HIGHLIGHTS
- Keep
watch for blows, breaching and tail flukes as we whale watch in
Húsavík
- Explore
Látrabjarg bird cliffs, the largest seabird cliffs in Europe
- Visit
Vatnajökull National Park, featuring Europe’s
largest glacier, iceberg-speckled glacial lakes, black sand beaches,
reindeer and rich birdlife
- Discover
Mjóifjördur, a hidden gem of a fjord cherished by
locals
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
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| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
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Rates are listed per person
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| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
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ITINERARY
Day
1 Arrive Reykjavik
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
desk to collect your luggage cabin tags and to 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:
Fosshotel Reykjavik Hotel (or similar)
Day
2 Embarkation Day
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.
Explore
the main sights of Reykjavik on a half day city tour before
transferring to the pier for embarkation. Settle into your cabin before
attending our mandatory safety briefings. As the ship pulls away from
port, we will gather on the deck and enjoy the thrill of departure as
we ‘throw the lines’ to commence our adventure with
spectacular views over Reykjavik.
This
evening, get to know your fellow expeditioners, expedition team and
crew at the Captain’s Welcome Dinner to celebrate the start
of a thrilling adventure.
Day
3 Stykkisholmur / Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Stykkisholmur
is the starting point of our adventures on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula,
gateway Snæfellsjökull National Park.
Stykkishólmur is located by
Breiðafjörður Bay on the north of
Snæfellsnes peninsula and is surrounded by wonderful views of
the innumerable islands. One of the defining landmarks in
Stykkishólmur are the old houses in the old city centre,
some of which were owned by Danish traders, and every year in August
there is a Danish town festival in Stykkishólmur called
Danskir dagar or Danish days. The oldest house in
Stykkishólmur is the Norwegian house, which dates back to
1832. The inhabitants take great pride in preserving the old houses and
walking in the centre of town is like walking in another era.
Snaefellsnes
Peninsula is an area of diverse landscapes that is characterised by
lava fields and glistening fjords and home to bird-rich Breidafjordur
Bay. 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.
At
Bjarnarhöfn you will enjoy a guided tour of the shark museum
and have the opportunity to taste cured shark.
Though
Grundarfjörður is not the most well-known town in
Snæfellsnes, Mount Kirkjufell is certainly one of the most
famous mountains in Iceland, if not the world. It is not unusual for
photographers from all over the world to make their way to
Grundarfjörður for the sole purpose of photographing
this unique landmark which has even starred in a number of films.
However, there is a lot more on offer in
Grundarfjörður than just Mount Kirkjufell. Nature
abounds, with vibrant birdlife and spectacular waterfalls.
Days
4-6 Westfjords
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.
In
genuine expeditionary style, we keep our itinerary flexible to allow
for spontaneity. There are countless fjords to explore in the region.
Your experienced expedition team will determine the day-by-day
itinerary based on the unpredictable weather conditions of the region.
Hornstrandir
peninsula is located here and is one of Iceland’s remotest
and most pristine regions filled with many deep and dramatic fjords,
towering bird cliffs, stunning natural beauty and opportunities for
wildlife encounters. Enjoy the bountiful silence and magnificent
landscapes as we sail past this stunning region seen by the few
adventurers that make their way here.
At
Patreksfjordur, a shore excursion by coach takes us to Latrabjarg
cliffs. As Europe’s largest bird cliff, Latrabjarg is home to
millions of seabirds, such as puffin, razorbill, fulmar and guillemot.
Enjoy the impressive variety of natural wonders and unspoiled nature.
Latrabjarg also happens to be the westernmost point in Europe, east
coast of the North American continent on the other side of the
Atlantic.
We
might visit places such as Isafjordur and Djupavik, where kayakers can
paddle in the peaceful waters surrounded by towering mountains while
others can enjoy walks and hikes of varying levels of difficulty,
soaking in the stunning surrounds including impressive waterfalls and
deep fjords. You might sample some local delicacies or perhaps visit an
abandoned herring museum converted into an exhibition and gallery
space.
Day
7 Grímsey Island
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.
Day
8 Hjalteyri
Located
near Akureyri, Iceland’s second largest town, Hjalteyri is a
small village on the western shores of Eyjafjörður. It
was one of the main centres of the herring fishing industry, but these
days, you’re more likely to find art than fish in the old
herring factory buildings.
Sheltered
from big waves, Hjalteyri is an ideal place to enjoy activities such as
kayaking, cold-water snorkelling and diving, featuring famous
geothermal struts located just offshore. Husavík might be
internationally renowned as Iceland’s whale-watching capital,
but locals believe that Hjalteyri is North Iceland’s hidden
gems. Enjoy a fantastic day of adventure and exploration, but try not
to tell too many people about this place or you could ruin its charm.
Day
9 Seydisfjördur
We
spend some time exploring Seydisfjordur, 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.
As
we sail out of the fjord, we stop at Skalanes, a tiny town that
features a research centre hosting university students from around the
world. Skalanes features stunning cliffs that are home to thousands of
seabirds
during
the nesting season that you can see on walks or by Zodiac. The area has
a large colony of nesting eider ducks and arctic tern. Seals, whales
and reindeers are also commonly seen here.
Day
10 Westman Islands
Located
off Iceland’s south coast, the Westman Islands were formed by
volcanic eruptions around 10,000 years ago. Sail past Surtsey Island, a
UNESCO World Heritage site that emerged from the sea in 1963 and is one
the youngest land masses on earth. 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.
Heimaey
is the main island in the archipelago, and it has the population of
around 4,200. Ashore on Heimaey, the only inhabited island in the
archipelago, we see half-buried houses that remain from a violent 1973
eruption of Eldfell volcano, which you can hike up if you wish. A visit
to the weather station offers bird-watching opportunities and splendid
views of the surrounding islands.
Eruptions
are a big part of the history of the Westman Island, where there are
two volcanoes – one that erupted some 6,000 years ago, and
Mount Eldfell that erupted in 1973, forcing all of the
island’s inhabitants to evacuate for the mainland.
Serendipitously, due to bad weather the day prior to the eruption, all
the fishing boats remained in the harbour and were able to help
transport the inhabitants of Heimaey to the mainland. You can learn
more about the story of the eruption and the aftermath at the
fascinating Eldheimar museum, which includes a display of a house that
was buried in ash during the eruption.
Day
11 Disembark Reykjavik
During
the early morning, we cruise into Reykjavik and disembark at
approximately 8.00 am. Farewell your expedition team and fellow
passengers as you continue your onward journey. Transfer to Keflavik
airport or to your centrally located hotel.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- All
airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
- One
night’s hotel accommodation including breakfast, in Reykjavik
on Day 1.
- Half-day
tour of Reykjavik on Day 2, prior to embarkation.
- Onboard
accommodation during voyage, including daily cabin service.
- All
meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage.
- Beer,
house wine and soft drinks with dinner.
- Captain’s
Welcome and Farewell receptions including four-course dinner, house
cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages.
- All
shore excursions and Zodiac cruises.
- Educational
lectures and guiding services provided by Expedition Team.
- Complimentary
access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial
consultation).
- One
3-in-1 waterproof, polar expedition jacket.
- Complimentary
use of Muck Boots during the voyage.
- Comprehensive
pre-departure information.
- Port
surcharges, permits and landing fees.
- Gratuities
for ship’s crew and local guides.
Exclusions
- International
or domestic flights – unless specified in the itinerary.
- Transfers
– unless specified in the itinerary.
- Airport
arrival or departure taxes.
- Passport,
visa, reciprocity and vaccination fees and charges.
- Travel
insurance or emergency evacuation charges.
- Hotel
accommodation and meals – unless specified in the itinerary.
- Optional
excursions and optional activity surcharges.
- All
items of a personal nature, including but not limited to alcoholic
beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), laundry
services, personal clothing, medical expenses, wi-fi, email or phone
charges.
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Sea
Kayaking:
USD 1,660 per person
- Bird
watching
- Lectures
on wildlife, our environment, history and destinations
- Photography
- Polar
plunge
- Trips
ashore
- Walking
- Zodiac
cruises
- Whale
and mammal spotting
