Iceland Expedition

Arrival in Iceland. Transfer from the airport to your hotel. Use your leisure time in Reykjavik to discover the unique charm of the world’s northernmost capital. Overnight in Reykjavik.

Enjoy a stroll through the city before your transfer bus brings you to Keflavik harbor in the afternoon. In the early evening, you will board the MV Hondius in the port of Keflavik. With the port behind us, we sail north into the bay of Faxaflói and proceed to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula while looking for whales in this large bay.

Ice caps and volcanoes

We land in Breidavik at Arnarstapi, with Snaefellsjökull, a glacier-capped volcano in the background. We will walk southward, along cliffs with seabirds, to Hellnar, where we embark the ship again. We may also proceed to Snaefellsjökull, where Jule Vernes: Journey to the center of the Earth began. In the evening, we will again look for whales northwest of the peninsula.

A land of islands, skerries and Norse legends

We sail in the broad and shallow bay of Breidafjordur, peppered with hundreds of islands and skerries, and may glimpse some white-tailed eagles. We will then land on Flatey and explore its traditional fishing village and the church with paintings by the Spanish-Icelandic artist Baltasar. Black guillemots and vast colonies of puffins breed along the shores, and red-necked phalaropes are common in ponds just inland.

We will pay a visit to Klofningur, a diminutive island featuring a lighthouse and extensive breeding colonies of shags, fulmars, and great black-backed gulls. In the evening, we will sail by the impressive Látrabjarg, featuring Iceland's biggest seabird colonies.

On the lookout for whales and eider ducks

Sailing into impressive Skutulsfjörður, home to the town of Isafjordur, we plan a visit to Aedey, where an Icelandic family keeps an eider duck farm where the many hundreds of birds can breed protected entirely and where, at the end of the breeding season, all eiderdown is collected for trade. At the shores of the island we also meet breeding puffins. In the afternoon, we may sail into Jökulfirdir or directly out of the fjord, looking again for whales, while we sail northwest and pass the Arctic Circle.

At the fringes of the sea ice

North of Iceland, in the fringes of the southward-moving sea ice, we sail northeast with our ice-rated vessel. We look two days for harp and hooded seals, which sometimes frequent the area in great numbers. Near and along the sea ice, we will see whales and seabirds as they migrate and forage along the productive edge of the sea ice. You will be in an impressive sea-scape with, to the west, sea ice as far as you see. This is a wild Arctic environment, constantly in motion and always changing.

Crossing the Arctic Circle once more

We find ourselves sailing southward. In the early morning, we will pass Kolbeinsey, a tiny uninhabited islet rapidly being eroded by the fearsome surrounding ocean. Later, we will land on Grimsey, a small island that straddles the Arctic Circle. Grimsey features a small but friendly fishing village and is home to colonies of kittiwakes, razorbills, puffins, fulmars, and Arctic terns. In the evening, at the mouth of Eyafjordur, we may again see some whales.
 

In the morning, bid farewell to the MV Hondius. The day's itinerary features a visit to a traditional sheep farm, offering an insightful look into Icelandic sheep farming practices and the fascinating process of wool production. After disembarkation, visit a sheep farm. In the afternoon we head towards Husavik, the small town is considered Europe's capital for whale watching tours. Here we visit the whale museum. On the 1,600 square meter exhibition area, visitors gain a deep understanding of these magnificent creatures and their importance in marine ecosystems. The museum provides insight into whale biology, behavior, conservation efforts, and the history of whaling in Iceland. Overnight stay in the Husavik area.

Today's adventure begins with a hike to the picturesque Lake Botsvatn, nestled between the vibrant slopes of Husavik mountain. Next, we explore the Theistareykir geothermal area, where bubbling mud pots create a mesmerizing display. In the summer, the lush green moss contrasts beautifully with the red and yellow sulfur fields, making for an unforgettable sight. We conclude our day at the Geosea geothermal baths, located high above the sea on the edge of a cliff with a magnificent view over Skjálfandi Bay. Overnight stay in the Husavik area.

The day is dedicated to the fascinating region around Lake Myvatn. Our journey begins at the impressive Namaskard geothermal area, where bubbling mud pots and steaming fumaroles create a mesmerizing display of geothermal activity. Next, we embark on a hike from the imposing Hverfjall ash crater to the lava formations of Dimmuborgir. This lava field, with its bizarre sculptures, columns, and caves, was formed around 2,300 years ago and is steeped in local folklore, believed to be the home of elves and trolls. Overnight stay in the Husavik area.

Our journey to Borgarfjord in West Iceland, takes us through the picturesque Skagafjörður area. Here, we visit the Glaumbær local history museum, where we get a glimpse into the lives of past generations. Next, we stop at the impressive Kolugljúfur Canyon, home to spectacular waterfalls that offer a breathtaking natural display. We then embark on a hike to the Grábrók volcanic crater, the largest of the three craters in the Grábrókarhraun lava field. From the crater rim, we are treated to a fantastic panoramic view of the surrounding lava fields and the Víðidalsá salmon river.

Today, we go on a hike in the stunning Heidmörk nature reserve. This picturesque area is renowned for its diverse landscapes, featuring fascinating lava formations, pseudocraters, small forests, and tranquil lakes. In the afternoon, we enter one of Iceland's longest lava tunnels. Here, we can marvel at the impressive play of colors in the rock, created by minerals that emerged from the earth over 5,000 years ago (duration of the excursion: approx. 3 hours). Overnight stay in Reykjavik.

Transfer to the aiport.