Lofoten Islands Explorer

Tailormade Self-Drive

Home > Destinations > Scandinavia >Lofoten Islands Explorer

Lofoten Islands – Self Drive Tailormade – a 9 day Private Tour from £1,375 per person based on 2 people travelling sharing a room.

Charming small communities are very much at the heart of the archipelago of the Lofoten and Vesterålen islands. Although situated well inside the Arctic Circle, these magical islands do not experience the extreme cold temperatures one may assume, and make the archipelago ideal for outdoor exploring. This is a land where nature is at its most impressive, a land of staggering beauty, enhanced by ever changing weather and light.

On this self-drive adventure, take your time in travelling through this timeless land, stopping at your leisure to drink in the majesty of the endless panoramic splendour. The choice is yours to climb craggy peaks, meander in sheltered bays, wander in tiny fishing villages or take optionally, take to the glassy waters to imbibe the perfection from a different perspective. Experience the islands from top to toe!

Tour ratings.

Fitness
Off the beaten track
Culture

History
Wildlife

Tour pace

Moderate

Tour style

Traveller

Relaxed Pace

Relaxed tours are easy paced with plenty of leisure time built in. The tour will in all probability still be off the beaten track, with the occasional early start and there may still be occasional long drives. In general on a relaxed pace tour you can enjoy easy-going activities and experiences with opportunities to absorb the sights and immerse yourself in the local surroundings.

Moderate Pace

Moderate pace tours are ideal if you want a tour experience that combines activities and experiences with some time to relax. Typically you will be active and busy for part of the day but then also have time to rest and recharge your batteries. In general on a moderate paced tour there may be some long journeys involved but the tour is not an expedition or a road trip. On a moderate paced tour it will be necessary to have some early starts.

Busy Pace

A busy paced tour means that you can expect to be doing, seeing or experiencing something new almost every day, and moving on from place to place to pack in as much as possible. There may be early starts, long journeys and tiring days along the way, but you’ll return home feeling you’ve really experienced as much as you possibly could.

Pioneer Class Tours

On our Pioneer tours, you will be amongst an elite group of intrepid travellers and some of the first to explore a country that few have been privileged enough to discover. Of course, exploring such areas of the world will come with its challenges; it may mean several nights camping, long journeys by 4WD and the need to maintain a degree of flexibility for when carefully laid plans change. These are challenging tours in countries and areas that may have poor infrastructure, high levels of poverty and illiteracy. This can translate in to low standards in hotels, bad roads and poor driving standards among other issues. We try and smooth out as much of these issues as we can but you should be prepared to experience the bad with the good.

Traveller Class Tours

Our Traveller itineraries are at the core of our programme. These journeys are designed for travellers who still want to discover a land away from the tourist crowds but expect minimum standards. Accommodation will be primarily hotel based, although you could still find yourself camping, or the guest of a local family. Depending on the destination and itinerary, you’ll likely be travelling in a private vehicle, with occasional use of public transport. This is adventure travel with some of the rough edges smoothed out.

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive in Harstad

Arrive in Harstad. On arrival you will collect your vehicle from a pre-arranged location. Accommodation will be in a comfortable small scale hotel in the centre of Harstad. No meals today.

Day 02: Harstad – Andenes

(Approx. driving distance today is 185km)

After breakfast, start your adventure heading north from Harstad towards Andenes through the verdant Vesterålen islands. On your way to Andenes, enjoy the spectacular valleys and the small hamlets located on the shores of the fjords and feel free to stop and enjoy the views at your leisure. We recommend taking the route through Kvæfjord, and therefore taking the short ferry-crossing (not included) between Refsnes and Flesnes. Overnight comfortable hotel in Andenes (B)

Day 03: Andenes – Svolvaer

(Approx. overall driving distance today 210 km)

After breakfast, drive from Andenes towards Svolvaer “the capital” of the Lofoten Islands. Take your time, once again enjoying how the ever changing light transforms the landscape. We recommend making a stop in the old trading centre of Stokmarknes and optionally visit the Norwegian Coastal Express Museum (not included). End the day in the port town of Svolvær which has a bustling atmosphere in a picturesque setting, and is a good base for exploring later today and for your leisure day tomorrow. Your accommodation for the next 2 nights will be in a traditional style Rorbuer (B)

Day 04: Svolvær at leisure – optional activities

Today is given over to your own leisure to explore the islands at your leisure from Svolvaer as your base. Breakfast at the hotel and your day can be enjoyed at leisure as you explore the Lofoten Islands. There are also an abundance of activities that can be pre-booked for you as well, from nature hikes, sea eagle safaris and sea kayaking amongst others. Please contact us if you would like to tailor activities today. Overnight in a traditional style Rorbuer (B)

Day 05: Svolvær – Reine

(Approx. overall driving distance today 120 km)

After breakfast at your hotel, continue your Lofoten Islands exploration, now heading to the far southern extent of the islands. We recommend a stop in Nusfjord, a wonderfully old and authentic fishing village in a wonderful setting flanked by dramatic mountains. After spending some time here, continue to Reine, arguably the most beautiful village of the Lofoten. Your accommodation for the next 2 nights will be in a traditional style Rorbuer (B)

Day 06: Reine at leisure

Enjoy your day at leisure exploring the southern extent of the region. If you wish to continue exploring we recommend taking the short distance further south still to visit Å, a small village close to the tip of archipelago. The village contains boathouses more than 150 years old. Other activities that can be organised from Reine include kayaking, trekking or hiring bikes. Overnight in the traditional Rorbuer (B)

Day 07: Reine - Henningsvaer

(Approx. overall driving distance today 115 km)

After breakfast, start your journey back north through the archipelago to beautiful Henningsvaer, located attractively amongst several small islands. It is known as one of the prominent active fishing villages and is renowned for its traditional architecture. We recommend optionally a visit to Gallery Lofoten which contains excellent paintings from a period renowned as a golden age in Norwegian art. Otherwise simply enjoy the atmosphere of the village and take a walk around the harbour. Overnight in a traditional Rorbuer (B)

Day 08: Henningsvaer – Harstad

(Approx. overall driving distance today 180 km)

Your final day is spent driving back to Harstad. Accommodation this evening will be a central comfortable hotel in Harstad (B)

Day 9 - Depart Harstad

Drive to the agreed location to drop of your vehicle, and this is where the services will end on your Lofoten adventure (B)

We offer this tour for private departures only

Prices start from £1,375 per person, based on two people travelling sharing a room.

Call us to book.

Tour Notes

Single Supplement

Single Supplement from £1,100.

Flights and getting to the tour

Return flights from London to Harstad start from £200. Contact us for a quotation. You may also wish to travel to the start point by train. It is possible to travel all the way from the UK by train. Contact us if you are interested in travelling overland.

Want to see details of your itinerary on a map?

CLICK HERE

Download the full tour dossier for this trip here.

DOWNLOAD TOUR DOSSIER

For expert advice get in touch now with our passionate,
well-travelled team.

+44 (0)191 296 2674 from THE UK
1-800-614-2967 from THE US & CANADA
1-300-956-415 from AUSTRALIA

ENQUIRE HERE