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Iceland Circumnavigation

10-day expedition cruise

Summary

Short description

Discover the best of Iceland’s wildlife, coast and culture with Swan Hellenic

Highlights

  • Spot Atlantic puffins on Heimaey Island
  • Listen to the thunderous roar of Dynjandi waterfall and cruise along remote fjords
  • Keep your eye out for breaching orca and humpback whales
  • Be awestruck by spectacular volcanic landscapes
  • Learn about the island’s unique geology and history from a team of on-board experts

In Brief

  • 2 Nights Reykjavík
  • 1 Night Dynjandi
  • 1 Night Ísafjörður
  • 1 Night Sandvík
  • 1 Night Akureyri
  • 1 Night Seydisfjordur
  • 1 Night Djupivorgur
  • 1 Night Westman Islands

About

Recommended for:
Expedition cruise | Natural world | Ocean cruise | Wildlife

Enjoy a comprehensive introduction to Iceland’s natural world as you take in all corners of its magnificent coastline. Watch huge colonies of Atlantic puffins and keep eyes peeled for Orcas and humpback whales as you sail south to the Westman Islands. Contrast the rich fishing heritage of the Eastfjords with north Iceland’s spectacular waterfalls and bubbling volcanic landscapes.Throughout your voyage, you’ll enjoy a full programme of expert-led shore excursions and onboard lectures, paired with the standout service and fine-dining of your boutique luxury expedition ship.

Day by day itinerary

Day 1
UK/Reykjavik

Enjoy included airport lounge access as you start your trip in style before flying to Keflavik in southwest Iceland. On arrival, you’ll transfer to the capital, Reykjavik, for a night in a city-centre hotel.

Stay: Reykjavik accommodation

Day 2
Reykjavik

Spend today exploring Reykjavik and its surrounds. Perhaps treat yourself to a soak in the mineral-rich waters of the world-famous Blue Lagoon, or venture out to the Golden Circle, a region of spurting geysers, immense waterfalls and shifting volcanic landscapes. Board your ship this evening to begin your voyage around Iceland.

Stay: SH Vega

Meals: D

Day 3
Dynjandi

Step off the beaten track today to visit one of Iceland’s most impressive waterfalls, hiking up past five smaller falls to reach Dynjandi’s tumbling cascades. Nearby, Hrafnseyri is the birthplace of Jón Sigurdsson, 19th-century leader of the Icelandic Independence movement. The museum includes an Icelandic turf house.

Stay: SH Vega

Meals: B L D

Day 4
Isafjordur and Vigur Island

Make port in the bustling fishing town of Isafjordur from where you’ll have access to the dramatic landscapes of the Westfjords. Visit Sudavik and its Arctic Fox Centre, where you can learn about Iceland’s only native mammal. Vigur Island is another of the region’s highlights, home to puffins, Arctic terms and eiders as well as Iceland’s smallest post office.

Stay: SH Vega

Meals: B L D

Day 5
Grimsey Island

Grímsey is a remote island located 40km off Iceland’s north coast. Many people travel here for the purpose of setting foot in the Arctic Circle, the only place in Iceland where you can do so. The island is also home to fewer than 100 people, but over one million seabirds. Birdlife thrives here thanks to the lack of egg predation (there are no rats or mice on the island) and the rich, well-stocked surrounding seas. Grímsey has one of Iceland’s largest tern nesting sites and largest puffin colonies. 

Stay: SH Vega

Day 6
Akureyri

Spend today in and around the northern town of Akureyri, gateway to the magnificent Godafoss waterfall, and an abundance of Game of Thrones filming locations. Perhaps head to nearby Lake Myvatn to discover a landscape of twisted lava formations and bubbling mud pools, or visit the island of Grimsey, which straddles the Arctic Circle and is home to thousands of nesting puffins.

Stay: SH Vega

Meals: B L D

Day 7
Seyðisfjörður

Regarded as east Island’s cultural hub, brightly painted wooden houses line Seyðisfjörður’s port. With a lively arts scene disproportionate to its small size, Seyðisfjörður has attracted many writers and artists over the years and also hosts an annual summer arts festival. Surrounded by incredible nature, the Skálanes nature reserve is a short distance from the town. The area covered by the reserve is known for its diverse wildlife with over 47 species of bird and over 150 plant species. Reindeer are also seen here, with seals and porpoises frequently spotted along the shores.

Stay: SH Vega

Meals: B L D

Day 8
Djupivorgur

Home to fewer than 500 residents, the quiet fishing village of Djupivogur dates back to the Viking era. Despite its formidable origins, the village is better known these days for its unhurried pace of life. Djupivogur’s most famous artistic offering - the 34 large granite eggs that line the road along the bay are not easy to miss - is named ‘The Eggs at Merry Bay’ (Eggin í Gleðivík in Icelandic) represents the 34 species of birds that nest locally. The nearby Vatnajökull National Park covers 14% of Iceland’s land mass and this vast area is home to giant ice caps, thundering glacial rivers, grumbling active volcanoes and a host of other geological wonders. 

Stay: SH Vega

Meals: B L D

Day 9
Heimaey, Westman Islands

Sailing southeast, you’ll reach the spectacular Heimaey, part of the Westman Islands and home to up to 10-million Atlantic Puffins. Take it all in on a Zodiac excursion, then head to the town of Vestmannaeyjar where a small museum charts the devastating story of the 1973 eruption of the Edfell volcano. Today, a hike to the volcano’s windy summit offers sweeping island views.

Stay: SH Vega

Meals: B L D

Day 10
Reykjavik/UK

Arrive back in Reykjavik this morning, where you’ll disembark and transfer to the airport in time for your flight home. If you’d prefer to extend your stay in the capital, or its surroundings, our specialists are on hand to tailor-make you a post-cruise tour.

Meals: B

Map

Meet our experts

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Meet the team

Why book with Wexas Travel?

At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 020 7590 0615 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

Learn why Wexas is the leader in creating luxury holidays. What is tailor-made travel?

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Every step of the way

Every step of the way

Our services are with you from start to finish:

  • Dedicated personal consultants
  • Free airport lounges on qualifying bookings
  • Care and guidance pre, post and during holiday
  • Full financial security: ABTA & ATOL protected