Sea kayaking and hiking in the Lofoten Islands

The Lofoten Islands are one of the most amazing destinations in the world for kayaking. This itinerant hiking and kayaking trip offers a completely unique vision of this wild and mountainous archipelago. We have carefully designed a beautiful journey to a succession of small fjords. The sharp peaks Selfjord, Skjelfjorden and Flakstadpollen surround us, the towering peak of Hermannsdalstinden, the highest point of the Lofoten Islands always in sight. Immerse yourself in the rich world of this diverse archipelago and forget the stresses of modern day life...

Itinerary

Day 1 Welcome to Bodø

Meet your guide and group and settle into your accommodation. Depending on your arrival time, perhaps you can explore Bodø town, the northernmost point of the stunning Kystriksveien Coastal Route.

Accommodation: Chalet or hostel
Day 2 The Lofoten Islands and Selfjord

Early morning ferry transfer to the Lofoten Archipelago. In the sheltered fjord of Selfjord we put our kayaks in the water. This is an opportunity to familiarize ourselves with our boats and to practice handling them by paddling between the rocky islets and the sandy beaches of this superb fjord. We set up our first camp in the Yttersand area, facing the midnight sun. We will stay here for two nights.

2 hours of kayaking
Accommodation: Camping
Day 3 Hiking to the top of Ryten

This morning, we walk through the moor towards the ridges which overlook Selfjord and its many islets. It is a spectacular hike to the top of Ryten with views of the white sands of Kvalvika and the dramatic peaks of Moskenesøya Island. We head back to our camp in the afternoon and can go kayak fishing in the ocean currents that stir at the entrance to Selfjord. We are likely to catch numerous fish to add to our evening meal!

5 hours of hiking
Elevation: +/- 560m
Accommodation: Camping
Day 4 Fredvang, Flakstad

This morning we strike camp, load up our kayaks and take to the sea. Today we paddle to Fredvang village, stopping at the spectacular Ramberg beach for a picnic on the white sands surrounded by jagged peaks. We reach Flakstad in the afternoon and set up camp for the night. We can enjoy a lovely short coastal hike to end the day.

2 hours of kayaking
Accommodation: Camping
Day 5 Flakstad to Skjelfjord

After a hearty breakfast, we strike camp and load up our kayaks. We sail, playing with the currents to the village of Sund. Compared to the West Coast, which is characterized by sandy beaches and turquoise waters, the East Coast presents a much more mineral landscape. This coast is much more sheltered from the ocean winds which explains why so many fishing villages are found here adding colour to the granite territory. We pass near Sund fishing village with its authentic red rorbus on stilts and enter the South through Skjelfjord where we set up our camp for two nights.

5-6 hours of kayaking
Accommodation: Camping
Day 6 Hiking to Volandstinden

This morning we set off in our kayaks to explore Skjelfjorden and to join the start of our hike to Volandstinden. We paddle around Vestfjord where it is not rare to see seals, or even killer whales or porpoises. Todays hike offers splendid panoramas of the surrounding fjords and neighbouring peaks. Later this afternoon, we embark once again in our kayaks to join our camping spot. We will take advantage of this and form a fishing party as we paddle through the rich waters to our camp spot.

3 hours of kayaking
4 hours of hiking
Elevation: +/- 420m
Accommodation: Camping
Day 7 Skjelfjord to Nusfjord

Today we leave to discover the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage listed, historical fishing village, Nusfjord. After paddling in the turquoise waters of Flakstadpollen we take tome to visit Nusfjord. Tonight we set up camp at the outskirts of the village.

3 hours of kayaking
Accommodation: Camping
Day 8 End of our expedition

After breakfast, we strike camp and kayak to re-join the starting point of our expedition. We pack away our gear and take the road to the extreme south of the Lofoten Islands.

2 hours of kayaking
Accommodation: Rorbu
Day 9 Hiking up Munkan

Today we climb one of the most emblematic summits of the archipelago, Munkan (798 m). From the top we have an extraordinary view of the islands. This hike is the most alpine of our island journey; it brings us closer to the wild island landscapes and rugged high mountain atmosphere.

6 hours of hiking
Elevation: + / - 850m
Accommodation: Rorbu / sjøhus
Day 10 Moskenesøya and ferry from Vestfjorden

On this day the group has an early morning boat transfer to Bodo and fight back at around 12.00.

The details in this programme are regularly updated but imponderables and unpredictable circumstances may result in inaccuracies. In order to provide the adventure which is best suited to your demands, the weather and the operational conditions, changes to the itinerary may be made. For safety reasons, we reserve the rights to interrupt your participation at any time if your technical level or fitness is deemed unsuitable or if you are seen as a danger to yourself or to those around you. This will in no case give rise to refunds or compensation.

The Norwegian Sea at this latitude (68 ° -70 ° North) can be agitated in any season. For this reason and for the safety of everyone, we reserve the right to move or cancel any nautical activities, without notice, depending on the state of the sea. Please note that June departures enable the observation of the midnight sun and departures after mid-August offer a good chance of observing the aurora borealis.

Dates & prices

International departures:

No departure for now

Trip code: ENORK4VA

Included

All in-country transfers as detailed in itinerary
Accommodation: Camping during the expedition, Rorbu / Sjøhus and hostel accommodations
Full-board except when in Bodø
Luggage transfers
Kayaking equipment including drysuit
Camping gear excepting the sleeping bag
Accompaniment by an expert Altai guide

Not included

Your international flights
Registration fee: €18 (free for under 12s)
Drinks, tips and personal expenses
Meals in Bodø (~290 - 390 NOK per meal)
Entrance fees for sites and musuems (~50 NOK)

Notes

Explanantion of difficulty level

LEVEL 3 Moderate

Pace: Moderate

Daily walking time: 5 to 6 hours

Daily elevation: 500 to 800 m

Preparation: You practice endurance sporting activity at least once a week.

Experience: You walk regularly and you are in good physical condition.

You are in good physical condition. You like to walk several days in a row, at an average of 5 to 6 hours per day (15 to 20 km) with vertical differences of up to 800 meters.You prefer nights in camping bivouac camping or wild, to be in the heart of nature.

During the camping expedition you are expected to be a valued member of the expedition team and help set up / strike camps, load kayaks etc. The selected kayaking areas are deliberately very sheltered from the wind and swell at the beginning of the circuit to facilitate learning. Previous kayaking experience or an introduction to kayaking control and stability is also recommended but is not essential. In the more exposed areas, we leave our boats and explore the bays and fjords on foot. At this latitude where the weather can be changeable - good equipment is advisable, sturdy hiking boots, a quality waterproof etc. The selected hikes in the Lofoten Islands are isolated and feature exceptional view points. Although these hikes are short, they can feature significant elevation gain and you should be comfortable in mountainous environments, uneven paths and steep passages. If you have any questions about your suitability or how to prepare for this trip please do not hesitate to contact us.

Terms and conditions

Booking conditions

Booking a trip with Altai Norway implies acceptance of the terms and conditions of sale. Each customer is required to complete a registration form and, subject to availability at the time of registration, travellers are expected to pay a deposit of 30% of the total price to complete their booking. Payments can be made online or by bank transfer. You will receive an e-mail with your booking confirmation.

Invoice procedure

Once your booking is confirmed you will receive an invoice by e-mail. The full balance of the trip must be received at least 30 days before your departure date. We reserve the right to cancel your booking, free of charge, if this deadline is not respected.

Cancellation policy

If for any reason you have to cancel your trip, we require written confirmation of your decision. The money you have paid will then be refunded according to the following deductions:

Cancellation received more than 30 days prior to the departure date: a sum of €50 per person will be retained
Cancellation received 30 to 21 days before the departure date: your deposit, 30% of the total trip price will be retained
Cancellation received 20 to 14 days before the departure date: 50% of the total trip price will be retained
Cancellation received 13 to 7 days before the departure date: 75% of the total trip price will be retained
Cancellation received less than 7 days before the departure date: 100% of the total trip price will be retained

Special cases:

Please note that, regardless of the date of cancellation or modification if you have agreed to pay for services such as hotel reservations, flights or additional activities, these services are usually non-refundable so additional fees may apply.

Fixed airfares: if your airline ticket was issued in advance, often done to avoid significant surcharges, you will be charged 100% of any non-refundable fees if you wish to change or cancel your flight plan.

Fixed in-country costs: early charges for firm bookings will be charged if you cancel or modify your trip.Insurance costs: if you have taken out comprehensive or cancellation insurance, the cost of insurance is due and cannot be refunded.

Please note that fees apply according to the date we receive your cancellation or modification request in writing.

If we have to cancel a departure due to an insufficient number of participants, you will be informed no later than 21 days before departure and a full refund will be issued, you will not be entitled to further compensation. We reserve the rights to cancel departures due to exceptional circumstances which may impact the safety of participants. Such circumstances include those amounting to 'force majeure' in which case participants will receive a full refund but they will not be entitled to any compensation.

Changes to travel contract

If you wish to make a change to your booking please contact Altai Norway in writing; you will be expected to pay any fee which might arise from this change. In the event of unforeseen external events, Altaï Norway may change some aspects of the travel contract. If any changes are necessary you will be informed as quickly as possible.

Pricing

The prices on our website are updated regularly and all of the prices we advertise are accurate when published. We reserve the rights to make changes to any of these prices. Before you make a booking we will give you the up-to-date price of your chosen holiday including any supplements, upgrades or additional activities you may have requested. If the number of travellers is fewer than the indicated number of participants on the website, a small group surcharge may be applied. For all of our trips we include details of services, prices and what is/is not included but please be aware that changes to the prices may be necessary in accordance with exchange rates or price changes of various components of the journey.

Contract transfer

If you are unable to travel for any reason, you can transfer your booking to another person in which case our modification conditions apply. Both the transferor and transferee will be jointly and severally liable for payment of the total holiday price and other associated expenses. Some airline carriers treat name changes as cancellations and you may be required to pay for the cost of a new ticket.

Practical info

Staff

You will be accompanied by an expert Altai Guide throughout your stay. Armed with an abundance of experience and a wealth of expert knowledge our professional team know their country inside out. Our qualified guides are all English-speaking, all practicing outdoor practitioners and all incredibly passionate about Norway, the country they live in for a large chunk of each year.

Food

We are proud of the fresh and frankly delicious food we provide despite latitudes of 68° North.

Each day begins with a hearty breakfast with plenty of tea and coffee. Each morning, you and your guide will prepare a picnic lunch for the day featuring local foods: sandwiches, salads, fruits, cakes and dried fruits ...

Evening meals are prepared together with your guide based on available local products. During the expedition, our access to fresh fruits and vegetables is a little limited but you will be able to eat freshly caught fish. During this trip you will have the opportunity to sample fish you caught from your kayak and local specialities prepared by your guide.

Drinks

Do not forget that alcohol and cigarettes are heavily taxed and expensive in Scandinavia. If you wish to enjoy an aperitif with your group in the evening we recommend purchasing duty-free products at the airport.

Accommodation

Camping

We provide 1 quality 3 man tent per 2 people for maximum space and comfort. We also provide a large mess tent for mealtimes and communal moments.

Other Accommodations

Rorbus are comfortable traditional houses used by fishermen from January to April. One house suits 2 to 4 people and includes kitchen and bathroom facilities. When showers require a fee, we will provide you with one token per person per day for a shower.

Please bring a sleeping bag (comfort 5°C ideal).

Transportation

This trip includes hiking, kayaking, taxi and ferry transfers.

We use double kayaks for maximum storage capicities and stability.

Budget & exchange

The currency is the Norwegian Krone (kr)

Visit http://www.xe.com for the latest currency converter and exchange rates.

You can withdraw the local currency from in-country ATMs and payment by card is widely accepted. Please budget for meals and transport as necessary, drinks, tips, museum entry fees and other personal expenses.

Tips

Although the custom is not widespread here, if you are satisfied with the services of your guide and local team, tipping is always appreciated - it is not obligatory and should be left to the discretion of each individual.

Supplied equipment

Kayaking

Double kayaks, lifejackets, paddles, Drytsuits and boots, a kayaking cag and waterproof bags...

Camping

Tent, sleeping mat, equipped mess tent including tables, chairs and cooking facilities (please bring a sleeping bag)

Fishing equipment

Vital equipment

A sleeping bag (comfort 0°C for camping)
A thinner sleeping bag or sleeping bag liner is recommended for nights in rorbus
Sunglasses (high quality protection)
A wind and waterproof jacket (breathable, sealed seams)
Suitable underwear, t-shirts and walking trousers
Hiking boots (high-rise, strudy soles)
Warm jumper(s) and jacket(s)
Your swim stuff
Sun cream
A headtorch and spare batteries
Warm thick socks
Gloves
A warm hat
Any personal medication
Towel & toiletries
A thermos/suitable water bottle(s)

Material

We prefer that you do not wear cotton clothing, including underwear, when participating in activities. When cotton gets wet from water or sweat it ceases to insulate and it does not dry fast. The best materials for outdoor activities are fast drying materials like polyester or materials which are warm when wet like wool. The most powerful materials against the wind and rain are 'breathable' materials like Gore-Tex or Nikwax.

Our advice for keeping warm

Winter in Norway can be very cold, please think carefully about what clothes you bring, although we will provide warm outer layers, the layers you wear next to your skin make the biggest difference. We recommend:

No cotton
Bring dry spares of everything, even underwear and gloves
Wear multiple layers including:
1. A warm breathable base layer
2. A second thermal layer
3. Wind and waterproof protective out layer (we provide an additional quality jacket and over trousers.

Helpful equipment

You may also consider packing

A pair of comfortable shoes for evenings in towns
Waterproof trousers
Walking poles
Tupperware and cutlery for picnics
Extra layers
Wetwipes
Blister plasters
A suitable camera
Plastic bags for wet/dirty clothing
Tissues
Toilet paper & a lighter

Luggage

During the expedition, your luggage will be repacked into 20l waterproof bags which we provide. You can store your extra belongings in a safe place in our base camp.

Please bring a small rucksack to use as a day bag. You can bring this as hand luggage on the aeroplane. You will carry your lunch, water, spare layers and any personal medication with you each day in this bag. You will also need a larger bag to store your other clothes and belongings in, please ensure that this is a soft bag like a rucksack or holdall rather than a hard cased suitcase because it is more practical to transport. We recommend packing all of your clothes in plastic bags so that they stay dry in the event of wet weather.

Medicine

Your companion has a first-aid kit during the tour. However, we recommend that you bring your medications:

Personal medication
Anti pain medication Paracetamol
Diarrhoea drugs
Intestinal dressing
Sun screen with strong protection for the lips and the skin
Eye drops for the eyes
Moisturizing cream for the treatment of superficial burns (blisters and sunburns)
An adhesive elastic banda box of adhesive plasters and disinfectant compresses
Double skin for blisters

Passport

Most travellers require a passport that is valid for at least three months after the return date. It is your responsibility to confirm your specific passport requirements and please be aware that proof of onwards travel may be required. You can check your requierements on the website provided by the Norwegian government: www.udi.no/en/word-definitions/persons-who-do-not-need-a-visa-to-visit-norway-/#link-709

Visa

Most travellers of EU states do not need a VISA to visit Norway, as Norway is part of the Schengen agreement. This does not apply to travellers of other nations. It is your responsibility to confirm your specific visa requirements. You can check the following web site of the Norwegian government: www.udi.no/en/word-definitions/persons-who-do-not-need-a-visa-to-visit-norway-/#link-709

Mandatory vaccines

There are no specific health risks.

Weather

In winter, the weather in Northern Norway is subject to frequent changes. This part of Norway, the Arctic Zone, benefits from a surprisingly pleasant micro climate. At a latitude of 68° North and 300km North of the Arctc Circle, summer here is relatively mild with average temperatures of around 14°C (57°F). However, it is humid and does rain regularly. Good quality (breathable with sealed seams) rain clothing, jacket and trousers are paramount.

Keep in mind this Norwegian proverb when packing: 'There is no bad weather, only bad clothing'

Electricity

In Norway, the standard Europlug (Type C & F) with two round prongs is used and most of Scandinavia uses 220 volts.

Local time

Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)/ Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) +1. Daylight Savings Time (DST) is observed.

Sustainable tourism

As adventure and wilderness travel experts who run trips to some of the most remote parts of the world, we take responsible tourism very seriously.

We respect the ‘Leave No Trace’ outdoor ethical code and try to explore this beautiful location whilst causing minimal environmental damage.

The Leave No Trace policy can be summarized in 7 simple steps which we hope you will follow during ourtrip...

Be prepared
Stick to trails and camp overnight right
Stash your trash and pick up waste
Leave it as you find it
Be careful with fire
Respect wildlife
Be considerate of other visitors

Over the years we have built up good relations with our local suppliers and we are keen to support local businesses as much as possible. We are a small company and we pay our local partners and suppliers directly insuring fair rates.

Our small group sizes not only provide a more intimate adventure but also cause less impact on the environment and local communities.

We expect all who travel with us to support and uphold our Sustainable Tourism philosophies.

If you have any questions regarding how to be a responsible traveller or concerning any other subject, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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Alix

After a turn around the world of few years and a residency in Finland, i am now at your service to develop the trip of your dreams to visit Norway's beutiful wilderness.
Adaptable, flexible and at your service, my knowledge of sports, adventure and scandinavian culture is at your service if you have any questions/

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Region: The Lofoten Islands
Activity: Hiking Kayaking Summer
Duration: 10 days
Group: 5 to 12 people
Code: ENORK4VA
Price: From €1,700
Level: 3/5
Comfort: 1/5
Language(s): English

Strengths

Embark on a kayaking expedition in the spectacular Norwegian fjords
Stay in traditional rorbus accommodation and catch fish from your kayak
Learn the secrets of the Lofoten Islands with their rich diversity of flora and fauna thanks to your expert guide

Required level

LEVEL 3 Moderate

This adventure features 4 to 6 hours of activities per day. You should be in good physical condition and have a taste for nature and adventure to join this trip. This trip involves camping and you are expected to be a valued member of the expedition team helping set up/strike camp, prepare meals and load kayaks etc. Previous kayaking and hiking experience is advised.

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Sea kayaking and hiking in the Lofoten Islands