What really distinguishes Norway as a paddling destination is A) the sheer physical beauty and B) the culture; a culture that is on so many levels bound to the sea. This is the land of the epic sagas, the original fljordland.

The latitude suggests very cold water, but the Gulf Stream keeps the North Sea waters relatively warm. 

The islands are made up of glacier carved granite spires, surreal in character.  Scattered along the island chain are a series of picturesque villages each with something of interest. Kayaking from town to town with accommodation at traditional inns gives us the opportunity to explore the communities and sample the local cuisine. Fjords cutting between jagged peaks, broad bays and islands with white sand beaches make up each day’s paddling while ashore hiking and cultural inter-action round out the unforgettable Lofoten experience.

The Lofoten Islands expedition is an inn to inn paddle around this archipelago of almost surreal beauty. Norway is the land of the midnight sun, yet it combines elements of culture, nature and the sea to produce the paddling experience of a lifetime.

Experience Level: Suitably conditioned novices or experienced kayakers. The expedition will cover a distance of 100-150 km with an average paddling duration of about 4 hours per day. Our expedition begins and ends in Bodø, Norway.

The Itinerary

Day 0  You will need to arrive in Bodø on Saturday. This night’s accommodation is not included in the trip price, but we can help you arrange this and other services. How about taking a ferry from Bergen to Bodo for your final leg of travel to northern Norway.

Day 1 (Sunday): Meet the guides in the lobby of the Comfort Home Hotel Grand Bodø. After a short briefing session we board the ferry to the Lofoten Islands. On board we take a light lunch and a more detailed orientation will take place. Landing at Moskenes we tour the historic fishing village before heading to Reine, our base for the first two nights.

Day 2 (Monday): The morning begins with a comprehensive introduction to sea kayaking, to equip you all with the skills needed. Our first days paddle is below the jagged peaks of Reinefjord and later we head into Bunesfjord. Here we’ll hike up to a spot for a spectacular view of the Norwegian Sea before returning to Reine.

Day 3 (Tuesday): This morning we paddle to Sund for a picnic lunch and continue on to Nusfjord. We kayak past the southern tip of Kunna Island and then cross the mouth of Skjelfjord for a close up of the massive rock faces of Flakstad Island before arriving at Nusfjord, an impeccably restored fishing village. Tonight we’ll have a feast of bacalao the spicy fish stew that the Lofoten is famous for, before wrapping up the day with an ale at the local pub.

Day 4 (Wednesday): Rising early we make for open water crossing from Nusfjord to Ballstadand and then refuel on sweet pastries, Norwegian waffles and warm drinks in Ballstad. From here we’ll continue over the mouth of Buksnesfjord to Mortsund and on to Stamsund. This will be our longest day on the water.

Day 5 (Thursday): We kayak out of Stamsund at low tide to ride the tidal current into Rolvsfjord. After lunch we’ll hike over lush green slopes to a restored Viking chieftain’s house and then head back to Rolvsfjord for a hearty dinner.

Day 6 (Friday): We time our departure from Rolvsfjord with the high tide. Kayaking between the islands we see seals and a wide variety of birds before crossing the Henningsvær current. After lunch at Rørvika, a magnificent sand beach, we kayak past sculpted rock peaks to Henningsvær and a welcome sauna.

Day 7 (Saturday): After a leisurely breakfast overlooking Henningsvær harbour we put the kayaks in the water for the last time today and pass by Vågakallen, a famous landmark. We then head into Svolvær for some free time before boarding the ferry to Bodø. On board we toast the week over dinner while cruising past the Lofoten Islands for the last time.

Start Dates 2008: June 08-14, June 15-23  

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Price per person:  GBP1700 - GBP1900  / USD3590                                                      Email for current price

The base currency is the US Dollar and payment in any other currency may be subject to an adjustment for exchange rate fluctuations.

What is Included
The inn accommodation. All food and hot beverages served with meals, starting with lunch on day 1 and finishing with dinner on day 7.  All kayaking, safety and navigation equipment. Experienced guides / instructors. The return ferry transport from Bodø.

What is Not Included
The accommodation on day 0 (but we can arrange this for you). Transport other than the Bodo ferry (we can help you with travel to Bodo from Oslo or Bergen, and back). All alcoholic and soft drinks, not served as part of a meal.

Bodo Hotels
We suggest that you stay at the Comfort Home Hotel Grand Bodø (tel 75-54-6100 or fax 75-54-6150) where you will receive a preferential rate. This is one of Bodø’s newest hotels and accommodation includes complimentary breakfast and a traditional “Keveldsmat” evening meal. The final night (Saturday) of the trip is spent at this hotel and flights back to Oslo can be arranged for various times on Sunday.

Airfare (from the UK)
As a guide, the international and internal airfares should be in the range £280 - £300 for economy class, depending upon your route. 

Visas
A visa is not currently required for UK passport-holders.

Comprehensive personal insurance, including search and rescue is required on this trip. For UK clients we recommend the policies of the British Mountaineering Council, for their expertise in evacuation from remote areas worldwide. Details at www.thebmc.co.uk  As Insurance is always provided by a company based in your home country, we are unable to suggest suitable insurance companies unless you reside in the UK.