Olden, Norway - Norway, Fjords & Baltic Cruises

Head towards the villages of Loen and then through Stryn, following the river up to the beautiful Stryn Lake with its turquoise-coloured water originating from the glaciers covering the mountains nearby. Climb via hairpin bends to Videseter, from where you will experience the Stryn Road, which passes through three long tunnels and the spectacular Djupvatn Lake.

Then, take the three mile toll road leading to the summit of Mount Dalsnibba. Reaching 4,500 feet above sea level you should have a fabulous view (weather dependent) down towards the valley of Geiranger, the fjord and the majestic mountains. A photograph stop will be made at Flydal Gorge, before stopping off for a Norwegian buffet luncheon. One of the tour's highlights is a hour long ferry ride on the Geirangerfjord, passing several spectacular waterfalls, including The Seven Sisters, The Suitor and The Bridal Veil.

From the village of Hellesylt, you drive to the Hornindal Lake, the deepest lake in northern Europe. Travel alongside the lake, across wooded hills, to Nordfjord, for a short photograph stop before returning to Olden.

A stop will be made en route for refreshments of coffee and tea.


This excursion will operate by coach and on ferry. There are steps and a flight of stairs to negotiate on board the ferry. This tour involves tunnels and is not recommended for guests who suffer from vertigo.

Travel by coach through the beautiful Olden Valley with its majestic mountains, glacier tongues, waterfalls and the green Olden Lake. On arrival at the Briksdal Inn, you’ll begin your walk up to the Briksdal Glacier.

Briksdal Glacier, located in Jostedalsbreen National Park, is part of the Jostedal Glacier Icefield, which is the largest glacier on the European mainland. This massive Glacier flows 4,000 feet down the mountainside into the Briksdal Valley. A 45 minute walk will take you across the river and through pristine scenery until you come face to face with one of Europe’s most spectacular examples of an ancient Glacier.

There will be time to photograph the Glacier’s many shades of blue and turquoise before walking back to the Briksdal Inn where refreshments of coffee, tea and cakes will be served. There will be time to browse the souvenir shop before boarding the coach back to Olden.


This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. The walk to the glacier is approximately 1½ miles, the first part is quite steep however it becomes flatter in places. Please wear comfortable, enclosed walking shoes and carry a bottle of water and a warm jacket. Please heed the warning signs erected near the glacier and do not venture beyond the safety barriers. The glacier is not visible from the refreshment venue. This tour involves tunnels.

Your scenic extravaganza begins in the charming village of Olden right at the head of the Nordfjord, which penetrates some 60 miles deep into the country. The route passes alongside the northern banks of the fjord through the picturesque settlements of Blakset, Fjelli and Hopland.

The road is narrow and winding and the terrain very steep. There will be a stop at the Nos Viewpoint for a spectacular vista of the Nordfjord and the surrounding area. Nos is located at the edge of a 1,640 foot vertical drop to the fjord, so it is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression.

There will be a further photograph stop at Kvalen, before you descend to the Nordfjord and Nordfjordeid village. Enjoy refreshments of tea or coffee and cakes during your stop in Nordfjordeid.

The return route to Olden takes you via the crystal clear Hornindalsvatnet Lake - northern Europe's deepest lake.


Note: This tour is not suitable for guests who suffer from vertigo. This tour includes several tunnels. The itinerary order may operate in reverse.

The charming village of Olden sits in lovely surroundings, by one of the innermost fjord arms of the mighty Nordfjord, stretching 62 miles inwards from the sea. Travel along the shores of the fjord to the pretty holiday village of Loen, which is surrounded by the fjord, Lovatnet Lake, glaciers, high mountains and lush vegetation.

On arrival in the Kjenndalen Valley, a ten minute walk will take you to a viewpoint to see the Kjenndalen Glacier.

Enjoy refreshments of coffee or tea and a waffle at the Mountain Lodge before taking a boat trip down the 12½ mile long Lovatnet Lake to Sande. Sit back and relax on the leisurely cruise as you pass lovely scenery including the ill-reputed Ravnefjellet (Ravens’ Mountain), whose rockslides have caused tidal waves destroying many of the residences along the lake. At Sande, you’ll rejoin your coach for the return journey along the fjord to Olden.


This excursion will operate by coach and boat. There are a few steps to access the boat, including those to the upper deck. Please wear flat, enclosed footwear and carry a warm jacket. There is limited seating on the top deck of the boat. This tour involves tunnels. Please be advised that due to the low number of boats available, capacity on this excursions is strictly limited therefore early pre-booking is essential.

Travel by coach through the beautiful Olden Valley with its majestic mountains, glacier tongues, waterfalls and the green Olden Lake. On arrival at the Briksdal Inn, you will board your troll cars which will take you part of the way to the Briksdal Glacier.

Briksdal Glacier, located in Jostedalsbreen National Park, is part of the Jostedal Glacier Icefield, which is the largest Glacier on the European mainland. This massive Glacier flows 4,000 feet down the mountainside into the Briksdal Valley. The troll cars will drop you off at the entrance to the National Park. It is not possible to see the Glacier from this point, however, there is a good view of it on the way up and a walk of approximately 550 yards will provide a closer look.

There will be time to admire the Glacier and photograph its many shades of blue and turquoise before walking back to the troll cars for the return journey to the Briksdal Inn where refreshments of coffee, tea and cakes will be served. There will be time to browse the souvenir shop before boarding the coach back to Olden.


This excursion will operate by by coach, troll car and on foot. The walk to the glacier from the troll cars will take approximately 15 minutes over some steep, uneven terrain. Please wear comfortable, enclosed walking shoes and carry a bottle of water and a warm jacket. Please heed the warning signs erected near the glacier and do not venture beyond the safety barriers. The glacier is not visible from the refreshment venue. This tour involves tunnels.

Drive along the shore of the small Floen Lake, along the long and narrow Olden Lake, one of Norway’s most beautiful lakes, to Rustøen where colourful farms cover the wide fertile upper valley. On both sides, numerous waterfalls descend from the ice field, and in front lies the white tongue of the Melkevoll Glacier. The road ascends through woodlands to the Briksdal Inn, where you will disembark and start the 1½ mile walk to Briksdal Glacier Lake (approximately 45 minutes).

On arrival, you’ll be given a safety briefing before being kitted out with a life vest, rubber boots, oars and a helmet. Once in your raft, you’ll enjoy a 45 minute paddle on the glacier lake whilst admiring the surrounding scenery which is dominated by the dramatic Briksdal Glacier, with its blue and white coloured ice.


This excursion will operate by by coach, raft and on foot. Guests do not require rafting experience, however they must be good swimmers. Please take a change of clothing and footwear with you, in case you get wet. For safety reasons, the rafts are not allowed closer than 240 feet to the glacier. It is advisable to leave any valuables on the ship. This tour is not suitable for those guests who are pregnant, have back or neck injuries, or are under 15 years old. This tour involves a few tunnels.

From Olden village centre your journey takes you past the two old churches of Olden, one dating back to 1759 and the other, a quaint red painted church from the 1930’s, which was a gift from an American who settled in the village. Travelling along the shore of the small Floen Lake, you will arrive in Eide, where you will transfer to a boat.

Enjoy a leisurely cruise on the long and narrow Oldevatnet Lake, one of Norway’s most beautiful. Enjoy the mountainous scenery with its numerous waterfalls which surround the lake. Admire the long, white tongue of the Melkevoll Glacier and the arms of the spectacular Jostedalsbreen Glacier, including the Myklebustbreen Glacier. Your cruise will end in Rustøen, where you will re-board your coach for the scenic drive back to Olden.


This excursion will operate by coach and boat. There are a few steps to access the boat, including those to the upper deck. Please carry a warm jacket. This tour involves tunnels. Please be advised that due to the low number of boats available, capacity on this excursions is strictly limited therefore early pre-booking is essential.

Travel by coach through the beautiful Olden Valley with its majestic mountains, glacier tongues, waterfalls and the green Olden Lake. On arrival at the Briksdal Inn, you’ll begin your walk up to the Briksdal Glacier.

Briksdal Glacier, located in Jostedalsbreen National Park, is part of the Jostedal Glacier Icefield, which is the largest glacier on the European mainland. This massive glacier flows 4,000 feet down the mountainside into the Briksdal Valley. A 45 minute walk will take you across the river and through pristine scenery until you come face to face with one of Europe’s most spectacular examples of an ancient glacier.

There will be time to photograph the glacier’s many shades of blue and turquoise before walking the same route back. There will be time to browse the souvenir shop before boarding the coach back to Olden.


This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. The walk to the glacier is approximately 1½ miles, the first part is quite steep however it becomes flatter in places. Please wear comfortable, enclosed walking shoes and carry a bottle of water and a warm jacket. Please heed the warning signs erected near the glacier and do not venture beyond the safety barriers. This tour involves tunnels.

Starting off in the charming, picturesque village of Olden at the head of the Nordfjord, you’ll pass through Stryn, before continuing alongside the Stryn River on to Stryn Lake with its crystal-clear, turquoise-coloured water.

Soon you will reach the Jostedal Glacier National Park Centre, where a film of the area will be shown. Afterwards, there will be an opportunity to look around the interesting exhibitions, which explain the natural environment beneath and on the Glacier itself. There will also be time to visit the Botanical Garden and Geological Park outside.

During the tour, there will be a stop to sample some delicious Norwegian pancakes or waffles accompanied by tea or coffee whilst admiring the surrounding view.


This excursion will operate by coach. There is a limited amount of walking on this tour, some of which is over gravelled ground at the National Park Centre. This tour involves tunnels and is not suitable for those who suffer from a fear of heights or vertigo.The return journey follows the same route back to Olden.

Combine the scenic beauty of Norway's fjord country with the excitement of a thrilling RIB ride as you explore the waters of the Nordfjord.

A short walk will take you to the boat pier, where you will be greeted by your Captain. After an orientation and safety briefing, you will be kitted out in a survival suit, gloves and glasses.

On boarding your RIB, your Captain will take you out into the fjord and engage in a series of acrobatic manoeuvres to demonstrate the RIB's capabilities before cruising at speeds up to 30 knots over open water. Enjoy the surrounding landscape of steep cliffs, snow-capped peaks and waterfalls as you ride along the inner part of Nordfjord.


ACTIVITY EXCURSIONS
You and all those in your party should be aware that, in undertaking activity excursions, you will be involved in a degree of physical exertion and/or activity such as hiking, biking, snorkelling, kayaking, diving etc. By booking the excursion you confirm that you and all those in your party are in good physical and mental condition, with no history of conditions such as seizures, dizziness, fainting, heart condition, respiratory problems or back/neck problems (by way of example only). You should also ensure that no one in your party is taking medicine that carries a warning about impairment of physical or mental abilities. If you are pregnant this type of excursion may not be appropriate for you. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit and well enough to take part in the activities booked and you are reminded to take care for your own safety. Because of the risks associated with activity excursions, you may be asked by the excursion provider to sign a document which may affect or limit the excursion provider’s liability. Comfortable flat walking shoes are recommended.

BEACH/WATER RELATED EXCURSIONS
For any excursion involving water, guests are reminded to exercise particular care. Alcohol and eating a full meal should be avoided before swimming. If buoyancy aids are provided for an activity they must be worn at all times. You should bear in mind that the sea is unpredictable. Lifeguards are unlikely to be present and there may not be a flag system to indicate whether or not it is safe to go in the water. In addition, beach activities may not be supervised or accompanied and so you should take care to satisfy yourself as to the safety of the beach and/or the sea at the time of your excursion. Please exercise caution when entering the sea as the seabed and aquatic environment is capable of springing surprises and we have not inspected the beach or seabed for its safety. Children must be supervised by you at all times near water. All activities on the beach, water and in the sea are undertaken at your own risk. You’ll need to take swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and flat shoes that can be worn in the water.

LIABILITY
Cunard will arrange for the excursions to be performed by the relevant excursion provider. Cunard does not provide or supply the excursion services. Cunard will exercise reasonable care and skill in the selection of the excursion provider, but will not in any circumstances have a greater liability than the excursion supplier and Cunard shall not be responsible for the negligent acts/omissions of the excursion supplier. Please note that in relation to all excursions Cunard is not responsible or liable for any loss, damage, or injury sustained by you unless such loss, damage or injury arises out of a breach of legal duty of Cunard.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
Before booking any activity excursions it is essential that you ensure your travel insurance extends to cover the specified activity. It is your responsibility to obtain adequate insurance.

This excursion will operate by by rigid inflatable boat. The RIB ride lasts approximately 20 minutes. Survival suits are provided and must be worn. Guests should wear warm clothing and must be good swimmers. This tour is not suitable for those guests who are pregnant, have back or neck injuries, or are under twelve years old.