Early Bird Specials:
- Kids Save 50% Off
- Save Up to $612 pp for 2022 departures by 03/31/2022
- Save Up to 25% Off for 2023 departures by 03/31/2022
- Exclusive Onboard Credit of 90 Euro per person from Polar Dream Travel
Please click "Prices and Departures" above for departure dates, cabin types and prices.
Day 1 Reykjavik - Embarkation
Estimated time of departure is 8:00 PM
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. Explore the capital Reykjavík, the charming and vibrant modern city on your own or book a Pre-programme to explore the surrounding geysers, mountains, glaciers and geothermal baths before bembarking MS Fridtjof Nansen for your expedition.
Day 2 Stykkishólmur - Full Day - Welcome to Sagaland
The friendly town of Stykkishólmur features beautiful, well-preserved old houses and is surrounded by wonderful scenery. Enjoy exploring the town´s interesting museums or join optional excursions to see such iconic sites on Snæfellsnes Penninsula as the Lóndrangar basalt cliffs or black sand beaches of Djúpalónssandur.
Day 3 Patreksfjördur - Full Day - Patreksfjördur
Patreksfjördur is a charming settlement on the west coast of Iceland with about 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.
Day 4 Northwest Iceland - Exploration Day - Northwest Iceland
Our experienced captain will plan a day exploring the stunningly beautiful 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.
Day 5 Djúpavík
In 1917, Elías Stefánsson settled in Djúpavík and built a herring salting factory. After many failed attempts and setbacks, the factory and the town that formed around it were abandoned. For decades, it remained a ghost town - until the settlement was adopted by modern-day pioneers Eva and Ásbjörn in 1985. Today, Djúpavík is a fascinating portal to a well-preserved past.
Eva and Ásbjörn renovated the site into a hotel and have been restoring the nearby buildings, including the herring factory, ever since. The hotel occupies what used to be the dormitory for female workers. If you’re lucky, the manager may tell you a tale or two about the history of this cozy laid-back hotel. Sample the fabulous homemade cakes and sit back with a hot chocolate and gaze out at the beautiful vista of the peaceful fjord. Bliss!
A guided tour of the old herring factory is a must. It was Iceland’s biggest concrete structure when it opened in 1935. The rusting old factory now features artwork, installations, and annual concerts.
Of course, the backdrop to this hulking factory is what makes exploring it even more engrossing. Stunning beauty surrounds this remote part of northwest Iceland, with its deep blue water, crisp air, and verdant hills. Seabirds swoop in and out of darkened factory windows as white water tumbles down from the choppy mountains.
Explore these magical surroundings on foot and take a short and invigorating hike to the waterfall just above the old herring factory. There’s also a longer 3-mile circular route if you’re feeling energetic. From the beach, you might see seals and even small whales.
Day 6 Akureyri - Full Day - Northern Center
Akureyri is a lively town, famous for its botanical gardens and pretty traffic lights. It is the most populous community outside Reykjavík, and the center of trade, culture and services in northern Iceland. Akureyri is close to many of Iceland’s renowned natural treasures, like Mývatn lake and Goðafoss waterfall.
Day 7 Grimsey Island - Full Day - Step Across the Arctic Circle
We will use our tender boats to reach this green and grassy island. It is probably best known for its proximity to the Arctic Circle, which cuts across the island. You get the chance to step across the boundary between the far north and south.
Day 8 Húsavík and The Langanes Peninsula
Welcome to Húsavík! Widely considered Iceland’s whale capital, this small town on Iceland’s northern coast has gained international popularity as one of the world’s best places to see whales.
Húsavík looks out over the Skjálfandi Bay, which enjoys regular visits from various whale species, including humpback, minke, and the elusive blue whale, as well as white-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises. If luck’s on your side, you may see one or more of these giants of the sea.
It’s only fitting for a town so geared toward whales would have a museum to further your knowledge. If you want to learn more about these gentle giants, visit Húsavík’s highly informative Whale Museum.
If you’re also interested in space travel, the Exploration Museum is fascinating. The astronauts involved in NASA’s Apollo Program space missions trained near Húsavík in 1965 and 1967. Iceland’s basalt rocks are a close approximation of lunar rocks and provided essential geology training. The museum’s main exhibition is centered around this groundbreaking endeavor.
A little over a mile south of Húsavík, Kaldbakur, a pond, offers an extraordinary swimming experience. Not only is it a heitur pottur (a ‘hot pot’ or pool) heated by geothermal energy, you’ll also be swimming with goldfish.
In the evening, we’ll sail past the scenic Langanes Peninsula. Looking at it on the map, you can almost guess its unique feature: birds. After all, it’s shaped like a goose with a colossal head!
Day 9 Bakkagerdi - Full Day - Land of the Elves
Bakkagerdi is the main settlement in Borgarfjörður, an area known for its natural beauty and as “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.
Day 10 - Heimaey - Full Day - Iceland`s Pompeii
Heimaey, or “Home Island” physically embraces our arrival. The harbor has a very narrow entrance, formed by a famous 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.
Day 11 - Reykjavik - Full Day
Estimated time of arrival is 6:00 AM
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.
