HIGHLIGHTS
A
voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including
discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and
an included excursion or activity in each port of call.
Engaging
discussions onboard with Smithsonian Journeys Experts including
geologist Scott Burns and Scandinavian languages and literature expert
Elisabeth Ward.
Golden
Circle excursion: the 3 most emblematic sites in Iceland.
Landscapes:
vast glaciers, breathtaking fjords, volcanic rock, basalt pillars,
jagged cliffs and geysers.
Wildlife:
seabirds, Arctic terns, Minke whales, humpback whales, Icelandic horses.
Opportunity
to visit the Beluga Whale Sanctuary on Heimaey.
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
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| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
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Rates are listed per person
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| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
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ITINERARY
Day
1 - REYKJAVÍK
Iceland's
capital stretches along the edge of a vast bay in the west of the
country. Perlan, the "Pearl of Reykjavík", a museum located
on 'Oskjuhlið hill, offers a panoramic view of the lush, green
landscapes. A little further, one can easily spot the signpost showing
the way to the evangelical Hallgrímskirkja church, and to
the historical centre where one can stroll along the
Skólavördustígur and the Laugavegur, two
lively streets with charming small shops. For some relaxation just
outside of the city, visitors have the opportunity to visit the
Reykjanes peninsula and its famous thermal lagoons of the Blue Lagoon.
Day
2 - GRUNDARFJÖRDUR
This
secret boreal hideaway is located at the foot of the Kirkjufell, on
Snaefellsnes peninsula. Arriving by boat means you will get a closer
view of the lava-stone rock standing like a sentinel at the entrance to
the bay; Grundarfjörður lies sheltered behind this
cone-shaped rock. A stone's throw from the jetty, crystal clear waters,
tundra and beaches give onto the cerulean waters of
Breiðafjörður. Scattered with its
emerald-coloured lawns, this town, with its buildings that merge into
the surrounding countryside, will most certainly win your favour.
Day
3 - GRÍMSEY
Grímsey
is the northernmost island of Iceland surging from the Arctic ocean,
with the Arctic circle running through the island. Its contrasted
contours are surprising. From Grímseyjarhreppur, the
island's only town located on the west coast, then heading due south,
you can take in the beauty of the hillsides, lushly carpeted with moss
and grass. On the rest of the coastline, imposing basalt cliffs
inhabited by sea birds stand proud.
Day
4 - AKUREYRI
The
elegant city of Akureyri is located very close to the Arctic circle,
tucked away in the Eyjafjörður fjord. It displays a
stunning palette of colours: blue waters in the harbour, bronze
mountain ash on the squares and brightly-coloured houses in the
historical centre. As you walk along the cobbled streets, you will come
across rows of terraces with wooden furniture. A vast stairway cut into
the hillside leads up to the emblematic feature of the town, namely the
Akureyrarkirkja church. The very beautiful botanical garden made
possible by a microclimate offers the opportunity to discover the
Icelandic flora as well as plants from all over the world.
Day
5 - ISAFJÖRDUR
Your
ship will take you to the heart of the fjords of North-West Iceland, a
wild land of lost valleys and steep cliffs, where man struggles to
survive. In this very isolated region we find the
Isafjörður fjord, undoubtedly one of the most
beautiful in the country, mainly for its relief, forged by many very
ancient basaltic flows. The town of Isafjörður, which
nestles at the back of its fjord, between imposing mountains, is a
delightful little town that lives exclusively from fishing. The capital
of the Western fjords, its old wooden houses bear witness to its past
as a major fishing port.
Day
6 - HEIMAEY, VESTMANNAEYJAR
This
land seated off the southern coast of Iceland is the largest of the
Vestmann islands, and is the only inhabited island in the archipelago.
The steep Edfell volcanoes and the green prairies of
Herjólfsdalur offer rich contrast of nature. On the
Stórhöfði road, look out over grey sand
beaches and cliffs carved out by the Arctic ocean. From here, you can
also see the bronze landscapes of the mountaintops. You could visit
Eldheimar, an ultra-modern and interactive museum which traces the
volcanic eruption has experienced Heimaey in 1973.
Day
7-8 - REYKJAVÍK
Iceland's
capital stretches along the edge of a vast bay in the west of the
country. Perlan, the "Pearl of Reykjavík", a museum located
on 'Oskjuhlið hill, offers a panoramic view of the lush, green
landscapes. A little further, one can easily spot the signpost showing
the way to the evangelical Hallgrímskirkja church, and to
the historical centre where one can stroll along the
Skólavördustígur and the Laugavegur, two
lively streets with charming small shops. For some relaxation just
outside of the city, visitors have the opportunity to visit the
Reykjanes peninsula and its famous thermal lagoons of the Blue Lagoon.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
PONANT
and Smithsonian Journeys have organised the following included
programme for you, which starts the day of embarkation.
Included
Features:
- A
program of onboard enrichment provided by Smithsonian Journeys Experts
including geologist Scott Burns and Scandinavian languages and
literature expert Elisabeth Ward.
- Transfers
and luggage handling from the airport in Reykjavík to the
ship on the day of embarkation
- Comprehensive
7-night cruise aboard the deluxe Le Bellot, with all the amenities for
which PONANT ships are famous
- One
included shore excursion or activity in each port of call (see
"Activities" for more information and choice of excursions, if
applicable)
- Transfer
from the ship to the airport in Reykjavík at the end of the
cruise on the morning of disembarkation
Not
included:
- Independent
meals and beverages ashore
- Personal
expenses (such as laundry, telephone, etc.)
Notes:
- This
voyage is offered on a space available basis
- Programme
is subject to change without notice
Shore
excursion or activity in each port of call + transfers included
2022
Sailing
- 8/9/2022
THE SNAEFELLSNES PENINSULA 4 h 45
- 8/11/2022
THE SPLENDORS OF LAKE MYVATN 7 h 30
- 8/12/2022
TRADITIONS OF THE WESTFJORDS PENINSULA 3 h 00
- 8/13/2022
BELUGA WHALE SANCTUARY 1 h 30
- 8/13/2022
THE VOLCANIC ISLAND OF HEIMAEY 3 h 00
- 8/14/2022
ICELAND'S GOLDEN CIRCLE 9 h 00
2023
Sailing
- 8/14/2023
THE SNAEFELLSNES PENINSULA 4 h 45
- 8/14/2023
WHALES OF THE SNAEFELLSNES PENINSULA 4 h 00
- 8/16/2023
THE SPLENDORS OF LAKE MYVATN 7 h 30
- 8/16/2023
THE THERMAL BATHS OF HUSAVIK 5 h 00
- 8/17/2023
TRADITIONS OF THE WESTFJORDS PENINSULA 3 h 00
- 8/17/2023
THE ABANDONED VILLAGE OF HESTEYRI 4 h 30
- 8/18/2023
THE VOLCANIC ISLAND OF HEIMAEY 3 h 00
- 8/18/2023
BELUGA WHALE SANCTUARY 1 h 30
- 8/19/2023
ICELAND'S GOLDEN CIRCLE 9 h 00
- 8/19/2023
REYKJAVIK WHALE WATCHING 4 h 00
