Iceland: Circumnavigating the Land of Fire and Ice

Having made your way to Reykjavik, you will be met by a representative of Aurora Expeditions and transferred to our group hotel. Upon arrival at your included hotel, please visit the Aurora Expeditions hospitality area where you can leave your luggage and enjoy refreshments if arriving prior to 4pm. Whilst here you can collect your luggage cabin tags speak with our ground operations team, who may have information to share with you about pre-embarkation or to provide you with information about where to dine, withdraw cash or purchase last minute items from a local pharmacy or supermarket.    The remainder of your time is at leisure. All meals today are at your own expense.  Accommodation: The Grand Hotel Reykjavik (or similar) 

This morning, please ensure your cabin luggage is fitted with cabin tags clearly labelled with your name and cabin number. Your luggage will be collected from your hotel and transferred directly to the port for clearance and delivered to your cabin ahead of your arrival on board. Please keep any valuables or personal items with you throughout the day.  Today we follow the path of one of Reykjavik’s most popular seismic attractions – the Golden Circle. Stops along our route include Thingvellir National Park, accredited as the site of Iceland’s first parliament. A shaky start to the new nation, it is also the point where the Eurasia and North American tectonic plates meet as an open fissure. Our next stop is Gullfoss waterfall. This impressive water feature tumbles 34 meters into the Hvítá River, offering a popular photographic opportunity. Next we explore the geothermal fields and geysir’s for which Iceland is famous. The variety of hot springs and bubbling pools are mesmerising as the sheer capacity of water and steam erupting from the ground makes you ponder just how much power is beneath your feet. Late afternoon we return to Reykjavik to board the Douglas Mawson.After boarding, there’s time to settle into your cabin before our important safety briefings before we ‘throw the lines’ to begin our Greenland adventure. This evening, meet your expedition team and crew at the Welcome Dinner.  

Arnarstapi is the starting point of our adventures on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, gateway to Snæfellsjökull National Park. Snaefellsnes Peninsula is an area of diverse landscapes that is characterised by lava fields and glistening fjords and home to a vast array of birdlife. The area is crowned by the magnificent, ice-capped Snæfellsjökull volcano, a 700,000-year-old dormant subglacial volcano, visible from Reykjavik on a clear day and immortalised in Jules Verne’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth. Personalise your expedition with our included ‘Your Choice’ experiences that best suits your interests and level of fitness. Option 1 - Highlights of Snaefellsness  (Duration: 8 hours including lunch / Level of difficulty: Easy-Moderate, dependent on fitness) Our first stop will be the dramatic black pebble beach of Djúpalónssandur, where you can marvel at the black sands and colossal rock formations, volcanic landscapes, and remains of a 1948 shipwreck. Next, you'll visit Búðir, a picturesque hamlet surrounded by the stunning landscapes of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Stop to admire Búðakirkja, the 19th-century church, and explore the area. At the conclusion of lunch, re-join the coach to travel to Snæfellsjökull National Park, encompassing a large area of Snæfellsnes Peninsula's western tip. For the more active, explore some incredible hiking trails, or simply enjoy your drive through the park and take in the beauty that surrounds you. Concluding your day, we continue to the iconic Mount Kirkjufell, a favourite among photographers and known to many as a filming location for the TV show "Game of Thrones." Not far from this majestic mountain is a waterfall that completes the picturesque scene.  Option 2 - Natural Wonders of Snaefellsnes (Duration: 8 hours including lunch / Level of difficulty: Moderate)  Upon disembarkation, we will hike the coastal trail that connects the two villages of Arnarstapi and Hellnar (2 hours). Now a National Reserve,…

Over the next three days, we explore the Westfjords region featuring outstanding landscapes with jaw-dropping views of dramatic fjords carved by ancient glaciers, sheer table mountains that plunge into the sea and pristine North Atlantic vegetation.   At Patreksfjörður, a shore excursion by coach takes us to Látrabjarg cliffs. As Europe’s largest bird cliff, Látrabjarg is home to millions of seabirds, such as puffin, razorbill, fulmar and guillemot. Enjoy the impressive variety of natural wonders and unspoiled nature. Látrabjarg also happens to be the westernmost point in Europe, east coast of the North American continent on the other side of the Atlantic.   Immerse yourself in the tranquillity of the afternoon as we cruise northward, taking in breathtaking landscapes and keeping a watchful eye for whales. Later, we'll embark on a Zodiac landing to witness the awe-inspiring power of Dynjandi waterfall. 

Thingeyri, a quaint village nestled on a slender strip of land, graces the shores of one of Iceland's most picturesque fjords, Dýrafjörður. Much like many other coastal settlements in Iceland, the village's culture and industry have been intricately woven with the influence of the sea over centuries. The surrounding landscape is adorned with towering mountains, lending a distinctive charm to the scenic expanse that envelops Thingeyri. This idyllic region is often hailed as the "Alps of the Westfjords," especially the highland area nestled between the majestic fjords of Dýrafjörður and Arnarfjörður. The beauty of Thingeyri lies not only in its coastal simplicity but also in the dramatic backdrop of high mountains that paints a captivating portrait of this Icelandic village. Personalise your expedition with our included ‘Your Choice’ experiences that best suits your interests and level of fitness. Option 1 - That Viking Thing Experience (Duration: 2 hours + free time / Level of difficulty: Easy)  Today you will step back in time and learn about the Viking ways and how the hardy Norse people lived off the land. Walk through a recreated Viking area, learning about what is fact and what is fiction in the many stories you've heard about the famous Vikings. A short hike brings you to the old ruins of the Viking meeting place called a Thing - the closest translation in English is 'parliament.' Step inside the interactive Viking Museum for a chance to dress up in authentic hand-sewn Viking clothing, take photographs, drink Icelandic Viking beer, bake your own Viking bread, and explore the museum - all part of learning more about Viking ways.  Option 2 - Sandafell Mountain Hike (Duration: 3 hours / Level of difficulty: Moderate-Difficult, dependent on fitness level)  For avid explorers, Iceland is littered with hidden gems, and possibly the best-kept secret…

Picturesque Akureyri is Iceland’s second largest city outside the capital area and is blessed with a superb snow-capped mountain backdrop.  Personalise your expedition with our included ‘Your Choice’ experiences that best suits your interests and level of fitness. Option 1 - Góðafoss, Lake Mývatn & Baths (Duration: 8 hours including lunch / Level of difficulty: Easy) Our first stop will be the Goðafoss waterfall, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland. There is a 400-metre trail, easy and mostly flat, approximately 10 minutes to get to the main viewpoint. Next, you'll visit Lake Mývatn and explore the area. At the conclusion of lunch, re-join the coach to travel to Mývatn Nature Baths. Drawing on a centuries-old tradition, the tastefully designed complex offers bathers a completely natural experience that begins with a relaxing dip amidst clouds of steam rising up from a fissure deep in the Earth´s surface and ends with a luxurious swim in a pool of geothermal water drawn from depths of up to 2,500 metres / 8,200 feet.   Option 2 - Góðafoss, Lake Mývatn & Dimmuborgir (Duration: 8 hours including lunch / Level of difficulty: Moderate) Our first stop will be the Goðafoss waterfall, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland. There is a 400-metre trail, easy and mostly flat, approximately 10 minutes to get to the main viewpoint. Next, you'll visit Lake Mývatn’s Skútustaðagígar pseudo craters. Wander the marked walking paths through the area. You can easily walk around the bowl-like landmasses or take a hike to reach the top for a magnificent view of the scenic surroundings. At the conclusion of lunch, re-join the coach to travel to Dimmuborgir, an area strewn with enormous lava rocks and cliffs. The formation of these extraordinary lava cliffs and pillars are the result of molten lava flowing over a pond…

Located approximately 40 km (25 miles) off the mainland, Grímsey is a verdant grassy island, probably best known for its proximity to the Arctic Circle, which cuts across the island. Many people travel to Grímsey just to say they have stepped across the imaginary line. With a tiny population of approximately 100 inhabitants, it’s a fantastic place for Zodiac cruising, kayaking, and photographing seabirds such as guillemots, gulls and puffins.  Leaving Grímsey to return closer to the mainland, we spend time scanning the waters of Skjálfandi Bay around Húsavik, a town known as the Iceland’s ‘whale watching capital’, home to up to 24 different whale species, as well as dolphins and 30 variety of birds. The largest animal on earth, the blue whale, has also been spotted in Skjálfandi Bay, and if you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of this magnificent creature as well as others, such as orcas, fin whales and pilot whales. 

In the afternoon, we spend some time exploring Seyðisfjörður, a picturesque fishing village that is renowned for its charming collection of colourful 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 Fjardara 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 centre, 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 will discover handicrafts by local artists and artisans – perfect as a souvenir or gift. 

In Iceland’s east, we disembark in Djúpivogur, our gateway to Vatnajokull National Park, home to Europe’s largest glacier.  Personalise your expedition with our included ‘Your Choice’ experiences that best suits your interests and level of fitness. Option 1 - Waterfalls, Glacial Lagoons & Hot Tubs (Duration: 10 hours including driving to/from Djúpivogur / Level of difficulty: Easy / Maximum numbers: 30 x 2 groups)  Your first stop is at Fossárfoss, a waterfall surrounded by majestic mountains with spectacular views. The layered basalt flow formations that surround the area offer a striking contrasting vista making this a favourite location among photographers. From here we depart for Vatnajokull National Park, one of the most famous natural attractions in the world. Explore the astonishing and exotic natural beauty of Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon by four-wheeled Amphibian boat. Here we observe giant icebergs float slowly towards the ocean from the glacier.  Following lunch, re-join the coach and head for Diamond beach, a black sand beach where the icebergs are washed ashore, and Fjallsárlón lagoon, renowned for the shimmering icebergs that float in its waters. Concluding our day, we continue to the geothermal hot tubs in Hoffell, perfect for a nice, relaxing soak with an otherworldly view. Option 2 - Wonders of Vatnajokull National Park & Canyon Hike (Duration: 9 hours including driving to/from Djúpivogur / Level of difficulty: Moderate / Maximum numbers: 40) Your first stop is at Fossárfoss, a waterfall surrounded by majestic mountains with spectacular views. The layered basalt flow formations that surround the area offer a striking contrasting vista making this a favourite location among photographers. From here we depart for the dramatic Múlagljúfur Canyon, a true hidden gem ideal for hiking. Here we navigate through overgrown bushes, small river streams, and different trails along the rim of the canyon. Find yourself marvelling at the panoramic…

Enjoy a morning and lunch onboard, searching for whales and seabirds. Our team of experts entertains us with informative talks. Located off Iceland’s south coast, the Westman Islands were formed by volcanic eruptions around 10,000 years ago. Westman Islands are surrounded by 15 other uninhabited islands and around 30 rocks and skerries offering refuge for rich array of seabirds. Westman Islands are considered to have the largest Atlantic puffin colony in the world, and when sailing around the islands it is not uncommon to see puffins but also whales and seals.  Personalise your expedition with our included ‘Your Choice’ experiences that best suits your interests and level of fitness. Option 1 - Eldheimar Volcano Museum & Puffin Viewing (Duration: 3 hours / Level of difficulty: Easy)  Located off Iceland’s south coast, the Westman Islands were formed by volcanic eruptions around 10,000 years ago. Heimaey is the main island in the archipelago, with a population of around 4,200. Various catastrophes have befallen the island of Heimaey and its inhabitants throughout history. Probably the most tragic incident was the volcanic eruption in 1973. Visit a unique volcano museum that tells the story of the Heimaey volcanic eruption, the emergence of Surtsey Island in 1963, and the geology of the Westman Islands.  We'll continue our drive to Stórhöfði cape for some puffin watching, offering ample photo opportunities to capture shots of the charming little birds. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to explore the island if time permits.  Option 2 - Eldheimar Volcano Climb & Museum (Duration: 3 hours / Level of difficulty: Difficult)  Learn more about the geology and volcanology of Iceland during a two-hour hike up a volcano. Reaching the summit, you can still feel the warmth emanating from its subterranean activity. At the end of the hike, you visit a unique volcano museum…

During the early morning, we cruise into Reykjavik and disembark at approximately 8.00 am. Farewell your Expedition Team and fellow passengers as we all continue our onward journeys. Transfer to Keflavik airport. Note: At the conclusion of the voyage, we recommend booking flights departing after 12.00 pm on the day of disembarkation in case there are delays.  

Aurora Expeditions operates in remote and challenging environments, and in the spirit of expedition travel, we encourage you to adopt a flexible and adventurous attitude when joining our voyages. This itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to weather, sea state and other conditions beyond our control. *Our ‘Your Choice’ shore excursions listed in the itinerary are included. These must be reserved through our passenger portal at least 60 days prior to embarkation and cannot be amended after this time. If we do not receive your choices by this time, you will be allocated excursions by our automated system. We will always do our best to provide you with your first preference of shore excursion; however, we may occasionally need to place you on an alternative excursion for operational reasons.