This is a cruise day that actually feels like a real trip. You get a private guide, glacier time at Briksdalbreen, plus a lift up to Mount Hoven, where the views come with chilling stories. I like the mix of big scenery and human-scale stops, and I especially love that the day includes Troll car tickets and built-in snacks and water for the ride. One thing to think about, the glacier walk has rocky, uneven ground, so bring comfortable shoes.

Two small details make a big difference. First, the tour returns you to the port with time to spare, which matters when you are on a ship schedule. Second, your guide brings local context, and in one trip I reviewed, Radmyla was singled out as a wonderful guide and a great driver who really knew the ins and outs of the area. The main drawback is that this is a weather-driven outing, so cloudy or stormy conditions can change what you get, especially for glacier and viewpoint photos.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• Private group up to 4 means less waiting and more control of your photo stops.
• Troll car ride is included for the Briksdal Glacier approach, cutting down the effort and maximizing glacier time.
• You’ll walk about 10 minutes on uneven, rocky ground to the glacier tongue, so plan for solid footwear.
• Hornindalsvatnet Lake stop includes a chance to hear local legends, including the Horney monster story.
• Loen lift to Mount Hoven puts you around 1,000 meters up for wide views, with a “tragic secret” shared by your guide.
• SkyLift adult ticket is not included, so budget for that separate add-on and confirm your exact ticket needs.

A Private Day of Vikings and Ice, Built for Cruise-Time

This is the kind of shore excursion that avoids the worst cruise trap: running around with a tight group, trying to see too much too fast. You start at the Nordfjordeid cruise ship terminal, and the schedule is built around long enough stops to actually absorb where you are.

The core of the day is glacier country, but it is not only about ice. You also get Viking-era Nordfjordeid, deep-lake scenery at Hornindalsvatnet, and quieter valley drives like Oldedalen, where private touring lets you stop at the best spots without crowds.

The big practical win is pacing. The day is about eight hours, and it is split into sensible blocks: local history, lakes, then the two glacier-related experiences at Briksdal and Loen. That makes it easier to handle the travel rhythm, even if you are coming off a ship day.

One more thing I appreciate: the tour notes that it requires good weather. That is not just fine print. When the sky is clear, the glacier views and summit viewpoints become the highlight. When it is not, expect the guide to shift the emphasis to what still works, or you might need to pick a different date.

Nordfjordeid White City and the 1874 Viking Ship Find

Nordfjordeid is your first real taste of the region’s layers. During Viking times, it was described as an independent kingdom, and your guide uses that foundation to connect the town to discoveries that are still reshaping what people think they know about everyday Viking life.

In this stop, you will walk through what the tour describes as the White City, with architecture typical of the 18th and 19th centuries. That matters because it helps you see the town as more than a port stop. You are not just collecting photos, you are learning how different eras overlap in the same streets.

The most specific highlight here is the Viking ship discovery in 1874. This is the sort of detail that can make the whole day feel sharper. When you hear that the largest Viking ship was found right in the city center, it gives you a real sense of scale and importance, even if you are only spending about an hour in town.

You also get a Viking burial site mentioned as part of what the guide will show you. If you like history that has physical evidence, not just theory, this stop is a strong start.

Photo time is limited, with a short photo stop available on request. That is normal for a port excursion, so if you have specific shots in mind, ask your guide early and be efficient.

Hornindalsvatnet Lake, Europe’s Deepest, and the Horney Monster

After Nordfjordeid, the drive brings you to Hornindalsvatnet, which the tour describes as the deepest lake in Europe, with a depth of about 514 meters and an area of about 50.5 square kilometers. Even from a short stop, those numbers help frame what you are looking at. This is not a quick puddle photo opportunity, it is a big body of water with a heavy, dramatic presence.

The scenery angle is built into the tour. The lake is often described as a mirror that reflects mountains, clouds, forests, and farms with shaggy sheep. I like this stop because it is not trying to force you into a long hike. You can take in the light, the shapes, and the way the mountains sit above the water.

Then comes the fun local storytelling. Your guide shares legends tied to the lake, including the Horney monster. You are not going to fact-check a lake monster on a cruise day, but the stories do more than entertain. They show how communities connect to place, even in areas that feel remote.

If you are curious about fishing, the tour mentions that Hornindalsvatnet contains only a few fish species, like trout, char, and eel, while the rivers are more productive. The Eidselva River is noted as a famous salmon and trout fishery in Nordfjordeid, with fishing permits available from local hotels along with maps showing permitted areas. Even if you are not fishing, it adds real context to how locals use the region’s water.

Your stop time here is about 30 minutes, which is short, but enough to feel the scale and hear the stories.

Stryn Valley Drive-Through: Gateway to Jostedalsbreen

You pass through Stryn as part of the route. The tour frames Stryn as the gateway to Jostedalsbreen National Park, described as the largest glacier in continental Europe.

You will not stop for sightseeing here, which might sound like a drawback at first. But for a private shore excursion, it can actually be a smart move. The time you save can go into Briksdalbreen and Loen, which are the tour’s big view payoffs.

Still, the drive matters. Stryn helps you understand you are not randomly visiting an ice patch, you are entering glacier country that is tied to a much larger national park system. When you later see Briksdal, the glacier feels like part of a bigger machine, not just an isolated attraction.

If you get motion sick easily, this is a good time to mention it to your guide before the longer glacier segments. The tour is car-based and includes multiple scenic drives.

Olden and Oldedalen, Where You Can Actually Pause

Olden is the next village stop, and it is described as sitting at the mouth of the Nordfjord and surrounded by mountains. The tour points out that cruise ships dock almost every day in summer. That is useful because it helps you understand why the village might feel busy or quiet depending on timing.

Your Olden stop is about a coffee and restroom break, around 30 minutes. I see this as a practical reset more than a major sightseeing block, and that is totally fine. When you get a glacier day later, you want energy saved for it, not spent standing in lines.

Then you head toward Oldedalen. This part of the route is one of the main reasons I like the private format. The tour specifically notes that because it is private, you can stop at interesting places not available on bus tours.

Oldedalen is described as a beautiful valley, with glacial lakes and flowers. The key word here is time. You are not rushing through for one quick stop, you get about 30 minutes to take it in without the crowd pressure.

For your camera, this is also a good time to shoot variety. Briksdal is big ice and drama. Oldedalen is softer, more human-scale, with the color of glacial lakes and flower detail if the weather and timing align.

Briksdalbreen With Troll Car, Waterfalls, and a Short Rocky Walk

Briksdal Glacier, or Briksdalbreen, is the day’s glacier centerpiece. You start with an open-air electric vehicle ride the tour calls the Troll car. It runs you along a serpentine road to the national park area.

This is one of those inclusions that makes the difference between seeing the glacier and just watching it from far away. The Troll car ride is included, which means you are not spending part of your limited time negotiating extra costs or figuring out transport.

Once you arrive, the approach is described as a treat for the senses: waterfalls, ice caps on mountain peaks, and even goats grazing on lush lawns. That combination can make the photos more interesting than plain ice walls.

Then you walk about 10 minutes to the glacier tongue. The trail is described as uneven and rocky with slight inclines, so comfortable shoes are not optional. This is the main physical consideration in the whole tour. If your feet are reliable, it is manageable. If you are expecting flat boardwalk conditions, you will be surprised.

The tour sets aside about two hours for Briksdal. That length matters. Two hours is enough to get the iconic views, take a few different angles, and still have time if conditions shift, like wind or changing cloud cover.

If you care about glacier photography, ask your guide where the best viewpoints are based on the moment. The guide is there to make the day work, not just to announce the stop.

Loen Lift to Mount Hoven, Views at 1,000 Meters and a Tragic Secret

If Briksdal is the ice at ground level, Loen is the ice and valleys seen from above. Your plan is to take the Loen lift up to Mount Hoven, described as reaching about 1,000 meters above sea level.

The tour also mentions a modern gondola as part of getting to the top, so you should think of this as your main summit ride. Practical note: the tour information lists entry tickets to SkyLift as not included for an adult in Nordfjordeid. That suggests you may need to pay for the lift ticket separately, so confirm what you are covering when you book and do not assume it is included just because the lift ride is part of the schedule.

Up top, you walk along the summit. The tour notes you’ll have a chance to eat, but it also says lunch is not included. So, treat the food as an extra you can choose, not something automatically covered.

The reward is the view. The tour points you toward the Oldedalen and Lodalen valleys, plus turquoise glacial lakes. And yes, your guide will add the emotional layer with stories described as involving a tragic secret around those lakes.

This is the stop where I recommend you slow down. Even if you are not a “views person,” the height plus the color of glacial waters can hit you in a different way than the glacier tongue does. It is a good place to take in how massive the region is without walking for miles.

Your Loen stop is about two hours, which gives you time to enjoy the ride, walk, and still be ready for the return.

What You Get, What You Pay For, and Smart Packing

Here’s the straightforward breakdown based on what the tour lists as included and not included.

Included:

• Bottled water
• Snacks
• Troll car tickets for the ride to Briksdal Glacier

Not included:

• Lunch
• SkyLift adult entry ticket in Nordfjordeid

That mix is pretty typical for a private shore excursion. You are getting key transport help and glacier access, while meal costs are left to you. I like this approach because it gives you control over where and what you eat, especially in a place where you may not want a one-size-fits-all “tour lunch.”

Packing tips that actually match the day:

• Wear comfortable shoes. Briksdal has an uneven, rocky path with slight inclines.
• Bring a layer for wind. Glacier areas can feel colder than you expect, even in summer.
• Bring a camera that handles low light changes. Clouds can roll in quickly, and the ice can look different by the minute.

If you want to do this day with minimal stress, plan your lunch strategy early. You might not have long meal time after the summit stop, and you do want energy for the return drive and ice cream finale.

Price and Value for a Group of Up to Four

The price is $2,036.24 per group, up to 4 people. On a per-person basis, it only looks reasonable when you fill the group. If you are traveling solo, it can feel steep compared to mass-market tours. If you are a small family or two couples, it can be one of the smarter ways to buy time and reduce hassle on a cruise day.

So where does the value come from?

You are paying for:

• a private local guide
• transport that strings together multiple stops in an efficient loop
• included Troll car tickets
• bottled water and snacks so you are not scrambling mid-day

The tour is not just “you go to one place.” It strings together Viking Nordfjordeid, Hornindalsvatnet, the Briksdal Glacier approach, and the Loen summit lift. With a cruise schedule, that kind of coverage usually means tight timing and extra logistics.

The private format is the multiplier here. You are not waiting for others to use a restroom, you can ask for a photo stop on request, and your guide can time things based on weather. That is hard to price until you feel how much calmer it is.

If weather is good, you get the full payoff. If weather is not, the tour requires good conditions, and that can change plans. It is still a good choice when you are flexible about rescheduling.

The Nordfjordeid Ice Cream Finish That Actually Feels Like an End

The return to Nordfjordeid is built in, with timely port return guaranteed. That is the kind of sentence that matters in practice.

Then you get a small but memorable finish: Norwegian ice cream. The tour describes it as natural, made from fresh cream, pleasantly cold, but not frozen. It sounds simple, but after glacier wind and summit views, it works. It is a nice ritual closing for the day.

Think of it like a “we made it back” reward, not a sightseeing event. The main point is you end the day calm, not rushing.

Should You Book This Nordfjordeid Glaciers and SkyLift Ride?

Book it if you fit this pattern:

• You are on a cruise and need a day that is efficient but not rushed.
• You want private guiding and smoother timing more than you want the absolute cheapest option.
• You care about both glacier time at Briksdal and summit views from Loen.
• Your group can handle a short walk on uneven, rocky ground.

Consider a different option if:

• You are not comfortable with rocky trails, because Briksdal includes a short uneven walk to the glacier tongue.
• Your travel timing is likely to hit poor weather, since the experience requires good conditions for best results.
• You are traveling solo or as a duo and do not want to pay a per-group rate.

If you do book, my best advice is practical: wear shoes you trust, and confirm the SkyLift adult ticket situation at booking since it is listed as not included. Also, if you have specific photo targets, tell your guide early so you can use the limited photo moments wisely.

FAQ

How long is the Nordfjordeid Glaciers and SkyLift Ride?

The tour runs for about 8 hours.

What is the group size for this private shore excursion?

It is a private tour for your group, up to 4 people.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at the Nordfjordeid Cruise Ship Terminal, Kaivegen 12, 6770 Nordfjordeid, Norway, and ends back at the same meeting point.

What is included in the price, and what is not?

Included are bottled water, snacks, and tickets for the Troll car. Not included are lunch and entry tickets to SkyLift for an adult in Nordfjordeid.

Do I need comfortable shoes?

Yes. At Briksdal Glacier, you walk about 10 minutes on an uneven, rocky trail with slight inclines, so comfortable shoes are important.

What should I do if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount you paid is not refunded.