Tour of the Jotunheimen - FAQS

The Tour of the Jotunheimen Trek is an unforgettable multi-day 120 kilometre journey with 6,500 meters of ascent and descent, leading you through some of the most wild, rugged, and breathtaking landscapes Scandinavia has to offer.

Highlights include Norway’s two highest peaks, Glittertind (2,457m) and Galdhøpiggen (2,469m), as well as the iconic Besseggen Ridge.

For those seeking a challenging and truly rewarding adventure, the Tour of the Jotunheimen Trek is a must-do.

View our Map & Route Guides page.

Tour of the Jotunheimen Trek – GRADE 3: DIFFICULT

These treks are difficult and a good level of fitness is needed before you arrive. Good paced hiking carrying day sac plus more. Repeated seven-hour mountain days on mixed terrain with short breaks. Limited options for rest days. Difficult level of challenge. Not an off-the-couch activity!

Our itinerary includes 8 nights, with 7 days of trekking starting and ending in Bessheim in the heart of the Jotunheimen national park.

The most physically demanding aspect of the Tour of the Jotunheimen trek is the summits of Glittertinden & Galdhøpiggen as we will be ascending and descending up to 1400m on those days. Bag transfer isn't available on all nights, there will be days where you will need to carry additional items so preparation with a slightly heavier ruck sac will be needed. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to let us know.

If, for any reason, you feel unable to complete the trek, it may be necessary to return to Otta and Oslo by train. Your safety is our top priority, and we’ll assist with all necessary arrangements to ensure you return comfortably and can rest and recover.

A guided trek offers expert navigation, in-depth local knowledge, group camaraderie, and an added layer of safety. All our treks are led by qualified one of MBT’s UIMLA mountain professionals who know the trails well. They prioritize your safety throughout the journey while enriching your experience with insights into the region’s flora, fauna, and cultural history along the Tour of the Jotunheimen Trek.

All of our worldwide treks are limited to a maximum of 8 clients, ensuring a more personal, supportive, and experience. The Tour of the Jotunheimen guided trek is led by a highly qualified MBT UIMLA-certified guide.

If you would like to check who else is booked on a guided trek, please just contact us. We can tell you the make-up of your group, the ratio of males to females and give you an idea of the group’s age profile.

Our guides are very experienced, fully qualified Mountain Leaders who live and work in the Alps all year round. They also work in other mountainous areas in the world and support our worldwide treks.

UIMLA Qualification

The Union of International Mountain Leader Associations (UIMLA) was founded in November 2004 and is an internationally recognised qualification that sets standards for mountain leaders all over the world.

Mountain Leader Associations

Mont Blanc Treks are affiliated to SNAM & BAIML, the French & English Mountain Leader Association who are full members of the Union of International Mountain Leader Associations (UIMLA). They look after the professional interests of International Mountain Leaders in Europe & around the world.

UIMLA: Union of International Mountain Leader Associations

BAIML: British Association of International Mountain Leaders

SNAM: Accompagnateur en Montagne European

All our guides are certified in Wilderness and High Altitude First Aid, ensuring they are fully prepared to handle emergencies in remote and challenging environments.

Bag transfers are available on certain nights, other nights we will need to carry a few extra items in your rucksack. Bag transfers will be possible on 5 nights. Please ask for further information if required.

Accommodation is provided on a shared basis in twin rooms, meaning you will likely share with another guest of the same sex unless you choose to pay a single supplement. If no suitable roommate is available, a single supplement will be applied at a later date once final group arrangements have been confirmed.

On our Tour of the Jotunheimen guided trek, we use carefully selected, tried-and-tested DNT and private mountain cabins that provide comfort, warmth, and a welcoming atmosphere after a rewarding day in the mountains. We only work with places that we’d be happy to stay in ourselves.

View our Where to Stay page.

Breakfast
Typically includes cereal, porridge, eggs of all description, bread, jam, cheese, meets, salade, fruit and much more.

Lunch
A substantial picnic lunch can be made from the buffet breakfast. Greaseproof paper and sandwich sacks are also provided. 

Dinner
Evening meals are hearty traditional Norwegian cuisine, often self-service buffet style, soup or salads, meat, fish and vegetarian options for the main course, a sweet treat for dessert. You will not go hungry!

View our What to Eat page.

Essentials include:

• Hiking boots with ankle support or good trail shoes 

• Waterproof jacket and trousers

• Warm layers (fleece, lightweight & thicker down jacket)

• Shorts, trekking trousers and t-shirts

• Trekking poles

• Rucksack (approx 30L)

• Hydration system (water bottles or hydration pack)

• Head torch, sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses, warm hat and gloves

View our What to Bring page for more detailed information.

Yes, trekking poles are highly recommended for stability and reducing strain on the knees when descending.

We advise you to carry the basics, including plasters for blisters and pain killers for aches and muscle strains. (Don’t forget any of your usual medication). Your guide will carry a more substantial first aid kit.

Once you have decided on your trek all you have to do is fill out our booking form, once received, we will process your booking and send you a payment link for the deposit. You can then make the payment and get ready for an experience of a lifetime!

It is essential that you fill in all the relevant sections on our booking form, so we have all the necessary information at the time of booking.

Once we have received your deposit payment, we will confirm your booking and send you further information about the trek. If you have any queries while booking your trek, do not hesitate to get in touch with us in Chamonix.

We recommend you take out cancellation insurance at the time of booking your trek. Should you need to cancel you will need to inform Mont Blanc Treks Ltd by email. If you cancel your trek the following conditions apply: 

• More than 16 weeks before trek start date - loss of deposit. 

• 12 – 16 weeks before trek start date - loss of 50% of the trek fee. 

• Less than 12 weeks before trek start date loss of 100% of the trek fee.

Yes, travel insurance covering trekking activities, medical emergencies, and trip cancellations is required.

Medical

Your own insurance is crucial. If you are on a guided tour, your guide will do their utmost to ensure your safety, but accidents can happen and even trivial accidents can result in a hefty bill of evacuation off the mountain or transport is involved. If you are unsure of your insurance cover, please ask us before the trek, rather than at the time when you may require assistance.

Possessions

Equipment can easily be lost or left behind on a trek and Mont Blanc Treks cannot be held responsible for your private possessions. During transfers, bags are left for collection and again after delivery, in some relatively public places within the hotels we use. Please make sure possessions, bags and equipment are adequately insured and kept safe. Suggestions for trekking insurance companies that have been used by previous clients are:

For residents worldwide: World Nomads, TravelEx 'Adventure Plus Pak', True Traveller

For residents in the UK: British Mountaineering Council, World first

For UK and EU residents: Globelink

For residents in the USA: TravelEx 'Adventure Plus Pak'

For residents in Australia:Insure4less

The most convenient airport will be Oslo, from the station in the airport you can catch a direct train to Otta via the Norwegian rail official website VY. Once you have your travel details, let us know, we will then organise a taxi to pick you up and take you to Bessheim Fjellstue lodge. The same for the return.