Iceland Cruise – Circumnavigate in 9 Days

Your adventure begins with your arrival in the exciting city of Reykjavik. Keflavik Airport is considered to be one of the most exciting hubs, which has been carved out of an Arctic desert. On the way to the city you will see lava stones covered in moss and gigantic mountains. You can also experience the city and its lively culture by visiting its top restaurants, interesting museums and quaint narrow streets before embarking the ship. Once on board, explore the interiors of the ship and familiarise yourself with spots that promise beautiful sights in the coming days! With brief introductions, safety drills and welcome dinner, we set sail on our expedition!

Our exploration begins from the west side of Iceland, with our visit being to the beautiful town of Stykkishólmur. The friendly town contains well-preserved old houses in the centre and is surrounded by wonderful scenery - lava and rock formation, glaciers, volcanic activity, hot and cold springs.While our expedition team leads you all to walks across town, you can choose to join our optional excursion programs to visit the Snæfellsnes Peninsula where we will take you to interesting sites such as the Lóndrangar basalt cliffs or the black sandy beaches of Djúpalónssandur.

Today we arrive in Patreksfjördur, which is a lovely settlement in the western coast of Iceland. This picturesque fjord offers some very scenic hiking trails, which if conditions allow you can feel free to explore and take some tips from our expedition team before setting out. Our expedition team here will be focussing on exploring the lively harbour of a fishing village, where you get the opportunity to learn about the importance of the fisheries, and some different species which exist. For those more interested to explore the raw wild, can join optional excursions to hike to the spectacular Dynjandi waterfalls or to see Europe's Largest Bird cliff - Látrabjarg, home to millions of birds including Puffins, Northern Gannets, Guillemots and Razorbills. The dream beach of Raudsandur is also close by. In contrast to other beaches in Iceland which are black with volcanic sands, the colors of Raudsandur are rose–coloured with golden hues.

Today we invite you to explore northwest Iceland with us. One of the best things about Expedition cruising is the feeling that anything can happen on any given day. We carve out one day on your expedition to fully take advantage of that novelty - an exploration day, with no pre-arranged plan for the day. Our experienced captain shall plan the day so that you can experience the fjords in all their glory. Conditions will determine the final program and activities for the rest of the day. There is a chance we might visit a small settlement or launch our kayaks. On days of exploration, expect the unexpected, and share the excitement of the crew of exploring.

Our journey takes us to the town of Akureyri which is a lively cultural city in Northern Iceland. Located near the base of the longest fjord in Iceland, Eyjafjörður, as we cruise along the fjord, you’ll have incredible views of snow-capped peaks and a lush coastline. The fertile waters here make it one of the best places in the country to spot whales. Species including humpback, white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises are regular visitors, although orcas, blue and fin whales have been seen here too. This town serves as a major centre of trade, culture and service outside Reykjavík. It is known for its botanical gardens and pretty street lights, waiting for you to be explored on foot. While outside the town you can visit the many must-see natural treasures of Akureyri which include highly active volcanic area of Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss waterfall on your own or join any optional excursions, as we stay here for the whole day.

Take the exciting opportunity to step across the arctic circle, literally, here at Grimsey Island. We will get ashore on this island with help of polar circle boats, and walk around the grassy island to explore it further. The arctic circle line cuts right through the island from North to South, which makes it exciting for many of our guests to click memorable pictures and explore more of this island. You can explore the island on foot and hike to the ‘Orbis et Globus’ a nine-ton concrete sphere that marks the edge of the Arctic Circle. The walk to the monument will allow you to take in the windswept scenery and observe birds. The three-metre globe is moved a bit each year by the locals as the Arctic Circle creeps slowly northwards at a rate of about 48 feet a year. Our expedition team will lay the path for hike or walking trails across this island, and remain at your disposal for any curiosities or information you seek!

As we turn toward east of Iceland, our first stop is Bakkagerdi, main settlement in the region of Borgarfjörður, and known for its natural beauty. Bakkagerdi is off the typical tourist track, with settlement of just about 100 people, and offers peace, quiet and lovely views. A short walk is all it will take to explore the town. You can sample freshly caught fish in one of the cafes; the tasty fish soup is a local favourite. For nature and bird lovers, this region is an absolute gem. The puffin colonies that abound the fjord. We’ll attempt to visit Hafnarhólmi, a fishing harbour home to a large Puffin colony, and some of the best bird watching in Iceland. A boardwalk and several platforms will allow you to get really close to the Puffins safely. Expect tranquility as you explore this island with our expedition team whole day on fantastic hiking trails. Shades of pink, blue, and yellow rhyolite rocks give way to lush green valleys. In any direction, you’ll be rewarded by a pristine wilderness and the sights and sounds of the prominent wildlife to be found here - birds. The coastal cliffs of Bakkagerdi are home to a wide variety of birds, including Fulmar and Kittiwake. This is also a good place to see Eider farming, which has been done for hundreds of years in Iceland.

Heimaey, considered Iceland's Pompeii, is the largest of the Westman Islands, which are located off Iceland's south coast, and is dominated by magnificent cliffs. These form natural habitats for many different seabirds, including puffins and kittiwakes. You will notice them as our captain attempts to enter the narrow harbour of this island. The islands are also a great place for spotting whales. In 1973, a huge volcanic eruption surprised their residents of Heimaey. It forced the entire population to evacuate and set sail to mainland Iceland. A large number of buildings were buried under lava and ash. Many were completely destroyed, but others were later unearthed and restored. An entire museum, Eldheimar, has been built around the remains of one of the homes. As our expedition team leads you on a hike over the lava, called Eldfell, or “Mt Fire, you will learn more about this volcanic history, experience beautiful views of the town below and have the winning feeling of conquering the volcano that almost wiped out the island. A hike to Stórhöfði, south of the island, will provide you with excellent opportunities to observe nesting of approximately 8 million puffins. For those looking for some other activities, can join optional excursions in and around the island.

We make our way back to Reykjavik, and reach the end of our journey. Its time to bid farewell to our amazing crew and the fell friends you made during your discovery travel. For those who couldn't get enough of Iceland yet, can join us on our post programs to discover the Golden Circle and the Blue Lagoon.