Tour plan
D We will be arriving Seyðisfjörður at 08:30 in the morning. We will disembark the ship by foot. Breakfast will be served in a great organic restaurant run by the East Iceland Food Coop. We have some time to tour and walk around Seyðisfjörður, one of Iceland´s most charming towns in the east fjords. Seyðisfjörður has preserved most of its historical homes and is in one of the deepest fjords in the east. It is known for its big artist movement, which has brought life back into a town which transitioned from a fishing village, it still is to some point, but now the town boasts, a lot of arts and crafts, and is the cultural center of the east, it also has nice boutiques and restaurants. After Seyðisfjörður we will head to Egilssaðir to collect the rest of the group joining our journey, and then head out to Iceland´s largest forest and lake area. We will be spending the night near Hallormstaður.
B, D Today we will start out around 10:00 heading to Borgarfjörður-eystri for a puffin experience of a life time. The harbour in Borgarfjörður-eystri is a well known spot for puffins which come back year after year to hatch eggs. This time of year they are plentiful. This is a very unique place for birdwatching. There is a nearby cafe on the harbour where we can have a nice snack before continuing to Langanes, or the big bird. Langanes, which it self means long-peninsula, is shaped like a big birds head. On the way we will be travelling over one of the highest roads ( dirt mountain passes ) in Iceland, which offers spectacular views on both sides. This region is one of the most remote parts of Iceland and one of the most sparsely populated. We will be staying at Grásteinn Guesthouse for the next two nights, hosted by Hildur and Siggi. Dinner will be waiting for us upon arrival. Horseback riding is available here at Grásteinn.
B, L, D Exploring Langanes Peninsula is on the agenda today. Today offers many opportunities for hiking, bird spotting, and being one with nature. Langanes is 43km long of unspoilt nature. The cliffs are full of birds. We have a second chance to see puffins. We will also see a colony of Northern Gannets at Stori Karl rocks. We will explore the cliffs at Fontur ( when we call not the middle of nowhere, but the end of nowhere! ). This is one of the furthest points on our Island from Reykjavik. The abandoned village of Skálar is where we will have a BBQ lunch prepared by your gudes. Skálar was last inhabited in the 1940s. Many of the buildings once functional and occupied are still standing. Langanes was once the location of a large American Military base on the top of Heiðarfell mountain. The base was used as a radar station during the cold war, and was very important between the years of 1954 and 1968. The views from the top are stunning. Dinner will be served back at the farm when we arrive.
B , D Start our day with a visit to the Arctic Henge and explain what it is after breakfast. Next stop is the majestic Ásbyrgi park and horseshoe shaped canyon, shaped by Sleppnir´s six legged horse in nordic myths, or by years of river erosion, you will decide! The canyon is full of a birch tree forest, beautiful pond and at the end of a nice hike, a beautiful view. Next is the powerful Dettifoss. Dettifoss is Europes most powerful waterfall dumping and impressive 190m3 per second. It is also possible to see Selfoss a little further up the path so we get two waterfalls! Next is Mývatn lake and its Geothermal Power. Here it is possible to see a volcano or two, possible to swim in Mývatn nature bath, walk through a lava maze, learn about the tectonic plates ( Iceland is both in North America and Europe geographically speaking ). After leaving Mývatn we will head to Eyja fjord, Iceland´s longest fjord, home to Iceland´s second largest city, and capital of the north, Akureyri. We will be staying in the little artistic and picturesque village on the fjord called Hjalteyri. Hjalteryi hotel is a hidden gem. It is a very unique and well appointed hotel in a hidden area with abundant art work, many books to skim or read. We will be staying put here for the next three days, and use Hjalteyri as a home base to explore different parts of north Iceland.
B, L, D A visit to Iceland would not be complete without a whale watching tour. We will depart the village of Árskogssandur at 10:00 for a whale watching tour approx 2.5h. The whale watching boat will drop us off at the Island of Hrisey, where the pace is a bit slower. We will have a fish buffet lunch at Verðbuð. After lunch we have time to either take trails around the whole island, where you will be stunned by the bird life, and can still spot whales off the coast. Or you can alternatively just leisuely walk around the village and take advantage of their fantastic swimming pool and hot tub. We will depart the island around 1900 by ferry back to Árskogssandur. In Árskogssandur we will have dinner at Mýri restaurant. Traditional Icelandic Seafood with a twist. You can also take advantage of the beer spa if you like. Soak in beer at the spa (not included in trip price ) back to the hotel! At the hotel you can continue to bask in the hot tubs or sauna. There are also nearby trails to walk and enjoy eternal daylight.
B, D Today we will start off with Akureyri. We have time for a walking tour of the capital of the north, botanical gardens or forest. Akureyri museum, then lunch. After lunch we will head to a special place. We special vehicles, we will head to Flateyadalur on one of Icelands F ( mountain) roads ( pending on the road being open ). On the way we will stop at Laufás, and experience a bit of the past, and see how Icelander´s used to live. In turf houses. This is one of the best preserved turf houses in Iceland. Many parts of the house are underground. After our tour, we continue to Flateyardalur. Here we are going to have a very special „ Traditional Icelandic“ dinner out in the wild. We will stay as late as possible to experience this great place, and the sun never setting.
Day 07 June 12 Around the Troll to a misfits pool and to the Stykk
B, D Today we depart Hjalteyri and go around the troll. We have time to stop at the Herring museum in beautiful Siglufjörður. The herring museum is a very large complex of different buildings, but it highlights how Iceland went from being one of the poorest countries in europe, to a higher standard of living. It also highlights important environmental factors like over fishing and ruining fish stocks. Lunch is available in town, and then we will continue with some of the most stunning views on the Arctic Coast Way around the troll peninsula. We will stop for an hour and a half at a geothermal hot pool, little known to the vast majority. The pool gets it´s name from Gettir a persona non grata of the past who was exiled to living on an island you can see from the coast.
After our swim will will continue our journey to „ the Stykk“ Tonight we will arrive to Stykkishólmur on Snæfellsness peninsula. Dinner at Sjávarpakkhusið.
B, D We have all of Snæfellsness peninsula today and we will end in south Iceland. First stop is a Greenland Shark museum. Hákarl (fermented greenland shark ) how and why we started to eat it. A visit to the museum is not complete without trying it with a shot of Brennivín ( AKA. Black Death ) Skál! Next stop is the iconic Mt. Kirkjufell. Very popular on instagram. Next we continue on the old road, up to the Snæfellsness Glacier on top of the mountain. Lets see if we can hike on some snow in the summer? Next are lava fields. We will then slowly make our way to Country Hotel Anna for dinner. We will stay one night here. After dinner there is optional participation to one of Icelands oldest geothermal swimming pools.
B, D Today after breakfast we will head to the famous Reynisfjara black beach. We will also stop at 3 famous waterfalls today. Skogarfoss, Seljalandsfoss, and of course Gullfoss on the Golden Circle. On the way to Reykjavik we will stop at two icons of the Golden Circle. Gullfoss as mentioned and of course Geysir. Evening arrival to Reykjavik. Stay at Hotel Frón, very central location and dinner together.
B, D For those of you continuing to Greenland, early breakfast and off to the airport for departure to Narsarsauq. For those of you heading to Europe or North America, perhaps you have time to visit Reykjavik a bit, or visit the Blue Lagoon on the way to the airport. You may also book an additional day in Reykjavik if you like.