HIGHLIGHTS
- Witness
the incredible diversity of Iceland’s landscapes forged by
the powerful seismic activity that has shaped the island’s
appearance and way of life of the people.
- Visit
Grimsey Island, located above the Arctic Circle, and features
impressive cliffs teeming with nesting seabirds including charismatic
puffins.
- Discover
Seydisfjordur, a hidden gem on Iceland’s east coast.
- At
Eldeheimar Museum on Heimay Island, learn the stories of the 1973
eruption that affected over 5,000 locals.
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Jul 29, 2026 | Aug 08, 2026 | 7,218 |
7,499 |
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Jul 29, 2026 | Aug 08, 2026 | 7,218 |
7,499 |
ITINERARY
Day
1 Arrive Reykjavik
Having
made your way to Reykjavik, you will be met by a representative of
Aurora Expeditions and transferred to our group hotel. Upon arrival at
your included hotel, please visit the Aurora Expeditions hospitality
desk to collect your luggage cabin tags and to speak with our ground
operations team, who may have information to share with you about
pre-embarkation or to provide you with information about where to dine,
withdraw cash or purchase last minute items from a local pharmacy or
supermarket. The remainder of your time is at leisure. All meals today
are at your own expense. Accommodation: Fosshotel Reykjavik Hotel (or
similar)
Day
2 Embarkation Day
This
morning, please ensure your cabin luggage is fitted with cabin tags
clearly labelled with your name and cabin number. Your luggage will be
collected from your hotel and transferred directly to the port for
clearance and delivered to your cabin ahead of your arrival on board.
Please keep any valuables or personal items with you throughout the
day. Breakfast and check-out. Join our guided Golden Circle and
Geothermal Energy tour. With 85% of its electricity sourced from
renewable sources, Iceland sets an outstanding example when it comes to
sustainable energy.
Our
journey takes us to the famous seismic sights of the Golden Circle
route - Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir and history- rich Thingvellir
National Park, before we experience first-hand how green, sustainable
energy is produced at one of the largest single-site geothermal power
plants on the planet at the Geothermal Energy Exhibition and
Ljósafossvirkjun Power Station.
We’ll
also spend time at a true eco-village. Powered with thermal and solar
energy, Sólheimar is fully sustainable, boasting greenhouses
and forestry programmes, while its sustainable workshops are dedicated
to candle-making, carpentry, weaving and soap-making. Late afternoon we
return to Reykjavik for embarkation. This evening, get to know your
fellow expeditioners, expedition team and crew.
Day
3 Arnarstapi / Grundafjordur
At
Arnarstapi, our Zodiacs tender as ashore. Located on the Snaefellsnes
Peninsula, this area features diverse landscapes characterised by lava
fields, glistening fjords and home to Breidafjordur Bay which is rich
in birdlife. The area is crowned by the magnificent, ice-capped
Snæfellsjökull volcano, a 700,000-year-old dormant
subglacial volcano, visible from Reykjavik on a clear day and
immortalised in Jules Verne’s Journey to the Centre of the
Earth. You can choose from a selection of shore excursion options that
best suits your interests and level of fitness. Options include a bus
tour to Mount Kirkjufell, one of the most famous mountains in Iceland,
or a choice of hikes including a glacier hike at
Snæfellsjökull Glacier.
Days
4-5 Westfjords
Over
the next two days, we explore the Westfjords region featuring
outstanding landscapes with jaw-dropping views of dramatic fjords
carved by ancient glaciers, sheer table mountains that plunge into the
sea and pristine North Atlantic vegetation.
At
Patreksfjordur, a shore excursion by coach takes us to Latrabjarg
cliffs. As Europe’s largest bird cliff, Latrabjarg is home to
millions of seabirds, such as puffin, razorbill, fulmar and guillemot.
Enjoy the impressive variety of natural wonders and unspoiled nature.
Latrabjarg also happens to be the westernmost point in Europe, east
coast of the North American continent on the other side of the
Atlantic. Alternatively, enjoy a shore excursion by coach to
Rauthasnduris to explore the beach and seal watching. At Dynjandi,
witness one of Iceland’s most impressive waterfalls
– a difficult feat in a country that is filled with
spectacular cascading falls.
Day
6 Akureyri & Husavik
Picturesque
Akureyri is Iceland’s second largest city outside the capital
area and is blessed with a superb snow- capped mountain backdrop.
Choose from a selection of shore excursions in Akureyri to best suit
your interests and level of fitness. Choose to visit Godafoss Falls and
soak at Myvatn Nature baths, an outdoor hot spring bathing complex
surrounded by mountain views. Alternatively, explore both Godafoss and
Dettifoss waterfalls, the Mývatn region and Krafla. In the
late afternoon, we reboard our vessel in Husavik, the whale watching
capital of Iceland.
Day
7 Grímsey Island
Located
approximately 40 km (25 miles) off the mainland, Grímsey is
a verdant grassy island, probably best known for its proximity to the
Arctic Circle, which cuts across the island. Many people travel to
Grímsey just to say they have stepped across the imaginary
line. With a tiny population of approximately 100 inhabitants,
it’s a fantastic place for Zodiac cruising, kayaking, and
photographing seabirds such as guillemots, gulls and puffins. Leaving
Grímsey to return closer to the mainland, we spend time
scanning the waters of Skjálfandi Bay around
Húsavik, a town known as the Iceland’s
‘whale watching capital’, home to up to 24
different whale species, as well as dolphins and 30 variety of birds.
The largest animal on earth, the blue whale, has also been spotted in
Skjálfandi Bay,
and
if you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of this magnificent
creature as well as others, such as orcas, fin whales and pilot whales.
Day
8 Seydisfjordur
Today
we spend some time exploring Seydisfjordur, a picturesque fishing
village that is renowned for its charming collection of colourful
wooden buildings located around the lagoon. Take a stroll around town
and discover the timber houses that are remnants from when the
Norwegians settled here and established the herring fishing facilities
from 1870-1900. From the valley above the town, the river Fjardara
tumbles down in beautiful cascades to the lagoon. There are a number of
delightful hiking trails to explore, or alternatively, you can discover
a flourishing cultural scene with an arts centre, the famous blue
church that stages music concerts and the only two cinemas in the east
of Iceland. Back in town, browse the stores where you will discover
handicrafts by local artists and artisans –
perfect
as a souvenir or gift.
Day
9 Djupivogur
In
Iceland’s east, we disembark in Djupivogur, our gateway to
Vatnajokull National Park, home to Europe’s largest glacier.
We drive to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, a glacial lagoon filled with
floating icebergs that wash up on shore and stand gleaming on the
nearby black-sand beach, dubbed Diamond beach. At Jokulsarlon, you can
choose from a boat excursion on the lagoon, try a hike on the glacier
or hike to a canyon, visiting a number of waterfalls along the way.
Day
10 At sea
As
we sail along the south coast, enjoy a sea day to catch up on editing
your photos and enjoy an informative lecture from our knowledgeable
expedition team.
Day
11 Westman Islands
Located
off Iceland’s south coast, the Westman Islands were formed by
volcanic eruptions around 10,000 years ago. Sail past Surtsey Island, a
UNESCO World Heritage site that emerged from the sea in 1963 and is one
the youngest land masses on earth. Westman Islands are surrounded by 15
other uninhabited islands and around 30 rocks and skerries offering
refuge for rich array of seabirds. Westman Islands are considered to
have the largest Atlantic puffin colony in the world, and when sailing
around the islands it is not uncommon to see puffins but also whales
and seals. Heimaey is the main island in the archipelago, and it has
the population of around 4,200. Ashore on Heimaey, the only inhabited
island in the archipelago, we see half-buried houses that remain from a
violent 1973 eruption of Eldfell volcano, which you can hike up if you
wish.
Eruptions
are a big part of the history of the Westman Island, where there are
two volcanoes – one that erupted some 6,000 years ago, and
Mount Eldfell that erupted in 1973, forcing all of the
island’s inhabitants to evacuate for the mainland.
Serendipitously, due to bad weather the day prior to the eruption, all
the fishing boats remained in the harbour and were able to help
transport the inhabitants of Heimaey to the mainland. You can learn
more about the story of the eruption and the aftermath at the
fascinating Eldheimar museum, which includes a display of a house that
was buried in ash during the eruption.
Day
12 Disembark Reykjavik
During
the early morning, we cruise into Reykjavik and disembark at
approximately 8.00 am. Farewell your expedition team and fellow
passengers as you continue your onward journey. Transfer to Keflavik
airport or to your centrally located hotel.
Note: We do not
recommend booking flights departing prior to 12.00 pm on the day of
disembarkation, as we may experience delays at the conclusion of the
voyage.
Greg Mortimer (Luxury Expedition, 120-guests)
Capable of negotiating the strongest winds and waves, the Greg Mortimer is built to world-class polar standards. It is designed in close consultation with expedition specialists, taking advantage of Auroras more than 25 years of experience.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- All
airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
- One
night’s hotel accommodation including breakfast, in Reykjavik
on Day 1.
- Visit
Iceland's famous Golden Circle prior to embarkation, on Day 2.
- Onboard
accommodation during voyage, including daily cabin service.
- All
meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage.
- Beer,
house wine and soft drinks with dinner.
- Captain’s
Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house
beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages.
- All
shore excursions and Zodiac cruises.
- Educational
lectures and guiding services provided by Expedition Team.
- Complimentary
access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial
consultation).
- One
3-in-1 waterproof, polar expedition jacket.
- Comprehensive
pre-departure information.
- Port
surcharges, permits and landing fees.
- Note:
A $15 USD per person per day gratuity for the crew is automatically
added to your onboard account. It is at your discretion if you would
like to remove the tip (or adjust the amount) when you settle your
bill. It is not necessary to tip the expedition team members. This
gratuity amount is included for suites as part of their
‘Suite Benefits’.
EXPEDITION
EXCLUSIONS
- International
or domestic flights – unless specified in the itinerary.
- Transfers
– unless specified in the itinerary.
- Airport
arrival or departure taxes.
- Passport,
visa, reciprocity and vaccination fees and charges.
- Travel
insurance or emergency evacuation charges.
- Hotel
accommodation and meals – unless specified in the itinerary.
- Optional
excursions and optional activity surcharges.
- All
items of a personal nature, including but not limited to alcoholic
beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), gratuities,
laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, wi-fi, email or
phone charges.
