Altai Norway requires a minimum of three people per date to guarantee each departure. To redeem your voucher, simply reach out to Altai Norway as instructed in your confirmation email, and be sure to provide your order number. Voucher is valid for travel between June 6, 2021 - August 29, 2021. Your desired date must be requested at least 30 days prior to departure in order to coordinate the logistics of your trip. Please wait for confirmation from Altai Norway before making your travel arrangements.

Generally, departures are available twice per month starting on Sundays between June 6, 2021 - August 29, 2021. You may also contact us about scheduling private departures. Additional costs may apply for private departures. Please refrain from making travel arrangements until you have confirmed dates from Altai Norway.

Each departure date requires a minimum of three guests to run. Please wait until you receive confirmation from Altai Norway before making travel arrangements.

Plan to fly into Bergen Airport. You'll be responsible for booking your own international airfare, which is not included in the trip price. Let Altai Norway know as soon as possible about your flight schedule so they can organize accordingly. Please note that the trip ends in Tromsø, so you should plan to book your departing flights accordingly.

In the cities:
You'll sleep in guesthouse or hotel accommodations in double occupancy rooms.

In the Lofoten Islands:
You'll stay in søjhus or rorbu accommodations, comfortable traditional houses used by fishermen from January to April. Rooms are shared between 4 to 6 people. Please note that in the wilder regions of Norway, accommodation is scarce and often small, meaning that the level of comfort and equipment of each cottage varies. All lodgings have the following elements: heating, hot showers, toilets, common dining room and equipped kitchen. When showers are not free, you'll receive one token per day per person to shower.

In refuges:
This adventure includes two nights in charming refuges owned by the DNT, the Norwegian Trekking Association. Please bring a sleeping bag or sleeping bag liner for these nights.

On the train:
On Day 8 you’ll stay overnight on a train in a comfortable two bed bunk-bed-style sleeper compartment which includes a sink.

The basic accommodations in the Lofoten Islands do not offer private rooms. However, in the cities (Tromsø, Bodø, Bergen, and Oslo) single rooms may be booked for a fee of $550 USD. Please contact Altai Norway at least one month in advance to book solo accommodations, as inventory is subject to availability.

The maximum group size for this trip is 15 travelers.

Most meals during the tour are included, see the itinerary for a breakdown of which meals are included on each day. There are plenty of markets and restaurants to give you options for meals that are not included. Plan to spend about $30 - $50 per meal while in the cities.

Each day begins with a hearty breakfast served at your accommodation with plenty of tea and coffee. Every morning, you and your guide will prepare a picnic lunch for the day featuring local foods: sandwiches, salads, fruits, cakes, and dried fruits as well as thermoses for hot soup, coffee, and tea. Evening meals are prepared together with your guide based on available local products. During your stay, you'll have the opportunity to taste grilled or smoked salmon (laks), water-cooked and fresh shrimp (reker/ferske reker), and cod (torsk).

Don't forget that alcohol and cigarettes are heavily taxed and expensive in Scandinavia. If you wish to enjoy an aperitif with your group in the evenings, Altai Norway recommends purchasing duty-free products at the airport.

Plan to bring $30 to $50 USD per meal for lunches and dinners not included in the trip cost. Although tipping is not widespread in Norway, if you are satisfied with the services of your guide, tipping is always appreciated - it is not obligatory and should be left to the discretion of each individual.

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, transportation as necessary, drinks, tips, museum entry fees and other personal expenses.

The following is a suggested packing list:
A sleeping bag - a lighter 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, sturdy soles)
Warm jumper(s) and jacket(s)
Your swim stuff
Sunscreen
A head torch and spare batteries
Warm thick socks
Gloves
A warm hat
Any personal medication
Pajamas
Towel & toiletries
A thermos/suitable water bottle(s)
Small personal first aid kit containing any medication you may need such as inhalers, plasters, antiseptic and painkillers (your guide will be trained in first aid and will also carry a First Aid Kit for use in emergencies)

Advice for keeping warm:
It's preferable 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.

Winter in Norway can be very cold, please think carefully about what clothes you bring. Although your guides will provide warm outer layers, the layers you wear next to your skin make the biggest difference. Altai Norway recommends:
- No cotton
- Bring dry spares of everything, even underwear and gloves
- Wear multiple layers including (a warm breathable base layer, a second thermal layer, a wind and waterproof protective outer layer). Altai Norway provides an additional quality jacket and over trousers.

Please also bring a small rucksack to use as a day bag. You can bring this as hand luggage on the plane. You'll carry your lunch, water, spare layers and any personal medication with you each day in this bag. You'll 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 duffel bag rather than a hard cased suitcase because it is more practical to transport. It's recommended that you pack all of your clothes in plastic bags so that they stay dry in the event of wet weather.

This trip is accessible to all in good health and includes an average of 3 - 6 hours hiking per day with elevations of up to +1,970 feet. The walks are interspersed by rides in vehicles and present no technical difficulty. Please be aware however that the changeable Norwegian weather can affect the difficulty of these hikes.

We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance for all trips. Travel insurance allows you to seek reimbursement if you are forced to cancel your trip for unforeseeable reasons, or if you need to cover medical help, emergency transport, and/or theft or accidental damage while traveling. For travel insurance, we recommend VisitorsCoverage as a provider.

We recommend you visit the local government websites where you plan to travel and review the required documentation for entry, current restrictions, and general recommendations for travel within the area. We encourage you to also visit your home country's embassy website if you are traveling to a foreign country. Requirements can change rapidly. Please be sure you stay abreast of the requirements and restrictions for anywhere you plan to visit. You can also enroll in the U.S. government’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and you will be sent updates if the situation in your destination changes. You can find the program link at https://step.state.gov/.

Yes! Book confidently with Free Cancellations within 72 hours of booking. After 72 hours, cancellation fees will apply.

New For 2021 Departures: We’re providing more flexible booking options on this trip.

Up to 60 days prior to departure*
You may postpone or modify your trip up to 60 days prior to departure with no fees or penalties.

You will have the option to:
1) Select a new travel date within two years of your original departure date, or
2) Select a new adventure or destination, or
3) Receive 100% lifetime store credit toward a future trip.

*Please note, when choosing a new date, you must choose a date within the same travel season in 2022 or 2023 to avoid any additional trip costs. If you select a new adventure, you will be responsible for the difference of any additional trip costs above the value of your current trip.

Up to 30 days prior to departure*
You may postpone your trip up to 30 days prior to departure with no fees or penalties.

You will have the option to:
1) Select a new travel date within two years of your original departure date, or
2) Receive a lifetime store credit toward a future trip. Standard cancellation fees will apply.

*Please note, when choosing a new date, you must choose a date within the same travel season in 2022 or 2023 to avoid any additional trip costs. If you choose to cancel, you will receive a lifetime credit, minus cancellation fees, towards a future trip.

Less than 30 days prior to departure*
In some cases, you may have the option to postpone your trip within 30 days prior to departure.

If this is available at time of your request, you will have the option to:
1) Select a new travel date within one year of your original departure date. Additional trip costs may apply and new dates are subject to availability, or
2) Receive a lifetime store credit toward a future trip. Standard cancellation fees will apply.

For more information on our Travel Cancellation Policy please Click Here.