Guest Speaker 
Deluxe Stateroom
20% Ponant Bonus
19 m2
2
Iceland Voyage: Land of Fire and Ice – with Smithsonian Journeys
Reykjavík - Reykjavík
Dates:
6/6/2022
to
13/6/2022
Other available dates
days
nights on board
Shore excursion or activity in each port of call + transfers included
In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.
This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.
Discover the most beautiful landscapes on the Icelandic west coast during an 8-day PONANT cruise.
On the edge of the Arctic, between vast glaciers, vertiginous fjords, volcanoes and boiling geysers, Iceland offers a kaleidoscope of wild and romantic landscapes.
You will board the ship in Reykjavik, the world’s northernmost capital city. With its houses with colourful roofs and its lake that is home to countless ducks, the city offers a picture-postcard setting.
The first port of call on your cruise: the bay of Grundarfjordur, right near Kirkjufell. This stunning cone-shaped mountain possesses a unique charm and this will be an opportunity to take some beautiful photos.
Your ship will then reach Grímsey, a small, hard-to-reach island where, in certain places, the volcanic rock forms magnificent basalt columns. Birds such as guillemots and puffins reign here.
Finally, you will discover Heimaey. This is the only inhabited island in the Westman archipelago. It is an exceptional place composed of volcanoes and almost-desert landscapes, where fishing is the main food source.
Ref : RRBD45US - E060622
Your itinerary
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...
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Your trip in detail
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Choose your stateroom
Complete your trip
Complete your trip
Included in your cruise
For more peace of mind, PONANT organizes your trip before or after the cruise. This package is included in the price of your cruise.
Additional services
For more peace of mind, PONANT selects flights and takes care of your transfers for your trip as well as shore visits before and after the cruise.
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LE JACQUES-CARTIER
- New
LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT
L'AUSTRAL
4/11/2022 to the 20/11/2022
- New
LE LAPEROUSE
9/11/2022 to the 23/11/2022
LE LYRIAL
*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.
Services provided
- 24h room service
- Inclusive Wi-Fi Internet access (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Hermès top-of-the-line bath products
- Minibar included
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Electronic safe
- Direct line telephone
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand
- 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
- Two ADA staterooms
Select your stateroom category
Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
- Simple dress
- Skirt or trousers
- Blouse
- Polo
For men:
- Pleated trousers or chinos
- Sports jacket
- Shirt
- Polo
Officer’s evening:
Depending on the itinerary and the program of your cruise, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
- Cocktail attire
- Evening dress (if you wish to)
For men:
- Dark suit
- Tie recommended, possibly bow tie (if you wish to)
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
ACCESSORIES:
- Polarized sunglasses
- Swimsuit (for the Spa on board)
- Gym wear (fitness)
- Battery charger and memory cards for your camera
- Mobile phone charger
- Hat/cap
HEALTH CARE:
- Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
- Medications and prescriptions
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
- Casual outfits for the day
- Smarter outfits for dinners
- Elegant outfits for Gala evenings
- White or black and white outfit
PRECAUTIONS:
In your hand luggage, remember to bring any medicines that you need, and possibly a small spare bag of toiletries (in case of delay in the delivery of your baggage by the airline). Remember to always have your travel documents with you in case you need them: hotel vouchers, cruise vouchers, return flight tickets... Never leave them in your hold luggage.
All our cabins have a safe. We recommend not to go ashore with valuable jewellery.
PONANT activities
Smithsonian Journeys
Smithsonian Journeys is the travel programme of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum, education and research complex, consisting of 21 museums, the National Zoological Park, education centers, research facilities, cultural centers, and libraries. Drawing on Smithsonian's resources dating back 175 years, these sailings will feature notable experts and experiences that embrace local cultures and dive deeper into a destination’s history, cuisine, language, environment, and wildlife. For more than 50 years, Smithsonian Journeys has been rooted in and focused on cultural immersion and discovery – with a goal of inspiring guests to become global citizens through travel.
Elisabeth Ward
Assistant Curator of the Smithsonian Institution's special traveling exhibition, Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga, from 2000 to 2004, Elisabeth Ward went on to complete her Ph.D. in Scandinavian Languages and Literature from the University of California at Berkeley, and continues to lecture for Smithsonian Journeys. Dr. Ward has a long-term passionate interest in all things Icelandic. Listening to her mother, Margrét Guðmundsdóttir, speak to her grandparents in the Icelandic language, Elisabeth became fluent over many years while growing up in Southern California and traveling to Iceland during the summer. As part of her Ph.D. research, Dr. Ward lived in Iceland from 2006 to 2010, receiving Icelandic citizenship. Her dissertation focuses on the medieval Icelandic narratives called the Sagas of Icelanders; Dr. Ward’s research reveals the relationship between those stories and the actual physical landscape of Iceland. She argues they are “co-constituted”, meaning one cannot be read without the other.
In addition to appearing on documentaries for the Smithsonian Channel and others, she also worked as the Program Director for Vikingaheimar Museum in Reykjanesbær, Iceland, and as the Director of the Scandinavian Cultural Center at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma Washington. Since 2005, she has served as a consultant for Walt Disney World’s Epcot Center helping to create exhibitions for their Norway Pavilion about the Vikings, Norwegian folk culture, and Norse mythology. She recently returned to California to take a position as Executive Director of the Los Altos History Museum. The daughter of an American serviceman who met his wife while stationed in Iceland in the 1960s, Elisabeth is the mother of a 16-year-old son named Palmar Gudmundur, who also has Icelandic citizenship.
Languages spoken: English, Icelandic
James Zimbelman
James R. Zimbelman is Senior Geologist Emeritus, Center for Earth and Planetary Studies, at the National Air and Space Museum (NASM) of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
Jim has published more than 110 peer-reviewed manuscripts, geologic maps, and book chapters. He is the lead author of The Volcanoes of Mars (Elsevier, 2021) and he co-authored Dune Worlds: How windblown sand shapes planetary surfaces (Springer, 2014). He is the 2020 G. K. Gilbert Award winner from the Geological Society of America, the 2013 Ronald Greeley Distinguished Service Award winner from the Planetary Geology Division of GSA, and the 1995 Professional Achievement Award winner from Northwest Nazarene University. His research interests include analysis of high-resolution imaging data of Mars, studies of long lava flows on planetary surfaces, and planetary sand transport processes. From 2016 to 2020, he was Lead Curator for the new “Exploring the Planets” gallery at NASM (scheduled to open in 2022). He has been Study Leader on numerous Smithsonian Journeys trips, including five trips to Iceland, and two more NASA-supported research trips to Iceland. He retired in September of 2020.
Jim holds a B.A. in Physics and Mathematics (1976) from Northwest Nazarene University, an M.S. in Geophysics and Space Physics (1978) from the University of California at Los Angeles, and a Ph.D. in Geology (1984) from Arizona State University.
Language spoken: English
Subject to withdrawal in case of force majeure
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 Scandinavian languages and literature expert Elisabeth Ward and senior geologist emeritus at Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum Jim Zimbelman.
- Golden Circle excursion: the 3 most emblematic sites in Iceland.
- Landscapes: vast glaciers, breathtaking fjords, volcanic rock, basalt pillars, jagged cliffs and geysers.
- Wildlife: Atlantic puffins, Northern gannets, Arctic terns, Minke whales, humpback whales, Icelandic horses.
- Opportunity to visit the Beluga Whale Sanctuary on Heimaey.
Ports of Call & Excursions
6 June 2022 - Reykjavík
Embarkation 6/6/2022 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Departure 6/6/2022 at 9:00 pm
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.
7 June 2022 - Grundarfjördur
Arrival 7/6/2022 midday
Departure 7/6/2022 late afternoon
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.
8 June 2022 - Grímsey
Arrival 8/6/2022 early afternoon
Departure 8/6/2022 evening
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.
9 June 2022 - Akureyri
Arrival 9/6/2022 early morning
Departure 9/6/2022 mid afternoon
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.
10 June 2022 - Isafjördur
Arrival 10/6/2022 early morning
Departure 10/6/2022 early afternoon
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.
11 June 2022 - Heimaey, Vestmannaeyjar
Arrival 11/6/2022 midday
Departure 11/6/2022 early evening
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.
12 June 2022 13 June 2022 - Reykjavík
Arrival 12/6/2022 early morning
Disembarkation 13/6/2022 at 7:00 am
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.
The Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Upon leaving Grundarfjordur, your journey will take you through several small fishing villages along the famous Snæfellsjökull glacier-capped volcano. After a stop at Djupalonssandur, take a short refreshing walk to the shore of the Atlantic Ocean.
You will enjoy a unique experience discovering this fabulous and mystical glacier, which was made popular in 1864 by the French writer Jules Verne in his novel A Journey to the Center of the Earth, where he located the entrance to the subterranean journey inside the Snæfellsjökull crater: “Here we had entered the Earth by one volcano, and we had come out by another. And this other was situated more than twelve hundred leagues from Sneffels, from that drear country of Iceland cast away on the confines of the Earth…”
Afterwards, you will pass the cliffs of Londrangar on the way to the tiny fishing village of Arnarstapi, which offers splendid multicolor lava formations and an abundance of bird-life.
After a walk around, you will return to your ship through Budir, famous for its beautiful surroundings of black lava and its long beach of yellow sand. Continue over Frodarheidi Heath to the north coast of the peninsula and back to Grundarfjordur.
- This excursion includes walking on uneven but essentially flat terrain. We recommend you wear a wind and waterproof jacket, bring a warm pullover and wear comfortable walking shoes, as the terrain can be slippery and steep. Please note that sites may be visited in a different order.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
The Splendors of Lake Myvatn
From the pier, your coach heads southeast toward Lake Myvatn, situated between dormant Hverfell to the east and a protected nesting area to the northwest that is home to tens of thousands of birds, including dozens of species of duck. The area around the lake is a stunning collection of geological treasures.
You pause first at the geothermal field of Namaskard, full of mudpots, steam vents, sulfur deposits, boiling springs and fumaroles. Next is the remarkable landscape of Dimmuborgir, where you will explore the wondrously surreal structures left behind when a massive lava lake collapsed into the marshes below. (This fantasy world was featured in HBO's Game of Thrones as the background of the Wilding camp.)
Lunch will be served in one of the local restaurants in Skutustadir, and you will have the opportunity to walk among the large number of pseudo-craters for which this small town is known.
After lunch, your coach heads back toward Akureyri, stopping along the way at Godafoss. Legend has it that in the year 1000, Thorgeir, chieftain of the Ljosavatn district and Lawspeaker of the ancient parliament, signaled his decision to adopt Christianity by throwing his statues of the pagan gods into the Falls. Hence the name Godafoss ("Waterfall of the Gods").
- For this moderate excursion, we recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes (the terrain can be slippery), a wind and waterproof jacket and take a warm pullover. Please be aware that the order of the visits may be reversed.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Traditions of the Westfjords Peninsula
Your excursion begins with a drive along a narrow coastal road to the tiny town of Bolungarvik and to the Osvor Fisherman's Hut. Consisting of a series of old turf-and-stone fishing shacks restored in 1988, the hut houses a variety of relics that tell the story of how arduous life was for the men and women who eked out an existence by catching and salting fish before the technological innovations of the 20th century.
The village of Bolungarvik itself is nestled in the heart of a spectacular bay surrounded by mountains and bathed by the Isafjardardjup or "Djup" fjord, the largest on the Westfjords Peninsula. The nearby Hólskirkja ("church on the hill") contains several interesting pieces, including two grand bells meant to drive away the demons who live on the heath. Your visit here features a short musical program of traditional Icelandic folk songs performed by a local group of singers.
On your return to Isafjördur, pass through the historic old town and its 18th-century buildings to reach the Maritime Museum. The museum is a monument in itself, comprising several buildings that date to the 1780s. As you browse the collections, you will enjoy a tasting of local specialties such as Schnapps, dried fish and locally canned fish cooked the Icelandic way.
- For this excursion, we advise you to wear comfortable shoes, to protect yourself from the sun and to bring a warm and waterproof jacket. Please note the order of the visits may change.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Beluga Whale Sanctuary
No more than a 10-minute walk from the ship you will discover the world's first Beluga Whale Sanctuary. In pursuit of their mission to protect marine wildlife, the Sea Life Trust, a UK charity, founded this sanctuary as an alternative to confining captive belugas in aquariums. There are currently two resident whales in the sanctuary, transported from Shanghai, China in 2019. You will explore the sanctuary's Visitor Center, which includes an aquarium of local marine life, and you will also learn about the work of the Puffin Rescue Center, which is attached to the sanctuary. Your tour of the shoreside facilities is followed by a short boat ride to the sanctuary itself, where you will see the whales in their private bay, as you observe from a safe and discreet distance.
- This is an easy excursion, involving less than a half mile total walking over paved paths. We recommend comfortable shoes, a wind and waterproof jacket, a hat and sunglasses. You may also wish to bring an extra layer for the boat ride.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
The Volcanic Island of Heimaey
The largest of Iceland's Westman Islands, Heimaey serves as summer home to millions of seabirds — puffin, fulmar, guillemot and others — whose eggs have traditionally been an important source of food for the islanders. You will observe many of them nesting on the tall cliffs that surround the harbor as your motorcoach sets off on an exploration of this rugged outpost in the North Atlantic.
Your route takes you first through the Herjólfsdalur Valley, where ruins of old farmhouses, some dating back to the 7th century, are found. Continue along the scenic western coast, where you can view the outer islands of the archipelago. The youngest of these, Surtsey, was formed in a volcanic eruption in 1963; it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Stop briefly at the puffin nesting ground of Stórhöfði for magnificent views over the island before the route back to the harbor takes you between two volcanic craters, the 5,000 year old Helgafell, “Holy Mountain”, and the considerably younger Eldfell, “Fire Mountain.” Eldfell erupted in 1973, forcing an evacuation of the entire population. During the six-month eruption, a massive operation was mounted to slow and control the lava flow by pumping seawater and spraying the leading edge. Although many houses were destroyed, the effort was successful in preventing the harbor from being closed. This story is documented in the recently opened Eldheimar Museum, where you will have the opportunity to see the excavated remains of a house buried for 40 years in ash.
- We recommend you wear good and comfortable walking shoes and dress in layers. The walk up to the viewpoint at Stórhöfði is very steep and can be slippery.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Iceland's Golden Circle
This classic excursion encompasses Iceland's “Big Three” attractions—Thingvellir, Gullfoss and Geysir. Collectively known as the Golden Circle, these sites, within easy driving distance of Reykjavik, provide an overview of the scenic wonder for which Iceland is justly renowned.
Your journey begins with a drive inland to Thingvellir National Park, which ranks at the top of Iceland's most visited places and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004. Occupying a vast lava plain of green moss and wild flowers, Thingvellir has been revered by Icelanders since the year 930, when the oldest legislative body in history, the Althing, first convened here. During your visit, take special note of the Law Speaker's rock and of the remains of the turf shelters that were once used as dwellings during the two-week assemblies of the Althing at the height of summer every other year.
Leaving Thingvellir your tour continues over Lyngdalsheidi heath and through the fertile farmlands to the south, where you discover the most beautiful waterfall of the country, the "Golden Waterfall" of Gullfoss. This is where the river Hvita drops 96 feet in two cascades, creating an awesome spectacle.
At the Geysir area, you will encounter a remarkable collection of hissing hot springs, bubbling mud puts and geysers. "Strokkur," the most active geyser, spouts water and steam every few minutes. Here, amid these remarkable geothermal phenomena, enjoy a buffet lunch of soups, salads, meats and vegetables.
After lunch, return to Hafnarfjördur through the Grimsnes region, stopping in Hveragerdi, where geothermal energy has been used to power an extensive greenhouse industry. Continue to the Pearl, a glass dome built atop giant tanks that store hot water for metropolitan Reykjavik. The Pearl's viewing deck affords panoramic views of the city.
- For this moderate excursion, we recommend you wear comfortable shoes, a wind and waterproof jacket, a hat and sunglasses and you take a warm pullover. Please be aware that the order of the visits may be altered.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Le Bellot
Like the other ships in the PONANT EXPLORERS series, Le Bellot has been designed to provide absolute comfort for its passengers, even at the heart of the world's most remote and isolated regions.
Racy lines, state-of-the-art equipment, a refined design, a softly muted and at the same time convivial ambiance together with a deliberately restricted number of cabins all contribute to the modernity of Le Bellot, a unique ship in the world of cruising.
Up to 184 Guests
92 staterooms & suites
118 crew members
Spa
2 restaurants
Decks
Shore excursion or activity in each port of call + transfers 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 two Smithsonian Journeys Experts – Scandinavian languages and literature expert Elisabeth Ward and senior geologist emeritus at Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum Jim Zimbelman.
- 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 “Itinerary” 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
Guest Speaker
Aboard your ship, an English-speaking lecturer will enlighten you about the culture and history of your destination to deepen your knowledge of the origins of local traditions, the history of emblematic sites, and stories involving famous personalities and those of major historical significance. During on-board lectures or on your shore visits, this expert will be there to share their precious knowledge with you throughout your PONANT cruise.
Shore excursions, Pre/Post & Overlands
The Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Upon leaving Grundarfjordur, your journey will take you through several small fishing villages along the famous Snæfellsjökull glacier-capped volcano. After a stop at Djupalonssandur, take a short refreshing walk to the shore of the Atlantic Ocean.
You will enjoy a unique experience discovering this fabulous and mystical glacier, which was made popular in 1864 by the French writer Jules Verne in his novel A Journey to the Center of the Earth, where he located the entrance to the subterranean journey inside the Snæfellsjökull crater: “Here we had entered the Earth by one volcano, and we had come out by another. And this other was situated more than twelve hundred leagues from Sneffels, from that drear country of Iceland cast away on the confines of the Earth…”
Afterwards, you will pass the cliffs of Londrangar on the way to the tiny fishing village of Arnarstapi, which offers splendid multicolor lava formations and an abundance of bird-life.
After a walk around, you will return to your ship through Budir, famous for its beautiful surroundings of black lava and its long beach of yellow sand. Continue over Frodarheidi Heath to the north coast of the peninsula and back to Grundarfjordur.
- This excursion includes walking on uneven but essentially flat terrain. We recommend you wear a wind and waterproof jacket, bring a warm pullover and wear comfortable walking shoes, as the terrain can be slippery and steep. Please note that sites may be visited in a different order.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
The Splendors of Lake Myvatn
From the pier, your coach heads southeast toward Lake Myvatn, situated between dormant Hverfell to the east and a protected nesting area to the northwest that is home to tens of thousands of birds, including dozens of species of duck. The area around the lake is a stunning collection of geological treasures.
You pause first at the geothermal field of Namaskard, full of mudpots, steam vents, sulfur deposits, boiling springs and fumaroles. Next is the remarkable landscape of Dimmuborgir, where you will explore the wondrously surreal structures left behind when a massive lava lake collapsed into the marshes below. (This fantasy world was featured in HBO's Game of Thrones as the background of the Wilding camp.)
Lunch will be served in one of the local restaurants in Skutustadir, and you will have the opportunity to walk among the large number of pseudo-craters for which this small town is known.
After lunch, your coach heads back toward Akureyri, stopping along the way at Godafoss. Legend has it that in the year 1000, Thorgeir, chieftain of the Ljosavatn district and Lawspeaker of the ancient parliament, signaled his decision to adopt Christianity by throwing his statues of the pagan gods into the Falls. Hence the name Godafoss ("Waterfall of the Gods").
- For this moderate excursion, we recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes (the terrain can be slippery), a wind and waterproof jacket and take a warm pullover. Please be aware that the order of the visits may be reversed.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Traditions of the Westfjords Peninsula
Your excursion begins with a drive along a narrow coastal road to the tiny town of Bolungarvik and to the Osvor Fisherman's Hut. Consisting of a series of old turf-and-stone fishing shacks restored in 1988, the hut houses a variety of relics that tell the story of how arduous life was for the men and women who eked out an existence by catching and salting fish before the technological innovations of the 20th century.
The village of Bolungarvik itself is nestled in the heart of a spectacular bay surrounded by mountains and bathed by the Isafjardardjup or "Djup" fjord, the largest on the Westfjords Peninsula. The nearby Hólskirkja ("church on the hill") contains several interesting pieces, including two grand bells meant to drive away the demons who live on the heath. Your visit here features a short musical program of traditional Icelandic folk songs performed by a local group of singers.
On your return to Isafjördur, pass through the historic old town and its 18th-century buildings to reach the Maritime Museum. The museum is a monument in itself, comprising several buildings that date to the 1780s. As you browse the collections, you will enjoy a tasting of local specialties such as Schnapps, dried fish and locally canned fish cooked the Icelandic way.
- For this excursion, we advise you to wear comfortable shoes, to protect yourself from the sun and to bring a warm and waterproof jacket. Please note the order of the visits may change.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Beluga Whale Sanctuary
No more than a 10-minute walk from the ship you will discover the world's first Beluga Whale Sanctuary. In pursuit of their mission to protect marine wildlife, the Sea Life Trust, a UK charity, founded this sanctuary as an alternative to confining captive belugas in aquariums. There are currently two resident whales in the sanctuary, transported from Shanghai, China in 2019. You will explore the sanctuary's Visitor Center, which includes an aquarium of local marine life, and you will also learn about the work of the Puffin Rescue Center, which is attached to the sanctuary. Your tour of the shoreside facilities is followed by a short boat ride to the sanctuary itself, where you will see the whales in their private bay, as you observe from a safe and discreet distance.
- This is an easy excursion, involving less than a half mile total walking over paved paths. We recommend comfortable shoes, a wind and waterproof jacket, a hat and sunglasses. You may also wish to bring an extra layer for the boat ride.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
The Volcanic Island of Heimaey
The largest of Iceland's Westman Islands, Heimaey serves as summer home to millions of seabirds — puffin, fulmar, guillemot and others — whose eggs have traditionally been an important source of food for the islanders. You will observe many of them nesting on the tall cliffs that surround the harbor as your motorcoach sets off on an exploration of this rugged outpost in the North Atlantic.
Your route takes you first through the Herjólfsdalur Valley, where ruins of old farmhouses, some dating back to the 7th century, are found. Continue along the scenic western coast, where you can view the outer islands of the archipelago. The youngest of these, Surtsey, was formed in a volcanic eruption in 1963; it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Stop briefly at the puffin nesting ground of Stórhöfði for magnificent views over the island before the route back to the harbor takes you between two volcanic craters, the 5,000 year old Helgafell, “Holy Mountain”, and the considerably younger Eldfell, “Fire Mountain.” Eldfell erupted in 1973, forcing an evacuation of the entire population. During the six-month eruption, a massive operation was mounted to slow and control the lava flow by pumping seawater and spraying the leading edge. Although many houses were destroyed, the effort was successful in preventing the harbor from being closed. This story is documented in the recently opened Eldheimar Museum, where you will have the opportunity to see the excavated remains of a house buried for 40 years in ash.
- We recommend you wear good and comfortable walking shoes and dress in layers. The walk up to the viewpoint at Stórhöfði is very steep and can be slippery.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Iceland's Golden Circle
This classic excursion encompasses Iceland's “Big Three” attractions—Thingvellir, Gullfoss and Geysir. Collectively known as the Golden Circle, these sites, within easy driving distance of Reykjavik, provide an overview of the scenic wonder for which Iceland is justly renowned.
Your journey begins with a drive inland to Thingvellir National Park, which ranks at the top of Iceland's most visited places and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004. Occupying a vast lava plain of green moss and wild flowers, Thingvellir has been revered by Icelanders since the year 930, when the oldest legislative body in history, the Althing, first convened here. During your visit, take special note of the Law Speaker's rock and of the remains of the turf shelters that were once used as dwellings during the two-week assemblies of the Althing at the height of summer every other year.
Leaving Thingvellir your tour continues over Lyngdalsheidi heath and through the fertile farmlands to the south, where you discover the most beautiful waterfall of the country, the "Golden Waterfall" of Gullfoss. This is where the river Hvita drops 96 feet in two cascades, creating an awesome spectacle.
At the Geysir area, you will encounter a remarkable collection of hissing hot springs, bubbling mud puts and geysers. "Strokkur," the most active geyser, spouts water and steam every few minutes. Here, amid these remarkable geothermal phenomena, enjoy a buffet lunch of soups, salads, meats and vegetables.
After lunch, return to Hafnarfjördur through the Grimsnes region, stopping in Hveragerdi, where geothermal energy has been used to power an extensive greenhouse industry. Continue to the Pearl, a glass dome built atop giant tanks that store hot water for metropolitan Reykjavik. The Pearl's viewing deck affords panoramic views of the city.
- For this moderate excursion, we recommend you wear comfortable shoes, a wind and waterproof jacket, a hat and sunglasses and you take a warm pullover. Please be aware that the order of the visits may be altered.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.