Useful information for your active holiday in Norway
For whom
An active holiday demands more of you than a holiday at the beach. You must consider and decide if you are capable to participate and complete such a tour.
Hiking
You should be able to walk for 5-7 hours a day, at different weather conditions. The trails in Norway are often rugged and rocky.
For the self-guided trips, you should be familiar with using maps in addition to the tour description.
We recommend hiking boots, but not brand-new ones!
Biking
You should be used to biking on gravel roads as well as asphalt, and to sit on the bike for many hours a day. Be prepared for all kinds of weather.
When you rent bikes, you are responsible for checking the bike (especially breaks and gears) before leaving the rental shop. During the trip, you are responsible for the bike and other equipment you have rented (Pannier etc.).
Skiing
You should be able to ski for 5-7 hours a day. For the self-guided trips, you should be familiar with using maps and compass in addition to the tour description. The tours require you to be well equipped for the weather and temperatures (-15 °C and wind). Be aware that the weather might change rapidly when you are in high mountain areas.
When you rent ski equipment, you are responsible for any loss and damages during the trip.
Summer weather and light
The summer climate in Norway is well suited for outdoor activities like cycling and hiking. On a good day, temperature can reach 25-30°C.
Normal summer temperatures in Norway are usually between 10-25°C.
The weather in the mountains is relatively stable, along the coast rather changing.
June, July and August are the best months for cycling. July and August are good months for mountain hikes.
All over Norway you can experience the bright summer nights in June and July. In August the nights are getting darker.
When you travel above the Arctic Circle you’ll experience the Midnight Sun. The further north you travel, the longer the midnight sun is visible. During the summer months you can experience up to 24 hours of sunlight above the Arctic Circle, giving you more time to enjoy the sights and make new discoveries.
Approximate dates when you can see the midnight sun:
The Arctic Circle: 12 June - 1 July
Bodø 4 June - 8 July
Svolvær 28 May - 14 July
Andendes 22 May - 21 July
Tromsø 20 May - 22 July
See more at www.visitnorway.com
Winter weather and light
Our ski trips run in areas with stabile winter climate and temperatures between 0°C and -15°C. The mountain climate is very dry, and if you are properly dressed the temperatures are usually no problem. Keep moving and put on extra clothing when taking a break. The snow is normally dry and perfect for skiing.
March and April are good months for skiing. February and March are like January in the Alps. April offers longer and warmer days, with fantastic skiing conditions (like March in the Alps).
Ours of day light:
February: 8 hours
March: 10 hours
April: 12-13 hours
Sunglasses and sun protection is essential equipment when skiing in the high mountain areas. Sunlight and radiation from the sun are reflected in the snow and can cause serious wounds and problems. Wear sunglasses also by cloudy weather. When very cold, use sun protection without water. Use sunscreen with high solar factor (20 and more). Children are more sensitive and need more protection. Light skin is easier burned.
Clothes and equipment
When you book one of our trips, we send you a list of recommended clothes and equipment for your trip.
The Norwegian Nature Diversity Act
The act has the purpose of protecting biological, geological and landscape diversity and ecological processes through conservation and sustainable use, and in such a way that the environment provides a basis for human activity, culture, health and well-being, now and in the future.
The act allows you to walk wherever you want, as long as nothing else is announced. This gives numerous possibilities for exciting excursions! Private ground and cultivated land however, should not be trafficked, and…
- Nature must not be damaged!
- Always bring back your litter, never throw rubbish outdoors
- There might be stricter access to protected areas
- Show respect for people and animals
- Open fire is forbidden between the 15th of April until the 15th of September.
National parks
The national parks where grounded to protect and preserve untouched areas of great value. The total area with flora, animals, landscape and cultural memories is to be protected from pollution and other interventions. Therefore, you must be careful when walking/ biking through national parks. You are not allowed to take with you any rocks, flora, bird eggs etc.
The Norwegian Travel Guarantee Fund
Discover Norway is member of the Norwegian Travel Guarantee Fund (Reisegarantifondet). The Norwegian Travel Guarantee Fund protects customers that have bought a packaged tour through a tour operator or travel agent. The protection includes bankruptcy, accord or insolvency by the tour operator.
Online booking and payment
When booking your trip online, you get an automatically generated e-mail confirmation/invoice. Within a few days we also a confirmation and a Day by day program to assure you that you have got everything right. You also get information about how to pay with a credit card.
Banks and credit cards in Norway
You find banks only in cities. Opening hours are Monday to Fridays 9AM – 3PM, Thursdays 9AM – 5 PM, Saturdays and Sundays closed. There are a lot of cash points which all take Visa and MasterCard. They are usually open around the clock. You can pay with your credit card almost in any shop and restaurant.
Mobile phone - Signal & Reception
Having your mobile phone with you might be helpful in emergency situations. But please note:
The landscape There is not always signals. When no signal, go upwards.
Do not make any appointments about when to call your family and friends, you might be in areas. without signal at the agreed time.
Bring necessary charging equipment.
Keep your phone warm – it makes the batteries last longer.
Please don’t rely on your phone as your most important emergency equipment.
Health
For almost all medicines, you need a prescription. Foreign prescriptions are not valid in Norway, so be sure to bring the medicines you need. Norwegian cities have relatively few pharmacies. In cites with about 30 000 inhabitants, you will find 2-3 pharmacies. At the countryside there are often prescription free medicaments at the grocery store. Every countryside centres have a doctor’s office. Norway is an EEA member, entitling you to the same basic medical rights as a Norwegian citizen if you can show a valid European passport. We recommend all our customer to have travel insurance.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are not a big issue in the areas where our tours run. Mosquito repellent is sold in every grocery shop.
Public transport
Norway has a good developed and corresponding network of interregional-, regional- and local buses, going all over the country. It is no problem to connect to our trips in different parts of Norway. We are happy to help you with the transfer planning.
The Norwegian railway network is not so good developed. The main routs run north from Oslo to Trondheim and from Trondheim to Bodø, and west from Oslo to Bergen. The trains are modern, with air-condition and comfortable seats. Additional, the train trip offers you great view over valleys, mountains, lakes and fjords.
