Itinerary

Día 1: Arrival in Iceland
Hotel night included
You may arrive in Reykjavik at any time during Day 1 of the itinerary and make your way to the included hotel. You will have the rest of the day to explore explore the many museums, galleries and restaurants, relax at a Finnish sauna or wander the vibrant Design District. If you do plan to see Helsinki city center there is convenient rail service from the airport. Allow 40 minutes for the transfer.

Día 2: Embarkation in Reykjavik
Sailing initiation
On the morning of Day 2, your luggage will be collected from the lobby of your hotel, transferred to the ship and stored in your cabin. Ship embarkation will usually occur around 4 pm. You and your shipmates will meet in the lobby of the hotel and board the waiting buses for transfer to the ship. Information about transfer timing will be posted in your Reykjavik hotel.

Día 3-5: The Westfjords: Iceland’s Hidden Gem
Wild wilderness, waterfalls and Vigur Island
The seldom-visited Westfjords—where land meets sea in the most dramatic fashion—are often referred to as “Iceland’s best-kept secret.” This rugged peninsula at the country’s remote northwestern tip is rife with fjords, mountains, tumbling cliffs, gushing waterfalls, colorful beaches, rolling green hills, high moorlands dotted with rocky outcrops, small lakes, and the occasional shaggy Icelandic sheep or grazing ponies. The Westfjords are the least developed of Iceland’s coastal areas and, consequently, the wildest. Guests will venture into this territory on Zodiac cruises and guided shore landings at unspoiled wilderness sites where they can hike and explore on foot. One of the many waterfall highlights is Dynjandi, meaning “thunderous,” one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland where the water plunges from a height of 100 meters, tumbling over numerous ledges. You’ll also get to visit Vigur, a private island widely regarded as a capsule of Icelandic heritage since the 11th century. Co-owned by polar explorer Felicity Aston, you’ll learn about the Icelandic tradition of eiderdown harvesting, as well as the wide array of Arctic birdlife and seals that inhabit the island, including more than 7,000 breeding ducks, 100,000 puffins, and Europe’s largest colony of black guillemots. Today’s adventure options include Zodiac cruising, sea kayaking, our paddle excursion program, and guided shore hikes. Right across the bay lies Mongufoss, one of Iceland’s most remote and beautiful waterfalls, which we’ll visit by ship. On our final day in the Westfjords, our Expedition Team will seek out remote corners and, weather permitting, we aim to offer guests a helicopter flightseeing experience.

Día 6-8: Northern Iceland: Birds, Waterfalls and Crossing the Arctic Circle
Diamond Circle and Grímsey Island
We’ll spend the next three days exploring Northern Iceland by Zodiac, on foot, and occasionally by coach. The north of Iceland, with its long valleys and peninsulas, is interspersed with mountains, lava fields, and smooth hills carved by rivers. The deep coastal indentations are alternately lush with vegetation—or completely barren. Your sense of awe will grow as we approach the Arctic Circle under the midnight sun. Prepare to be overwhelmed by some of the most impressive waterfalls in Europe, including thunderous Dettifoss and historic Goðafoss, the “Waterfall of the Gods.” Equally striking are the geological wonders of Mývatn, the lava fields of Dimmuborgir (featured in Game of Thrones), the bubbling mud pots of Hverir, and the pseudocraters of Skútustaðir formed by underground steam. You can also fulfill a polar milestone on this voyage by crossing the Arctic Circle to visit Grímsey (population: 70), the only part of Iceland that lies within the Arctic Circle, hosting large colonies of puffins. Other highlights include Skagafjörður, a fjord known for its birdlife on the near-vertical cliffs of Drangey, and Siglufjörður, a quiet fishing village rich in history. Later, we plan an evening stop in the beautiful seaside town of Húsavík. As we journey along the northern coast, watch for potential whale sightings including minke, humpback, fin, and orca.

Día 9: East Iceland: Fjords, Mountains, and Icelandic Heritage
Skálanes research center
East Iceland is defined by fantastic scenery, featuring deep narrow fjords, towering mountains, the country’s largest forest (Hallormsstaðaskógur), and picturesque fishing villages. This morning we find ourselves on Seyðisfjörður, a fjord marked by steep mountains carpeted in verdant green, with streams cascading down alpine valleys. It’s also home to the Skalanes Nature and Heritage Center, a place rich in biodiversity, science, cultural heritage, and education. Here, we hope to meet with local scientists, who host students and fellow researchers. There is a network of trails available to us with options suited to all abilities, and local educators will share their knowledge along the way. We’ll scan the hillsides for reindeer and Arctic foxes occasionally seen in the mountains above Skálanes. The site is devoted to preserving cultural heritage through stories and the enduring ways of people who for centuries have lived in harmony with this harsh yet beautiful land.

Día 10: Southern Iceland: Djupivogur and Vatnajokull Glacier
Jökulsárlón Lagoon and Diamond Beach
Djúpivogur sits where east and south Iceland meet, giving way to the gentler forelands of the south, which ultimately rise to Vatnajökull, Iceland’s famous ice cap, crowned by its tallest peak, the 2,100-meter Hvannadalshnúkur. Though Djúpivogur remains a small community situated amid ranges of triangular mountain peaks lush with vegetation, snowfields, and cascading waterfalls. From here, we’ll travel westward by coach, as the south coast’s waters are shallow and wave-battered, making them inhospitable for landing. Instead, we’ll journey inland to Vatnajökull National Park, celebrated for its glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls, and geothermal springs. We’ll explore Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, marvel at its drifting icebergs, walk along Diamond Beach with its striking black sands, and hike this otherworldly coastline.

Día 11: The Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar): Nature-Rich Archipelago
Marine sanctuaries and volcanic history
Today we explore The Westman Islands by ship and Zodiac. The archipelago of 15 islands, and surrounding sea cliffs, are teeming with birdlife, hosting one of the largest puffin colonies in the world, alongside rich fishing grounds and whale populations. Formed by below-sea-level eruptions, the rocky terrain and lava terrain is obvious, though some rare plants grow in Herjólfsdalur Valley. The islands are rich in stories, notably the volcanic eruption of 1973 that destroyed many buildings on Heimaey, the only inhabited island. Heimaey is also home to a remarkable harbor with an unforgettable narrow entrance. As we near its tightest passage, look to the starboard side to glimpse Klettsvík, a sheltered cove once home to the killer whale Keiko—better known as “Willy,” star of the film Free Willy, during his reintroduction to the open waters of Iceland. We will visit one of the puffin colonies by foot at the island’s southernmost point, walking through tall grass meadows surrounded by cobalt-blue seas.

Día 12: Disembarkation in Reykjavik and Onward
End of itinerary
Your ship is scheduled to arrive in Reykjavik between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. local time. After breakfast, and once the ship has docked, you will have time to bid farewell to your Expedition Team and shipmates before completing the disembarkation process, which takes about an hour. After disembarkation, you will be transferred to a central downtown location.

© QRK

© QRK

© QRK