Arrive in Reykjavik, the world’s northernmost capital, which lies just below the Arctic Circle. Transfer from the airport and spend the day exploring the sights, sounds, and tastes of this Arctic capital before embarking on the ship in the afternoon.

Enjoy a leisurely morning at sea, learning about Iceland and its incredible diversity.  We will spend the afternoon on the remote eastern side of the Westfjords to experience rural Iceland.  This corner of Iceland is difficult to access and is seldom visited by many people but boasts spectacular beauty and rich history.  We will take advantage of the dramatic landscape of the fjord to offer hiking, leisurely explorations of the tundra, and perhaps photography of wildflowers.  The tiny town of Djúpavík held its place on the map because of the golden age of herring.  During its heyday in the 1930s, its herring plant was the largest concrete structure in Iceland.  The plant closed in 1954 but remains a small museum and a memory of the rich productivity of the herring industry in Iceland.  We’ll visit the museum and learn about the significance of this resource to all of Iceland in the 20th century.

Skagafjordur is the gateway to north Iceland, known for its glacial rivers, Icelandic horses, and saga history. Take a float trip on the Jokulsa river or visit a historic rural turf farm to understand rural life in Iceland. Finally, learn about Grettir the Strong and the saga named after him by exploring Drangey Island and spotting the multitudes of birds that call the island home like kittiwakes, shearwaters, and possibly even ravens and gyrfalcons.

Explore the beautiful and peaceful Westfjords region of Iceland. Enter Isafjardardjup and land at Vigur Island to visit an eider farm and learn about the down cleaning process. Get to know the capital of the Westfjords, Ísafjordur, on a walking tour—complete with local sights, sounds, and tastes—or venture through the trails at a local forest.

Serving as the center of trade on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula since the 15th century, Grundarfjörður is now best known for its Kirkjufell Mountain and picturesque waterfall. Alongside the National Geographic Photography Expert, capture your own images of this dynamic landscape and the weather swirling around the Peninsula. Alternatively, hike through a local lava field or explore the town's Saga Center.

Today, complete the circumnavigation of Iceland, disembarking in Reykjavik. Choose to visit the famous Blue Lagoon thermal baths or enjoy a visit to a hot spring, a geothermal power plant, and an Icelandic horse farm, prior to flights home. Alternatively, join them for one of the optional post-voyage land extensions and continue your explorations of this amazing country!