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When in Norway, do as the Norwegians do. Load a kayak on top of your car and be ready to paddle in every pretty fjord on your way. If this sounds like a little too much of a “travel like a local” experience, join a guided kayak tour instead. We’ll take care of everything—from equipment to food and cool stories about the area.
Kayaking here is more than just a sport—it's an art, inviting you to discover the breathtaking beauty of Norway's fjords. With their awe-inspiring landscapes and tranquil waters, these fjords attract adventurers worldwide for unforgettable journeys.
Hello! My name is Daria, and I work at Njord, the kayak center in Flåm, Norway. I’m the one who connects our guests and guides to create amazing tours in the fjords. Before the peak season kicks in, I always go on a 3-day tour myself and invite my colleagues from other local businesses to join.
First, because I absolutely love the area and never want to miss a chance to kayak through Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord, camp in idyllic spots, and check on how my favorite trees and waterfalls are doing after a long winter.
Second, there's nothing better than enjoying a sunset cheesecake made by our guides.
And last but not least, there's never too much content to post on our social media.
In this blog article, I want to share a few more insights on how a 3-day tour in the fjords goes.
Before the Tour
Before embarking on a multi-day kayak trip with us, there are a few things to prepare. Once you've booked your spot, I'll send you a form to fill out, so our guides can tailor the experience to your needs. Thanks to this questionnaire, we’ll select the right size of wetsuit, rain jacket, and neoprene booties for you, ensuring you're fully equipped for your adventure. We'll also inquire about your allergies and dietary requirements to create a perfect meal plan for everyone in the group. Additionally, we provide a packing list with essential information to ensure you're well-prepared for your expedition and have enough layers to handle any surprises the weather in Norway may bring your way.
How to get to Flåm
Closest Airports: Bergen Airport (BGO) is approximately 170 km away, and Oslo Airport (OSL) is about 320 km away.
Once the tour is finished, you don’t have to go all the way back to Flåm with us, you can stay in Gudvangen. Gudvangen is quite well connected with Voss and Bergen.
Where to stay in Flåm
You might want to consider spending a night in Flåm before the tour starts to ensure you're well-rested and energized for your fjord experience. Below are some of the top hotels in Flåm with their average prices:
1. Fretheim Hotel: $190 to $400 per night
2. Flåmsbrygga Hotel: $190 to $300 per night
3. Flåm Marina: $190 to $300 per night
4. Svingen Guesthouse: $100 to $280 per night
5. Heimly Pensjonat: $300 to $400 per night
If you have any other questions, feel free to check out our FAQ section or simply send me an email.
Day 1: A Journey Begins. Kayaking in Aurlandsfjord.
And so the journey begins! We gathered on the beach in Flåm, just a short walk away from the railway station. We kicked things off with a little ice-breaking meet-and-greet breakfast to get acquainted with everyone in the group. Sergey, our guide, then outlined the agenda for the coming days on the map, and we had the chance to ask all our questions about the kayak trip in the fjords. The next important step was packing our kayaks to ensure everything fit in and stayed dry during our journey. Surprisingly for many, all our camping equipment, provisions, and clothes actually fit into the kayaks. However, some of us had packed a few too many outfits, so we left the excess behind in the boathouse to pick up after the tour.
Good news: no need to carry heavy backpacks on this adventure holiday. Everything is stored in kayaks.
Before venturing out, Sergey ensured that our gear not only looked good but, most importantly, served its purpose well. Then, we went through essential safety drills and learned basic kayaking techniques, crucial for everyone's safety and confidence on the water.
Along the way, we spotted plenty of waterfalls, interesting rock formations, lush fields, farms, and villages. At Fronnes, the ancient Viking graveyard, we encountered many curious goats eager to paddle alongside us, and some were even tempted to jump onto our kayaks. It was incredibly cute!
Throughout the journey, Sergey entertained us with exciting stories about the geology and mythology and how these two explain the fjord formation process. He also had a bag full of snacks, including fruits, nuts, and sweets, which was a nice addition.
After three hours of paddling, we reached our first stop—Undredal. Besides its historical significance, Undredal is an important stop for kayakers as it's the last flushing toilet facility before reaching Gudvangen. Our campsites are located in quiet rural areas and offer only outdoor lavatories.
Fun facts about Undredal: It's home to more goats than humans. It served as an inspiration for the movie Frozen. It houses Scandinavia's smallest functioning stave church.
In Undredal, we had lunch, and some of us were introduced to Brown Cheese and the Cheese Slicer for the first time—two Norwegian inventions that people tend to either love or hate but never remain indifferent towards.
After a quick exploration of the town and a restroom break, we got back into our kayaks and continued towards our first campsite—Stokko. Upon arrival, Sergey and Savanna (our assistant guide on this tour) helped us set up our tents and began preparing the evening meal for the group. This is often mentioned as a trip highlight by many participants!
Prepare to be impressed, what meals an experienced guide can create with simple camping equipment.
We enjoyed pasta with salmon, salad, and cheesecake for dinner. To accommodate one of our group members who was lactose intolerant, all the dishes were lactose-free. We were fortunate that there were no open fire restrictions at the time of the tour, so we could enjoy a cozy campfire with cheesecake and tea. With a sunset at 23:30 in late May, we brushed our teeth with a perfect view of pink skies.
Day 2: Views Are Getting Even Better. Kayaking In Nærøyfjord.
Day two of our kayaking adventure in the Norwegian fjords began with the enticing aroma of coffee, as Sergey and Savanna were up early to prepare breakfast. Slowly, one by one, everyone emerged from their tents, greeted by the breathtaking view from our first campsite overlooking the fjord.
Normally, after breakfast, we'd pack up our gear and fit it all back into the kayaks to paddle a little further and embark on a hike up the mountain. However, we always remain flexible and base our decisions on the weather and the group's energy level. This time, we opted to take it easy and stay at the campsite, enjoying some yoga and soaking up the morning sun by the water. But for those who were up for it, there was also the option of hiking to Stigen and beyond...
The views from the top of the mountain are incredibly beautiful, offering a perfect view of the meeting point of all three fjords – Nærøyfjord, Sognefjord, and Aurlandsfjord.
As we kayaked for a short while, we turned into Nærøyfjord. Probably the most magical moment – to be in this “fjord intersection”. As you see the World Heritage-listed fjord for the first time, you will instantly understand why it's on the list. Nærøyfjord is significantly narrower than Aurlandsfjord and appears even more impressive. As you kayak, your gaze tends to be more upward than forward, allowing you to fully enjoy the view as you slowly make your way to the next campsite, stroke by stroke. On day two, a new experience waited for us – lunch served right on the fjord!
As we approached our next campsite at Odnes, a massive waterfall greeted us. We unpacked our kayaks, pitched our tents, and relaxed for a while. We explored the surroundings and walked up closer to the waterfall. Our guides prepared another lovely dinner.
You might encounter other kayakers as we explore areas accessible only by water. However, this time, we had the campsite all to ourselves.
Day 3: A Finale to Remember
Our final day was shorter but still eventful. After enjoying breakfast along the edge of a majestic Norwegian fjord, we embarked on an exploration of a cultural and historical gem – the historic postal road along Nærøyfjord. This road was primarily used in the winter months when ice covered the Nærøyfjord, making it difficult to navigate by boat to and from Gudvangen. Despite its historical significance, the trail is not steep and has been traversed for ages, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Returning to the campsite, we had lunch and packed down our camp. With our kayaks packed and one last check to ensure nothing had been left behind at the campsite, it was time to embark on the final stretch of kayaking into Gudvangen.
As we paddled through Nærøyfjorden, the views remained just as breathtaking. On the other side of the fjord, we caught sight of the cozy village of Bakka and watched as sheep traversed the steep mountain path just outside Bakka. After a few hours navigating through this stunning fjord landscape, we arrived at Gudvangen, concluding our unforgettable journey.
Even though the paddle from Flåm to Gudvangen took 3 days, the return trip to Flåm only takes 30 minutes through two out of 900 Norwegian tunnels.
On the ride back, we shared our pictures with each other and had a good laugh looking back at our cool adventure. In Flåm, we returned the kayaks to our boathouse on the beach and separated your private belongings from the company gear. Once all formalities were completed, we sat down together for one last snack as we recapped everyone's highlights and challenges from the tour.
Bottom Line
I hope you enjoyed the pictures and stories from this 3-day trip. If this inspired you to join a guided tour, you can read more about it here. If you'd rather rent a kayak and go on your own, you can study this section here. Whether you choose a guided or unguided experience, we'll do our best to help you plan the trip.