HIGHLIGHTS
- Experience
the beauty of fjords, waterfalls, bird cliffs, wetlands, arid
highlands, geothermal power, lakes, lagoons and glaciers
- Encounter
the fascinating local culture against the backdrop of some of the
world's most breathtaking landscapes
- Throughout
the voyage, learn about the geology, wildlife and botany of this
spectacular area from lecture presentations offered by your
knowledgeable on board expedition team
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | Vista Suite | Veranda Suite | Deluxe Veranda Suite | Medallion Suite | Silver Suite | Royal Suite | Grand Suite | Owner's Suite |
|---|
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Vista Suite | (Mid-range)
Silver Suite | (High-end)
Owner's Suite |
|---|
ITINERARY
Day
1 - Reykjavik, Iceland
Sprawling
Reykjavík, the nation's nerve center and government seat, is
home to half the island's population. On a bay overlooked by proud Mt.
Esja (pronounced eh-shyuh), with its ever-changing hues,
Reykjavík presents a colorful sight, its concrete houses
painted in light colors and topped by vibrant red, blue, and green
roofs. In contrast to the almost treeless countryside,
Reykjavík has many tall, native birches, rowans, and
willows, as well as imported aspen, pines, and
spruces.Reykjavík's name comes from the Icelandic words for
smoke, reykur, and bay, vík.
Day
2 - Vestmannaeyjar | Cruise Surtsey
The
name Vestmannaeyjar 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. The eruption of the Eldfell Volcano put
Vestmannaeyjar into the international lime light in 1973. The
volcano’s eruption destroyed many buildings and forced an
evacuation of the residents to mainland Iceland. The lava flow was
stopped in its tracks by the application of billions of liters of cold
sea water.
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 clearDays 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.
Day
3 - Djupivogur
Situated
in the southeastern part of Iceland, the little town of Djupivogur is
one of the easiest spots in Iceland to reach from northern Europe.
Evidence of this is apparent in the presence of a trading post built
here as early as the 16th century. In the modern era, fishing is still
important, but tourism is increasing more and more. Nearby Bulandsnes
has a renowned bird sanctuary, and Papey Island just slightly to the
east, is home to large colonies of Atlantic Puffins. Djupivogur is also
not too far from Vatnajökull National Park.
Day
4 - Langanes Peninsula
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
verdant 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
The
town of Húsavík sits below
Húsavíkurfjall mountain on the eastern shore of
Skjálfandi bay. Just above the town is lake Botnsvatn, a
popular place for outings. The lake is just the right size for a nice
hike around it. The lakes surroundings are rich in vegetation and bird
life and trout is said to be abundant, though small.
Húsavík harbor lies below the bank right in the
heart of town. The harbor once boasted a large fishing fleet, bustling
with the activity of fishermen.
Akureyri,
called the Capital of the North, is the second largest urban area in
Iceland, and a lively one at that. Hemmed by the 37 mi. (60 km) long
Eyjafjörður, Akureyri is sheltered from the ocean
winds and embraced by mountains on three sides. Late 19th-century
wooden houses impart a sense of history, and the twin spires of a
modern Lutheran church rising on a green hill near the waterfront,
provide a focal point. To the south of Akureyri is the pyramid-shape
rhyolite mountain Súlur. Beyond it is Kerling, the highest
peak in Eyjafjörður District.
Day
7 - Cruise along Hornbjard Cliffs | Vigur Island
Vigur
Island is a little more than a mile (1.6 km) in length and about 1,350
ft. (412 m) wide. This green oasis punctuates the waters of the
Ísafjarðardjúp fjord east of the town of
Isafjordur. The island is home to a single farming family and has some
meticulously preserved historical landmarks including
Iceland’s only windmill, built in 1840 and used until 1917
for grinding imported wheat from Denmark, and a 200-year-old rowing
boat, which is still in use to ferry sheep to the mainland. Summer is
the best time to see large numbers of Atlantic Puffins, Arctic Terns
and Black Guillemots. One…
Day
8 - Dyjandi | Latrabjarg Cliffs
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 1,400 ft. (440 m) along a staggering 9 mi. (14 km) stretch of
the coast.
Day
9 - Klakkeyjar Islands | Stykkisholmur
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 the country has a magnetic charm discovered while navigating
the ins and outs of the various fjords, peninsulas and island 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. The first trading post was
established in the 1550s, and still today fishing is the major
industry. The town center boasts beautiful and well-preserved old
houses from earlier times. Stykkisholmur is very environmentally
conscious – it was the first community in Europe to get the
EarthCheck environmental certification.
Day
10 - Reykjavik, Iceland
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Transfers
and luggage handling
- Personalised
service – the best crew-to-guest ratio in expedition cruising
- Butler
service in every suite and stateroom – all guests are
pampered equally
- Open-seating
dining options – dine when and with whomever you please
- Beverages
in-suite and throughout the ship – select wines, premium
spirits, specialty coffees and soft drinks, plus your own tailored
mini-bar
- In-suite
dining and room service – available 24 hours aboard Silver
Explorer, and from 06:00 to 23:00 aboard Silver Galapagos and Silver
Discoverer
- Enrichment
lectures by a highly qualified Expeditions Team
- Guided
Zodiac, land and sea tours, and shoreside activities led by the
Expeditions Team
- Gratuities
always included in your fare
- Unlimited
Free Wifi
- Complimentary
Parka
