Itinerary
- Day 1
Reykjavik
You'll arrive in Reykjavik at your own pace and make your way to the hotel. The afternoon and evening are completely open, so you can wander around the city, grab a bite, or just relax after your flight. There's no set schedule here, just time to get your bearings and settle in.
Optional Activities
- Explore Reykjavik city at your own pace
Landmarks Reykjavik - Day 2
Reykjavik to Ship
After breakfast at the hotel, you have the morning free to check out more of Reykjavik if you'd like. In the afternoon, a transfer takes you to the port where you'll board the Ultramarine. Once on board, you'll meet the expedition team and get a tour of the ship, including its helicopters and Zodiacs. They'll walk you through what's coming up during your voyage.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast at hotel
- Board expedition cruise ship Ultramarine
- Introduction to Expedition Team and onboard amenities
Optional Activities
- Explore Reykjavik during free morning
- Day 3
Snaefellsnes Peninsula
You'll take a coach to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in West Iceland. The day hits several highlights: Kirkjufell mountain and Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall come first, then you'll pass through small villages like Arnarstapi and Grundarfjorour. You'll walk along coastal cliffs to see the Gatklettur rock arch. Later, you finish at the Bjarnarhofn Shark Museum where there's an Icelandic food tasting, and yes, that includes fermented shark if you're game to try it.
Included Activities
- Coach bus excursion to Snaefellsnes Peninsula
- Visit Kirkjufell (Church Mountain)
- Visit Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall
- Explore coastal villages (Arnarstapi, Grundarfjorour, Stykkisholmur)
- Walk along coastal cliffs to Gatklettur rock arch
- Walk through lava field
- Visit Bjarnarhofn Shark Museum
- Icelandic food tasting experience including hakarl (fermented shark)
Landmarks Kirkjufell Kirkjufellsfoss Gatklettur Snaefellsnes Peninsula Arnarstapi Grundarfjorour Stykkisholmur Bjarnarhofn Shark Museum - Day 4
Westfjords
The Westfjords are up next, and this region is one of Iceland's quieter, less visited spots. You'll travel by Zodiac with guided landings in remote areas. There's a stop at Vigur island farm to see seabirds like puffins and guillemots, then you head to Latrabjarg, one of Europe's largest bird cliffs. You'll also visit the Heritage Museum at Hnjótur to learn how people lived in the Westfjords. If weather cooperates, helicopter sightseeing might be on the agenda.
Included Activities
- Zodiac cruises through Westfjords
- Guided shore landings at wilderness areas
- Visit Vigur island farm
- Birdwatching at Latrabjarg bird cliff
- Visit Heritage Museum at Hnjótur
- Heli flightseeing (weather permitting)
Landmarks Westfjords Vigur Latrabjarg Heritage Museum at Hnjótur - Day 5
Westfjords
You'll continue exploring the remote Westfjords region with more Zodiac excursions and shore landings. The focus stays on the untouched wilderness and coastal landscapes that make this area so distinctive.
- Day 6
Westfjords
More time in the Westfjords means additional opportunities to see the isolated fjords, dramatic coastlines, and wildlife. You'll have more chances for guided explorations depending on weather and what the expedition team has planned.
- Day 7
Diamond Circle & Arctic Circle
The coach takes you along the Diamond Circle route through north Iceland. You'll see long valleys, peninsulas, mountains, and lava fields. Several waterfalls are on the itinerary: Dettifoss, Godafoss (called the Waterfall of the Gods), and Aldeyjarfoss with its hexagonal basalt columns. You'll also explore gorges like Kolugljufur and Jokulsargljufur, plus the horseshoe-shaped Asbyrgi Canyon. The geothermal area around Myvatn and Hverir gets attention, as does the lava field at Dimmuborgir. By the time you head toward the Arctic Circle, you'll be ready for the midnight sun. At the end, you cross into the Arctic Circle and visit Grímsey island, which has about 70 people living there and large puffin populations.
Included Activities
- Coach bus excursion following Diamond Circle route
- Visit Dettifoss waterfall
- Visit Godafoss (Waterfall of the Gods)
- Visit Aldeyjarfoss waterfall
- Explore Kolugljufur gorge
- Explore Jokulsargljufur gorge
- View rocky sea stacks Hvitserk and Storakarl
- Visit Asbyrgi Canyon
- Explore Myvatn geothermal area
- Visit Hverir (bubbling mud pots and geothermal vents)
- Visit Skutustadir pseudocraters
- Explore Dimmuborgir lava fields
- Cross the Arctic Circle
- Visit Grímsey island
- Puffin viewing at Grímsey
Landmarks Dettifoss Godafoss Aldeyjarfoss Kolugljufur Jokulsargljufur Asbyrgi Canyon Myvatn Hverir Skutustadir Dimmuborgir Arctic Circle Grímsey - Day 8
North Iceland
You'll continue exploring Iceland's northern regions with more coach excursions or Zodiac landings. The focus stays on the unique landscapes and natural features of the far north.
- Day 9
East Iceland & Vatnajokull National Park
East Iceland brings deep fjords and tall mountains into view. A coach trip takes you to Vatnajokull National Park, which is packed with glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls, and geothermal springs. You'll head to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon to see icebergs up close and spend time at Diamond Beach with its black sand. In the Skaftafell area, there's a guided glacier hike. Weather permitting, helicopter flights might also happen.
Included Activities
- Coach excursion to Vatnajokull National Park
- Visit Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
- Explore icebergs at glacier lagoon
- Time at Diamond Beach (black sand beach)
- Guided glacier hike in Skaftafell area
- Heli flightseeing (weather permitting)
Landmarks Vatnajokull National Park Vatnajokull Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Diamond Beach Skaftafell Hallormsstadaskogur Forest Borgarfjordur Eystri - Day 10
East Iceland
You'll keep exploring East Iceland and the Vatnajokull National Park region. This day opens up more chances for glacier hikes, heli sightseeing if conditions allow, and seeing more of the volcanoes, waterfalls, and geothermal features.
Included Activities
- Heli flightseeing (weather permitting)
Landmarks Vatnajokull National Park Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Diamond Beach Skaftafell - Day 11
Westman Islands
A ship and Zodiac combo takes you to the Westman Islands, an archipelago of 15 islands surrounded by sea cliffs full of birds. Heimaey is the only inhabited island, and that's where you'll see puffins at Stórhöfði. This archipelago hosts one of the world's largest puffin colonies. You'll explore the rocky, lava-formed landscape that came from underwater eruptions and check out rare plants in Herj ólfsdal ur valley. There's also a beluga sanctuary and oceanarium to visit.
Included Activities
- Ship and Zodiac journey to Westman Islands
- Explore Westman Islands archipelago
- Visit Heimaey island
- Puffin viewing at Stórhöfði
- Visit Herjólfsdalur valley
- Visit beluga sanctuary
- Visit oceanarium
Landmarks Westman Islands Heimaey Stórhöfði Herjólfsdalur - Day 12
Reykjavik
You'll disembark the Ultramarine in Reykjavik, wrapping up your expedition. If you've arranged post-trip accommodations, an included transfer takes you to a central downtown spot. If you want to stay longer in Reykjavik, reach out to your booking agent beforehand to sort that out.
Included Activities
- Disembark expedition cruise ship
- Included transfer to central downtown Reykjavik (if post-trip accommodation booked)
Optional Activities
- Arrange additional time in Reykjavik (must contact booking agent ahead of time)
Landmarks Reykjavik
