Circumnavigating Iceland - The Land of Elves, Sagas and Volcanoes (itinerary 2)

Many visitors find landing at Keflavik airport enchanting. The hub seems carved out of an arctic desert, with lava stones covered in moss and haunting mountains nearby. But just 45 minutes away, Reykjavík is a charming and vibrant modern city, offering top restaurants, interesting museums and quaint narrow streets.

Stykkishólmur has beautiful and well-preserved old houses in the town centre and is surrounded by wonderful scenery. Enjoy exploring the town´s interesting museums or join optional excursions to the iconic sites of Snæfellsnes Penninsula, such as the Lóndrangar basalt cliffs or the black sandy beaches of Djúpalónssandur.

Patreksfjördur is a charming settlement on the west coast of Iceland with around 660 inhabitants. The picturesque fjord offers scenic hiking trails if conditions allow. Patreksfjördur is also close to the spectacular waterfall of Dynjandi and to Látrabjarg, a renowned site for birdwatching.

Our experienced captain will plan a day exploring the stunning fjords of northwest Iceland.

Conditions will determine the final program and activity for the day. We might visit a small settlement, take you on hikes or launch our kayaks.

In 1917 Elías Stefánsson settled down in Djupavik and built a herring salting factory. Today you can still see the remains of the factory as well as only seven houses and a hotel here. We will explore the landing site, and the beautiful natural scenery surrounding it.

Lively Akureyri is famous for its botanical gardens and pretty traffic lights. This is the most populous community outside Reykjavík, and serves as the centre of trade, culture and services for the north of Iceland. Akureyri is close to many of Iceland’s most renowned natural treasures, such as Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss waterfall.

We will use our tender boats to reach this green and grassy island. Grimsey is probably best known for its proximity to the Arctic Circle, which cuts across the island. You can have the chance to step across that line, North to South. During the afternoon we sail towards Husavik, where we will arrive in the evening and stay overnight.

Húsavík is renowned for its whale watching and has several interesting museums, including of course, a Whale Museum. In the evening we will sail past the scenic Laganes Peninsula.

Bakkagerdi is the main settlement in Borgarfjörður. This area is known for its natural beauty and is `the land of the elves´. Puffin colonies abound in the fjord, making this a popular place for birdwatching. Bakkagerdi is off the typical tourist track, and offers peace, quiet and lovely views.

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 you stay a few extra days to explore fascinating Reykjavik.