TROMSO TO REYKJAVIK
14 DAYS
ITINERARY SUMMARY
| Day | Place | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tromso, Norway | Explore Tromso, Board the Silver Cloud |
| 2 | Gjesvarstappan Island & Skarsvag (Nordkapp) | Visit the North Cape Plateau, the Globe monument, stunning views |
| 3 | Trollfjorden | Spectacular scenery |
| 4 | Nordfjordhlmen, Melfjord | Svartisen National Park, Stunning scenery |
| 5 | Island of Runde Heroy | Birdwatching, impressive views |
| 6 | Nordfjord & Olden | Glaciers, Rugged coast lines, waterfalls |
| 7 | Hardangerfjord | Waterfalls, mountains, fish farms |
| 8 | Lysefjord & Lysebotn | Impressive cliffs, visit isolated village of Lysebotn, hike Kjerag mountain |
| 9 | Lerwick, Shetland Islands & Noss Island | Visit the historic town of Lerwick, see the many species of birds on Noss Island |
| 10 & 11 | Faroe Islands | Explore narrow sounds and deep grottoes |
| 12 | Djupivogur | Explore Djupivogur's artisitic landscapes,see seals, wild ponies and cliff hugging puffins |
| 13 | Vestmannaeyjar & Surtsey | Explore Vestmannaeyjar, Cruise to Surtsey Island |
| 14 | Reykjavik, Iceland | Disembark silver cloud, Explore this magical icelandic city. |
Ship Offering This Itinerary
Silver Cloud
Spacious yet intimate, the yacht-like Silver Cloud carries 254 guests but only takes 240 guests on Arctic voyages. You will travel in incomparable comfort and style. Combining spacious ocean-view suites and private verandas with excellent dining and entertainment options. Silver Cloud epitomizes a vision of world-class cruise accommodations, cuisine, service and amenities.
Day 1 Tromsø, Norway
Tromsø surprised visitors in the 1800s: they thought it very sophisticated and cultured for being so close to the North Pole—hence its nickname, the Paris of the North. It looks the way a polar town should—with ice-capped mountain ridges and jagged architecture that is an echo of the peaks. The midnight sun shines from May 21 to July 21, and it is said that the northern lights decorate the night skies over Tromsø more than over any other city in Norway. Embark Silver Cloud
Day 2 Gjesvarstappan Islands & Skarsvag (Nordkapp)
Gjesværstappan Islands is a group of steep-sided islands located near the northernmost point of Norway and includes three main islands: Stortstappen, Kjerkestappen and Bukkstapen. These three islands dramatically jut out of the ocean, covered in as much grass as they are occupied by birds. Extreme in its varied beauty and wildlife on land and sea, Gjesværstappan Nature Reserve (which makes up most of the Gjesværstappan Islands) is one of Europe’s most accessible and largest nesting areas for Atlantic seabirds. On Storstappen, the largest of the islands, some varieties of birds that can be found include European Shags, Common and Brünnich’s Guillemots, Black-legged Kittiwakes, White-tailed Sea-eagles and Europe’s largest Atlantic Puffin colony.
Situated at the very north tip of Norway and inside the Arctic Circle, the North Cape (Nordkapp in Norwegian) lies about 1,306.3 mi from the North Pole, with no dry land between except for the Svalbald archipelago. Home to where the Atlantic and Arctic oceans meet, this is the true land of the midnight sun so just imagine sipping a chilled glass of champagne at the very top of the world in full daylight at midnight. Be sure to be on the lookout for hundreds of thousands of puffins, gannets, cormorants, seals, dolphins and whales that make this stretch of chilly water their home. Not forgetting the colourful, compact fishing villages, so at odds with the otherwise this stark, barren landscape
If you prefer comfort, the Silver Cloud will anchor off Skarsvag, the “most northerly fishing village in the world”, and, weather conditions permitting, head ashore via Zodiac. You will travel by coach to the North Cape where you can admire the glorious scenery, stop in at the visitor’s centre and take photos at the famed globe monument. On a clear day the panorama is quite spectacular.
Day 3 Trollfjorden
Situated between the two archipelagos Vesterålen and Lofoten in Northern Norway, Trollforden is nothing short of magical. Just 2 km long and only 100 metres wide at its entrance, the fjord travels takes in some of the most spectacular scenery in the Northern Hemisphere. The perfect combination of mountains and water, this is drama and legend at its very best. So named after the Norwegian myths, these are not the sweet Trolls of Disney. These mystical, sometimes dangerous creatures from Norse mythology and folk tales have inspired many writers, composers and painters, and are said to chase after you if you’re a Christian. Hidden in the rocks during the day, they come out only at night. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for them whilst on deck as the crisp Norwegian air fills your lungs and the sound of Peer Gynt fills your ears.
Day 4 Nordfjordhlmen, Melfjord
Nordfjord is a narrow little northern branch of the very scenic Melfjord in Norway’s county of Nordland. It has a length of 14 kilometres and is 1 kilometre wide. Nordfjordholmen is a small and uninhabited island almost halfway into this northern branch. The island and neighboring islet narrow the fjord and guard the entrance of the Svartisen National Park, which reaches the eastern end of Nordfjord, one of Norway’s 36 areas proposed for marine protection and one of 12 fjords. Tranquil waters mirror the smooth mountains and streams, and birch forests line the shore. Mountain peaks can reach up to 1000 meters, but Nordfjordholmen is a quite small and low.
Day 5 Island Of Runde Heroy
Day 6 Cruise Nordfjord & Olden
Norway’s Fjords are nothing unless spectacular. Gateway to the glaciers, the Nordfjord is one of the most beautiful – and famous fjords – on the west coast of Norway. This is where tranquillity reigns supreme: untouched peaceful valleys and tiny farms lie in contrast to gleaming glaciers, foaming waterfalls and towering mountains that plunge straight into the water. At 106 kilometres (66 mi) the fjord is the sixth longest in Norway and goes from the villages of Husevågøy to Loen, encompassing the rough coastline of Stadlandet to Jostedalsbreen, Europe’s largest mainland glacier. The region also includes Hornindalsvatnet, Europe’s deepest lake at 514 metres (1,686 ft) below sea level.
Witness nature at its most spectacular, as you visit tiny Olden – a village of just 500 people, which is swallowed whole by its colossal surroundings. The village nestles at the mouth of the Oldeelva River, on the southern banks of Norway’s sixth-longest fjord, Nordfjord. Embark on dreamy lake cruises, confront cascading glaciers, and ascend to staggering viewpoints to survey the majesty from above. From Olden, you can sail out on the smooth waters of the scenic Nordfjord, or calmly kayak across its glassy surface, observing sharp peaks and cascading waterfalls. Take a coffee break at Lovatnet Lake – be sure to give the local waffles and strawberry jam a try – before heading out onto the gorgeous blue-green water, which is coloured by minerals and clay particles, washed in by the glacial water. Nearby you’ll find the slightly larger village of Loen. Jump on the Skylift, and you can reach the bill-topping view from the 1,011-metre tall perch of Mount Hoven, where a spread of villages, fjords and mountains is set before you.
Day 7 Hardangerfjord
Created by glacial erosion during the ice ages, Hardangerfjord is 179 kilometres long and is Norway’s second longest fjord. The greatest depth is around 900 metres. The natural beauty, its mountainous landscape with rivers, waterfalls and good agricultural area –the region produces some 40% of Norway’s fruits- have attracted visitors since the late 19th century. While cruising the fjord, fish farms can also be seen.
Day 8 Lysefjord & Lysebotn
Lysefjord is located in the Ryfylke area in southwestern Norway. The Fjord is 42-kilometre long, the name means light fjord, and is said to be derived from the lightly coloured granite rocks along its sides. It is particularly well known for the huge Preikestolen cliff overlooking the fjord, which is a major tourist destination for the region.
Lysebotn is a village in Forsand municipality in Rogaland county, Norway. The village is located at the eastern end of the Lysefjorden in a very isolated valley that is only accessible by one road or by boat. The name itself means the “bottom [end] of the Lysefjorden”. It’s a destination for over 100,000 tourists annually, and it is an access point for the Kjerag mountain, a popular Base Jumping spot.
Day 9 Lerwick, Sheltland Islands & Noss Island, United Kingdom
Adrift between the Scottish and Norwegian coasts, the craggy Shetland Islands form the most northerly point of the British Isles. Sprawling across 100 islands, connected by sandy bridges and crisscrossing ferries, explore the highlights of this scenic archipelago outpost.
Look out over a dramatic coastline from atmospheric Iron Age towers. Sweeping, windswept beaches and wisps of sand connect islands and rugged cliffs – stand back as the sounds of the waves smashing against the shore and calling gulls fills the air. The islands are also home to some of the most adorable four-legged creatures you’ll ever meet, the diminutive and wavy-fringed, Shetland Ponies who roam the hills and reach a maximum size of 42 inches. Lerwick is the islands’ capital, and there’s a charming welcome on offer, as you arrive before the waterfront of stone buildings, which cascade down to the shore.
Day 10 Torshavn (Faroe Islands)
Titanic scenery, mist-whipped mountains and staggering oceanic vistas await you here in the Faroe Islands – a far-flung archipelago of immense natural beauty. This remote and isolated gathering of 18 islands is a self-governing part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and colourful Tórshavn bustles up against the seafront, forming one of the tiniest capital cities in the world. Wander between pretty, half-timbered houses and visit one of the world’s oldest parliament buildings. From Torshavn, scatter to your choice of island destinations, or spend time soaking in the storybook appeal and clarity of air in the scenic old town. Pop into local shops or head for restaurants – where you can taste local foods like salt-cured fish and hunks of lamb. See waterfalls plummeting directly into the ocean from vertical cliffs, along with emerald-green carpeted fjords, as you explore these extraordinary, lost islands.
Day 11 Vestmanna (Faroe Islands)
The Vestmanna bird cliffs are near vertical, volcanic cliffs that rise steeply out of the ocean to a height of over 600 meters. They are impressively covered with innumerable bird nesting sites as well rare and hardy vegetation. Literally tens of thousands of seabirds can be seen soaring along the cliffs, sitting on nests as well as swimming across the water. Species include numerous kittiwakes, Common Guillemots, Black Guillemots and the endearing Atlantic Puffin. In addition, several waterfalls cascade down in graceful mists from hundreds of meters in the air and explorations reveal a series of sea caves ranging from modest in size to enormous.
Day 12 Djupivogur, Iceland
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, wild ponies roam 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 13 Vestmannaeyjar & Cruise Surtsey
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 14 Reykjavik, Iceland
Disembark 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.