Join this 7-day expedition aboard the Rembrandt van Rijn in October. Although this expedition may pose some challenges due to the weather and sea conditions, it presents a unique opportunity to explore the most remote regions of Iceland, with reduced tourism activity. Be prepared for cold winds, rough seas, and early snowfalls. However, clear skies offer an excellent chance to witness the northern lights. Flexible plans ensure that activities are available despite the weather, with options for inland bus excursions when the seas are too rough. Guided hikes are tailored to the group's fitness level and adjusted based on prevailing conditions in visited areas.
Highlights
Explore visually stunning landscapes and small villages in East Iceland
Visit Raufarhöfn to see the Arctic Henge monument or Dettifoss waterfall
Spot humpback and minke whales while sailing across Skjálfandi Bay
Sail to Grimsey Island for a guided walk across the Arctic Circle
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
A supplemented bus transportation from Reykjavik to Akureyri (about six hours) will be available but has to be booked before the start of the voyage. Embark in Akureyri in the afternoon (16:00) and meet the expedition team on the ship. Conditions allow you to sail to Dalvik (about three hours) or spend the night in the harbor of Akureyri. You may already see the magical northern lights shining overhead during this first night.
Plan A: In good weather conditions, you can hope to sail toward the island of Grimsey. The goal is a Zodiac landing and a guided walk across the Arctic Circle, the most northerly of Earth’s five major circles of latitude. A sign on the island marks the coordinates at 66:34° north. You may then stay the night at Grimsey, if conditions allow. If not, you may sail toward the small town of Húsavík, crossing Skjálfandi Bay, where you have a good chance of spotting whales.
Plan B: If Grimsey is not possible due to weather, the vessel must stay in Akureyri. A coach will be available for a day excursion to Mývatn, where you can see volcanoes, waterfalls, and geothermal areas. Hiking will be your focus here. The coach will then return to the vessel in the afternoon.
Plan A: You may enjoy the morning in Húsavík, with ample free time to explore the town and visit the local whale museum (entrance fee not included). Lunch is served on board. In the afternoon, you sail across Skjálfandi Bay, where humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises may appear.
Plan B: If the vessel has to stay in Húsavík for the day due to weather, a coach will be available in the afternoon for an excursion to Tjörnes Peninsula. There, you can observe the local birdlife and impressive geology. You may then move to Ásbyrgi, the unique horseshoe-shaped canyon in Iceland. Your focus will be hiking this ruggedly scenic area. The coach will return to the vessel in Húsavík, where there might be time for a relaxing spa session in outdoor pools heated with geothermal energy (admission fees not included).
Plan A: In good weather conditions, you may hope to sail around northeast Iceland and get to shore in the small town of Raufarhöfn. The Arctic Henge is within walking distance from town, a well-known Iceland attraction. Still under construction, this monument is intended to be a kind of sundial inspired by Völuspá, a poem from Edda, the medieval Norse mythological text by Snorri Sturluson.
Plan B: You may like to join a bus excursion that will take you to Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe: 200 cubic meters of water surge over its edge every second. Dettifoss is 45 meters (150 feet) high and 100 meters (330 feet) wide. As usual on this expedition, hiking will be your focus. The coach will return to the vessel in the evening.
Plan A: Sail from Raufarhöfn to Vopnafjörður. Visually stunning landscapes and small villages characterize Austurland (East Iceland). Nature is all around you, providing the opportunity for great hikes and other activities.
Plan B: A coach will be available to take you on an inland excursion if conditions do not allow for the above plan, and the expedition leader will determine which route to take. Reunite with the vessel in the evening.
Plan A: Today, sail from Vopnafjörður to Seyðisfjörður, and if conditions allow, you may halt at Borgarfjörður Eystri, a treasure of Austurland. This fjord gets its name from Álfaborg, the home of the Icelandic elf queen, so it is fitting that the area offers spectacular scenery. Iceland’s eastern fjords are still untouched by mass tourism. The nearby village of Bakkagerði has fewer than 100 inhabitants, and the harbor is mainly home to small boats for coastal fishing.
Plan B: A coach will be available to take you on an inland excursion. The expedition leader will decide the plan and reunite with the vessel in the evening.
Day 7: The journey ends in Seyðisfjörður | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Disembark in Seyðisfjörður in the morning, taking home memories that will last a lifetime. Bus transport to Egilsstaðir Airport (approx. 45 min.) is available at an extra charge but must be booked before the start of the voyage. You must book the flight from Egilsstaðir to Reykjavik yourself (flight time approx. 1 hour). Alternatively, you can choose your route back to Reykjavik, making stops along the south coast.
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.
$3,5002-3 travelers
Select a Date
Triple Private Porthole
Main deck, upper and lower berths, private bath facilities and porthole.
Select a Date
Twin Private Inside
Lower deck, upper and lower berths, inside cabins with private bath facilities.
Select a Date
Twin Private Porthole
Lower deck, upper and lower berths or two lower berths, private bath facilities and porthole.
Notes
- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy.
- Cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times the double occupancy rate.
- Children between the ages of 3-15 receive a 40% discount in triple cabins, one child per cabin.
- Due to the extreme nature of itinerary destinations, travel insurance is mandatory for all cruises aboard the Rembrandt Van Rijn - including medical, accident and repatriation/evacuation insurance.
Initial deposit is 20%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 90 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
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
6 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 6 Dinners
6 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
All Miscellaneous Service Taxes and Port Charges Throughout the Program
All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
Comprehensive pre-departure material.
AECO Fees and Governmental Taxes
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
Government arrival and departure taxes
Pre- and Post Land Arrangements
Fuel Surcharge - to be invoiced separately
Meals ashore
Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
Medical travel insurance, including emergency medical attention and evacuation coverage with a minimum of $100,000 of evacuation coverage is required.
Parkas are not provided on your cruise. Please bring your own windproof, waterproof, insulated parka with you. You will want to make sure it is roomy enough to fit warm layers underneath. Click here for information about parka rental.
Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
Lisa Bridge
TrustScore 4.8 | 251 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 251 reviews on
4 days ago
Excellent travel advice and service
This is my second experience working with Adventure Life. I’m sold. Jess Heuermann is an experienced traveler and provides a lot of useful information when planning a trip. These are the questions I like to ask at the outset - What’s it like to go here, there, what would you suggest, what do people report, can we add any additional side trips? Jess took the time to answer my questions and seek additional information to share with me. Petchie Colina is outstanding in helping with travel logistics and final preparations. Adventure Life has excellent guides and offers private guides and small group adventures. We enjoyed the opportunity to talk with the guides and drivers to learn more about their countries, cultures and histories. A highlight was having the guides pick local restaurants where we could share meals together. Highly recommend.
Claire Cordon
5 days ago
Our six-day tour in Iceland went smoothly with one exception. We had asked for two rooms each night. Somehow we were booked with one room with three beds. It could not be fixed at the first hotel in Reykjavik because the hotel was fully booked. Once informed of the problem, however, Adventure Life rebooked for two rooms for the remainder of the trip. As an 85-year-old traveler, I appreciated that one could participate at different physical levels at many of the stops. Iceland is a great place to visit but on the expensive side.
Mary Warren
6 days ago
Jess was very easy going and answered all our questions. It’s not easy dealing with 6 people at once but she did an outstanding job!
Diane Foster
1 week ago
Kassandra and the Adventure Life team have been incredible! Kassandra was very knowledgeable and attentive to our asks while making sure we kept within our budget. This was our first experience with a travel agent and we were blown away by the booking/initial exploration service. We will use Adventure Life again.