HIGHLIGHTS
- Trace
the routes of the Icelandic sagas' heroes
- Soak
up the culture in Reykjavík, one of the cleanest and
greenest cities in the world
- Marvel
at bird colonies up to a million strong
- Explore
pristine fjords and volcanic landscapes unlike any on Earth
- Visit
traditional fishing villages dating back more than eight hundred years
- Search
for whales in the rich, productive waters of
Húsavík
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | Explorer Triple | Solo Panorama | Explorer Suite | Balcony Suite | Deluxe Balcony Suite | Terrace Suite | Penthouse Suite | Owner's Suite | Ultra Suite | 0 |
|---|
| Jul 25, 2027 | Aug 05, 2027 | 14,195 | 23,395 | 16,695 | 18,395 | 21,795 | 22,595 | 24,295 | 30,095 | 33,395 | N/A |
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Explorer Triple | (Mid-range)
Terrace Suite | (High-end)
0 |
|---|
| Jul 25, 2027 | Aug 05, 2027 | 14,195 | 22,595 | N/A |
Days
1 – 2: Reykjavík
Reykjavik,
or “steamy bay” is a cosmopolitan capital city and
as much a part of the Icelandic experience as volcanoes, glaciers, and
the midnight sun. Entirely powered by geothermal energy harnessed from
the Earth, the city boast crisp, clean, and pollution free air, as well
as thermally heated streets and sidewalks. It is among the cleanest,
greenest, and safest cities in the world, and is believed to be the
location of the first permanent settlement in Iceland, established in
AD 874. The Culture House, which opened in 1909, was originally built
to house the National Library and National Archives of Iceland; in
2000, it was remodeled to promote Icelandic national heritage,
including treasures like the Poetic Edda, and the Norse Sagas in their
original manuscripts. Here, we embark the Ocean Endeavour. We depart
Reykjavik in the evening.
Day
3: Stykkishólmur
This
area is often called "Iceland in Miniature" because of its diverse
landscapes. These include bird-rich Breidafjördur
Bay and the Snaefellsjökull glacier, sitting atop the dormant
volcano that was featured in Jules Verne’s Journey to the
Center of the Earth. Stykkishólmur is the region’s
namesake community, home to a natural harbour ideal for fishing. The
first trading post here was established in the late sixteenth century.
The nearby mountain of Helgafell is the burial place of
Guðrún
Ósvífursdóttir, the heroine of the
Icelandic saga. The area was featured in the 2013 film The Secret Life
of Walter Mitty.
Day
4: Isafjördur
Isafjördur
(meaning “ice fjord or fjord of ice”) is an idyllic
town in the Westfjords region. Connected to the Icelandic mainland only
by a narrow strip of land, this secluded peninsula includes many
roadless areas. The landscape includes jaw-dropping views of dramatic
fjords carved by ancient glaciers and sheer table mountains that plunge
into the sea. Thousands of puffins inhabit tiny Vigur Island, and the
splendid Dynjandi waterfall is renowned for its beauty. Fishing has
always been Isafjördur’s main industry. It has one
of the largest fisheries in Iceland and is home to the University
Centre of the Westfjords, which offers two master’s degree
programs: one in Coastal & Marine Management, and the other in
Marine Innovation. The local folk museum contains the oldest house in
Iceland, built in 1734.
Day
5: Siglufjördur & Grimsey
The
fjord town of Siglufjördur was once the hub of the global
herring industry and is now enjoying a rebirth in popularity. The
award-winning Herring Era Museum, located on the vibrant harbourfront,
celebrates the golden age of the herring fishery. The town remains
dependent on fishing, although the herring population has been
depleted. The old mountain road to Siglufjördur—the
only connection to the rest of the country before the construction of a
tunnel system—is open during the summer. The highest-elevated
road in Iceland, it is used today for hiking, horseback riding, and
driving.
About
forty kilometres off the mainland, Grimsey Island lies on the Arctic
Circle, which means that it experiences midnight sun in the summer.
With a stunning population of nearly a million seabirds, including
puffins, guillemots, and gulls, the island experiences a cacophony of
bird calls around the clock as well. Grimsey’s hundred or so
inhabitants are served by a ferry three times a week.
Day
6: Akureyri
Iceland’s
second-largest urban area, Akureyri is nicknamed the Capital of North
Iceland. The relatively mild climate and ice-free harbour have played a
significant role in the town’s history since its settlement
in the ninth century—including offering a base for Allied
units during the Second World War. The town is surrounded by
mountains, which shield it from strong winds. Nearby Lake Myvatn offers
stunning contrasts: one side of the lake features rugged volcanic
remnants, while the other side is blessed with lush vegetation and
varied bird life.
Day
7: Húsavík
On
the shores of Skjalfandi Bay lies the town of
Húsavík. Often called the "Whale Capital" of
Iceland, the local waters are home to fifteen different whale species,
as well as dolphins and thirty varieties of birds. The
Húsavík Museum is located by the harbor. There
are numerous other museums, including the Exploration Museum, which
includes artifacts from Apollo astronaut training in the area, as well
as a transportation museum, and a turf house museum.
Day
8: Seydisfjördur
The
picturesque port of Seydisfjördur is nestled between the sea
and steep mountains at the tip of its namesake fjord. The town of seven
hundred or so is known among other things for its flourishing art
scene. Connected to the Icelandic Ring Road, Seydisfjördur
welcomes car ferries from Denmark and the Faroes. The fjord itself is
quite remote and is home to a booming puffin colony and ruins of a
former church at nearby Vestdallseyri. Local activities include
seal-spotting, horseback riding, kayaking, and guided hikes of the
Vestadalur area, which features numerous waterfalls.
Day
9: Djupivogur
By
the early-nineteenth century, Djúpivogur fishing village in
south-east Iceland was a tiny port with a Danish colonial trading base.
Hans Jonatan, who had been a slave in Copenhagen, escaped there and
became one of Iceland's first people of colour. The village is the
starting point for an optional excursion to Vatnajökull
glacier. The nearby coastline is defined by three fjords—
Berufjörður, Hamarsfjörður, and
Álftafjörður. Approximately a kilometre
west of the town is a work of art named "Eggin í
Gleðivík" (The Eggs of Merry Bay) by
Sigurður Guðmundsson, a series of thirty-four large
stone replicas of the eggs of local birds.
Day
10: Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands)
Vestmannaeyjar
lies off the south coast of Iceland and comprises fourteen islands in
addition to a number of rocks and skerries. Only the
archipelago’s largest island, Heimaey, is inhabited, though
several of the outlying islands have small cabins used during the
bird-hunting season. Since the early days of Heimaey’s
occupation, fishing has been the principal way of life for its
inhabitants. Today, the island is home to two large processing plants
and a robust freezing and shipping industry, which supplies fish to
European markets. Numerous species of seabirds nest in the steep rock
faces along the ocean cliffs and high on the bluffs surrounding the
island. Highly volcanically active, the area has seen two major
eruptions in recent times: the formation of the island of Surtsey in
1963, and the Eldfell eruption ten years later that destroyed much of
Heimaey and nearly choked off the harbour with lava.
Day
11: Reykjavík
After
breakfast, we bid farewell to the Ocean Endeavour as we sail back into
Reykjavík. This dynamic city with its invigorating outdoor
activities, great food, and world-class entertainment is the perfect
place to cap our journey and reflect on an unforgettable ten days at
sea!
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
ABOARD
- Pre-departure
materials
- The
expertise and company of our expedition staff
- Onboard
educational programming
- Interactive
workshops
- Evening
entertainment
- All
shipboard meals, including on deck barbecues & afternoon tea,
24-hour coffee, tea and snacks
- Hors
d’oeuvres & snacks during evening recaps
- 24-hour
documentary and film programming
- Fully
stocked library
- Nikon
Camera Trial Program
ASHORE
- Introductions
to local people and customs
- Sightseeing
- Museum
entries, park accesses, port taxes
- Access
to pristine wilderness areas
- Zodiac
tours and cruises
- On-site
archaeology workshops
- Community
programming: local performances, presentations, and demonstrations
Not Included:
- USD
250 USD Discovery Fund Fee
- Commercial
and charter flight costs
- Gratuities
(suggested at USD 15 USD per
person per day)
- Bicycle
rentals
- Personal
expenses
- Mandatory
medical evacuation insurance
- Additional
expenses in the event of delays or itinerary changes
- Possible
fuel surcharges
- Pre-
and post-trip hotel accommodation
- Additional
costs associated with credit card payment
- Program
enhancements
