Itinerary
- Day 1
Reykjavik
You'll arrive in Reykjavik and head to your hotel to settle in. Stop by the AE Expeditions hospitality desk to grab your luggage cabin tags and get briefed on embarkation details. The rest of your day is open, so you can wander around the city, grab a meal, or rest up before tomorrow's activities.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel in Reykjavik to be confirmed)
- Day 2
Reykjavik
After breakfast and checking out, you'll join a guided tour through the Golden Circle, hitting Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir, and Thingvellir National Park. You'll learn how Iceland powers itself with geothermal energy at a power plant, then visit the eco-conscious Sólheimar village. Later you'll head back to Reykjavik, board your ship in the late afternoon, and meet other travelers and staff at dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson)
Included Activities
- Guided Golden Circle and Geothermal Energy tour
- Visit Gullfoss waterfall
- Visit Geysir
- Explore Thingvellir National Park
- Tour Geothermal Energy Exhibition and Ljósafossvirkjun Power Station
- Visit Sólheimar eco-village
Landmarks/POIs Gullfoss Geysir Thingvellir National Park Ljósafossvirkjun Power Station Sólheimar 
- Day 3
Snaefellsnes Peninsula
You'll take a Zodiac to Arnarstapi on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula where you'll pick one of three options: walk black pebble beaches with Mount Kirkjufell, hike a coastal path and explore Vatnshellir Cave, or see puffin cliffs and lava fields with basalt rocks. Whichever you choose includes lunch and views of the ice-covered Snaefellsjökull volcano.
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson)
Optional Activities
- Highlights of Snaefellsnes - Visit Djúpalónssandur black pebble beach, explore Búðir hamlet and Búðakirkja church, lunch at Hotel Búðir, hike trails or drive through Snæfellsjökull National Park, visit Mount Kirkjufell and nearby waterfall
- Natural Wonders of Snaefellsnes - Hike coastal trail between Arnarstapi and Hellnar (2 hours), explore 8,000-year-old Vatnshellir Cave with provided helmet and headlamp, visit Mount Kirkjufell and waterfall
- Snaefellsnes Adventure - Visit Pufubjarg bird cliff for puffin and fulmar nesting, hike to Londrangar basalt cliffs, explore lava field to Malarrif lighthouse, hike to Eldborg crater, visit Gerðuberg Cliffs hexagonal basalt columns
Landmarks/POIs Snæfellsjökull Djúpalónssandur Búðakirkja Snæfellsjökull National Park Mount Kirkjufell Arnarstapi Hellnar Vatnshellir Cave Pufubjarg Londrangar Malarrif Lighthouse Eldborg Gerðuberg Cliffs - Day 4
Westfjords - Patreksfj\u00f6r\u00f0ur
You're heading into the Westfjords to see dramatic fjords and table mountains. A coach takes you to Látrabjarg cliffs, where millions of seabirds including puffins live on Europe's biggest bird cliff. In the afternoon you'll cruise north watching for whales, then take a Zodiac to see the powerful Dynjandi waterfall.
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson)
Included Activities
- Visit Látrabjarg cliffs
- Zodiac landing at Dynjandi waterfall
Landmarks/POIs Látrabjarg Dynjandi - Day 5
Thingeyri
You'll visit Thingeyri, a small village on Dyrafjordur in the Westfjords. Choose between two options: learn about Viking history at a recreated settlement and museum, or hike Sandafell mountain for views over the town, mountains, and water below.
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson)
Optional Activities
- That Viking Thing Experience - Walk through recreated Viking area, visit old Viking meeting place ruins, explore interactive Viking Museum with chance to dress in authentic Viking clothing, photograph, drink Icelandic Viking beer, and bake Viking bread
- Sandafell Mountain Hike - Hike offering gorgeous views over Thingeyri town, surrounding mountains and water
Landmarks/POIs Thingeyri Dýrafjörður Sandafell - Day 6
Akureyri - Husavik
You're in Akureyri, Iceland's second largest city with mountains in the background. Pick your shore excursion: relax at Myvatn Nature baths hot spring with mountain views plus Godafoss Falls, or visit both Godafoss and Dettifoss waterfalls with the Myvatn area and Krafla. Late afternoon you'll reboard in Husavik, known for whale watching.
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson)
Optional Activities
- Visit Godafoss Falls and soak at Myvatn Nature baths outdoor hot spring complex
- Explore Godafoss and Dettifoss waterfalls, Mývatn region and Krafla
Landmarks/POIs Godafoss Myvatn Nature baths Dettifoss Mývatn Krafla - Day 7
Grímsey - Húsavik
You'll head to Grimsey, a green island about 40 km off Iceland near the Arctic Circle. You can take Zodiac cruises, go kayaking, and photograph seabirds like puffins and guillemots. Then you'll return toward the mainland and spend time in Skjalfandi Bay around Husavik looking for whales including blue whales, orcas, fin whales, and pilot whales.
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson)
Included Activities
- Zodiac cruising around Grímsey
- Seabird viewing and photographing
- Whale watching in Skjálfandi Bay
Optional Activities
- Kayaking around Grímsey
Landmarks/POIs Grímsey Arctic Circle Skjálfandi Bay - Day 8
Seyðisfjörður
You'll explore Seydisfjordur, a fishing village famous for its colorful wooden buildings from Norwegian settlement in the 1870s-1900s. Walk around town, hike scenic trails from the valley above where the Fjardara river falls, check out local crafts, and see the cultural sites including the blue church and cinemas.
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson)
Optional Activities
- Stroll through Seyðisfjörður town discovering colorful wooden buildings
- Hike scenic trails in the valley
- Visit arts centre and famous blue church
- Browse handicrafts by local artists and artisans
Landmarks/POIs Seyðisfjörður Fjardara River - Day 9
Djúpivogur - Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
You'll disembark in Djupivogur and head to Vatnajökull National Park and Europe's largest glacier. Drive to Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon where icebergs float and get pushed onto Diamond Beach's black sand. Choose from a boat ride on the lagoon, glacier hiking, or a canyon hike past several waterfalls.
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson)
Optional Activities
- Boat excursion on Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
- Hike on the glacier
- Hike to canyon visiting waterfalls
Landmarks/POIs Vatnajökull National Park Jökulsárlón Diamond Beach - Day 10
Westman Islands
You'll visit the Westman Islands off Iceland's south coast, created by volcanic eruptions around 10,000 years ago. You'll sail past Surtsey Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site that emerged in 1963. Pick between the Eldheimar Volcano Museum with puffin viewing, or climbing a volcano followed by the museum. You'll see the world's largest Atlantic puffin colony plus whales and seals.
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson)
Included Activities
- Sail past Surtsey Island UNESCO World Heritage site
Optional Activities
- Eldheimar Volcano Museum & Puffin Viewing - Visit museum telling story of 1973 Heimaey volcanic eruption, Surtsey Island emergence, and Westman Islands geology, visit Stórhöfði cape for puffin watching and photography, free time to explore island
- Eldheimar Volcano Climb & Museum - Two-hour hike up volcano with summit warmth from subterranean activity, visit volcano museum with same exhibits, free time to explore island
Landmarks/POIs Surtsey Island Heimaey Eldheimar Volcano Museum Stórhöfði - Day 11
Reykjavik
Early this morning you'll cruise into Reykjavik and disembark around 8:00 am. You'll say goodbye to your expedition team and fellow passengers. A transfer is included to Keflavik Airport or a central hotel so you can head to your next destination.
