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
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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.
We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.
KC Chan
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.
