Itinerary
- Day 1
Reykjavik
You'll arrive in Reykjavik and get settled into your hotel. Spend the day walking through the city's lively streets, checking out Hallgrímskirkja church with its unique architecture, or browsing the local museums and galleries. If you want something more relaxed, there's also the option to soak in one of the geothermal pools where you'll find locals hanging out and get a real feel for what the city's about.
Optional Activities
- Explore Reykjavik's lively streets
- Visit Hallgrímskirkja
- Discover local museums and galleries
- Soak in a geothermal pool
Landmarks Hallgrímskirkja - Day 2
Reykjavik to Sea Spirit
This morning you'll have time to enjoy Reykjavik at a slower pace before heading to the harbor in the afternoon. You'll board the Sea Spirit and leave the roads behind. From here the ship becomes your base as you start heading out to see Iceland's coastal landscapes and remote regions.
Optional Activities
- Explore Reykjavik in the morning
- Day 3
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Today focuses on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, often referred to as Iceland in Miniature since it has so much variety packed together. You'll take in dramatic cliff faces, black-sand beaches, lava formations, glaciers, and volcanic craters. Kirkjufell Mountain comes into view (Game of Thrones fans know it as the Arrowhead Mountain), and throughout the day each scene shows off different sides of Iceland's character.
Included Activities
- Explore Snæfellsnes Peninsula
- Visit Kirkjufell Mountain
Landmarks Snæfellsnes Peninsula Kirkjufell - Day 4
Dynjandi Waterfall - Súðureyri
The Westfjords are calling today, and this is Iceland's oldest and least developed region. A Zodiac landing gets you to Dynjandi waterfall, a 100-meter drop that cascades down like a giant wedding cake made of basalt steps. Later in the day you'll visit Suðureyri, a small fishing village where you can try authentic local food and get a sense of how people live out here.
Included Activities
- Zodiac landing at Dynjandi Waterfall
- Visit Súðureyri fishing village
Optional Activities
- Taste authentic local flavors in Súðureyri
Landmarks Dynjandi Waterfall Súðureyri - Day 5
Siglufjörður - Grímsey Island
You're heading to Siglufjörður, the Herring Capital of the World, which has serious maritime heritage and local personality. The Herring Era Museum is award-winning and worth your time, then you can taste fresh herring paired with Brennivín (local spirit). There's Frida's chocolate shop and the local brewery to check out as well. This afternoon Zodiacs take you north to Grímsey Island right on the Arctic Circle where thousands of seabirds nest in steep cliffs, green meadows roll across the island, and an old driftwood church from the 1800s sits as an Arctic landmark.
Included Activities
- Visit Herring Era Museum
- Taste fresh herring with Brennivín
- Visit Frida's chocolate shop
- Visit local brewery
- Zodiac excursion to Grímsey Island
- Explore Arctic Circle landmark
Landmarks Siglufjörður Herring Era Museum Grímsey Island - Day 6
Akureyri - Lake Mývatn
Akureyri is next, the main city in the north with snowcapped mountains surrounding it and the deep fjord waters of Eyjafjörður nearby. From there you'll head to Lake Mývatn to see the volcanic landscape with steaming hot springs and unusual lava formations. Later you'll see Goðafoss (Waterfall of the Gods), then continue to Dettifoss, which is Europe's most powerful waterfall and genuinely an incredible force to watch.
Included Activities
- Explore Akureyri
- Visit Lake Mývatn
- Visit Goðafoss waterfall
- Visit Dettifoss waterfall
Landmarks Akureyri Lake Mývatn Goðafoss Dettifoss - Day 7
Seydisfjörður
The ship sails along Iceland's rugged eastern coast and arrives in Seydisfjörður, a hidden spot surrounded by waterfalls and misty mountains. You'll walk through the harbor area with its colorful wooden houses built by Norwegian traders back in the 1800s. After that you'll visit Lake Urridavain where there's a geothermal pool with views across the lake and surrounding peaks, so you can soak in warm thermal water while looking out at the cooler mountain landscape.
Included Activities
- Explore Seydisfjörður
- Visit Lake Urridavain geothermal pool
Landmarks Seydisfjörður Lake Urridavain - Day 8
Djúpivogur
Today anchors near Djúpivogur, a quiet fishing village with rugged cliffs and calm fjords around it. A guided walk takes you along black-sand beaches and still lagoons where puffins, Arctic terns, and other seabirds show up regularly. You'll see small islands connected by natural sandbars, visit a traditional birdwatching hut, and settle into the slow village pace.
Included Activities
- Guided walk along beaches and lagoons
- Visit traditional birdwatching hut
- Explore small islands
Optional Activities
- Spot puffins and seabirds
Landmarks Djúpivogur - Day 9
Vestmannaeyjar Archipelago
The Westman Islands are some of Earth's youngest landscapes, formed by recent volcanic eruptions with dramatic cliffs and lots of seabirds. On Heimaey you'll see how the 1973 Eldfell eruption covered part of the town in ash, and the Eldheimar Museum has interactive exhibits that show what that eruption was like and how the town rebuilt itself.
Included Activities
- Explore Westman Islands
- Visit Eldheimar Museum
Optional Activities
- See 1973 Eldfell eruption impact
Landmarks Vestmannaeyjar Archipelago Heimaey Eldheimar Museum - Day 10
Reykjavik
Your expedition wraps up back in Reykjavik, though the fire-and-ice feeling of Iceland stays with you. Spend the morning checking out galleries and shops, having coffee at a café, or relaxing in a geothermal spa before you head out. The city's bright colors and dramatic surroundings make for a good final memory of the trip.
Optional Activities
- Explore Reykjavik galleries
- Shop in local boutiques
- Visit cafés
- Relax in a geothermal spa
