This 12-day expedition around Iceland offers an in-depth exploration of a small island of geological extremes. Encounter unrivaled natural diversity, from volcanic landscapes to lava fields, ice sheets, gushing hot springs and cascading waterfalls. Your Expedition Team makes every effort to maximize your experiences with all the extremes of this land, its incredible bird life, colorful hamlets, friendly and hearty people, and serene bays perfect for kayaking.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in the Icelandic capital this morning and transfer to the Grand Hotel Reykjavik. You have the day on your own to explore the city. Join your ship's crew at the hotel in the evening for a welcome reception and orientation.
After breakfast, venture south from Reykjavik along Iceland’s famous Golden Circle route, starting with Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you enter a dramatic landscape of wild contrasts, with lava plains, clear lakes and wildflowers in the shadow of soaring mountains. This was also the site of Iceland’s parliament from 930 until 1798. Also visit Iceland’s most famous waterfall, Gullfoss, at the height of its flow. We complete the Golden Circle with Haukadalur, where the Strokkur geyser erupts every 5-10 minutes and plenty of other evidence awaits of the intense geological processes beneath our feet.
After lunch, the ship makes its way to the Ocean Nova and sets sail.
Today you reach the photogenic Snaefellsnes Peninsula and visit your first small Icelandic town. Sail into the small harbor and walk around this picturesque fishing village. In the afternoon, sail to the westernmost point of Iceland. If the ship stops at the seabird colony, keep your eyes out for Atlantic puffins, thick-billed murres and black-legged kittiwakes.
Awake to the sight of the Westfjords area, with its high rock walls carved by intense glacier action. Here you can find the colorful town of Ísafjörður, home to a charming museum dedicated to Iceland’s rich maritime history. You may also have a chance to sample some local Icelandic delicacies and take in some local entertainment. In the afternoon explore the dramatic fjords that make this area famous.
Today visit one of Iceland’s most popular attractions, the Blue Lagoon. You have a chance to soak in the geothermally-heated seawater, rumored to be good for both the body and soul. For those who don’t crave the comforts of the spa, an optional round of golf is also available at the Continental Drift Club, where the American and Eurasian plates meet.
Lying off the southern coast of Iceland, these islands are an example of the constant geological battle being waged underground. In 1973 a volcanic eruption destroyed many buildings on the islands, and today a project dubbed the "Pompeii of the North" aims to excavate those ruins. Not to be out-named, the entire archipelago has been called the "Capri of the North" because of all the sea caves created by frequent volcanic activity. Sea birds, including puffins, call this place home.
This morning visit one of the most impressive wonders of Iceland: Vatnajökull Glacier. At over 300m (1,000 ft) tall, you can't appreciate the full scale of the ice until you get out on Jökulsárlón Lake and sail among the icebergs that frequently calve from the ice face. In the afternoon we arrive at Höfn, a small and traditional fishing community.
Call into Seydisfjordur, a small, friendly town with a thriving art scene. Visit the power plant museum, shop for locally-produced handicrafts in the town, and join a tour conducted by the locals. The area also boasts over 90 archaeological sites, some dating back 1,000 years.
Húsavík is an excellent example of the geological processes that have made Iceland famous. Spend the day crossing through the highland lava desert, past lava formations, mud pools and sulfur pits en route to the impressive canyons and waterfalls that lie beyond. Returning back to town, you have a chance to wander around and visit the Whale and Exploration Museums before boarding the Ocean Nova. This area is the center of the whale-watching industry in Iceland, so be on the lookout for whales as the ship pulls away from this pretty town.
In the late afternoon cross the Arctic Circle and reach Grimsey Island. The abundant bird life far outnumbers the fewer than one hundred residents of this small village.
Today we reach the very top of Iceland as we venture north into the peaceful bay of Hornvik. Grand landscapes and exploration are the order of the day, with a chance to stretch your legs and marvel at the geology and bird life that dominate the area.
Day 12: Disembarkation in Akureyri
1 Breakfast
On your last day we arrive in Akureyri, where we board our charter flight back to Reykjavík.
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.
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Quad
Averaging 157 sq ft. Equipped with 4 twin beds (two lower berths, two upper berths). Located on the Upper Deck with private facilities and exterior views.
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Triple
Averaging 140 sq ft. Equipped with 3 twin beds (two lower berths, one upper berth). Located on the Upper Deck with private facilities and exterior views.
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Upper (Lower Berth) Deck Twin
Averaging 90 sq ft. Equipped with 2 twin beds (one upper berth and one lower berth). Located on the Upper Deck with private facilities and exterior views.
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Upper Deck Twin Cabin
Averaging 115 sq ft. Equipped with 2 twin beds. Located on the Upper Deck with private facilities and exterior views.
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Bridge Deck Twin Cabin
Averaging 105 sq ft. Equipped with 2 twin beds. Located on the Bridge Deck with private facilities and exterior views.
Notes
- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double or triple occupancy. Request the Twin or Triple Share Program where we match you with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if we are unable to find a cabin mate for you, no single supplement will be charged. Single occupancy of a twin cabin is available at 1.7 times the twin occupancy rate.
Mandatory medical insurance: Travelers should have a minimum US$50,000 (or equivalent) of emergency medical coverage prior to embarkation. It is recommended that you and all members of your party have comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellation, trip delay (interruption or after departure coverage), baggage, and repatriation.
Initial deposit is 20% of cruise fare (minimum $1450), and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 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
The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days 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
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.