Circumnavigating Iceland - The Land Of Elves, Sagas And Volcanoes

Your Iceland expedition cruise starts in Reykjavík, a city full of art, culture and history. Visit Laugavegur, the main shopping street and head towards the striking Hallgrímskirkja church. Or why not explore the galleries and museums dotted around the city. 

With so much to explore, you may want to arrive early to join one of our Pre-Programmes and explore the Golden Circle or Icelandic Highlands. 

Once aboard MS Fram – a smaller ship built for more personal exploration – it's time to settle in, meet your Expedition Team, and enjoy a relaxed welcome dinner. 

It's as though time has stood still at Stykkishólmur, the small fishing town in Breiðafjörður bay, where colourful houses stand out in contrast to distant mountains.  

Nearby, you'll find Snæfellsnes Peninsula National Park, with the striking, ice-capped Snæfellsjökull volcano at the peninsula's western tip. It'snicknamed 'Little Iceland' for its array of volcanic landscapes. 

At the national park you can visit Djúpalónssandur's black sand beach and the Lóndrangar basalt cliffs. Or why not ride a snowcat to the top of the Snæfellsjökull glacier, or take a guided coastal hike with a glacial cave tour. 

Patreksfjörður is unforgettably beautiful. Here, you'll learn about the fishing traditions in Europe's most westerly village. You can even enjoy a dip in the town's outdoor pool, with wonderful fjord views. 

Explore the surrounding area on a hike through the fjords or visit Rauðasandur beach and see seals. You can also join a tour to Dynjandi waterfalls – six falls combined that together make the largest and most spectacular in the Westfjords.  

Birdwatchers shouldn't miss a visit to Látrabjarg, where puffins, Northern Gannets, guillemots and razorbills cling to Europe's largest bird cliff. 

One of the best things about expedition cruising is the feeling of freedom. We plan to spend the day in Iceland's Northwestern Region, but as conditions can vary we won't know exactly what's in store until the day itself. Rest assured, your Captain and Expedition Team will find the best opportunities for adventure.  

We may take you ashore in our small expedition boats for a hike, swim or beach clean-up. Or perhaps we'll launch our kayaks to explore a pretty cove. Be ready for anything! 

Don't forget, you can also join onboard lectures, visit the Science Center, get tips from our professional photographer, or soak in a hot tub! 

The remote village of Djúpavík,at the edge of the Westfjords,has an eerie charm. A vast abandoned herring factory contrasts with a stunning rural setting. A guided tour of the old herring factory should not be missed. 

Explore the magical surroundings here on foot and take a short, invigorating hike to the waterfall just above the old factory. 

Today we cruise along Eyjafjörður, Iceland's longest fjord, to Akureyri, Iceland's northern capital. It's a prime area to see humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises. 

Stroll the interesting streets of Akureyri, which feature charming, colourful houses. You can also learn about the history of the city at the Akureyri Museum, and visit Into the Arctic – Norðurslóð  –a museum dedicated to Iceland's settlement,culture and life in the north. 

Further afield you can visit the picturesque Goðafoss – ‘God's Waterfall' – where turquoise waters pound against black rocks. You can also seek out Eider and Harlequin Ducks at Lake Mývatn, one of Iceland's more active volcanic areas.  

Grímsey is steeped in folklore, including tales of the island's first settler, Grímur. This remote and windswept island, home to just 60 people, is famous for its Atlantic Puffin colonies.  

Grímsey is probably best known for its proximity to the Arctic Circle, which cuts across the island – the only part of Iceland where it does so. You'll have the opportunity to step across that line, hopping over to the Arctic and back!    

Hike to the Orbis et Globus landmark, a huge concrete sphere sculpture that's repositioned each year to fit the northward movement of the Arctic Circle. In fact, by 2050, Grímsey will lie outside the Arctic! 

Today you'll discover Húsavík, a fascinating small town that's one of the best places in the world from which to see whales.  

Húsavík looks out over Skjálfandi bay, which enjoys visits from humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphin, harbour porpoise and even the elusive blue whale. If you're lucky, you might see one or more of these giants at sea. Learn more about them at Húsavík's Whale Museum.  

 You can also enjoy the geothermal waters at Geosea, which overlooks Skjálfandi bay, and refresh with a beer at the local microbrewery. 

Your Iceland cruise continues to Bakkagerði, a tiny settlement off the beaten track. According to folklore, Bakkagerði is inhabited by a large population of local land spirits or elves, known as huldufólk, meaning 'hidden people'. 

A popular hiking area, you can walk through lush, green valleys and gorgeous scenery among colourful rhyolite rocks. The coastal cliffs are home to fulmars, kittiwakes, eiders and puffins. We may also visit the Atlantic Puffin colony on Hafnarhólmi – a true gem for nature lovers and wildlife photographers.  

Heimaey, or “Home Island” welcomes us for our visit.  The harbour has a very narrow entrance, caused by a volcanic eruption in 1973. Most of the island has steep cliffs, is well-vegetated and provides a habitat for countless birds, including the charming puffin.

Our voyage of discovery and adventure ends in Reykjavik. If you have the time, we recommend to book our Post-programme or spend some extra days to explore fascinating Reykjavik.