Private RIB Tours
If you are looking for a private tour with an extra kick - book a private RIB trip - one of the best ways to experience the most inaccessible parts of the Sognefjord.
Wind through your hair. Fjord below your feet.
If you are looking for a private tour with an extra kick - book a private RIB trip - one of the best ways to experience the most inaccessible parts of the Sognefjord.
For an exclusive experience in the most secluded arm of the Sognefjord, we recommend the Finnabotn Tour. Many are also interested in seeing the UNESCO World Heritage Site Nærøyfjord. You can book your Balestrand Adventure RIB trip through us, here at Glacier Tour.
If you’d like to combine your RIB tour with land-based activities, we recommend combining a tour of the Fjærlandsfjord with lunch at Fjærland fjordstove (lunch not included). Or combine a tour of the Nærøyfjord with a visit to Vikingvalley or the a guided tour of the village Undredal.
For the especially curious, we offer a trip to the village Ortnevik, including to a homemade Stave Church, chainsaw art park, and land-based halibut farm. Then we swing by our favorite spot, Finnabotn, just for good measure. If you’re short on time, we recommend the private version of our popular Fjord Sightseeing Tour.
There are two boats available, each with space for 12 guests. For groups requiring two boats, there is a 10% discount on the second boat. More boats can be arranged if your group is larger - just let us know what you need in advance.
Note that we can pick up and drop off in locations other than Balestrand as well, for example: Vik, Fjærland, Sogndal, and Flåm.
We also offer a no-frills transport service, without scenic stops or detours. We can take you to or pick you up from most locations on the Sognefjord. To Vik, Fjærland, Sogndal, and Flåm we offer quick online booking. For other destinations, just let us know.
KJELL IS ALL OF THIS POSSIBLE?
The RIB experience Includes
Guided stops at major attractions
Life Jacket
Insulated Suit
Goggles
Safety Briefing
Further info
There are small compartments under the seats for cameras and other personal belongings
There are lockers for luggage, clothes and valuables in the Tourist Information Office
Bring Along: Warm layers, Camera
Conditions: Full refunds are given if cancellation is made more than 72 hours before start time.
Cidery tour
If you are thirsty for new flavors and insights behind the ciders of Norway, you'll gain a new understanding of fruit growing and cider production after just 90 minutes on this Cider tasting trip with Glaciertour.no.
If you are thirsty for new flavors and insights behind the ciders of Norway, you'll gain a new understanding of fruit growing and cider production after just 90 minutes on this Cider tasting trip with Glaciertour.no. And you'll expand your world of taste by sampling 5 distinct ciders in a glass house overlooking the Sognefjord.
Your experience begins in the organic orchard on the banks of the Sognefjord, the oldest fruit-growing region in Norway. From here you will learn the basics of growing apples and the local traditions, from the 1100s to today. Then we step into the Cider House, where we taste our way through five ciders, and learn that apples are more than just apples. You will get acquainted with the whole spectrum of tastes: sweet dessert apples, acidic cooking apples, and bitter cider apples.
And you’ll taste that cider is more than just cider, sampling your way through five unique styles, from light and easy “veranda cider” to heavy tannin-infused cider, best drunk alongside bold and savory dishes.
Get in touch to book your cidery experience today.
Hiking
There is nothing like a good hike to clear the mind and give a new perspective. Did you know that Norwegians become much friendlier at about 700 meters above sea level?
There is nothing like a good hike to clear the mind and give a new perspective. Did you know that Norwegians become much friendlier at about 700 meters above sea level?
The mountain Raudmelen is our backyard in Balestrand; in the afternoon you’ll find neighbors and colleagues taking a short energizing hike after work, and in the wintertime we ski from home to the summit and back.
The mountain hike is with Balestrand Adventure, and begins in the village centre and from there you will walk through the village on a local road to Balestrand’s primary school. From there you enter the forest and start your ascent. Then you follow a well-maintained, sometimes steep dirt path through a birch forest, with planks and stones over bogs. As the forest opens up you will enjoy wide-open views over several fjord arms.
The trail towards the summit is steep but comfortable, much of it on stone steps made by Sherpas from Nepal. At the summit there is a small public hut where you can get out of the weather.
We can organise everything for you!
Fishing
Fishing in the Fjords is a spectacular and unique experience, open to all. We can arrange for a private deep-sea fishing trip that will change how you think about the ocean.
Fishing in the Fjords is a spectacular and unique experience, open to all. We can arrange for a private deep-sea fishing trip that will change how you think about the ocean.
Balestrand Adventure are the experts; they have been fishing in Balestrand for years, on the deepest section of the world’s deepest fjord—as deep as the mountains are high. If you stare out over the fjord, you might wonder: What landscapes lie hidden beneath the surface? What strange creatures live in this world? Drop your line and you may meet one of them!
You can choose where you’d like to be picked up and you then set out for a good spot for fishing mackerel, which you will use as bait. After about an hour, when you’ve caught enough, you’ll learn how to use a tandem tackle baited with our fresh mackerel. You’ll let your line run out and out and out and out—between 200 and 500 meters below the surface.
At this depth, there is no light, and no plants. Sound travels slower. It’s an underwater desert. The only light comes from your flashing bait, illuminating a fresh, bleeding mackerel. It’s irresistible to the bulging, light-hungry eyes of the fish down there. If a one takes the bait, you’ll have to do some real work to get it to the surface (or ask for the help of the experts).
As they break the surface to the warm light of the Sognefjord, they’ll hear whoops and hollers of happy fishermen (that’s you).
Make your booking below!
This activity lasts for three hours, is for anyone over the age of 4 and with any level of fitness.
Kayaking - Balestrand
When you visit somewhere, you often feel like you are there just as an observer, like there’s a glass wall between you and the place. Kayaking is the best way we know of to break that wall.
There’s a difference between looking at fjords and mountains, and feeling them with your whole body.
When you visit somewhere, you often feel like you are there just as an observer, like there’s a glass wall between you and the place. Kayaking is the best way we know of to break that wall.
You’ll feel like you’ve met the Sognefjord after your tour is over. You’ll remember the smell of salt air mixed with seaweed, the splashes of fish, and maybe the grunts of a harbor porpoise.
Your kayaking experience will be with the experts at Balestrand Adventure and starts at the historic Balestrand quayside, where you’ll get a safety briefing and learn about the equipment you will be using for the day. You will paddle in the shallow, sheltered Esefjord, and along the Balestrand shoreline. You’ll hear stories about life in the village, and we’ll make a stop at a little beach for a stretch and some local Balholm juice.
You’ll see the last remnants of the glacier Bjørnabreen, which scraped out the Esefjord long ago. You’ll notice the details of the fruit orchards and ornate wooden facades of the old wooden villas. When you step back on land, you’ll feel refreshed and invigorated, and maybe a little humble. At least, that’s how we always feel.
For more experienced paddlers, kayaks can be rented. For new paddlers, beginner kayak courses are available.
This activity is three hours long, for those over 12 years of age and at any level of fitness.