Iceland Circumnavigation: Helicopters, Glaciers and Volcanoes

Arrive at the international airport in Keflavik, and transfer independently to your included hotel in Reykjavik, which is about 40 minutes away. Depending on your arrival time, you may wish to explore Iceland’s fascinating capital. Plenty of cultural and historical landmarks are located right near the walkable city center.

The scenic Snaefellsnes Peninsula in West Iceland is renowned for its diverse landscapes: glaciers, mountains, lava fields, geothermal areas and ruggedly beautiful coastlines. Often referred to as “miniature Iceland” or “Iceland in a nutshell,” the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, while not vast, is a microcosm of all of the natural wonders and dramatic landscapes you’ll see throughout Iceland.

This exciting day begins with guests disembarking Ultramarine and traveling by coach bus—with local guides and members of our expedition team—to visit the lonely Kirkjufell (“Church Mountain”), which rises from the sea as a dramatic backdrop for Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall—undoubtedly the most photographed location in all of Iceland. Kirkjufell may be extra familiar to fans of “Game of Thrones” in which the mountain appeared as one of the landmarks beyond “The Wall.” The tour of the peninsula may also include visits to some of the tiny, beautiful villages that dot the peninsula. The majority of these small settlements, the most notable of which include Arnarstapi, Grundarfjörður and Stykkishólmur, are located on the northern side of the peninsula, where communities rely on the rich fishing grounds of Breiðafjörður Bay. Tourism and fishing drive the local economy.

You’ll also be able to stretch your legs on a short walk along a craggy but undemanding foot path along coastal cliffs that offers views of the Arnarstapi rock arch, also known as Gatklettur, formed from massive basalt columns. A section of this short trail passes through a lava field, a signature Icelandic experience. Other highlights of today’s outing include a visit to the Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum, and an Icelandic food tasting experience. You can’t leave Iceland without sampling hakarl (fermented shark).

Each region of Iceland has its own appeal for nature seekers, birding enthusiasts and history-lovers, and the seldom-visited Westfjords, where the land meets the sea in the most dramatic fashion, is no exception. Often referred to as “Iceland’s best-kept secret,” this rugged peninsula at the country’s remote northwestern tip is rife with fjords, and mountains that slope gracefully down to the sea. We’ll spend our time exploring the fjords and shores of Iceland’s oldest region, enjoying its kaleidoscope of diverse land and seascapes. Here, tumbling cliffs and gushing waterfalls alternate with colorful beaches, and rolling green hills lead up to high moorlands dotted with rocky outcrops, small lakes, and the occasional shaggy Icelandic sheep or pony grazing in the distance. A few modest outposts of civilization, in the form of small fishing communities nestled along the fjords and shores of the Denmark Strait, face out into the mighty Atlantic—keeping alive a maritime heritage going back to the Viking days.

The Westfjords are the least developed parts of Iceland’s coastal areas and, consequently, the wildest. Guests will venture into this territory on Zodiac cruises and during guided shore landings at unspoiled wilderness areas where they can hike and explore on foot. We also hope to visit remote settlements such as the island farm at Vigur, and witness the thousands of seabirds—including puffins, guillemots, fulmars and razorbills—at Látrabjarg, one of the largest bird cliffs in Europe. This is a much sought-after destination for birders and ornithologists from around the world. We’ll also visit the Heritage Museum at Hnjótur, which showcases the history of everyday life in the Westfjords. If weather conditions are favorable, we aim to take guests heli flightseeing during our time in the Westfjords.

Iceland is truly a land of contrasts. This becomes increasingly evident over the next two days as our coach bus follows the iconic Diamond Circle route. You’ll soon learn that the north of Iceland, with its long valleys and peninsulas, is interspersed with mountains, lava fields, and smooth hills carved out over time by the unceasing river flow. Many firsttime visitors to the region are surprised to discover that the deep and numerous indentations along the northern coasts are alternately lush with vegetation—or completely barren. Your sense of awe will be intensified as we approach the Arctic Circle and the captivating brilliance of the midnight sun.

Prepare to be overwhelmed by some of the most impressive waterfalls in Europe: Dettifoss (unrivalled in its thunderous roar), the historic Goðafoss (also known as “Waterfall of the Gods”) and the beautiful Aldeyjarfoss (which cascades 20 meters over a wall of hexagonal basalt columns). You’ll be equally awestruck by the spectacular Kolugljúfur and Jökulsárgljúfur gorges, the rocky sea stacks of Hvítserk and Stórakarl, the horseshoe-shaped Ásbyrgi Canyon, the geological wonders of Mývatn and the lava fields of Dimmuborgir—which appeared in numerous scenes in “Game of Thrones.” Anticipate some surreal moments at Hverir, where you’ll witness bubbling mud pots and geothermal vents, and likewise at Skútustaðir, where you’ll encounter pseudocraters, volcanic features formed not by eruptions but by steam from underground.

You can also fulfill a polar milestone on this voyage by crossing the Arctic Circle. In fact, you’ll get to visit the small island of Grímsey (population: 70), which is the only part of Iceland that lies within the Arctic Circle. Expect to see large populations of puffins. While the stunning scenery will prompt you to reach for your camera over and over again, we invite you to stand still for a moment, put down your device, and simply embrace the wonder of this enchanting landscape.

East Iceland is characterized by fantastic scenery, featuring deep narrow fjords, and tall mountains. The region is home to the country’s largest forest (Hallormsstaðaskógur), lush farmlands and plenty of streams and mountains. Thanks to the abundant fjords and their natural harbors, picturesque fishing villages line the coast. Iceland’s biggest rhyolite (volcanic) formations—those easily accessible from an inhabited area—are found around the village of Borgarfjörður Eystri, while impressive magma chambers filled with colorful mineral deposits can be visited along the eastern coast. In the summer months, the east of Iceland becomes a creative hub for artists and young people from Iceland and abroad.

You’ll have opportunities on these two days to view some of this stunning scenery during a heli flightseeing adventure (weather permitting, of course), and during a coach excursion to Vatnajökull National Park, with its abundance of glaciers (notably Vatnajökull), volcanoes, waterfalls and geothermal springs. Plentiful activities await us in the park: we’ll travel to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, a stunning glacial lake; explore the spectacular icebergs at Jökulsárlón; spend time at black sand Diamond Beach; and take a guided glacier hike in Skaftafell area.

Today we journey to The Westman Islands by ship and Zodiac. The archipelago of 15 islands, and surrounding sea cliffs, are teeming with birdlife. In fact, The Westman Islands group is home to one of the largest puffin colonies in the world, and is also renowned for its rich fishing grounds and whale population. Formed by belowsea-level eruptions, the islands’ soil is shallow and not suitable for agriculture. You’ll see large stretches of rocky soil and lava. However, some rare plants grow in Herjólfsdalur valley. We’ll also visit Heimaey, the only inhabited island, to see the puffins at Stórhöfði. There’s also a beluga sanctuary and an oceanarium.

You’ll disembark in Reykjavik, Iceland’s bustling capital, at the end of your journey. If you have booked postexpedition accommodation, we provide a transfer to a central downtown location.