Itinerary
- Day 1
Reykjavik
You'll land in Reykjavik and have the day to explore the capital on your own terms. Laugavegur shopping street is worth a walk if you're into local shops and cafes, and Hallgrímskirkja church stands out architecturally if you want to see something iconic. There are also art galleries and museums scattered around if that interests you. By evening, you'll head to the expedition cruise ship, get settled in your cabin, meet the crew, and have a welcome dinner as you start sailing toward Stykkishólmur.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner onboard)
Included Activities
- Explore Reykjavik's art galleries and museums
- Welcome dinner onboard
- Ship orientation and cabin assignment
Optional Activities
- Pre-Program: Golden Circle exploration
- Pre-Program: Icelandic Highlands exploration
- Stroll down Laugavegur shopping street
- Visit Hallgrímskirkja church
Landmarks Hallgrímskirkja Laugavegur - Day 2
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
You arrive at Stykkishólmur, a small fishing town with colorful buildings and mountain backdrops. From here, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula National Park is nearby, often called 'Little Iceland' because it has so many different landscapes in one spot. You can check out Djúpalónssandur beach with its black sand, hike to Lóndrangar's basalt cliffs, take a snowcat ride up to Snæfellsjökull glacier, or go on a guided coastal hike that includes exploring glacial caves. Lots of options depending on what appeals to you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted landing and exploration of Stykkishólmur
- Visit Snæfellsnes Peninsula National Park
- Expedition Team guidance and daily briefing
Optional Activities
- Visit Djúpalónssandur black-sand beach
- Explore Lóndrangar basalt cliffs
- Snowcat ride to Snæfellsjökull glacier summit
- Guided coastal hike with glacial cave tour
- Onboard lectures and Science Center
- Photography tips from professional photographer
Landmarks Snæfellsnes Peninsula National Park Snæfellsjökull Djúpalónssandur Lóndrangar 
- Day 3
Westfjords
The day focuses on the Westfjords and Patreksfjörður area. You can learn about fishing culture in one of Europe's westernmost villages, soak in a geothermal pool while looking out at fjord views, or go hiking through the fjords. Rauðasandur beach is good for spotting seals, and Dynjandi waterfalls has six separate cascades that are worth seeing. If you're into birdwatching, Látrabjarg bird cliff offers chances to see puffins, gannets, and other seabirds up close.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted exploration of Patreksfjörður
- Learn about local fishing traditions
- Expedition Team guidance and activities
Optional Activities
- Dip in Patreksfjörður outdoor geothermal pool
- Fjord hiking excursion
- Visit Rauðasandur beach and see seals
- Guided tour to Dynjandi waterfalls
- Birdwatching at Látrabjarg cliff
- Onboard lectures and Science Center
- Photography tips from professional photographer
Landmarks Dynjandi Látrabjarg Rauðasandur - Day 4
Expedition Day
This is a flexible day in Northwestern Iceland where the Captain and expedition team decide what to do based on weather and conditions. You might do RIB landings for hiking or beach cleanups, try kayaking, or watch for whales if any pods show up. If weather isn't cooperating, there are onboard options like expert talks, photography workshops, time in the hot tubs, or visiting the Science Center to keep you occupied.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Flexible expedition activities based on conditions
- Onboard lectures from Expedition Team experts
- Science Center access
- Professional photographer tips
- Hot tub access
Optional Activities
- RIB hiking excursion
- Beach clean-up activity
- Kayaking launch
- Whale watching opportunity
- Day 5
Akureyri - Lake M\u00fdvatn
The cruise heads along Eyjafjörður, Iceland's longest fjord and one of Europe's better spots for whale watching. Akureyri, known as the Northern Capital, has botanical gardens, restaurants, and museums to browse. Goðafoss waterfall is worth seeing where turquoise water drops against dark rocks. Lake Mývatn is nearby and one of Iceland's most geothermal active areas, so you'll likely spot eider and Harlequin ducks if you go there.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise along Eyjafj\u00f6r\u00f0ur fjord
- Exploration of Akureyri
- Expedition Team guidance and whale watching opportunities
Optional Activities
- Visit Akureyri botanical garden
- Explore Akureyri eateries and museums
- Visit Goðafoss waterfall
- Explore Lake Mývatn volcanic area
- Birdwatching at Lake Mývatn
- Onboard lectures and Science Center
- Photography tips from professional photographer
Landmarks Eyjafj\u00f6r\u00f0ur Go\u00f0afoss Lake M\u00fdvatn - Day 6
Arctic Circle
You visit Grímsey, a remote island with about 60 people and active Atlantic puffin colonies plus Viking history. The Arctic Circle actually crosses through Iceland only on this island, so you can hike to the line and cross it. There's a massive concrete sculpture called Orbis et Globus that marks where the Arctic Circle runs. The sculpture actually shifts its position yearly as the Arctic Circle moves north, which is a pretty unique detail.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted exploration of Grímsey Island
- Arctic Circle crossing opportunity
- Hike to Orbis et Globus sculpture
- Expedition Team guidance
Optional Activities
- Puffin colony viewing
- Folklore-related exploration
- Photography of Arctic Circle marker
- Onboard lectures and Science Center
- Photography tips from professional photographer
Landmarks Grímsey Island Orbis et Globus - Day 7
Northeast Iceland
Bakkagerði is a tiny remote settlement, and locals have folklore about hidden people or elves living there. You can explore the settlement and hike through valleys with colorful rhyolite rock formations. Coastal cliffs in the area support fulmars, kittiwakes, eider ducks, and puffins, and there's possibly an Atlantic puffin colony on Hafnarólmi that you might visit depending on conditions and time.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted exploration of Bakkagerði
- Hiking through valleys and colorful rhyolite rock formations
- Coastal cliff wildlife viewing
- Expedition Team guidance
Optional Activities
- Visit Atlantic puffin colony on Hafnarólmi
- Wildlife photography opportunities
- Onboard lectures and Science Center
- Photography tips from professional photographer
Landmarks Hafnarólmi - Day 8
Westman Islands
Heimaey is the only inhabited island in the Westman Islands, off Iceland's south coast. The Eldheimar museum shows the volcanic history and has a home that was excavated and preserved from a major eruption that nearly wiped out the island. You can hike to Stórhöfði where around 8 million puffins nest, or climb Mount Eldfell volcano for views over the whole town. The volcanic history here is pretty dramatic.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted exploration of Heimaey
- Visit Eldheimar museum
- Expedition Team guidance
Optional Activities
- Hike to Stórhöfði puffin colony
- Climb Mount Eldfell volcano
- Wildlife and volcano photography
- Onboard lectures and Science Center
- Photography tips from professional photographer
Landmarks Eldheimar Mount Eldfell Stórhöfði - Day 9
Reykjavik
The cruise ends back in Reykjavik. If you missed anything on day one, you can check it out now. The Blue Lagoon is another option if you want to relax in geothermal waters filled with silica, algae, and minerals. Alternatively, try a traditional Icelandic heittur pottur, which is just a local geothermal pool experience. After that, you'll disembark and head out for your next destination.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Return to Reykjavik
- Leisure time for exploration
Optional Activities
- Visit Blue Lagoon geothermal pools
- Relax in local heittur pottur (geothermal pool)
- Post-Program: South Coast exploration with waterfalls, black-sand beaches, geothermal springs and mountains
- Explore galleries and museums in Reykjavik
- Revisit Reykjavik attractions
Landmarks Blue Lagoon
