When it comes to epic vacations for next year, this trip in Norway ticks many boxes. It’s a 12-night journey taking you along the Discovery Route, all the way from Bergen to Stavanger. Here, you can indulge in action-packed adventures, engage with local communities, and trek through otherworldly landscapes.
In May, travel company Up Norway collaborated with a team of sustainability-focused travel experts to create a new bucket-list trip along The Discovery Route in Norway. They partnered with local tourism providers, hosts, chefs, guides, and farmers who are genuinely invested in their communities and work together to provide enjoyable and sustainable experiences for both visitors and locals. Through this partnership, a 12-night trip was created that brings travelers directly to the heart of these communities, allowing for immersive experiences.
Throughout the tour, guests will embark on guided adventures designed to minimize environmental impact. One notable experience is the sunrise and sunset hike in Trolltunga Via Ferrata. The day begins with a 6km off-road bike ride, followed by a 250m climb up the remarkable ‘via ferrata,’ or iron paths, offering breathtaking views of the lake and waterfalls from the mountain’s peak. Dinner will be served in an Arctic domed tent, where guests will stay overnight before making the sunrise trek back down the next morning.
The 12-night adventure also features trips to Skjervsfossen Waterfall Rapell; canoeing on Refsvatn Lake; hiking through unmapped trails; a carbon-capturing experience in Trefadder forest; Arctic cider tasting in the picture-perfect hills of Hardanger, and much more. The Discovery Route takes visitors through mountains, glaciers, crystal-clear rivers, waterfalls, and pristine fjords, making it the ultimate choice for an active holiday. Meals are primarily provided by local chefs, farmers, small growers, and artisan producers, whom guests will have the opportunity to meet during their stay.
Torunn Tronsvang, founder of Up Norway, anticipates that international interest in trips to Norway will rise significantly following the coronavirus pandemic. However, she believes travelers will increasingly prefer a thoughtful approach to travel. She remarked, “Regenerative tourism will be in focus. There is no doubt that the demand in the future will be for destinations that offer magnificent nature with ample space, security in the form of a strong health system, and sound political management, as well as a destination that takes sustainability seriously.
The Discovery Adventure Route trip is priced at $4899 per person. This cost is based on four guests traveling together, sharing one vehicle (a Tesla model) and two rooms. It includes accommodation, transport, several meals, and guided tours, but does not account for flights. The trip launches in April next year (depending on travel restrictions) and is expected to run until September. For further information, see here.
