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5th July 2024 to 14th July 2024

Island Hopping & the Træna Music Festival

From £1940 per person

Deposit 25%. Balance due 12 weeks before departure
Experience a unique sailing adventure through the Vega archipelago, with fishing, good food, and the world's most beautiful music festival.
Clear
Pay a 25% deposit per item
Suited to
Families, Couples, Individuals, Groups
Difficulty
No previous experience required
Nights onboard
9
Vessel type
Bavaria 40, 42, 44, 46, 50, Farr 40 & 70ft Expedition Yacht
Vessel length
40 to 70 foot
Skipper
Yes
Berth Style
Single + double cabins, max 10
Insurance Required
Yes

Sail, hike and fish through the Vega archipelago before stopping to party at one of the world's most remote music festivals — Træna Music Festival.

9 nights: 5 - 14 July 2024

Price: 25,400 NOK/£ 1,940 per person*

Join our annual expedition to the Vega Archipelago and Træna Music Festival. Now in its 13th year, it offers a blend of island hopping, fishing, and outdoor exploration. We'll explore countless islands, islets, and reefs of the Vega archipelago, enjoying the natural beauty and tranquillity of the Norwegian coast, along the way.

Each day unfolds with something special. You’ll have the option to take part in a mix of informal sailing lessons, hikes, and intriguing visits to cultural sites like the Eider museum at Næs. We'll taste many delicious local flavours, appreciate Hysvær's unique charm, and cruise by charming fishing villages, such as Skjærvær.

The journey ends at the renowned Træna Music Festival, which is described as the world's most beautiful festival. Experience island life, connect with fellow adventurers from around the globe, and enjoy the vibrant music scene at this spectacular event.

It's not just about sailing; it's about making connections, embracing local atmospheres, and uncovering the raw beauty of Norway's shores. People often describe this trip as “life changing”, and we are sure it will be for you too!

Why You’ll Love This Trip

  • Experience the rich history of the Vega Islands and discover 1,500 years of sustainable agriculture and coastal fishing traditions.
  • Scale the Seven Sisters mountains on an awe-inspiring trek which offers breathtaking views of the islands from Stortinden, 1050 metres above sea level.
  • Make this trip truly your own. Optional activities include hiking, climbing, eagle safaris, sailing regattas, and leisurely moments aboard the sailboats.
  • A mix of sailing and partying? Yes please! Get ready for an exciting regatta as we sail as a team from Sandnessjøen to Træna, ending up at the lively Træna Music Festival.
  • The Træna Festival is an exclusive music and cultural festival – far out at sea. It may not be as important to book the biggest stars, but nature, the people, and the atmosphere make it a truly magical experience you won’t want to miss!
  • Beach bonfires, outdoor lunches and dinners, ceremony awards, and so much more… The adventurer in you will be in their element!

Who The Trip Is For

  • This trip requires you to take part in the routines onboard the sailboat, whether it is sailing, docking, navigating, looking for wildlife, cooking, cleaning the boat, or contributing in other ways when required.
  • If you want to join a diverse crew and create unique stories; engage with different personalities, sharing adventures amidst captivating natural landscapes, this one's for you!
  • Fitness is key for this trip as we go on many exciting hiking, kayaking, rowing and fishing adventures. Don’t forget your party shoes too!
  • Absolutely no sailing experience is necessary! The only prerequisite is an open mind and a sense of adventure. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or new to the seas, this trip promises challenges, a sense of achievement, and lasting friendships.
*Trips are priced in the operator’s local currency. The sterling amount shown is a guide only and the amount you pay in sterling will change with currency fluctuations.

 

Day 1: Settling in

Welcome! We meet on the docks in Brønnøysund. We learn about the boats, the area, and meet other participants. This is a special evening for many who are looking forward to this trip.

Day 2: Activity day on Ylvingen

We begin the day with a welcome and information meeting for all participants at 9:00. We prepare the boats for sailing after an introduction to basic sailing theory and sail handling. We go through safety routines and man-over-board exercises. We fire up the grill on the pier, set the long table, and prepare a party meal when we return to Ylvingen.

Day 3: Himmelblå Island Ylvingen and sail to Vega

Today, you can hike to Tyskarhaugen and walk on land. There is also the opportunity to go kayaking, rowing or sailing “Nordlandsbåt”, or go fishing. This day we have lunch at Himmeblå Brygge. After lunch, we pack up and prepare for sailing to Næs on Vega. We prepare dinner on the pier in Næs or onboard the boats along the way.

Day 4: Næs, Vega Ocean Hotell and fishing in Hysvær

  We begin the day by visiting the Eider museum at Næs. Here we will be given a tour and lectures on eider farming and the world heritage site of the Vega Islands with its 1500 years of traditions for sustainable agriculture and coastal fishing in harsh surroundings. An hour’s hike through the cultural landscape of Vega precedes our lunch at one of the best restaurants in the area. After lunch, we sail to the birds’ home and experience the special atmosphere of Hysvær. We fish and make gourmet fish soup on board the boats before anchoring.

Day 5: Sail through the Vega Islands and Lånan

 It’s a full day of sailing to the Seven Sisters mountains today. If the weather permits, we will head to the fishing village Skjærvær. If you keep going further west of this, the next stop is Iceland. On our route going further north, we cross the island group Lånan. In the evening we moor in Søvikvågen at the foot of the Seven Sisters mountains and get ready for a hike the next morning.

Day 6: Summit hike to the Seven Sisters

 In the morning, we hike up to Stortinden, 1050 meters above sea level, where we have lunch with a spectacular view of the islands. The keenest ones continue the hike to Kvasstinden, and the most dedicated ones hike all the seven summits until Botnkrona in the north. It takes 15-18 hours to reach all summits. After everyone returns to the ship, the voyage continues north to Sandnessjøen. We prepare for the Træna Ocean Race tomorrow.

Day 7: Træna Ocean Race

Træna Ocean Race, from Sandnessjøen to Træna, is one of the highlights of the trip! Keywords for this full day will be teamwork and regatta sailing. Can your boat get SeilNorge first across the finishing line, or is it one of the other SeilNorge boats that end up winning (we are going to win for sure!)? We arrive at Træna in the afternoon and it is a spectacular sight. Imagine the swells rolling in over the stairs in Træna, a cold bath, and an even colder Nordland’s-pilsner in the harbor. The Træna festival has begun!

Day 8: Træna festival

Now there’s music and a party at Træna! There will be opportunities of sailing around the island, fishing, eagle safaris, kayaking, and “land-crab” activities on land. You can also choose to just enjoy the festival!

Day 9: Træna festival

Festival! We go for a boat trip to Sanna where there will be a concert in the legendary Kirkhelleren. Possibility of climbing the Trænstaven mountain. In the afternoon we clean and wash the boats before we carry out our traditional goodbye dinner on the docks in the harbor and the finishing ceremony Awards!

Day 10: End of the trip

An adventure is over for this time. If this is the end of your trip, you must get to Sandnessjøen, Bodø, or Nesna on your own. Seats on a RIB can be booked through SeilNorge, or ferry/express boat seats can be booked through the festival website. Thank you for a great start to the summer!

The program

The program should be seen as a rough itinerary that we can adapt to the weather and conditions. We also reserve the right to change and improve our itineraries. We will have a dinghy for beach trips and small expeditions, fishing gear for cod, and gear to hike or make bonfires on the beach on all our trips – we are ready for adventure! Are you?

  • Trip experience with a sailboat – experienced and locally familiar skipper on board
  • Participation in the Træna Ocean Race
  • Accommodation onboard during the whole trip – yes, also during the festival
  • Our Comfort Package consists of accommodation onboard in a shared double cabin (bunk or double bed) with a ready-made bed (warm and nice duvets and pillows!)
  • All the food we eat on board during the trip
  • An environmentally friendly, local, sustainable, unique, exotic, and exclusive Norwegian adventure holiday
  • A shared experience and friendship with like-minded adventurers from around the world
  • A lot of time outdoors – raw and honest nature experiences
  • Use of our shared trip equipment: dinghy, kayaks, fishing equipment, etc.
  • All boat-related expenses such as diesel, gas, harbor fees, etc.
  • Personal safety equipment, Helly Hansen inflatable life vest
  • Advice, guidance, and practical training on sailing and boating
  • Travel to and from the start/end location
  • Træna festival ticket – 3 days. You can buy your ticket directly from the festival or through us. Let us know!
  • Transportation to the Sanna/Kirkhelleren special concert
  • Optional meals at cafés/restaurants
  • Entrance to galleries, museums, and similar, or other activities that you/we may come up with along the way
  • Optional activities where we hire external guides and equipment, such as kayaking, glacier hikes, or surfing
  • Drinks like wine, beer, or high-exclusive apple juice and other luxury drinks (yes, we drink beer and wine on board, bring your own)
  • Travel/cancellation insurance – optional, but recommended

Travel – in general

Sometimes we have to fly, but not always. If you have the luxury of time, we always encourage you to travel as environmentally friendly as possible. Traveling slowly also allows you to start your holiday in a special way. Cycling, taking the train, or driving a car together can be good options! Feel free to add some extra time before and after your trip, since up north the weather can be unpredictable and might affect your plans!

Travel – Brønnøysund/Ylvingen

There are several ways to get to Brønnøysund, but there are no direct flights from Oslo yet. Train: Take the train from the south or north to Grong station. The train corresponds with the bus to Brønnøysund. Hurtigruten: Take the Hurtigruten from the south or north to Brønnøysund. Flights: Widerøe flies to Brønnøysund from Trondheim or Bodø.
From the center of Brønnøysund you can take a speedboat to Ylvingen (Brønnøysund-Rørøy, Ylvingen speedboat stops at Ylvingen upon request).

Travel – Træna

How do I get home from Træna?
Getting home from Træna you need to get to the mainland either to Sandnessjøen or to Bodø. You can either book a seat on one of our RIB departures, you can take public transport or you can get on one of the boats set up by the festival. The festival will publish information about this well ahead of time.
In general, you should book your flight or another travel home from Bodø or Sandnessjøen as late as possible on Sunday, or Monday.
Link to ferry and express boat times for the Træna weekend can be found at www.trena.net and route planner in Nordland: www.177nordland.no
From Sandnessjøen you may take the bus to Mosjøen and the train south or north from there, or you can fly with Widerøe.no.
From Bodø the train goes southwards or you can take a flight, most go directly to Oslo.
You can also call traffic information on phone number 177.

Safety and risk – in general

We take safety seriously and on our trips, we train on handling different situations that can occur at sea. On board a boat and on trips, everyone must know what to do in potentially dangerous situations. For us, it is important that you as a guest and participant are trained quickly enough to be a participant – not a passenger. It contributes to learning, a sense of achievement, and increased safety for all. It’s also why our trips are considered to be sailing courses: you are trained to be one of the crew members on board. Feel free to contact us to discuss risk.

Level of this trip

Sailing-wise, our trips are not very difficult, and you are always welcome to join us! Our trips attract both people who have never sailed before, as well as experienced sailors. If you are a beginner, we will turn you into a seaman/woman as soon as possible. If you are experienced, you will be given more responsibility and greater challenges so that you can learn new things along the way. We usually sail along the coast in protected waters, and we often have the opportunity to choose either more or less exposed routes, depending on the weather. The weather Gods decide, so you must be prepared for both windless conditions and sailing in harsher weather!

The Træna Festival

“Paradise isn’t always in the tropics,” the local “Trænværingene”’ says. This is “one of the best festivals in Europe ”, according to the British Guardian. The Træna Festival is exclusive music and cultural festival – far out at sea. It may not be as important to book the biggest stars, but nature, the people, and the atmosphere make it a truly magical experience you should not miss! Read more here https://trena.net

Equipment/packing

As with all activities, there is plenty of specialized equipment and clothing for sailing. We do not expect you to buy lots of new equipment to join any of our trips, so, use what you have, borrow what you need from a friend, try to purchase used equipment, and if you have to invest in new equipment – buy quality items that will last. What you need is something waterproof and windproof on the outside, and layered clothing underneath. Some jackets may not be waterproof enough, or might not perform well in saltwater, so you might want to consider purchasing or renting a set of “oilskins” from us to use on the wettest days. Even in summer, it can be cold at sea, so bring both swimwear and warm clothing. We will send you a detailed recommended packing list in good time before departure.

Food and cooking

On our trips, you will be part of the crew onboard and get the chance to participate in all aspects of the running of the sailboat. This includes the cooking, where everyone is taking turns in the galley! Skippers and guides assist as much as they can along the way. Before the trip, we set up a menu and purchase what is needed. We offer good menus with healthy “boat-friendly” food. If you have allergies or preferences, let us know in the registration form and we will take that into account. During the trip, we often sail by a good restaurant or two where we stop and eat.

What we expect from you

We want you to take part in the routines onboard the sailboat, whether it is sailing, docking, navigating, looking for whales and icebergs, washing up, cooking, cleaning the boat, or contributing in other ways when required. Our trips require a little work from the participants – and you must be open to contributing and open up a bit socially. We have many different people with us on our trips, and most people get along very well. Our experience is that doing things with others out in nature, and not least doing things with new people with different personalities than one might be used to, is what creates the best, most interesting, and memorable stories :)

Life on board and accommodation

Life on board a sailboat is social and pleasant, but for some, it can be perceived as quite intimate and crowded, which one should be prepared for. On our trips, everyone participates in the operation of the sailboat and everyone is considered a crew. We would like to get to know you well and hope that you will get to know everyone else on the boat as soon as possible. It requires some patience, generosity, and an open mind to thrive, but the new acquaintances and completely raw nature experiences will take your focus as soon as you become comfortable with life at sea.
Accommodation on the boat is part of the fun. The accommodation is generally in shared cabins, some of which have a double bed and some of which have bunk beds. Figuring out who sleeps where can be a bit of a puzzle, but we do believe we’ve gotten quite good at it. Let us know if you have any special needs or reservations. You must arrange any accommodation before and after the trip on your own. If you have any doubts about where to stay, we’re happy to give you some recommendations.
We have plenty of heating and good food on the boat, but not always an abundance of fresh water. This means it will not be possible to shower every day, but more or less every other day we are either in a harbor with fresh water or we sail through a place where we can borrow showers or enjoy a sauna. A morning swim in the sea is also available all year round!

What kind of people join this trip – and how many will we be on board?

Many come alone, some travel as couples, and others travel as a group of friends. The common denominator for everyone is that these are fun and interesting people you will become friends with almost no matter what. Sharing grand experiences creates strong ties! Many people wonder about the age composition of our trips, but this isn’t so important to us. It doesn’t matter if you are young or old as long as you want to go on a trip and intend to do your part in making this a great trip for everyone. The number of participants varies from trip to trip. If we have many participants, we will expand with more boats and skippers. On most trips, we sail multiple boats in a fleet, with 7-9 people onboard each boat.

Environment and sustainability

In general, sailing is an environmentally friendly activity, and we sail as much as we can and use the engine as little as possible. We encourage crew and participants to travel as environmentally friendly as possible, and we use local ingredients and resources as much as we can. We also run trips where we collect litter and clean ocean trash from beaches.
Philosophically, we often say that sailing is an exercise in sustainability: we move with the wind and we have limitations on things like water, diesel, electricity, and food. In order to run sustainably, knowledge, patience, flexibility, and hard work are required. The same can be said about many other things that one tries to do in a sustainable way.

Please refer to “Other Practical Information” for the details.

Please refer to “Other Practical Information” for the details.

Day 1: Settling in

Welcome! We meet on the docks in Brønnøysund. We learn about the boats, the area, and meet other participants. This is a special evening for many who are looking forward to this trip.

Day 2: Activity day on Ylvingen

We begin the day with a welcome and information meeting for all participants at 9:00. We prepare the boats for sailing after an introduction to basic sailing theory and sail handling. We go through safety routines and man-over-board exercises. We fire up the grill on the pier, set the long table, and prepare a party meal when we return to Ylvingen.

Day 3: Himmelblå Island Ylvingen and sail to Vega

Today, you can hike to Tyskarhaugen and walk on land. There is also the opportunity to go kayaking, rowing or sailing “Nordlandsbåt”, or go fishing. This day we have lunch at Himmeblå Brygge. After lunch, we pack up and prepare for sailing to Næs on Vega. We prepare dinner on the pier in Næs or onboard the boats along the way.

Day 4: Næs, Vega Ocean Hotell and fishing in Hysvær

  We begin the day by visiting the Eider museum at Næs. Here we will be given a tour and lectures on eider farming and the world heritage site of the Vega Islands with its 1500 years of traditions for sustainable agriculture and coastal fishing in harsh surroundings. An hour’s hike through the cultural landscape of Vega precedes our lunch at one of the best restaurants in the area. After lunch, we sail to the birds’ home and experience the special atmosphere of Hysvær. We fish and make gourmet fish soup on board the boats before anchoring.

Day 5: Sail through the Vega Islands and Lånan

 It’s a full day of sailing to the Seven Sisters mountains today. If the weather permits, we will head to the fishing village Skjærvær. If you keep going further west of this, the next stop is Iceland. On our route going further north, we cross the island group Lånan. In the evening we moor in Søvikvågen at the foot of the Seven Sisters mountains and get ready for a hike the next morning.

Day 6: Summit hike to the Seven Sisters

 In the morning, we hike up to Stortinden, 1050 meters above sea level, where we have lunch with a spectacular view of the islands. The keenest ones continue the hike to Kvasstinden, and the most dedicated ones hike all the seven summits until Botnkrona in the north. It takes 15-18 hours to reach all summits. After everyone returns to the ship, the voyage continues north to Sandnessjøen. We prepare for the Træna Ocean Race tomorrow.

Day 7: Træna Ocean Race

Træna Ocean Race, from Sandnessjøen to Træna, is one of the highlights of the trip! Keywords for this full day will be teamwork and regatta sailing. Can your boat get SeilNorge first across the finishing line, or is it one of the other SeilNorge boats that end up winning (we are going to win for sure!)? We arrive at Træna in the afternoon and it is a spectacular sight. Imagine the swells rolling in over the stairs in Træna, a cold bath, and an even colder Nordland’s-pilsner in the harbor. The Træna festival has begun!

Day 8: Træna festival

Now there’s music and a party at Træna! There will be opportunities of sailing around the island, fishing, eagle safaris, kayaking, and “land-crab” activities on land. You can also choose to just enjoy the festival!

Day 9: Træna festival

Festival! We go for a boat trip to Sanna where there will be a concert in the legendary Kirkhelleren. Possibility of climbing the Trænstaven mountain. In the afternoon we clean and wash the boats before we carry out our traditional goodbye dinner on the docks in the harbor and the finishing ceremony Awards!

Day 10: End of the trip

An adventure is over for this time. If this is the end of your trip, you must get to Sandnessjøen, Bodø, or Nesna on your own. Seats on a RIB can be booked through SeilNorge, or ferry/express boat seats can be booked through the festival website. Thank you for a great start to the summer!

The program

The program should be seen as a rough itinerary that we can adapt to the weather and conditions. We also reserve the right to change and improve our itineraries. We will have a dinghy for beach trips and small expeditions, fishing gear for cod, and gear to hike or make bonfires on the beach on all our trips – we are ready for adventure! Are you?

Sailing boots

Trainers/ deck shoes (no black soled shoes please – they mark the deck)

Waterproof sailing kit (two sets are recommended. Heavy gear for on-board and lighter kit for trips ashore)

Hat

Balaklava

Sailing gloves – 2 sets

Glove liners

Hand warmers

Hot water bottle

Clothes for on-board and on shore

A small backpack for trips on-shore (30-40 litres)

A water bottle

Thermals, two sets

Thick socks, two sets

Sun glasses (polarized)

Sun cream – SPF50+

Small quick dry towel

Swimming kit

USB cord to charge your phone

Cash

Warm sleeping bag

Head torch

Sailing knife

Passport

Printed out Insurance details

Any medication you require