cycle copenhagen to oslo

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1 A UTracks holiday is all about exploring Europe your way. It s about U + the walking tracks and cycling trails you want to discover, be it hiking with the family in the European Alps, a leisurely cycle with friends along the quieter backroads of Holland or France, trekking the famous pilgrimage trails of Spain, Italy or England or even discovering the islands of Croatia and Greece by bike and boat. Together with our sister company Sherpa Expeditions, we offer over 300 active tours across the continent and it s many exotic islands, with active holiday ideas for families, culinary enthusiasts, history buffs, experienced alpine walkers or those that just want to see Europe differently. Since we began in 2006, UTracks has quickly become known as the leaders in active European holidays. Our itineraries are creative and very affordable making them popular with travellers both young and young at heart. Set your own pace on a flexible self guided trip or enjoy the benefits of an experienced local guide on a guided tour. The physical demands range from introductory to challenging with all offering unique opportunities to discover the untrodden Europe, spanning postcard landscapes, centuries old cultures, rural lifestyles and tempting culinary delights. Best of all, our trips start on virtually any day of the week, so you can combine any tour to create exactly the holiday you want. Compare the price and you will see that we offer exceptional value active programs that are virtually all inclusive, giving you more time to enjoy the natural and cultural wonders you ve come to experience. explore europe your way TRIP COST Joining Copenhagen : $3749 All prices are per person TRIP NAME: TRIP CODE: TRIP DURATION: CYCLE COPENHAGEN TO OSLO CCO 11 DAYS Norway Larvik Oslo OPTIONS & SUPPLEMENTS Electric Bike supplement: $280 single supplement: $830 As the trip price is based on twinshare, a single supplement is payable if a single room is required or a single traveller supplement if you are travelling solo*. Please refer to the price options for costs or ask our office for details. Note regarding single rooms The single supplement guarantees the privacy of your own room, however, rooms can at times be small and in some places may not enjoy the same facilities as double/twin rooms. *The single traveller surcharge is only available on trips deemed suitable for solo travellers. It is usually more expensive than the single supplement due to the extra cost for luggage transfers and organisation. IMPORTANT NOTES GRADE: MODERATE TO CHALLENGING 4 ACTIVITY: SELF GUIDED CYCLING ACCOMMODATION: 10 NIGHTS 3 TO 4 STAR HOTELS DATE DETAILS: Hjørring Aarhus Denmark highlights Crossing borders and fjords between the capitals of Denmark & Norway Cycling through landscapes rich with Viking history Exploring Jutland s scenic rural landscapes and picturesque towns Cycling along the Oslo Fjord into Oslo Visiting Larvik, birthplace of Thor Heyerdahl of Kon Tiki fame Sweden Copenhagen the trip Copenhagen isn t just the capital of Denmark it s the cycling capital of the world. This creative city is an ideal starting point for this epic 490km cycle between the Danish island of Zealand and the Norwegian capital, Oslo. Whilst the trip is self guided, there is a support vehicle close at hand as you make your way across waters and borders with your fellow cyclists.the trip begins with a ride past two of the iconic sites of Copenhagen, the Royal Castle and the Little Mermaid, and along quiet roads through cosy villages to the coast, where you ll catch a ferry to Arhus, Denmark s 2nd largest city. Enjoy the lively atmosphere along Aen, the small river that gave rise to the city s original name, and continue through forests and undulatig landscapes rich with Viking history to meet your ferry at Hirtshals for the crossing to Larvik in Norway, birthplace of the famous Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl. From here to Oslo, you ll encounter Norway s oldest settlement, cycle through forests, pedal around grand fjords, visit pretty coastal villages, trace the history of the Vikings and feast on local culinary delights. If you re seeking a cycling trip that provides an amazing sense of achievement, this is it World Expeditions Travel Group - Efti Poulos 2/10/2016 1:37:34 PM Page 1

2 itinerary at a glance Day 1 Arrive Copenhagen Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 detailed itinerary DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 cycle copenhagen to oslo Cycle past the Royal Castle and Little Mermaid en route to Hillerød/ Frederikssund(50km) Cycle through small villages to Højby/Sjællands Odde (55km) Cycle to Århus with a ferry ride to Jutland en route (30km) Cycle the Jutland Peninsula to the town of Hobro (65km) Cycle through the evergreen Rold Skov to Aalborg (60km) Past Viking remains and Boerglum Monastery to Hjørring (60km) Cycle to the coast then ferry to Larvik in Norway, birthplace of Thor Heyerdahl (25km) Cycle to Horten on the Oslo Fjord via the old town of Tønsberg (70km) Cross the Oslo Fjord to Moss and cycle to Oslo (75km) Trip concludes Arrive Copenhagen Arrive in Copenhagen and prepare for a great trip. If you arrive early, there are lots of interesting places to visit: Tivoli, the harbour area around Nyhavn, the Royal Castle, the idyllic parks and lots more. meals: NIL Cycle past the Royal Castle and Little Mermaid en route to Hillerød/Frederikssund(50km) Leave Copenhagen along the coast of Øresund, the sound dividing Denmark and Sweden. In clear weather it s possible to see Sweden in the distance. Before reaching Øresund you will have passed some of the significant sights and buildings in Copenhagen - among these the Royal Castle and the Little Mermaid. The road winds past beautiful houses, impressive views and small shops. After a nice day on the bike, arrive in Hillerød or Frederikssund where you stay for the night. Cycle through small villages to Højby/Sjællands Odde (55km) Today your ride takes you through scenic landscapes on calm roads and through cosy villages. First you head to Hundested, a nice harbour town and a good place for a stroll and lunch. From Hundested you take the ferry to Rørvig, a very scenic ferry ride of 25 minutes duration. Your destination is Højby/Sjællands Odde, from where you will take the ferry to Jutland the next day. There are very fine opportunities for a swim in the sea of Kattegat today, so remember your swimming gear World Expeditions Travel Group - Efti Poulos 2/10/2016 1:37:34 PM Page 2

3 DAY 4 DAY 5 DAY 6 DAY 7 DAY 8 Cycle to Århus with a ferry ride to Jutland en route (30km) You start the day by taking the National Cycle Route No 7 from Højby to Sjællands Odde, from where you take the ferry to Jutland, arriving in Århus, Denmarks second largest city. Århus is full of sights, restaurants and shopping, so today s ride is quite short, giving you time to experience this very old and fascinating city. Interesting sights are Den Gamle By (the old town, a living picture of Denmark as it looked in the 1700s, 1800s and 1900s) and the Moesgård Museum with its exhibition of the ancient bog body now known as Grauballe man (Grauballemanden). Enjoy the lively atmosphere along åen, the small river giving Århus its name, now lined with many restaurants and bars. Cycle the Jutland Peninsula to the town of Hobro (65km) Your journey on Jutland starts by heading north from Århus. Your first destination is the city of Randers, situated on the Guden River (Gudenå) and with Denmark s only natural river harbour, has long been known for salmon and industry. Look for a nice place for lunch in the centre of the medieval part of the city. Continuing north you head to the town of Hobro, idyllically situated on the coast of the Mariager Fjord. Just outside Hobro are the remains of the Fyrkat, a former Viking castle. You will be cycling through rural landscapes and at the same time experience the laid back city life of one of Denmark s larger cities today. Cycle through the evergreen Rold Skov to Aalborg (60km) From Hobro you follow the National Cycle Route No. 3 all the way to Aalborg, Denmarks 4th largest city and your destination today. Cycling through picturesque and undulating landscapes, you will pass through the Rold Skov, one of Denmarks largest forests and formerly where highwaymen and maybe even witches lived. A large lake in the middle of Rold Skov gives you the opportunity for a refreshing swim. Later today you will experience a change of landscapes and buildings when you enter Aalborg, an important harbour city on the banks of the Limfjord. Take a stroll in the old streets and visit the harbour area with its bars and areas for relaxing. Past Viking remains and Boerglum Monastery to Hjørring (60km) From Aalborg you head north again, cycling through beautiful agricultural landscape. Cross the Limfjord on a bridge in the city centre and maybe visit Lindholm Høje (Lindholm Hills), a Viking burial site and former settlement that tells interesting stories about Denmark s past. Later on the trip you can enjoy the rural landscape of North Jutland and the impressive Børglum Kloster (Boerglum Monastery), where the power of the church in former days is evident. Today it is a very interesting attraction - and a nice break on your ride to Hjørring, where you stay overnight. Cycle to the coast then ferry to Larvik in Norway, birthplace of Thor Heyerdahl (25km) Today you cross the border to Norway by ferry. Your day starts with a short cycle from Hjørring to the coast and on to Hirtshals, where you board the ferry to Larvik and Norway. On board, you can do a little shopping or relax on the deck. On arrival in Larvik, it s a short bike ride to your hotel World Expeditions Travel Group - Efti Poulos 2/10/2016 1:37:34 PM Page 3

4 DAY 9 DAY 10 DAY 11 Cycle to Horten on the Oslo Fjord via the old town of Tønsberg (70km) Larvik is the birthplace of the famous Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl and also has a great history of boat building, so a stroll around the harbour and a coffee in the sun is a nice way to start your visit in Norway. Just outside Larvik is the oldest settlement in Norway: Kaupang (an ancient Nordic name for a place of trade). There are no remains today but the place is definitely worth a visit. Continue to idyllic Sandefjord and to the oldest remaining town in Norway, Tønsberg. Head towards Horten on the Oslo Fjord, where you stay overnight. Cross the Oslo Fjord to Moss and cycle to Oslo (75km) Another sailing experience awaits you when crossing the Oslo Fjord from Horten to the town of Moss. From here you have a scenic ride on good cycle roads towards Oslo another of the Vikings former towns. Seeking water and safety, they established a settlement which today is the capital of Norway: at the very bottom of the Oslo Fjord, the site had good access to both the sea and farmland. There are many things to see and do in Oslo, including visiting the Viking Ship Museum on the island of Bygdøy in the outskirts of Oslo, the Royal Castle, and the Kon-Tiki Museum to see the raft on which Heyerdahl sailed the Pacific Ocean in Trip concludes Trip concludes after breakfast. inclusions 10 breakfasts buffet style with breads, spreads, cheese, often meats and cereals, coffee, tea, juice 10 nights accommodation in 3 4 star hotels on a twin share basis. All rooms have private facilities. Rental bike with pannier (electric bike available on request supplement applies) Ferry across Kattegat from Zealand to Aarhus, and across Skagerrak from Hirtshals to Larvik Luggage transfer to each hotel Welcome meeting in Copenhagen Information pack including route notes and maps one per room booked Support vehicle in the area items not included Travel to Copenhagen / travel from Oslo Lunch & dinner daily, drinks Travel insurance Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry etc. Tour guide this is a self guided cycling trip Entrance fees Ferry from Hundested to Rorvig on Day 3 (allow DKK71 per person approx EUR9.50) and from Horten to Moss on Day 8 (allow NOK40 per person approx EUR5) Helmets getting there BY CAR BY TRAIN Driving routes can be accessed via the following websites: com Copenhagen is well connected by rail to points throughout Europe and Denmark. Page 4

5 BY AIR BY FERRY/BOAT Both Copenhagen and Oslo are well connected by air to points throughout Europe and beyond. If you require assistance with booking flights please let us know. Ferries operate from Rostock in Germany to Gedser in Denmark, then train to Copenhagen. From 2016, a ferry will operate between Harwich in the UK and Esjberg on Jutland see uk.htm then train to Copenhagen. trip grading - moderate to challenging MODERATE TO CHALLENGING GRADE 4 This trip requires a good level of fitness. This trip involves 9 days cycling along National Cycle Routes, cycle paths and backroads with minimal car traffic. The cycling distance is from 25 to 75km per day. Most days are quite easy, even for the longer distances. There are some elevations, but in Denmark the landscape is more undulating than hilly and in Norway the route will follow roads and paths along the coast where there are no mountains, etc, but again an undulating landscape (rolling hills). In total there is around 4000 altimeters over the total distance of 490km cycling on the tour. *For safety reasons, we highly recommend that cycle helmets are worn. equipment provided You will receive a high quality touring bike with 7 or 24 gears, with strong wheels and tyres. The bikes are equipped with panniers and racks, a lock and repair kit. You must bring your own helmet. dietary requirements Provided we are advised in advance of your departure we are able to cater for vegetarian diets and can assist with medically recommended diets (allergies and intolerances). Please ensure you discuss your requirements with us well in advance (at least 1 month prior to your trip) to determine whether we can cater to such dietary requirements on your chosen adventure. Please note that options are likely to be limited in very remote locations or alternatives may be more expensive or unavailable. There may be times when those with special requirements may need to provide their own food. We are unable to guarantee a peanut free or allergen free trip, and therefore, we strongly encourage that travellers with life threatening or severe allergies take all necessary medical precautions to prepare for the possibility of exposure. Passengers must travel with all necessary medications for food allergies and be capable of self administering these medications. a note on our self guided adventures Self guided walking or cycling requires individuals to use problem solving skills, be adaptable and have a keen eye. It is recommended that you are comfortable map reading, referring to route notes and that you have a good sense of direction (or are willing to work on improving this!) Sometimes route finding, losing your way, finding it again and asking the locals for help is all part of the adventure. If you ve never been on a self guided trip, after the first couple of days you will get the hang of it as the vast majority of our first time travellers attest. Please be assured that our written material issued to you for route finding is updated regularly and we provide a 7day service hotline in the event of any problems. Using directions and maps can be more difficult for solo travellers as often two heads are better than one when it comes to finding your way. There is a certain level of the unknown that comes with self guided trips, however with a methodical approach potential problems will be averted. The freedom of a self guided trip is something that, once experienced, is sought time and time again. joining instructions On booking confirm you will receive a pre departure kit. Three weeks prior to your departure from your home country you will receive details of the hotels and joining instructions. Page 5

6 about your group You will be joining a group with a mix of participants from different countries, speaking different languages which may include English, German, French, Spanish, Italian and Danish. While this is a self guided trip, there will be a support vehicle in the area should you require any assistance and this vehicle also transports the luggage daily (there is no other option to transfer luggage). You will be provided with the necessary route information to complete stages of the cycle. GROUP SIZE: minimum 10 participants required to operate this trip. In the unlikely event that the trip does not reach minimum numbers it will be cancelled 4 weeks or more prior to departure. the region Located at the northern tip of mainland Europe, Denmark shares a land border at Jutland with Germany, and is connected to Sweden via the Oresund Bridge. The capital, Copenhagen, is located on the island of Zealand. A constitutional monarchy, the Danish Royal Family is one of the oldest in the world and very popular. fast facts COUNTRIES VISITED VISAS Denmark, Norway Visas not required for citizens of Australia, Canada, USA and New Zealand for up to 90 days in a period of 180 days for all Schengen countries (see www. schengenvisainfo.com/schengen visa countries list/ for countries part of the Schengen). Please ensure your passport is stamped on arrival in the Schengen area. For all other nationalities and for longer stays in countries covered by the Schengen Agreement (Australian New Zealand, Canadian and US passport holders), please contact the relevant embassy. Stays of longer than 90 days in the Schengen area require a long stay visa for the country you are spending most time in. However long stay visas are unlikely to be issued unless there is a valid reason (eg. studying in country). Unfortunately we cannot assist in obtaining visas for long stays due to individual country visa requirements. CLIMATE The trip runs in July & August during the European summer, when temperatures range between approx degrees. Denmark and Norway have temperate climates moderated by the Gulf Stream, and enjoy long summer days. MIN GROUP SIZE 10 MAX GROUP SIZE 15 SPECIALIST GEAR REQUIRED Bike helmet, wet weather gear, sunscreen, jogging shoes and sun hat. (A comprehensive gear list is provided in the pre departure information provided on booking). **Note helmets are not provided you can bring your own or purchase locally in Copenhagen. The nearest bike shop is 300m from our normal hotel here** how to book Booking a UTracks holiday is simple. You can book online, via our secure payment facility, at your own convenience. Alternatively, fill out our booking form which can be found at the back of our brochure, on our website or we can you a copy then scan/ , fax or post the form to your nearest UTracks or World Expeditions office, or travel agent, with full payment (self guided trips) or the relevant deposit (guided trip) by cheque or credit card (note: surcharges may apply for credit card payments). UTracks has access to competitive airfares to Europe. Contact us, or your travel agent, for assistance with your travel arrangements including flights, travel insurance & additional accommodation. Page 6

7 follow us cycle copenhagen to oslo There s even more tips and ideas on our blog at slide shows UTracks invites you to attend our inspiring adventure travel slide shows. These special evenings are designed to inform and entertain and are hosted by our most experienced and passionate adventure travellers. Ask our staff for a slide show schedule or register on our website Shows can fill early so it is important to register your attendance so we know to save a seat, or two! e-newsletter To keep up to date with our new and exciting adventure opportunities, special promotions and adventure news, subscribe to our monthly e newsletter! You can do this on line through our website, com or contact our office. IMPORTANT NOTE THESE TRIP NOTES REPRESENT THE MOST CURRENT INFORMATION AVAILABLE FOR THIS ITINERARY,AND SUPERSEDE ANY INFORMATION DETAILED IN THE CURRENT BROCHURE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE ITINERARY AND PRICE. talk to us If you require any further assistance regarding this trip or any other adventure, please contact your nearest UTRACKS or World Expeditions office. Page 7

8 AUSTRALIA UTracks / World Expeditions Level 5, 71 York St Sydney NSW 2000 T: (02) F: (02) Toll free: info@utracks.com.au Feel free to visit our World Expeditions offices in:- Melbourne Perth Brisbane Adelaide (Thor Travel) Our staff will be happy to assist with your enquiries. For address and office phone numbers see our website at NEW ZEALAND World Expeditions Level 1, High St Auckland CBD PO Box Auckland City 1143 T: (09) F: (09) Toll Free: info@worldexpeditions.co.nz CANADA - OTTAWA World Expeditions 47 William St Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1N 6Z9 T: F: Toll Free: info@worldexpeditions.com UNITED KINGDOM World Expeditions 1B Osiers Road Wandsworth London SW18 1NL T: F: T: (Ireland) info@utracks.com Page 8