REYKJAVIK TO REYKJAVIK 

__________________

10 DAYS

ITINERARY SUMMARY
DayPlaceHighlights
1Reykjavik, IcelandExplore Reykjavik, embark
2Vestmannaeyjar/Cruise SurtseyExplore Vestmannaeyjar, Cruise to Surtsey Island
3DjupivogurExplore Djupivogur's artisitic landscapes,see seals, wild ponies and cliff hugging puffins
4Langanes PeninsulaVisit this northeast Iceland "long peak" Peninsula, see guillemonts, kittiwakes,gannets
5HusavikVisit the European capitol of whale watching, go hiking, horse riding and visit Dettifloss waterfall
6AkureyriExplore Iceland's capitol of the north, see roaring waterfalls and soaring volcanoes
7Hornbjarg Cliffs/Vigur IslandCruise Hornbjarg bird cliffs, Visit Vigur Island, see Atlantic puffins, Artic Terns and Guillemonts
8Dynjandi Waterfalls/Latrabjarg CliffsVisit Iceland's iconic Dynjandi waterfall, Latrabjarg Europe's largest bird cliff, see Atlanic puffins, Northern Gannets, Razorbills and Guillemots
9Klakkeyjar Islands/StykkisholmurSee the Breidha fjords, visit Stykkisholmur a beautiful serene and environmentally conscious town.
10Reykjavik, IcelandBlue lagoon thermal baths, Hike, take a walk around the city to view Reykjavik's impressive architecture
Circumnavi of Iceland silverwind

SHIP OFFERING THIS ITINERARY

Silver Wind
Silver Wind Exterior

The Silver Wind is a is a modern and luxurious ship providing cosy ambiance for the 240 passengers on board (she has capacity for 254 passengers but only takes 240 to the polar regions). Originally built in 1995, she has undergone refurbishments in December 2018 with a second planned for summer 2020. She is timelessly elegant and full of opulence throughout all of her 6 passenger decks. Her new and improved strengthened ice-class hull makes for ease and adaptable sailing through the Polar Regions for whatever the conditions may bring.

Day 1 Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavik

Arrive in Reykjavík, Iceland. The capital of Iceland’s land of ice, fire and natural wonder, Reykjavik is a city like no other – blossoming among some of the world’s most vibrant scenery. Fresh licks of paint brighten the streets, and an artistic and creative atmosphere embraces studios and galleries – as well as the kitchens where an exciting culinary scene is burgeoning. Whether you want to sizzle away in the earth-heated geothermal pools, or hike to your heart’s content, you can do it all from Reykjavik – the colourful capital of this astonishing outdoor country. Embark Silver Wind.

Day 2 Vestmannaeyjar & Cruise Surtsey

Puffins on the Island of Vigur

In the morning you will visit Vestmannaeyjar. The name refers to both a town and an archipelago off the south coast of Iceland. The largest Vestmannaeyjar island is called Heimaey. It is the only inhabited island in the group and is home to over 4000 people.

Next your will cruise to Surtsey Island. On 14 November 1963, a trawler passing the southernmost point of Iceland spotted a column of smoke rising from the sea. Expecting to find a burning boat they were surprised to find instead, explosive volcanic eruptions. They were witnessing the birth of a new island. Columns of ash reached heights of almost 30,000 feet in the sky and could be seen on clear days as far away as Reykjavík. The eruptions continued for three and a half years, ending in June 1967. Once formed, Surtsey was 492 feet above sea level and covered an area of almost 2 square miles. The island was named after the Norse fire god Surtur. It is a perfect scientific study area used to understand the colonization process of new land by plant and animal life.

Day 3 Djupivogur

Icelandic Horses

Slow the pace, and discover the refreshing approach to life that Djupivogur has made its trademark. Sitting on a peninsula to the south-east of Iceland, the glacial approach to life here wins many hearts. Wander the surrounding landscapes, where snow-freckled mountains rise, and lazy seals lie on dark rock beaches, to feel Djupivogur’s natural inspiration seeping under your skin. Alive with greens and golds in summer, further ventures reveal bright blue glaciers and the sprawling waterfalls of Vatnajökull National Park. The cliff-hugging puffins of Papey Island are a short boat ride away, while Bulandstindur Mountain’s pyramid shape is a stand out even among these fairy-tale landscapes.

Day 4 Laganes Peninsula

guillemots iceland

Located in northeast Iceland, Langanes Peninsula, whose name translates as, “long peak” and extends 25 miles out to sea, ending in a thin strip of land called Fontur. The mostly flat peninsula is verdent green in summer, covered by mossy meadows studded with crumbling remains of long-ago settlements. The coastline is fringed by seemingly endless beaches that are peppered with driftwood. In spring, the sea cliffs are full of guillemots, kittiwakes, gannets and puffins.

Day 5 Husavik

Husavik harbor in Northern Iceland

There’s simply nowhere better than Husavilk – the European capital of whale watching – for getting up close and personal with the majestic giants of the ocean. Pretty Husavik is framed by the majestic Húsavíkurfjall mountain, which swells up behind, creating a stunning backdrop for the town’s tiny wooden warehouses, cherry red houses and undulating fishing ships. Sail among gentle giants in Shaky Bay, spotting humpbacks, minke whales and the world’s biggest – blue whales. Hikes and horse rides into the surrounding countryside can take you up around Lake Botnsvatn, to views down from the slopes of the Húsavíkurfjall – where purple spired lupin flowers spill down amongst the emerald slopes. From the summit, look out over views of the bay, reaching out to the crumpled snowy peaks beyond. Or feel the full force of this land of natural power, at Dettifloss Waterfall, one of Europe’s most powerful, thrashing flumes.

Day 6 Akureyri

Akureyri, Iceland

Iceland’s Capital of the North is the gateway to a thrilling land of roaring waterfalls, soaring volcanoes and glorious wildlife. It may lie a mere 60 miles from the Arctic Circle, but Akureyi blossoms with a bright, cosmopolitan feel, and explodes into life during the summer months, when its outdoor cafes and open-air bathing spots fill up with visitors ready to immerse themselves in Iceland’s cinematic scenery. Feel the thundering impact of Iceland’s celebrated natural wonders shaking your bones at Godafoss Waterfalls, known as the ‘Waterfalls of the Gods’. Here, the Skjálfandafljót river unleashes a colossal torrent of water over charcoal-black rocks below. Or, find some peace at the Botanical Gardens, which opened in 1957 and offer space for contemplation – amid plants that bloom with unexpected vibrancy, even at this northerly latitude

Day 7 Cruise Along Hornbjarg Cliffs & Visit Vigur Island

Puffin, Iceland

The Hornbjarg Cliffs are found in the northernmost part of Iceland’s Westfjords and are considered to be among Iceland’s most spectacular bird cliffs. As part of the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve the cliffs rise to 537 meters in height on the seaside to then slope down on the landward side as green lush hills. Thousands of Northern Fulmars, Common and Brünnich’s Guillemots, Atlantic Puffins and gulls can be seen in the cliffs or soaring in the updrafts.

Vigur Island is a little more than a mile (1.6 km) in length and about 450 yards (412 m) wide. This green oasis punctuates the waters of the Ísafjarðardjúp fjord east of the town of Isafjordur. Summer is the best time to see large numbers of Atlantic Puffins, Arctic Terns and Black Guillemots. One of the export articles from this small island was eider down and one can see where the eider ducks nest and how the down is collected and cleaned.

Day 8 Dynjandi Waterfalls & Latrabjarg Cliffs

Dynjandi foss waterfall

Iceland is well-known for its spectacular waterfalls. The iconic Dynjandi waterfall, located in the Westfjords region, is regarded as one of Iceland’s most impressive and majestic waterfalls. At the top, the cascading water is roughly 100 feet wide and tumbles down about 330 feet into the fjord. Its name Dynjandi means, “the thundering one” and its vast size, enormous sound, and sheer force is overwhelming. It has also been nicknamed, ‘The Bridal Veil’ because of the way the water sprays and spreads over the rocks.

On Iceland’s north coast and close to the westernmost tip of the country are the impressive cliffs of Latrabjarg; Europe’s largest bird cliff. Millions of individual seabirds make their home along the promontory safe from the range of scavenging foxes on the steep ledges. Atlantic Puffins, Northern Gannets, Razorbills and guillemots have each selected their preferred areas in and above the cliff in which to roost and nest. The Latrabjarg cliffs reach heights of up to 440 meters along a staggering 14 kilometer stretch of the coast.

Day 9 Klakkeyjar Islands & Stykkisholmur

Isafjordur

The Klakkeyar Islands are a group of small low-lying remote islands in Breidha Fjord, in the western region of Iceland (Vesturland). The West part of a country has a magnetic charm discovered while navigating the ins and outs of the various fjords, peninsulas and islands groups like the Klakkeyar group in the chilly North Atlantic.

Stykkishólmur, located in western Iceland at the northern end of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, is the commerce center for the area. Its natural harbor allowed this town to become an important trading center early in Iceland’s history. Stykkisholmur is very environmentally conscious – it was the first community in Europe to get the Earth Check environmental certification, was the first municipality in Iceland to start fully sorting its waste, and was the first town in Iceland to receive the prestigious Blue flag eco-label for its harbor. It has also been a European Destination of Excellence (EDEN), since 2011.

Day 10 Reykjavik

Blue Lagoon, Iceland

Today you will arrive back in Reykjavik. Spend the day enjoying the Blue Lagoon thermal baths, visit some local hot springs or walk to city to view the impressive architecture of Reykjavik before heading off for your flight home.

To book this cruise contact us on 1300 784 794 or email: contact@arctictravelcentre.com.au

We will tailor the perfect holiday to suit your needs.