7 days / 6 nights from £1,655 pp

This tour focuses on the charming small communities in the archipelagos that make up the Lofoten and Vesterålen islands. The island culture is based on friendliness and you will have an opportunity to experience this in the traditional fishing villages.

These magical islands of beautiful nature and friendly culture invite you to explore their traditions, food, activities, changing weather and northern splendour. Experience the islands from toe to top and enjoy a memorable whale safari, a definite highlight!

Package price is per person based on availability and two people sharing double or twin room. Single supplement is £870.

Package includes:

• Flights from London to Bodo and return from Evenes to London (we can arrange flights from other UK airports upon request)
• 6 nights hotel or rorbu accommodation with shower/WC
• 6 Scandinavian breakfast buffet
• AVIS B class car hire (including one way drop off fee)
• Domestic ferry crossings for passengers and car:
  - Bodø – Moskenes
  - Fiskebøl - Melbu
  - Flesnes – Refsnes
• Whale watching in Andenes
• Taxes

The Lofoten and Vesteralen Islands Fly-Drive itinerary:

DAY 01: ARIVAL IN BODO
Arrival in Bodø and collect your car. Bodo is the second largest city in Northern Norway and is a modern town that is very important to Norway's aviation history. A visit to the National Norwegian Aviation Museum is recommended. The town is surrounded by beautiful nature, including the Børvasstindene mountains to the south, and Landegode Island and the Lofoten Islands to the north. The city's open backdrop of distant rugged peaks and vast skies makes it one of Norway's most interestingly-positioned towns and the seas to the north feature a number of dramatic islands which support the world’s densest concentration of sea eagles.
Accommodation in Thon Hotel Nordlys.

DAY 02: BODO - MOSKENES - REINE (69km)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning at leisure before departure by ferry from Bodø to Moskenes. The over three hour long ferry will bring you across the Vestfjorden to the Lofoten Islands, which stretch like a wall of mountains from the southwest in the sea. For centuries, catching cod and drying them has been a way of life and Lofoten's largest industry. Two of the most recognisable sights are the fishermen's shacks (rorbu) and the Stockfish (cod) that has been hung to dry on a wooden frame. The Lofoten means mountain peaks, open sea and protected bays. Thanks to the Golf Stream the climate here is milder than in other parts of the world at the same latitude.  From Moskenes you drive to Reine, your base for exploring the Lofoten islands.
Accommodation in Reine Rorbuer.

DAYS 03 - 04: REINE AND THE LOFOTEN ISLANDS
Breakfast at the hotel and your two days can be enjoyed at leisure as you explore the Lofoten islands. We recommend, a visit to Stamsund, to explore and enjoy this delightful region. The most important trading goods are the stockfish which still is produced here and exported to southern Europe, South America and Africa. Stamsund is still a vibrant fishing port in Lofoten, but is also a culturally interesting town with several local artists, theatre groups and an art gallery. We also suggest some time to visit the Lofotr Viking Museum, a historical museum based on a reconstruction and archaeological excavation of a Viking chieftain's village in Borg. The museum includes a full reconstruction of an 83-meter long chieftain's house (the largest ever found in Norway), a blacksmiths forge, two ships and their boathouses, and various re-enactments intended to immerse the visitor in life at the time of the Vikings.
Accommodation in Reine Rorbuer.

DAY 05: REINE - SVOLVAER - ANDENES (250 km)
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive through the islands and a suggested stop in Svolvær, the "capital" of the Lofoten islands, is well worth the effort. Svolvær offers the atmosphere of a harbour, a small town and art centre simultaneously. This is a bustling trading and communications centre. The town has many art galleries to visit, and we recommend the Northern Norways Art Centre, Gallery Dagfinn Bakke and Magic Ice, which displays ice sculptures (gallery exhibitions subject to change).

Continue towards Vesterålen using the ferry crossing from Fiskebøl to Melbu. Passing through small towns, make a stop in the old trading centre Stokmarknes to visit the museum of the famous coastal express Hurtigruten. The need for transportation of fish, post and goods from Stokmarknes started the route along the coast and the traditional Hurtigruten was created. This route is now called one of the world’s most beautiful sea voyages. Continue through Andøya Island to North Norway, and to the village of Andenes - your base for exploring the Vesterålen Islands.
Accommodation in Lankanholmen Sea Cabin.

DAY 06: ANDENES - WHALE WATCHING
Breakfast at the hotel, and the time has come to enjoy, in our opinion one of the highlights of the tour. Whale safaris in Andenes have been voted some of the best whale safaris in the world! It is possible, also to enjoy the whale safari under the midnight sun. (please ask us for information). Departure by boat. First you will visit an area renowned for seabirdand seal-colonies at Anda Fyr. Thereafter you continue on your way to an area located outside Andøya where the sperm whales roam. This is a whole day at sea (7-8 hours) and offers you a grand opportunity to see several species of whale and exotic sea birds. After a successful day at sea, return to your hotel.
Accommodation at the Lankanholmen Sea Cabin.

DAY 7: ANDENES – EVENES AIRPORT (185 km)
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive from Andenes towards Flesnes leaving the green Vesterålen islands with a short ferry-crossing to Refsnes. Arrival in Harstad region and continue towards Evenes Airport and return your rented vehicle.
Departure from Evenes Airport.