Northern Lights & Wild Isles: Iceland, Greenland, Scotland

Explore Reykjavik at your leisure before returning to the Embarkation Suite at the designated time for a late afternoon group transfer to board the Douglas Mawson. After embarking, take time to settle into the cabin before attending the mandatory safety briefings prior to the ship casting off for the Iceland adventure. This evening, join fellow travelers for an onboard welcome dinner, allowing the dedicated expedition team to introduce the upcoming journey and raise a toast to the exciting days ahead. As darkness settles after departure, venture onto the outer decks for an initial opportunity to scan the Icelandic skies for the aurora borealis. Away from the bright city lights of Reykjavík, viewing conditions become increasingly favorable for catching this natural spectacle, provided the sky remains clear and solar activity is present.

Important information:   

• Complimentary airport arrival transfers are provided as group transfers for passengers arriving at Keflavik International Airport prior to 11:00am on Day 1 only.
• Passengers who arrive after the airport transfer cut-off will need to make their own way to the Embarkation Suite before 2:00 pm to complete mandatory check-in.
• For passengers already in Reykjavik, visit the centrally located Embarkation Suite with all luggage, which will be open for mandatory check-in between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm.
• Passengers have access to the centrally located Embarkation Suite, including luggage storage, Aurora Expeditions staff for voyage and city information and cabin check-in, WIFI, tea, coffee and light refreshments.
• Embarkation Suite location: advised 6 months prior to departure.
• As your luggage will be transported to the ship at 2.30pm and ahead of you, please ensure you place any items you require during the day in your day bag, including passports, cash/cards and medicines.   

Today, enter the Westfjords, one of Iceland's most remote and sparsely populated regions. Discover a dramatic world where ancient glaciers have carved deep fjords, broad valleys, and sheer-sided table mountains that fall toward the North Atlantic. Observe waterfalls threading down the mountainsides and small farms sitting beneath immense cliffs, as the winding coastline reveals new perspectives at every turn. As the ship navigates these sheltered waterways, listen to the knowledgeable expedition team interpret the geology, wildlife, and human stories of a landscape wonderfully removed from modern life.

Conditions permitting, travel ashore by Zodiac to visit Dynjandi, the jewel of the Westfjords. Marvel at this magnificent waterfall tumbling approximately 100 meters (328 feet) down a broad, tiered mountainside, widening like a bridal veil as it descends. Follow a scenic walking trail past a succession of smaller cascades toward the main falls to experience ever-changing views across Arnarfjörður and the surrounding peaks. Whether choosing to walk toward the base or simply admiring the panorama from below, the immense scale, sound, and setting of Dynjandi make it one of Iceland’s most memorable natural landmarks.

Later, as the journey continues north through the Westfjords, relax on deck while mountains and isolated valleys slip past. Keep watch for seabirds, seals, and whales in the nutrient-rich waters, enjoying the ambient light that lends an added beauty to this quiet afternoon of scenic cruising. After nightfall, take advantage of the remote dark skies with virtually no artificial light. If conditions align, step outside to watch for the first green arcs of the aurora appearing above the surrounding mountains and fjords.

This morning, travel ashore by Zodiac to Vigur, a small island jewel in the Ísafjarðardjúp fjord. Home to only a handful of residents but vast numbers of seabirds, Vigur offers an intimate glimpse of traditional island life. Follow gentle paths through rolling green landscapes where puffins, Arctic terns, eider ducks and black guillemots nest in season. Learn about the island’s long tradition of sustainable eiderdown farming, discover its historic buildings and visit the tiny post office. With its lively bird colonies, sweeping fjord views and warm Icelandic character, Vigur is a place of rare charm.

Back onboard, spend the afternoon exploring the deep fjords and sheltered bays of Ísafjarðardjúp. Towering, flat-topped mountains rise directly from cold, nutrient-rich waters, creating a spectacular setting for scenic cruising and wildlife watching.

Keep your camera and binoculars close as you search for humpback and minke whales, dolphins and seabirds. Sightings can never be guaranteed, but these productive waters offer exciting possibilities. Your Expedition Team will help scan the fjord and share insights into its geology, ecology and centuries of human history.

This evening, Ísafjarðardjúp’s sheltered waterways and isolated mountain landscapes may provide a dramatic setting for aurora viewing. The Expedition Team will monitor conditions and alert guests if a display develops.

Today, leave Iceland behind and set a course across the Denmark Strait towards Greenland. This ocean passage is an expedition experience in its own right: spend time on deck scanning the horizon for whale blows, dolphins and seabirds that glide effortlessly in the ship’s wake. As the day unfolds, the Expedition Team will bring the journey to life with engaging talks on the wildlife, geology and history. It is also a chance to relax with fellow travelers and watch the light shift across the open sea as anticipation builds for your first Greenland fjord.

Tonight, far from the light of any settlement, the open waters of the Denmark Strait may offer an uninterrupted view of the northern sky. Wrap up warmly and join fellow travelers on deck should the aurora appear above the ocean.

For four days, explore the immense fjords and remote coastlines of East Greenland. Here, glaciers descend from the ice cap, mountains rise in bands of ochre, rose and charcoal, and sculpted icebergs drift through deep Arctic waterways. At this time of year, the landscape is beginning its transition towards winter, bringing crisp air, changing colors across the tundra and increasingly dark nights.

There is no fixed path through this expedition wilderness. Guided by ice, weather and sea conditions, the Expedition Team will select the best available opportunities each day. You may cruise by Zodiac beneath towering cliffs, weave among intricately shaped icebergs or step ashore for hikes across broad valleys and rocky headlands. From elevated viewpoints, the scale of the fjord systems and surrounding mountains is truly breathtaking.

On land, keep watch for musk oxen, Arctic hare and ptarmigan, while the coast and offshore waters may reveal seals, whales and seabirds. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but every excursion offers the possibility of an unforgettable encounter in a landscape where nature remains firmly in command.

Where conditions and local arrangements allow, you hope to visit a remote Inuit community and gain insight into life on Greenland’s isolated east coast. The stories of local residents, together with traces of earlier Inuit cultures and European exploration, reveal the resilience required to live in this extraordinary Arctic environment.

After nightfall, turn your eyes to the sky. With minimal light pollution and long hours of darkness, East Greenland offers excellent conditions for witnessing the aurora borealis. Displays can never be promised, but if the skies are clear and solar activity aligns, ribbons of green may ripple above dark mountains, glaciers and drifting ice - a magical highlight of an autumn voyage.

Set against a backdrop of snow-streaked mountains at the head of Eyjafjörður, Akureyri is Iceland’s largest urban center outside the capital region. Its sheltered setting, colorful streets and celebrated botanical gardens make an inviting gateway to northern Iceland’s waterfalls, volcanic landscapes and geothermal wonders.

Personalize your expedition with an included ‘Your Choice’ experience suited to your interests and fitness level.

Option 1 – Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn & Mývatn Nature Baths
Duration: 7 hours, including lunch
Level of difficulty: Comprehensive Terrain: Easy, well-maintained paths at Goðafoss, with some uneven surfaces and moderate ascents and descents elsewhere.

Begin at Goðafoss, the ‘Waterfall of the Gods’, where the Skjálfandafljót River pours across a broad horseshoe-shaped ledge. A short, mostly level trail leads to the main viewpoint. Continue to Lake Mývatn and the Skútustaðagígar pseudocraters, formed when hot lava flowed across wetlands. Follow marked paths around these distinctive formations or climb to a viewpoint overlooking the lake and its volcanic surroundings. After lunch, unwind in the naturally heated waters of Mývatn Nature Baths. Fed by geothermal water drawn from deep beneath the earth, the pools offer a relaxing conclusion to a day exploring northern Iceland’s elemental landscapes.

Option 2 – Geothermal Iceland: Krafla Crater, Dimmuborgir & Námaskarð
Duration: 7 hours, including lunch
Level of difficulty: Active. Easy on boardwalks and moderately uneven on the lava-field loop.

Terrain: The Víti crater trail includes a manageable ascent of approximately 20–30 meters (65–100 feet) from the car park and takes about 45 minutes to complete. Uneven volcanic ground requires good fitness and mobility. Comfortable, sturdy footwear is strongly recommended. Begin at Dimmuborgir, a labyrinth of lava pillars, cliffs and caves created when molten lava flowed across wetlands around 2,300 years ago. Follow trails through this extraordinary landscape and discover formations such as ‘the Church’, a dramatic lava cave with a domed ceiling and openings at both ends. After lunch, explore the otherworldly Krafla region, where the turquoise waters of Víti crater contrast with dark lava fields and volcanic ridges. Continue to Námaskarð, a vivid geothermal landscape of rust-red earth, sulphur-stained slopes, bubbling mud pools and hissing steam vents—a powerful reminder that Iceland remains geologically alive. In the late afternoon, return to the ship and depart for Seyðisfjörður, watching for whales and seabirds along the way. With the ship sailing away from Iceland’s northern coast this evening, keep watch for the aurora over Eyjafjörður and the surrounding mountains. Northern Iceland lies beneath the auroral oval, making clear autumn nights especially promising.

Explore Seyðisfjörður, a picturesque fishing village that is renowned for its charming collection of colorful wooden buildings located around the lagoon. Take a stroll around town and discover the timber houses that are remnants from when the Norwegians settled here and established the herring fishing facilities from 1870-1900. From the valley above the town, the river Fjarðará tumbles down in beautiful cascades to the lagoon. There are a number of delightful hiking trails to explore, or alternatively, you can discover a flourishing cultural scene with an arts center, the famous blue church that stages music concerts and the only two cinemas in the east of Iceland. Back in town, browse the stores where you can discover handicrafts by local artists and artisans – perfect as a souvenir or gift.

After leaving Seyðisfjörður, the long fjord and dark mountains of eastern Iceland may form a beautiful natural frame for the northern lights. If skies remain clear, watch from the outer decks as you continue into the North Atlantic.

Scattered across the North Atlantic, the Faroe Islands form a dramatic archipelago of 18 volcanic islands shaped by wind, waves and centuries of seafaring life. You plan to discover landscapes of sheer sea cliffs, deep fjords, green mountains and villages tucked into narrow strips of coast. Viking heritage remains woven into Faroese identity, while distinctive grass-roofed houses and working harbors reflect a culture closely connected to the surrounding ocean.

Much of the first day unfolds on the open North Atlantic as you continue towards the Faroe Islands. Enjoy a leisurely day onboard, perhaps joining presentations from the Expedition Team, sharing stories with fellow travelers or watching for whales, dolphins and seabirds from the outer decks. Later, the rugged silhouettes of the Faroes emerge on the horizon as you approach Tórshavn for a late afternoon arrival.

In Tórshavn, one of the world’s smallest capitals, enjoy some free time to wander through the historic lanes of Tinganes, where turf-roofed timber buildings cluster on a rocky peninsula beside the harbor. Explore the compact town center, browse locally made knitwear and handicrafts, or enjoy the city’s pubs.

Your second day offers further opportunities to explore the archipelago according to local conditions. You may follow coastal paths across open hills, visit a smaller island community or approach dramatic bird cliffs where seabirds wheel above the ocean. In late September, the shifting weather and soft autumn light lend the islands a particularly atmospheric beauty. As always, your final plans will be shaped by the weather, sea conditions and the best opportunities available.

The Faroe Islands sit beneath northern skies where the aurora can occasionally be seen when cloud cover clears and solar activity is strong. Although the islands’ maritime weather makes displays less predictable, a sighting above their jagged peaks and dark ocean would be unforgettable.

Across Orkney’s 70 windswept islands, layers of human history unfold—from 5,000-year-old Neolithic monuments and Norse heritage to wartime remains and present-day crofting communities. Seabirds crowd the imposing sea cliffs, coastal paths beckon hikers and, when conditions allow, kayakers can discover sections of the archipelago from the water.

On Papa Westray, you plan to visit the Knap of Howar, where Northern Europe’s oldest known stone houses were occupied by Neolithic farmers more than 5,000 years ago. Later, experience the warmth of island hospitality at the local pub, where the Papa Westray folk ensemble Poor Man’s Corner may fill the room with lively tunes and irresistible rhythms.

Orkney lies near the southern edge of the auroral zone, where strong displays may occasionally be visible under clear, dark skies. On your final evening aboard, there is one last opportunity to watch the northern horizon as you sail towards Aberdeen.

On arrival in Aberdeen, disembark in the early morning and farewell your fellow travelers and Expedition Team before transferring to the airport for your onward journey. 

Note:  At the conclusion of the voyage, it is not recommend to booking flights departing after 12.00 pm on the day of disembarkation in case there are delays.