat pizzas here are a firm favourite, followed by brown goat cheese and strawberry jam on waffles. Oh my!
Sognefjord is the longest & deepest navigable fjord in the world and one of it’s arms – UNESCO world heritage site Nærøyfjord – is undoubtedly the most dramatic and majestic.
The next two days is an adventure in itself. We will paddle Aurlandsfjord and the length of Nærøyfjord, the jewel in the crown of all the fjords. At only 250 meters wide at it’s narrowest point, 1500 meter sheer high mountains surround us and the cliffs are striated with hundreds of waterfalls. We may find ourselves paddling in the company of ‘niser’ (porpoise), giant sea-eagles can be seen soaring over head and be prepared for a cheeky seal every now and then and maybe even otters or mink. We will overnight at Odnes, a truly magical place and have what can only be described as a ‘waterfall adventure’.
The last half of Nærøyfjord is equally amazing paddling and as we land at Gudvangen we will prepare for the night’s expedition party in a very cool converted barn.
4. Vossvind
One last treat before bidding you farewell. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to fly in free-fall, you’re about to find out as we take you to Vossvind for some indoor skydiving, an absolutely amazing experience and a great way to end your adventure.
FAQs
What’s Included
Stand Up paddling
Guests will need to have SUP experience in order to enjoy the week of paddling and to allow the group to travel at practical pace. The first day is a 20Km paddle with daypacks on the boards.
An average and healthy individual that engages in some form of regular exercise should have no problems. Please be realistic in assessing your fitness & ability.
The conditions are mostly calm and stable for the summer but we can occasionally run into some wind and a bit of chop, especially at the beginning and end of the season.
We ask that when you arrive for your expedition you:
- Have a good solid paddle technique.
- Are confident in your ability to paddle 15-20 Km (standing up).
- Are able to effectively Knee-paddle (not sitting) against a headwind.
- Can swim 100 meters in open water.
Via Ferrata
The climb of Loen via ferrata on Mt hoven scales 1000 meters and takes 6 Hours. Although the climb is technically easy and safe. There are a couple of sections where you are on a vertical rock face with a view 700 meters down. Please be confident of your ability to handle dramatic heights.
There is an alternative wonderful mountain top hike with a cable car lift up & down if you would rather forego the climb.
If you are uncertain of your suitability for the expedition, please contact Titus for advice.
Please note: You will be asked to return a ‘Personal details form’ immediately after booking. Guests arriving with a physical or psycological condition or contraindicator that was not declared in their personal details form may be precluded from parcipitating in some or all of the expedition with no recourse for compensation. (Contraindicators can include; obesity, epilepsy, pregnancy, heart conditions etc. . .)
The Sognefjord expedition consists of 5 days & 5 nights over 6 days with 5 paddling days.
The 3 Fjords expedition consists of 8 days & 7 nights over 8 days.
Example: For the 2-7 July 2023 Sognefjord expedition. The arrival day & BBQ is the 2nd July, we start paddling 3rd July and the last day is 7th July.
Please see other FAQs regarding arrival day & last day details.
You must be at least 18 to take part in SUP Norway’s expeditions.
We occasionally allow 16 year olds if they meet the following criteria:
- Accompanied by legal guardian.
- Experienced, powerful SUP paddler.
- Must have good strength & endurance.
- Must have mature outlook to be part of an adult group.
A quick note on travel insurance:
Personal travel Insurance is absolutely essential when venturing abroad. When selecting a travel insurance policy at a very minimum you should be covered for medical expenses and emergency repatriation.
We strongly recommend that your policy covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Please ensure you have your policy number and emergency telephone number for your insurance company with you. If this is unavailable please ensure you have the necessary information required by your insurance company in case of an emergency.
Please please please only ask for a special menu if you really do require one or have an actual genuine intolerance. You will not be able to change your menu on the expedition or take other guest’s food.
We have menu contingencies for Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Gluten free & Lactose free diets.
It is important to inform us on your returned ‘Personal Details Form’ of any special dietary requirements.
Please note that we have no control over the menus and food preparation practices of the restaurants & shops that we visit on both the Sognefjord and 3 Fjords expedition.
We will however supply you with extra special rations in case there are no suitable choices at these locations.
Secure online payments with Visa & Mastercard.
For alternative payment method with Paypal please email.
If you do not have Visa or Mastercard, it takes just a few minutes to get a Paypal account.
You can then transfer funds from your bank to your account.
If staying in Bergen, there are very reasonable deals to be found right in the center and loads to do:
You may want to arrive in Ålesund a day or two before the pick up from the airport.
If so, here are some accommodation links and things to do:
Yes. Alcohol & snacks are not included and if you have to leave the expedition in an emergency you may need to take a ferry or other public transport.
There will be shops available at some points in the expedition. Cards are accepted everywhere, including ferries & buses.
A comprehensive gear list will be sent to you when you book with us. The expedition is all inclusive, you will just need to bring personal clothing/gear.
Due to it’s nature, SUP exploring requires minimalist, lightweight and efficient gear and this is the way we roll (paddle).
We do have limited extra items of personal gear if needed.
Norwegian saying: “There is no bad weather. Only bad clothing”
Royal Marine saying “Any idiot can be uncomfortable in the field.”
We will be comfortable 😄
No. We don’t use or supply wetsuits. In reality, we paddle in board-shorts & t-shirts or long-sleeved tops depending on sun or cloud. If raining, we put on a shell top. The water temperature is cool/cold. If you do fall in (Happens rarely), you are dry again in 5 mins and every paddler will have a towel and warm top to hand if needed.
Paddling in a wetsuit for over 2 hours will make you sweaty, smelly and actually colder than if you paddle dry.
On most expeditions, we stop and have a swim to cool down at some point. The picture on the right was taken in May.
We will be travelling between locations in a 3 van convoy starting at Hellesylt and ending at Bergen airport.
Excess luggage will accompany us in the vehicles. If you have more than one large and one small item of baggage per person or an extra large item, please let us know beforehand.
Most of the areas we paddle in are quite protected and beautiful. We try to avoid head-winds and wavy conditions where possible. If conditions deteriorate to a level outside the group’s comfort zone then we can wait it out, paddle down wind to another destination or also re-location via road or boat may also be possible.
We have not yet experienced a day when we could not paddle. If this ever happens, there is always lots to do at all the stops in this amazing environment.
What’s Not Included
***Boots for the Via Ferrata climb can be hired on the day.
2023 Expeditions
Price
3 Fjords expedition – Nok 29950,- (£2,320 / €2,639 / US$2,862 )*
*Currency conversions are dynamic and update hourly
Deposit
20% of the tour’s cost Nok 5990,- £464 / €528 / US$572 ) is required at the time of booking to secure your place on the expedition with the balance to be paid no less than 60 days prior to the expedition start.
Payment
Secure payments with Visa & Mastercard.
For alternative payment method with Paypal please email.
Cancellation
- Up to 14 days from order – Full refund
- Prior to 60 days – Loss of deposit
- 59-30 days – 50% of trip cost
- Less than 30 days – No refund
Travel insurance
Information here. Please make sure your insurance includes a cancellation clause.
3 Fjords Expeditions 2023
14-21 June
*SOLD OUT* – Reserve list
Expedition members complete payment here.
5-12 July
*SOLD OUT* – Reserve list
Expedition members complete payment here.
Travel Information
ARRIVAL: Getting to Hellesylt
The expedition starts at Hellesylt, 65Km SE of Ålesund Vigra airport (AES)
Please ensure to plan your journey to be at Hellesylt before 18:00 on arrival day. We recommend to arrive in Ålesund the day before your expedition giving you a safety margin in case of travel delays etc.
There is a shuttle service between the airport and Ålesund center with a journey time of 20 minutes (https://www.vybuss.no/).
A 2.5 hour bus journey from ‘Ålesund rutebilstasjon’ (bus station) to ‘Hellesylt (Stranda)’ (https://en.frammr.no