Iceland’s Fire & Ice Circumnavigation: An 11-Day Iceland Circumnavigation Expedition Cruise

Arrive in Reykjavík, Iceland’s trendy capital, where a cutting-edge arts and culture scene rubs shoulders with historic monuments and lively nightlife. It’s also the world’s northernmost capital of a sovereign state. Make your way to your hotel, where you will spend the first night of the expedition. This evening, meet your fellow voyagers and some of our expedition guides over dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we have a full day planned to explore Iceland’s world-famous sightseeing route, the Golden Circle. Witness the raw power of Gullfoss, a truly epic two-tiered waterfall where 100,000 litres of glacial water from the Hvítá River plunge 31 metres into the Gullfossgljúfur Canyon every second. At the erupting geothermal hot springs of the Haukadalur region, the famous Great Geysir might have retired, but smaller geyser Strokkur still blasts fountains of boiling water up to 30 metres high every 8-10 minutes. Walk between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates at Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Almannagjá Canyon, and explore the site of the world’s oldest parliament, dating back to 930 AD. Almannagjá Canyon also featured in Game of Thrones as the entrance to the ancient castle Eyrie. This afternoon, board Heritage Discoverer, where the captain and expedition team will welcome you on board, and you will have time to settle into your accommodations and familiarise yourself with the ship. You are invited to join the expedition team in the Observation Lounge as we set our course for Grundarfjörður and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

This morning sees us greeted by the glacier-carved terrain of Iceland’s Snæfellsnes Peninsula, highlighted by the sparkling waterfalls and icebergs of Drangajökull Glacier, Iceland’s northernmost glacier. Enjoy exploring the many charms of fishing village Grundarfjörður, surrounded by spectacular mountains, including the town’s landmark Mount Kirkjufell, which stands solitary after being carved out of the main mountain range by two glaciers during the Ice Age. With its natural harbour, it is easy to see why this perfectly positioned town was a prominent trading post, with artefacts supporting its history dating back to Viking times. Grandiose views of the majestic glacier-capped Snæfellsjökull volcano and its otherworldly landscape can be enjoyed at the technically ‘active’ volcano, which last erupted some 1,800 years ago and is still closely monitored. Snæfellsjökull volcano provided the entry point in Jules Verne’s 1864 classic Journey to the Centre of the Earth and is a magical setting for the 12th-century Icelandic sagas. Grundarfjörður is also a sanctuary for the White-tailed Eagle, the largest predatory bird in Iceland. Options include exploring the Langjökull Glacier ice cap on Mount Kirkjufell, or a deep dive into local culture and history with a visit to a traditional farm. Try the local delicacy, fermented Icelandic Shark and encounter Iceland’s famous Icelandic Horses, one of the world’s oldest and purest horse breeds.

Arriving at the coastal village of Patreksfjörður, population 700, rare golden sands, remnants of scallop shells, replace the traditional black volcanic sands elsewhere in Iceland. While the fishing industry on which the village was built remains an important part of daily life, Patreksfjörður’s proximity to the Látrabjarg cliffs, Rauðasandur beach and Dynjandi waterfall has made this tiny town a tourist attraction. According to Iceland’s Book of Settlers, Patreksfjörður was named Saint Patrick’s Fjord by Celtic Viking Örlygur Hrappsson, who believed the 5th-century ‘Apostle of Ireland’ was his spiritual guide. This morning we will travel to the spectacular Látrabjarg cliffs. This natural wonder is Europe’s largest bird cliff, spanning 14 kilometres long and up to a dizzying 441 metres high of sheer towering cliff face, where up to 10 million seabirds breed each summer. Safe from foxes, this westernmost point of Iceland provides stunning photographic opportunities from close range of the millions of fearless Atlantic Puffins, Common Guillemots, Razorbills, Brünnich’s Guillemots, Kittiwakes and Northern Fulmars nesting here. A multisensory experience on every level, marvel at the amazing views stretching out over the Atlantic Ocean, which supports this seabird mega- city, where the air is alive with beating wings. This afternoon, venture further into the heart of the spectacular fjords through some of Iceland’s most rugged and untouched landscapes, as we discover world-famous Dynjandi Waterfall. Situated deep within the fjords in a sheltered bay, the water drops 100 metres via a series of six stepped waterfalls in a formidable display of nature as it traverses a lush arctic meadow filled with wildflowers before reaching the shores of the bay.

This morning, we explore the small, family-owned private island and wildlife sanctuary of Vigur. Just two kilometres long and 400 metres wide, it was named for its spear-like shape but is also known as ‘Puffin Island’. More than 60 species of birds can be seen on the island, including 100,000 Atlantic Puffins, 1,500 Black Guillemots, 1,700 Arctic Terns and more than 7,000 Common Eiders. The sixth-generation farming family still practice the same sustainable eiderdown harvesting traditions of this valuable commodity. During our explorations discover Europe’s smallest post office and Iceland’s only windmill, dating back to the 1840s. Just a short distance away is the small fishing community of Ísafjörður, a 16th-century trading post and now cultural epicentre located in the heart of the famed Westfjords region. Renowned for its scenic beauty and expansive wilderness, it is the least-populated region in Iceland and, with its layered volcanic fjord shores, is considered one of its most scenic. An afternoon visit to Ísafjörður is planned to explore the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve with our naturalists, or the town’s museums, galleries, and artisan workshops.

Be sure to be out on deck or in the Observation Lounge as we sail towards the picture postcard town of Siglufjörður, where rows of colourful houses sit nestled at the end of a narrow fjord framed by dramatic mountain scenery on the Trollaskagi Peninsula, and a stone’s throw from the Arctic Circle. This former tiny shark fishing village of the 1900s became the capital of the herring fishing boom in the Atlantic, resulting in Iceland’s northernmost town becoming one of its most prosperous, fuelling some marvellous examples of Icelandic architecture. While the herring era went bust, locals gave the town a new lease of life, turning the former industrial buildings into cafés, ski resorts and breweries. Wander through the town exploring its quirky cafes, galleries, workshops, church, Folk Music Centre, and famous Herring Era Museum housed in an old herring factory. Enjoy lunch on board as we sail to the remote and rugged island of Grímsey. This tiny island, just five square kilometres, is the northernmost inhabited point of Iceland, and where seabirds outnumber locals by 10,000 to one. The Arctic Circle bisects the island and is marked by the iconic photo op known as the Arctic Circle Monument – a 9-tonne, three metre stone sphere which is moved each year to align with the Arctic Circle. Renowned for its tiny, plucky community, its rugged coastline is dominated by towering columnar basalt cliffs up to 100 metres high and wrapped in an endless expanse of the Arctic Ocean. Zodiac ashore and join our expedition team members for nature and photography walks among wandering sheep, incredible birdlife, and the iconic Grímseyjarviti lighthouse built in 1937 and perched above a sheer cliff on the northern coast.

Today, we explore the many charms of Húsavík, a small town overlooking Skjálfandi Bay, known as the whale watching capital of Iceland and immortalised in the parody Eurovision song ‘Húsavík – My Home Town’ in the Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga film. Once the centre of the Icelandic whaling industry, today it enjoys a thriving whale watching industry where Humpback and Minke Whales can be observed alongside White-beaked Dolphins and Harbour Porpoises in the rich feeding grounds of Skjálfandi Bay. Explore Húsavík’s whaling history at the Whale Museum, where you will find an upside-down Blue Whale skeleton in the renovated former slaughterhouse. Eurovision fans will want to visit the Eurovision Museum and bar Jaja Ding Dong, or venture inland to discover the spectacular sight of Goðafoss waterfall, or ‘waterfall of the gods’, where Skjálfandafljót River crashes 12 metres down volcanic basalt, resulting in a 30-metre-wide horseshoe-shaped cascade. Our explorations continue at Mývatn, a stunning volcanic lake rich in wildlife formed around 2,300 years ago and surrounded by hot springs, lava fields, bubbling mud pools, sulphur vents and striking geological formations revealing the activity which continues to shape Iceland’s landscape. The lake is also a renowned birding site, attracting Whooper Swans, Arctic Terns, Red-necked Phalaropes, Great Northern Divers, Eurasian Wigeons, Tufted Ducks, Greater Scaups, Barrow’s Goldeneyes and Northern Shovelers, among others. Though it is named ‘Midges Lake’ for a reason, the tiny insects are prolific here in summer and an important part of the ecosystem; don’t forget the insect repellent.

Enjoy a leisurely morning listening to lectures, catching up on our latest adventures or watching our passage unfold from your favourite spot on Heritage Discoverer before we arrive at Borgarfjörður Eystri. Located on Iceland’s eastern coastline, the small town of Borgarfjörður Eystri is a renowned puffin viewing site, outdoor adventure playground and Elfin hot spot with what is believed to be one of the most populated ‘hidden people’ settlements in Iceland. Indeed, the fjord is named after the residency of the Icelandic Elf-queen – Álfaborg, a rocky hill next to the village. During our time exploring this stunning fjord, framed by the peak of Svartvell, stretch your legs with a challenging hike which rewards with sweeping panoramas. Explore the surrounding countryside with your expedition guides or join a local guide touring the small village, including a stop at the local eiderdown shop and an exhibit of Johannes Kjarval, one of Iceland’s greatest painters, who grew up in the area. There will also be time to enjoy observing the puffins, beaks filled with fish to feed their young, at their bustling island colony, providing never-ending photographic opportunities.

This morning, we sail into the sheltered waters of Djúpivogur, famed for its outdoor lifestyle, fascinating geology and birding, on the Búlandsnes peninsula. Nestled between the Hamarsfjörður and Berufjörður fjords, it is also home to Iceland’s iconic glaciercarved 1,069-metre basalt mountain Búlandstindur, believed to be 8 million years old. Travelling southward, we make our way to Vatnajökull National Park, one of Iceland’s most celebrated natural wonders and largest national park covering 13% of the island. This incredible UNESCO World Heritage site was uniquely shaped by the combined forces of rivers, glacial ice, and volcanic and geothermal activity. We start our exploration with a visit to the breathtaking Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, one of Iceland’s premier natural wonders, where you will enjoy the unforgettable experience of navigating immense, startlingly blue icebergs, calved from the Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier as they serenely float across the still turquoise water towards the Atlantic Ocean. We follow their passage to Diamond Beach, where chunks of the crystal-clear ice litter the black volcanic sand sparkling like scattered diamonds.

Our final full day of adventure sees us visiting what is considered Iceland’s best-kept secret - the otherworldly, unrestrained rugged beauty of the Westman Islands or Vestmannaeyjar. Resembling the islands featured in Jurassic Park, this archipelago of 15 islands and 30 rock stacks, off the South Coast of Iceland, formed by undersea volcanoes between 5,000 and 10,000 years ago, is among the youngest of the world’s archipelagos – and the location of the world’s youngest island, Surtsey. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, it was formed during a three-year underwater eruption starting in 1963. Meanwhile, the scarred terrain from the main island, Heimaey’s 1973 eruption of Eldfell, which saw the island grow from 11 to 13.5 square kilometres, can still be seen today. We plan to cruise by Surtsey, now the location of ground-breaking research on how plants and animals colonise new land, on our way to Heimaey harbour. As the location of the world’s largest population of nesting puffin, mixed with fascinating geology, stunning natural scenery, the opportunity to walk to the summit of Eldfell, and the resilient culture of the remarkable locals, all makes for an exceptional expedition day.

Early this morning, we will arrive back in Reykjavík. After a final breakfast, we bid farewell to our fellow voyagers and take a complimentary coach transfer to a central city location or Keflavík International Airport. In case of unexpected delays due to weather and/or port operations, we ask you not to book any onward travel until after 12 noon. Note: During our voyage, circumstances may make it necessary or desirable to deviate from the proposed itinerary. This can include poor weather and opportunities for making unplanned excursions. Your Expedition Leader will keep you fully informed. This tour offers a variety of activities and excursions. Your personal interests will determine which of these you wish to join. Please note that some activities and excursions will run at similar times, and it will not be possible to participate in both. Accordingly, refunds for excursions and missed landings are not available. Voyages are planned and scheduled pending final regulatory approval.

Itineraries are subject to change.