Meet your fellow high school student travelers and one or more of your leaders in New York, and fly together to Oslo, Norway.

Arrive in the Norwegian capital of Oslo and journey to a remote mountain lodge on Gjende Lake in the heart of Jotunheimen National Park—named “home of the Giants,” referencing both Norse mythology and the towering peaks. Take part in an in-depth group orientation to get to know your peers, leaders, and National Geographic Explorer, then set out on daily hikes with your On Assignment team to explore the Norwegian mountains, home to glaciers and turquoise lakes framed by steep peaks. Practice landscape photography and embrace friluftsliv, “open air life,” in this spectacular wilderness.

Return to Oslo and set out to explore the city by bike, stopping at the Nobel Peace Center and the incredible Vigeland sculpture park. Experience Nordic sauna culture at a floating sauna in Oslo harbor, then plunge into the refreshing waters of the Oslofjord. Glimpse the country’s seafaring legacy at the Akershus Fortress and the Bygdøy peninsula, getting an inside look at Viking longships. Then head to the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History to learn about daily life for Indigenous Sámi reindeer herders. Hike through Nordmarka forest, then visit an urban farm to see how locals are balancing green living with Oslo’s increasing population density. As you uncover Norway’s rich culture and epic beauty, continue working on your On Assignment project.

Soar above the Arctic Circle to the magical Lofoten islands, where mountains rise straight from the sea and colorful villages dot rocky shorelines. Settle into a remote fishing hamlet and immerse yourself in the local culture. Discuss the benefits of traditional fishing methods with residents, and learn about the controversies surrounding fish factories. Hop into a kayak to explore the Norwegian Sea’s fascinating marine life; hike or bike along the shorelines in search of sea eagles and puffins; and use your camera to capture the swirling seas off the coast of Å, a village of stilted red houses. Listen to Viking lore under a midnight sun that never sets in the summer.

Fly to Bergen, the gateway to Norway’s famed fjord lands and one of the largest trading ports in northern Europe during the Middle Ages. Stay near the city’s old wharf district, Bryggen, and visit the fish market—a gathering spot for merchants since the 13th century. Explore the winding streets on a citywide scavenger hunt, and hike in the Seven Sisters mountain chain to photograph panoramas of the North Sea. Share your final On Assignment project with your group and reflect on your adventures with new friends over a celebratory Norwegian meal.

Fly from Bergen, Norway, to New York with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination.