Itinerary
- Day 1
Reykjavik
You'll arrive in Reykjavik and have the afternoon to explore Iceland's capital on your own terms. Walk along Laugavegur to check out the shops, then head over to see Hallgrímskirkja Church with its distinctive architecture. The Reykjavik Art Museum is worth a visit if you have time. Later this evening, you'll board your expedition ship, collect your complimentary jacket, and get settled into your cabin before sitting down for your first dinner on board.
- Meals
- Dinner (First dinner on board in restaurant Aune)
Included Activities
- Escorted landing with small expedition boat
- Complimentary expedition jacket and equipment loan
Optional Activities
- Explore Laugavegur boutiques and outdoor shops
- Visit Hallgrímskirkja Church
- Visit Reykjavik Art Museum
- Pre-Program to discover Iceland's natural highlights before cruise begins
Landmarks/POIs Hallgrímskirkja Church Reykjavik Art Museum Laugavegur - Day 2
Heimaey, Westman Islands
You'll visit Heimaey, the only inhabited island in the Westman Islands, which still shows the effects of a major volcanic eruption. Start at Eldheimar museum to see a house that was buried and preserved during the eruption, and you'll learn about what happened afterward. After that, you can climb Mount Eldfell to reach the volcano's summit, where the views of the town and surrounding area are really something special.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted landing with small expedition boat
- Loan of boots, trekking poles and equipment
Optional Activities
- Visit Eldheimar museum
- Climb Mount Eldfell to volcano summit
Landmarks/POIs Mount Eldfell Eldheimar - Day 3
Grundarfjörður, Snæfellsnes Peninsula
The Sn\u00e6fellsnes Peninsula area is called 'Little Iceland' because you'll find so many different types of landscapes all in one place. You'll see the well-known Kirkjufell mountain near the fishing town of Grundarfj\u00f6r\u00f0ur. Then explore Sn\u00e6fellsnes Peninsula National Park, which has the ice-capped Sn\u00e6fellsj\u00f6kull volcano, black sand beaches, volcanic craters, and lava tubes all within reach.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted landing with small expedition boat
- Loan of boots, trekking poles and equipment
Optional Activities
- Visit Djúpalónssandur black sand beach
- Visit Saxhóll crater
- Guided underground tour of gigantic lava tube
Landmarks/POIs Kirkjufell Snæfellsjökull Snæfellsnes Peninsula National Park Djúpalónssandur Saxhóll - Day 4
Ísafjörður, Westfjords
Your ship arrives in \u00cdsafj\u00f6r\u00f0ur, a natural harbor town in the Westfjords with towering mountains on either side. Wander through and take in the charming architecture, then browse local handicrafts and see some of Iceland's oldest houses. You can visit the Westfjords Heritage Museum, which is housed in an 18th-century building and covers the area's maritime history, or if you're up for it, tackle the steep hike up Naustahvilft for views across the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted landing with small expedition boat
- Loan of boots, trekking poles and equipment
Optional Activities
- Explore local architecture and shops
- Visit Westfjords Heritage Museum
- Hike to Naustahvilft (Troll's Throne)
Landmarks/POIs Westfjords Heritage Museum Naustahvilft - Day 5
Djúpavík, Westfjords
You'll head to Djúpavík, a remote village at the edge of the Westfjords where an old abandoned herring factory sits among quiet rural scenery. Take a guided tour through the massive interior with its rusting machinery and items left behind by workers. After that, hike up to the waterfall above the factory and check out the old rusting ships visible from the shore.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of old herring factory
- Escorted landing with small expedition boat
- Loan of boots, trekking poles and equipment
Optional Activities
- Short hike to waterfall above old factory
Landmarks/POIs Djúpavík Herring Factory - Day 6
Akureyri, Lake Mývatn
Your cruise takes you into Eyjafjörður, Iceland's longest fjord, with snowcapped peaks visible on both sides. You'll stop at Akureyri, known as the 'Northern Capital', where you can walk through the botanical gardens and local museums. Make sure to see Goðafoss waterfall, where turquoise water crashes over black rocks in a dramatic display. Later, explore Lake Mývatn, an active volcanic area where you can actually see the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted landing with small expedition boat
- Loan of boots, trekking poles and equipment
Optional Activities
- Visit Akureyri botanical garden
- Visit Akureyri museums and local eateries
- View Goðafoss waterfall
Landmarks/POIs Goðafoss Lake Mývatn - Day 7
Húsavík, Grímsey Island, Arctic Circle
You'll arrive in Húsavík, a well-known whale-watching location that overlooks Skjálfandi bay. The Húsavík Whale Museum is worth a visit to learn about the marine life in the area. Later, you'll sail along Grímsey island and cross into the Arctic Circle. The day also includes views of highlights in the north including Jökulsárgljúfur National Park, Dettifoss waterfall, and the horseshoe-shaped valley of Ásbyrgi.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted landing with small expedition boat
- Loan of boots, trekking poles and equipment
Optional Activities
- Visit Húsavík Whale Museum
- Whale watching excursion from Húsavík
Landmarks/POIs Húsavík Whale Museum Grímsey Island Jökulsárgljúfur National Park Dettifoss Ásbyrgj - Day 8
Bakkagerði
You'll arrive at Bakkagerði, a tiny remote settlement that locals say is home to elves or huldufólk, the 'hidden people' from Icelandic folklore. Explore on foot through lush valleys and colorful rhyolite rock formations. If you're traveling during the right season, the coastal cliffs here are home to fulmars, kittiwakes, eiders, and puffins.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted landing with small expedition boat
- Loan of boots, trekking poles and equipment
Optional Activities
- Explore town and surrounding area on foot
- Bird watching and wildlife photography
Landmarks/POIs Bakkagerði - Day 9
Vatnajökull National Park
You'll start heading toward the British Isles with a day spent cruising past Vatnajökull, the second-largest ice cap in Europe. This massive glacier is part of Vatnajökull National Park and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019. Your Expedition Team will help you understand the glacier's scale and talk about how climate change is affecting these ice caps.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- In-depth lectures and discussions from Expedition Team experts
Optional Activities
- Scenic cruising by Vatnajökull (weather dependent)
Landmarks/POIs Vatnajökull Vatnajökull National Park - Day 10
At Sea
Spend a relaxing day at sea as you sail toward Lerwick in the Shetland Islands. You can socialize with other travelers in the Explorer Lounge & Bar, watch from deck for marine life and seabirds, relax in the hot tub, or attend lectures from your Expedition Team about what's coming up in the British Isles.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Use of ship's hot tubs and panoramic sauna
- Access to Explorer Lounge & Bar
- In-depth lectures from Expedition Team
Optional Activities
- Relax in hot tub while watching for marine life and seabirds
- Socialize with fellow travelers
- Day 11
Lerwick, Shetland Islands
You'll dock in Lerwick, the capital of the Shetland Islands, set in nice scenery. Explore this friendly Victorian-influenced fishing town by walking through narrow lanes to find shops selling local whiskies, woolen sweaters, and fudge. The Shetland Museum sits by the old waterfront and is worth visiting. You can also see Fort Charlotte and the Town Hall, or head out to find Iron Age villages and the Shetland Crofthouse Museum on the wider island.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted landing with small expedition boat
- Loan of boots, trekking poles and equipment
Optional Activities
- Explore shops selling local whiskies, woolen sweaters, and fudge
- Visit Shetland Museum
- Visit Fort Charlotte
- Visit Town Hall
- Visit Iron Age villages
- Visit Shetland Crofthouse Museum
Landmarks/POIs Shetland Museum Fort Charlotte Shetland Crofthouse Museum - Day 12
Fair Isle
Next, you'll continue to the remote Fair Isle, known for its birds and traditional knitwear. The island is home to 27 bird species and serves as a vital stop for migrating seabirds, with red sandstone cliffs, green fields, and moors. You might attempt a clifftop hike to the lighthouse with the Expedition Team, though if landing isn't possible, you'll enjoy scenic cruising instead. The local museum covers the island's 65-person community, and you can buy authentic Fair Isle knitwear from local makers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted landing with small expedition boat (weather dependent)
- Loan of boots, trekking poles and equipment
Optional Activities
- Guided clifftop hike to lighthouse
- Visit local museum
- Purchase Fair Isle knitwear from local makers
- Scenic cruising (if landing not possible)
Landmarks/POIs Fair Isle - Day 13
Kirkwall, Orkney Islands
You'll cruise to Kirkwall, the largest town on the Orkney Islands and a vibrant Viking-influenced capital that's small enough to walk around. Visit St. Magnus Cathedral, which has distinctive local red sandstone, and the adjacent Earl's Palace to see Renaissance stone ruins. Scara Brae, a Neolithic settlement, is just a short bus ride away. If you're interested, you can explore distilleries including Kirkwall's Highland Park and Scapa for single malts, or Orkney Distillery for gin made with local plants.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted landing with small expedition boat
- Loan of boots, trekking poles and equipment
Optional Activities
- Visit St. Magnus Cathedral
- Visit Earl's Palace
- Visit Scara Brae Neolithic settlement
- Tour Highland Park Distillery
- Tour Scapa Distillery
- Tour Orkney Distillery
Landmarks/POIs St. Magnus Cathedral Earl's Palace Scara Brae Highland Park Distillery Scapa Distillery Orkney Distillery - Day 14
At Sea
Your final day at sea takes you from Scotland to Germany. Make the most of the ship's facilities by relaxing in the panoramic sauna or on-deck hot tubs, working out in the fitness room, or taking in views from the observation decks. Spend time with fellow explorers in the Explorer Lounge & Bar reflecting on the journey you've had.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Use of ship's hot tubs and panoramic sauna
- Access to fitness room
- Access to observation decks
- Access to Explorer Lounge & Bar
- Day 15
Hamburg
Your expedition cruise ends in Hamburg, Germany's second-largest city and home to one of Europe's greenest urban areas. Explore the Altstadt district, which has attractions like the St. Nikolai Memorial and historic Deichstraße. You can visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Chilehaus and the Speicherstadt, the world's largest historic warehouse district. If you're into art, head to Kunsthalle, which is the nation's foremost art museum.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore Altstadt district
- Visit St. Nikolai Memorial
- Explore historic Deichstraße
- Visit Chilehaus
- Explore Speicherstadt warehouse district
- Visit Kunsthalle art museum
Landmarks/POIs St. Nikolai Memorial Chilehaus Speicherstadt Kunsthalle
