HIGHLIGHTS
- Be awestruck by spectacular volcanic landscape from thermal pools and geysers in the west to lava flows and bubbling mud in the east
- Keep your eye out for breaching orca and humpback whales in far-flung icy waters
- Listen to the thunderous roar of Dynjandi waterfall and cruise along remote fjords
- Spot Atlantic puffins on Heimaey Island, the puffin-watching capital of the world
- Learn about the island’s unique geology and history from our team of on-board experts
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
Jun 15, 2023 | Jun 23, 2023 | 0 |
|
Aug 06, 2023 | Aug 14, 2023 | 0 |
|
Rates are listed per person
|
Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
Jun 15, 2023 | Jun 23, 2023 | 0 |
|
Aug 06, 2023 | Aug 14, 2023 | 0 |
|
ITINERARY
REYKJAVIK
DAY 1
Despite its small size, you won’t be short of things to see
and do in this diminutive but dramatic city. To get your bearings, take
the elevator to the top of Hallgrímskirkja. This church,
designed by famed Icelandic architect Gudjón Samuelsson is
one of the most distinctive buildings in town. When you return to
earth, visit the city’s other renowned building Harpa Concert
Hall, located at the heart of Reykjavík's regenerated
harbour – also the home of the Maritime Museum. Speaking of
cultural spaces, tour the National Museum to learn the story of Iceland
from past to present. The Reykjavík Art Museum houses an
impressive contemporary collection including eye-catching pieces by
Erró. And, of course, just 50 kilometres outside the city
lies Thingvellir National Park, the site of Iceland’s
original Viking parliament.
DYNJANDI WATERFALL
DAY 2
Considered one of Iceland’s most impressive, this thunderous
waterfall in the Westfjords region gives the impression of a bridal
veil as it spreads its tumbling waters down a series of ever- growing
cascades. Dynjandi is one of the most photographed sights in Iceland.
Walking up to it takes 15 minutes passing five smaller waterfalls.
Nearby, Hrafnseyri is the birthplace of Jón Sigurdsson,
19th-century leader of the Icelandic Independence movement. The museum
includes an Icelandic turf house.
ISAFJORDUR &
VIGUR ISLAND
DAY 3
Arrive today in the charming, tiny fishing harbour of
Ísafjördur. The village’s touristic
highlights include the Westfjord Heritage Museum and The Museum House
(Old Hospital). Located at the heart of the Westfjords peninsula,
it’s a great jumping-off point for exploration so journey by
Zodiac to the island of Vigur – the pearl of the Western
Fjords. The second-largest island in the fjord, measuring two
kilometres by 400 metres, it’s a significant seabird colony,
which is home to arctic terns, puffins, black guillemots and eider
ducks. As one of only two inhabited islands in the fjord, Vigur is also
the site of a single farm, which has been in the same family for
generations. During your time on the island, you might see
Iceland’s only windmill, the country’s smallest
post office and oldest boat, which was built more than 200 years ago
and in regular use until relatively recently.
GRIMSEY ISLAND
DAY 4
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.
AKUREYRI
DAY 5
In northern Iceland on Eyjafjördur, Akureyri is known for its
colourful old town, heart-shaped traffic lights and woodlands. Nearby
tours of Lake Mývatn, the most geologically active area in
Iceland, include lava formations, hot springs, caves and rifts, boiling
mud pools, volcanic craters, the roaring Godafoss waterfall and Game of
Thrones locations. Puffins nest on the inhabited island of Grimsey that
crosses the Arctic Circle, while Hrísey island is said to
have powerful healing energies.
SEYDISFJORDUR
DAY 6
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.
DJUPIVORGUR
DAY 7
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 may be
the first thing you notice as you disembark. The 34 large granite eggs
that line the road along the bay are not easy to miss. The art
installation, named ‘The Eggs at Merry Bay’ (Eggin
í Gleðivík in Icelandic) represents the
34 species of birds that nest locally. Immerse yourself further into
the wild on a trip to nearby Vatnajökull National Park.
Covering 14% of Iceland’s land mass, this vast area is home
to giant ice caps, thundering glacial rivers, grumbling active
volcanoes and a host of other geological wonders. Take a guided tour
out onto Vatnajökull Glacier, Europe’s largest ice
cap, and experience the glory of true Icelandic wilderness for yourself.
HEIMAEY
DAY 8
A small 13-kilometre square island off the south coast of Iceland,
Heimaey’s history has been surprisingly eventful. From the
escapee 16th century Irish slaves to the reaches of the Ottoman Empire
and subsequent pirate invasion, the island was a place of danger and
terror until the mid 18th century. Once these events subsided, for 300
years the people of Heimaey assumed that their days of action were a
thing of the past. That was until 1973 when residents awoke to a
devastating volcanic eruption. Fissures over a kilometre wide snaked
through the town, the lava engulfing over 400 homes. Remarkably, only
one person is thought to have died as a result of the eruption, with a
quick rescue response ensuring that the 5,300 residents were swiftly
evacuated to the safety of the mainland. Evidence of this recent
geological activity can be seen just about everywhere on Heimaey and is
the focus of the fascinating Eldheimar museum.
REYKJAVÍK
DAY 9
Your cruise ends in Reykjavík. Make sure there is sufficient
time before you begin your journey home to explore this diminutive but
dramatic capital city. Despite its small size, you won’t be
short of things to see and do. To get your bearings, take the elevator
to the top of Hallgrímskirkja. This church, designed by
famed Icelandic architect Gudjón Samuelsson is one of the
most distinctive buildings in town. When you return to earth, visit the
city’s other renowned building Harpa Concert Hall, located at
the heart of Reykjavík's regenerated harbour –
also the home of the Maritime Museum. Speaking of cultural spaces, tour
the National Museum to learn the story of Iceland from past to present.
The Reykjavík Art Museum houses an impressive contemporary
collection including eye-catching pieces by Erró. And, of
course, just 50 kilometres outside the city lies Thingvellir National
Park, the site of Iceland’s original Viking parliament.
SH Vega (Luxury Expedition, 152-guests)
Making her maiden voyage in April 2022, our 5 star elegant Scandi-design boutique ship offers you an intimate setting from which you will be fully immersed in all the sights and scenery of your voyage.
Our brand new ship has been designed to journey to off the beaten path destinations and remote polar regions in style and comfort. The ship incorporates a PC5 ice-strengthened hull combined with extra-large stabilisers to make your journey as smooth as possible.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
- One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
- All meals onboard
- Onboard accommodation in a stateroom selected category
- 24-hour room service
- Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
- Lecture programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
- One selected shore excursion/expedition activities per port of call
- Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions
- Standard WiFi
- Onboard gratuities & port taxes