Hardly anywhere is geology as exciting as it is in Iceland. Ice and fire have combined throughout the years to form unearthly landscapes of lava, glaciers, boiling mud pots, geothermal springs, and thundering waterfalls. On this 11-day voyage, discover remote fishing villages and explore the wild and rarely-visited eastern coastline of Iceland.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Welcome to Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland and starting point of your expedition. Despite the fact that Iceland lies below the Arctic Circle, Reykjavik is the world's northernmost capital. However, this cozy city has many more attractions. Embark the Sea Spirit in the afternoon. Settle in to your cabin and familiarize yourself with the ship and her crew.
In the morning trace the coastline of Flatey Island by Zodiac. Go ashore to visit a lovely tiny village where you can see the uniquely painted local church and the houses of islanders, who make their living fishing for cod and lumpfish. In the afternoon pass by the Látrabjarg cliff on the westernmost cape of Iceland. The immense cliff is a breeding ground for millions of seabirds.
Grundarfjördur is a fishing village framed by beautiful mountains. Today's journey takes you from Grundarfjördur through several small fishing villages along the famous Snæfellsjökull ice cap. After a stop at Djupalonssandur, take a short refreshing walk to the shore of the Atlantic Ocean.
Afterwards, your ship passes the cliffs of Londrangar and joins the tiny fishing village of Arnarstapi, which offers splendid multicolor lava formations and an abundance of bird-life. After a walk around, return to your ship through Budir, famous for its black lava and yellow-sand beach. Continue over Frodarheidi Heath to the north coast of the peninsula back to Grundarfjördur.
Explore the Isafjördur fjord this morning. Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the country, the fjord is known for its relief, forged by ancient basaltic flows.
Visit the small town of Isafjördur to discover its old wooden houses that bear witness to the town's long history. For centuries Isafjördur has been the largest fishing town in the area and a center of export and trade. Get a glimpse of everyday life in Isafjördur as you walk around the town accompanied by a guide. Experience its spirit and meet locals in their element. Steep, towering mountains of the Western Fjords provide shelter for the lively harbor at the heart of the town. Colorful houses built with corrugated iron give the bustling center a friendly and almost mythical aura. Through time Isafjördur has also played a significant role in Iceland’s national history and is still one of the most vibrant cultural centers in the country.
In the afternoon take a Zodiac trip to Vigur cliffs nested by eiderducks, puffins, Arctic terns, black guillemots and various other birds in large numbers.
Siglufjordur is a small town with less than 2,000 inhabitants and is set against steep mountain slopes prone to dangerous avalanches that often block the road entering town during the long, dark Arctic winter. Once the undisputed herring fishing capital of the Atlantic, today Siglufjordur is a thriving Arctic town. Here, visit the award-winning maritime museum with excellent displays, historic boats, and fascinating artifacts housed in refurbished warehouses. Enjoy a theatrical performance that recounts the colorful and very profitable history of herring fishing in the area. The black-headed gulls and Arctic terns also enjoy the demonstration, swarming and fighting over scraps of fish.
In the evening travel by Zodiac to land at the tiny island of Grimsey, which lies directly on the Arctic Circle. Evening is the best time to visit this place - while many travelers come here in order to cross the invisible line into the Arctic Circle, the island is also an excellent vantage point to observe the Midnight Sun. View majestic basalt rocks and bird colonies nesting along the jagged cliffs - keep your eyes out for the "clowns of the sea," better known as Atlantic puffins.
Early in the morning find yourself in Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland, located at the back of a magnificent fjord. From this delightful city, depart on a half-day tour to Godafoss Waterfall and Myvatn Lake. Thousands of years ago, volcanic eruptions created dramatic landscape of labyrinthine lava formations, seething sulfur pits, and boiling mud pools. Lake Myvatn boasts an ecosystem that is unique in the world and lies at the crossroads of the great migratory routes; this natural sanctuary is therefore home to many species of birds.
Your tour finishes in Húsavík where you reboard the Sea Spirit. Husavik is famous as a whaling village and for the high probability of spotting whales in the area. Be on deck this evening to watch for humpback, minke, fin, orca, and sei whales, along with dolphins and harbor porpoises.
During the next 3 days explore the wild eastern coast of Iceland with plenty of rarely-visited places. In Thistilfjord Bay go ashore for nature walks which bring you to breathtaking vistas from the area's cliff tops.
Your small expedition ship is designed to navigate in wild remote regions where other ships must turn back. Today the Sea Spirit brings you to explore Mjoifjordur and enjoy the wilderness of this remote area. Later on visit the small Arctic town of Neskaupstadur.
Early in the morning dock in Djupivogur and depart for a full-day tour of the Vatnajokull ice cap. Explore the largest and most voluminous Icelandic glacier, and one of the largest in Europe by area. View 15-meter-tall icebergs of different shades of blue that float in the large ice lagoon of Jökulsárlón. Observe great skuas nesting in the area and Jökulsárlón seals.
Vestmannaeyjar, or the Westman Islands, were formed by undersea volcanoes between 5,000 and 10,000 years ago and are among the youngest of the world’s archipelagos. In 1963, the world witnessed the birth of its newest island, Surtsey — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — which you can glimpse as your ship cruises past the coast.
Day 11: Disembark in Reykjavik, Iceland
1 Breakfast
Complete your circumnavigation of Iceland as you disembark in Reykjavík following breakfast on board. Transfer to the airport to continue your travels.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$4,790
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Triple Classic
Averaging 226 sq ft. Two twin beds (convert to a King) and a sofa bed, picture window, two wardrobes and en suite facilities.
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Main Deck Suite
Averaging 248 sq ft. Two twin beds or a King Size bed, minimum two portholes, and en suite facilities.
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Single Suite
Averaging 21 square meters/226 square feet, these cabins are located on the Oceanus Deck. They feature a picture window (it may be covered during rough sea crossings), two wardrobes, and a king-size bed.
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Classic Suite
Averaging 226 sq ft. Two twin beds or a King Size bed, picture window, two wardrobes, and en suite facilities.
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Superior Suite
Averaging 215 sq ft. Two twin beds or a King Size bed, picture window overlooking outside walkway, and en suite facilities.
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Deluxe Suite
Averaging 258 sq ft. Two twin beds or a King Size bed, private balcony, walk-in closet or wardrobe, and en suite facilities.
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Premium Suite
Averaging 323 sq ft. Two twin beds or a King Size bed, private balcony, lounge area, and en suite facilities.
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Owner's Suite
Averaging 463 sq ft. King size bed and sofa bed, separate living room with game and meeting area, private deck, and en suite facilities with jetted bathtub.
Notes
Solo Travelers:
All rates posted are per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement: 1.7 for Main Deck and Classic, Superior Suite; twice the posted price for Deluxe, Premium and Owner's Suite.
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.