HIGHLIGHTS
- Explore
Iceland's rarely visited Westfjords region
- Lookout
for an incredible variety of seabirds including Arctic tern, puffins
and eiders
- Visit
Ittoqqortoormiit, one of the world's most remote settlements
- Glide
through the pristine waters of world's largest fjord network in east
Greenland
- Learn
about Heimaey's dark history and its recent volcanic past
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | Oceanview D4 | Oceanview M4 | Balcony D5 | Balcony M5 | Balcony D6 | Suite | Premium Suite |
|---|
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Oceanview D4 | (Mid-range)
Balcony M5 | (High-end)
Premium Suite |
|---|
ITINERARY
Reykjavik
Day 1
Despite
its small size, you won’t be short of things to see and do in
this diminutive but dramatic city. To get your bearings, take the
elevator to the top of Hallgrímskirkja. This church,
designed by famed Icelandic architect Gudjón Samuelsson is
one of the most distinctive buildings in town. When you return to
earth, visit the city’s other renowned building Harpa Concert
Hall, located at the heart of Reykjavík's regenerated
harbour – also the home of the Maritime Museum. Speaking of
cultural spaces, tour the National Museum to learn the story of Iceland
from past to present. The Reykjavík Art Museum houses an
impressive contemporary collection including eye-catching pieces by
Erró. And, of course, just 50 kilometres outside the city
lies Thingvellir National Park, the site of Iceland’s
original Viking parliament.
Isafjordur
Day 2
Surrounded
by fjords in the Westfjords region, Ísafjördur is a
bustling fishing town in northwest Iceland with colourful wooden 18th-
and 19th-century houses in the old town of Neskaupstadur.
Ísafjördur was one of the largest fisheries in
Iceland, but tourism has now taken over. Nearby is Sudavik, home to the
Arctic Fox Centre. Iceland’s only mammal, the arctic fox
lives on the lush tundra of Hornstrandir Nature Reserve - the
northernmost peninsula in the Westfjords with two of Europe’s
largest bird cliffs.
At
Sea Day 3
You
can spend your day at sea enjoying the many facilities available. Head
to the sauna, get in a workout in the state-of-the-art gym or relax in
the jacuzzi whilst taking in incredible views along the way. If you
prefer to learn a little more about your surroundings, listen to an
informative talk or have a chat with one of our knowledgeable on-board
experts.
Ittoqqortoormiit
Day 4
One
of the most remote towns in the world, thick sea ice makes
Ittoqqortoormiit inaccessible by ship for nine months of the year.
Founded in 1925 by Danish explorer Ejnar Mikkelsen and a group of 80 or
so Inuit, the town’s 450 present-day residents are largely
self-sufficient. Hunting and fishing at sea are the only ways that this
community can survive. Although a small number of residents now also
work service industry. Ittoqqortoormiit is also the gateway to the
Scoresbysund fjord system; the world’s largest fjord network
with an area of just under 40,000 square kilometres.
Scoresbysund
Day 5-6
Over
the next few days, we’ll explore the vast Scorebysund fjord
network. The imposing basalt mountains create a striking backdrop
against the brilliant white ice floating in the mirror-like waters. The
mountains offer protection from the Arctic winds, providing excellent
shelter for an abundance of Greenland’s iconic wildlife.
We’ll be hoping to spot muskoxen, Arctic foxes and mountain
hares along the frozen shores. Birds also thrive in this delicate
ecosystem. With the help of our expedition team, we’ll be
looking out for little auks, Atlantic puffins, fulmars, snowy owls, the
Greenlandic gyrfalcon and great black-backed gulls. Seals and whales
are also common sightings in the fjord waters.
Kong
Oscar Fjord Day 7-8
King
Oscar Fjord forms the northern border of the Scoresby Sound. This
seemingly endless maze of valleys eventually gives way to the open sea.
The imposing mountains, deep waters and sparkling ice create the kind
of dramatic and emotive landscape that photos just can’t
emulate. This other-worldly place is beautiful and imposingly hostile
all at once. Whilst cruising through King Oscar Fjord, we’ll
observe the fascinating Berzelius Bjerg, a mountain with clear bands of
coloured strata – formed millions of years ago when the
mountains here were once part of the seabed.
At
Sea Day 9
Sea
days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go
by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of
the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle
with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible
trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books.
Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or
perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our
onboard professional photographers.
Seydisfjordur
Day 10
Regarded
as east Island’s cultural hub, brightly painted wooden houses
line Seyðisfjörður’s port. With a
lively arts scene disproportionate to its small size,
Seyðisfjörður has attracted many writers and
artists over the years and also hosts an annual summer arts festival.
Surrounded by incredible nature, the Skálanes nature reserve
is a short distance from the town. The area covered by the reserve is
known for its diverse wildlife with over 47 species of bird and over
150 plant species. Reindeer are also seen here, with seals and
porpoises frequently spotted along the shores.
Djupivorgur
Day 11
Home
to fewer than 500 residents, the quiet fishing village of Djupivogur
dates back to the Viking era. Despite its formidable origins, the
village is better known these days for its unhurried pace of life.
Djupivogur’s most famous artistic offering may be the first
thing you notice as you disembark. The 34 large granite eggs that line
the road along the bay are not easy to miss. The art installation,
named ‘The Eggs at Merry Bay’ (Eggin í
Gleðivík in Icelandic) represents the 34 species of
birds that nest locally. Immerse yourself further into the wild on a
trip to nearby Vatnajökull National Park. Covering 14% of
Iceland’s land mass, this vast area is home to giant ice
caps, thundering glacial rivers, grumbling active volcanoes and a host
of other geological wonders. Take a guided tour out onto
Vatnajökull Glacier, Europe’s largest ice cap, and
experience the glory of true Icelandic wilderness for yourself.
Heimaey
Day 12
A
small 13-kilometre square island off the south coast of Iceland,
Heimaey’s history has been surprisingly eventful. From the
escapee 16th century Irish slaves to the reaches of the Ottoman Empire
and subsequent pirate invasion, the island was a place of danger and
terror until the mid 18th century. Once these events subsided, for 300
years the people of Heimaey assumed that their days of action were a
thing of the past. That was until 1973 when residents awoke to a
devastating volcanic eruption. Fissures over a kilometre wide snaked
through the town, the lava engulfing over 400 homes. Remarkably, only
one person is thought to have died as a result of the eruption, with a
quick rescue response ensuring that the 5,300 residents were swiftly
evacuated to the safety of the mainland. Evidence of this recent
geological activity can be seen just about everywhere on Heimaey and is
the focus of the fascinating Eldheimar museum.
Reykjavík
Day 13
Your
cruise ends in Reykjavík. Make sure there is sufficient time
before you begin your journey home to explore this diminutive but
dramatic capital city. Despite its small size, you won’t be
short of things to see and do. To get your bearings, take the elevator
to the top of Hallgrímskirkja. This church, designed by
famed Icelandic architect Gudjón Samuelsson is one of the
most distinctive buildings in town. When you return to earth, visit the
city’s other renowned building Harpa Concert Hall, located at
the heart of Reykjavík's regenerated harbour –
also the home of the Maritime Museum. Speaking of cultural spaces, tour
the National Museum to learn the story of Iceland from past to present.
The Reykjavík Art Museum houses an impressive contemporary
collection including eye-catching pieces by Erró. And, of
course, just 50 kilometres outside the city lies Thingvellir National
Park, the site of Iceland’s original Viking parliament.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Return
regional flights to the port of embarkation and/or disembarkation
(where specified)
- Group
return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included
accommodation where applicable)
- One
night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or
onboard
- All
meals onboard
- 24-hour
room service
- Coffee,
tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours
per day
- Lecture
programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
- Standard
WiFi
- Onboard
gratuities and port taxes
- One
selected shore excursion/expedition activity per port of call
- Branded
Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions
- Itineraries
are correct at time of publishing and may be subject to change
