Aboard MS Fridtjof Nansen, the journey into Lysefjord felt both intimate and dramatic as towering granite cliffs rose straight from the still, dark water. Early in the morning, the ship paused at the quiet village of Forsand to drop off a group of eager hikers bound for the famous trail to Preikestolen, known in English as 'Pulpit Rock'. Once the hikers disappeared into the forested slopes above, the vessel continued deeper into the fjord, eventually positioning itself directly beneath the immense cliff face where tiny figures could be seen standing high above the water.

From there, guests boarded our small Zodiac boats for a closer exploration of the fjord’s northern shoreline, weaving through narrow inlets, passing waterfalls cascading down the rock walls, and gliding silently beneath sheer cliffs while guides pointed out seabirds, hidden caves, and the striking geology carved by ancient glaciers.