LOFOTEN FROM THE SEA

DISCOVER THE BEST OF LOFOTEN FROM A SAILBOAT

Lofoten is a natural paradise, one of the most photographed places in all of Norway, for a reason. A succession of fjords, mountains, fishing villages that seems straight out of a story.

The best way to get around and explore the place is with a sailboat; We will have 8 days to navigate its fjords and climb its mountains. It is a program with many activities: hiking, sailing, paddle surfing, saunas, bonfires on the beach, cod fishing… we promise you won’t get bored. Troll Fjord, Hennigsvaer, Nusfjord, Svolvaer, Reine… are some of the magical places that we will visit.

The trip will be made with a Skipper from our team who has been visiting the place for more than 10 years and will show you every corner. Besides, if you want to learn or improve in sailing and maneuvering a sailboat, you will have the opportunity.

The program is subject to change due to weather, always agreeing with the entire group on the next day’s plan. The scheduled mountain ascents are easy and without technical complications with slopes of less than 600 meters.

This isn’t just a vacation; it’s an immersive adventure on the open seas. On this trip, you won’t be a passive observer, you’ll become an essential part of the crew. From hoisting the sails to steering the helm, and even preparing meals, you’ll dive into every aspect of life on board. As you navigate the waters, you’ll not only discover new destinations but also learn the art of sailing. By the end of this journey, you won’t just leave with memories, you’ll depart as a confident and skilled sailor, ready to take on the seas.

DISCOVER LOFOTEN FROM THE SEA AND FROM THE MOUNTAINS, THE BEST COMBINATION

No sailing experience? No problem! Our adventures welcome everyone, from novices to seasoned sailors. Whether new or experienced, our trips cater to all levels.

We quickly transform beginners into sailors and offer experienced participants greater responsibilities. Our mainland journeys involve 44-50 foot boats navigating coastal and protected waters, with occasional open stretches for excitement. Routes adjust based on weather and conditions for a safe voyage.

Trips are not overly strenuous; rotating positions allow for both sailing and relaxation. Active engagement minimizes seasickness, which passes quickly if it occurs. Expect unpredictable weather, with strong winds and varied conditions in northern Norway and the Arctic. Be prepared for an unforgettable experience, embracing both calm and rough weather.

Navigation is almost always done inside the fjords, so we rarely encounter waves. We will carry out part of our sailing and all members of the group will be able to learn all the techniques and maneuvers on board.

Join our crew! No sailing experience needed, but you’ll learn a lot. Our expert skipper handles training and navigation. Whether you’re a novice or experienced, you’ll be challenged and achieve memorable experiences. First-timers will become sailors quickly, while experienced sailors will take on more responsibility. Participate in all tasks: helm, hoist sails, cook, clean, navigate, swim, gut fish, and more.

Clothing and sailwear:

• Woolen/thermal underwear, preferably two sets
• Woolen socks and thermal soles, preferably two sets
• Hat and gloves (preferably wool with wind and waterproof outer layer)
• Scarf, buff (something to keep you warm around your neck), preferably wool.
• Warm sweater, preferably with a high throat
• Warm trouser, preferably with an inner layer
• Downjacket or fiber-jacket (like Primaloft)
• ”Restaurant/party clothes”
• Watertight sailing boots
• Trainers/light shoes to use onboard
• Hiking shoes for hiking-trips ashore
• Waterproof sail-/rain-gear / oilskins. Preferably one light shell-set for hiking and
  one heavier for sailing.
• Sailing-gloves (not a must). You may also use bicycle gloves or ski-gloves.

Other equipment

• Sun glasses
• Sun cream
• Towel, soap
• Swimming wear
• Thermos for hot water if eating freeze dried food for lunch, or hot beverages
• Personal water bottle
• Backpack for trips onshore, 40-60 litres
• Airplugs and eye-cover
• Charging of phones and cameras, other advice (In the boats we have USB outlets for charging while we sail, and we have 220 Volt outlets for charging heavier kit while under motor or shore power).
• We have life vests for all. If you however have your own then bring it along (remember to unscrew the gas cylinder before check-in on airplanes).
• Pack as a sailor, pack in a bag/sack, do NOT pack in a hard suitcase. Pack as little as possible, and try to limit it to 20 kilos, although bring what you need!:) The less you pack the better we sail, and the less time you use organizing your gear
• Please make sure that you have a valid travel insurance, preferably with a cancellation coverage

This is only a recommended packlist. Please go an extra round with yourself and bring things you may need.

Food:

The culinary experience is just as vital as setting the sails or taking the helm! Once aboard, the crew will assign guests into pairs, who will then take turns preparing breakfast, lunch, and dinner according to a scheduled rota.

Worried about your cooking skills? Don’t be! A comprehensive menu plan for the entire voyage is already prepared, with all provisions stocked on board. This menu is adaptable, allowing flexibility based on daily activities—whether you catch fresh fish or if the more adventurous cooks want to try something new. The menu plan is supported by a detailed recipe book designed specifically for onboard cooking, with ingredients, quantities, and methods tailored to each meal. Cooking on board is more than just a necessity; it’s a key part of the sailing experience, fostering teamwork, confidence, and a shared appreciation for diverse culinary traditions.

The Itinerary explains what meals are included each day according to the program. If you have allergies or preferences, let us know on the registration form and we will take it into account.

We always recommend that you bring your own energy bars, nuts… so that you can eat while doing the activities.

Accommodation:

The program provides accommodation in shared cabins. If you want a single cabin, please indicate this at the time of booking.

Sailboat:
The sailboats are fully equipped with heating to be comfortable inside both when eating and sleeping.

We believe solo travelers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travelers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travelers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

In case you wish that we can look for the best flight combination tickets from your nearest airport to the destination you can add this service in “extra services” on the checkout before booking the trip and will give you the best proposal beforehand and once accepted buy it for you. This service includes monitor the flight prices over time to get the best deal when prices are low and check in of your flight. The administrative fee for this service is 35€ + the flights cost that will be invoice to you afterwards.

We offer you a 5% discount on your IATI travel insurance

The client is informed that B4Experience will issue the trip without including a cancellation, repatriation or accident policy, unless it is explicitly included in the trip contract and paid in the first payment.

Rescue insurance: Recommended
Rescue insurance is highly recommended on all active trips. It must be taken into consideration that these insurance policies are specific for each type of activity (hiking, climbing…)

The user is informed that the GUARANTEE COMPANY that covers the risks of contractual liability and guarantee against insolvency is MARKEL INSURANCE SE. Our trips are covered by Civil Liability insurance.

Visas, and Entry Requirements
Certainly! It is important to have a valid passport with at least 6 months validity when traveling to any country.

To know the specific visa requirements for your trip, it is recommended to contact your local embassy or consulate, or consult with your travel agent. Remember that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct travel documentation. Visa requirements can vary based on your nationality and your destination. While we strive to keep our information updated, visa rules can change unexpectedly. Therefore, it is crucial that you verify the information yourself and understand that you are accountable for meeting your own visa requirements.

Vaccines
For each trip, clients are solely responsible for having the mandatory and/or recommended vaccines required in each region or country. Consult with your doctor to have all vaccinations before the start of the trip.

Initial Reservation: To secure your place, an initial payment of 30% of the total amount of the trip is required at the time of making the reservation.

Final Payment: The remaining amount, equivalent to 70% of the total, must be paid no later than 60 days before the departure date.

Extras: Additional travel costs, such as insurance, flights and other optional services, must be paid in full at the time of booking.

Cancellation insurance: The client can take out trip cancellation insurance to be able to obtain payment of the entire amount paid (according to its conditions).

The end user may withdraw from the contracted trip, having the right to a refund of the amounts paid, except for the indicated penalties, but must also satisfy the Agency in the amounts indicated below once the trip has been confirmed. If it is not carried out due to not reaching the minimum necessary places, the client can save the credit for future trips or request a full refund of the reservation.

Cancellation Policy 3:

• • FULL REFUND UP TO 24H AFTER PURCHASE
  • Up to 60 days before the trip 100% refund of the trip amount.
  • Up to 45 days before the trip Refund of 50% of the trip amount.
  • For terms shorter than those described in the cancellation policy, the amount already paid will not be paid.
  • *€250 management fees apply

* Cancellation fees will not be paid for reservations already issued. If there are other non-refundable expenses already issued, these will not be paid either and will be deducted from the amount to be paid.
* The cost of cancellation of issued flights is 100% of the amount.

EXEMPTION OF LIABILITY AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK
B4Experience offers active trips for different sports and Outdoor activities, as well as information related to these activities through our web platform www.b4experience.com and other channels.

The practice of any activity in nature carries a risk for those who do it, with most of these activities being considered high-risk sports. Each one must know and apply their limits and be aware that regardless of the technical training and physical level one has, their practice can lead to accidents or even death.

The in-person activities and trips offered by B4Experience are carried out on land and activities that may inherently involve risks for those who carry them out and thus clients are informed that they contract them.

DOSSIER DISCLAIMER:

The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.

VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print/ download a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

ITINERARY DISCLAIMER:

While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. On all Outdoor trips, the routes will be adjusted depending on the weather, the level of the group participants and the risks assessed by the guide/trip leader.

Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.