Arctic Gems

Reykjavík – Borgarnes – Akureyri - Siglufjörður North Iceland - Akureyri - Dettifoss – Höfn - Vatnajökull – Hoffell - Höfn - Skaftafell National Park - South Shore - Hvolsvöllur - Gullfoss – Geysir – Þingvellir – Reykjavík

Day 1: Arrival
Overnight stay in Reykjavík (transfer not included).

Day 2: Reykjavík – Borgarnes – Akureyri
Iceland's City of the North – The Botanical Gardens
Today we begin the day early traveling from Reykjavik to Akureyri. Akureyri, also known as the trade and cultural capital of the north, is where we will spend the next 3 days. Upon arrival in Akureyri in the late afternoon, we take a sightseeing tour of Akureyri to familiarize ourselves with the city before check in at our hotel. Overnight stay in Akureyri.

Day 3: Siglufjörður North Iceland
Dramatic Fjords - Picturesque Fishing Villages – Culinary Traditions - Icelandic Schnapps
With the opening of the Héðinsfjörður Tunnel in 2010, the historic herring-fishing town of Siglufjörður now makes a great 80km trip from Akureyri. The town of Siglufjörður is nestled in a dramatic fjord on the very edge of Iceland’s steep northern mountains. Upon arrival, guests are invited to visit the award-winning Herring Era Museum. Here you will be introduced to the history of the herring fishing industry and be invited to explore the museum’s three buildings, before sampling traditional rye bread, local herring and Icelandic schnapps!After the visit, guests have time to explore Siglufjörður at their leisure. Points of interest include the harbor, the church and a visit to local art galleries, cafés and shops. At days end we will depart from the village, through the tunnel and via the villages of Ólafsfjörður and Dalvík, arriving back to Akureyri in the afternoon. Overnight stay in Akureyri.

Day 4: Akureyri
Free time at leisure in the “Capital of the North”
Optional tours available. Overnight stay in Akureyri.

Day 5: Akureyri - Dettifoss – Höfn
Europe's Mightiest Waterfall – Long Narrow Fjords – Breathtaking Landscape
Today we depart Akureyri heading for the eastern town of Höfn. The first stop of the day will be made at Dettifoss, which is the mightiest waterfall in Europe. We continue over the barren highland areas to the town of Egilsstaðir, also referred to as the centre of Eastern Iceland. After visiting Egilsstaðir we proceed south through breathtaking land-scapes of the remote Eastern fjords arriving in Hornafjörður in the late afternoon. Overnight stay in the Hornafjörður area for the next 2 nights.

Day 6: Höfn – Vatnajökull – Hoffell
Europe's Largest Glacier - Geothermal Baths - Glacial Lagoon with Floating Icebergs
Vatnajökull is larger than all the rest of Europe’s glaciers combined. Explore some of its numerous astonishing outlets and take a boat tour on the glacial lagoon, sailing among the huge icebergs in a most unique scenic environment. In the after-noon we visit the Hoffell area. The Hoffell community consists of a few farms at the foot of Hoffell Mountain which is 800 meters high and provides good shelter from the often unpredictable northern climate. Overnight stay in the Hornafjörður area.

Day 7: Höfn - Skaftafell National Park - South Shore - Hvolsvöllur
Europe's Largest National Park – Towering Cliffs – Amazing Bird Life
Today we depart Höfn village and continue to Skaftafell National Park and Skeiðarár- sandur, the largest glacial outwash plain in Iceland. Watch the dramatic scenery of outwash plains and lava fields go by as we make our way to Dyrhólaey, a solitary cliff teeming with bird life. Next stop on our journey will be to admire the mighty Skógarfoss waterfall. Overnight stay in the Hvolsvöllur area.

Day 8: Hvolsvöllur – Gullfoss – Geysir – Þingvellir – Reykjavík
The Famous Golden Falls- Exploding Geysers – National Park with Geological Wonders (UNESCO)
Enjoy great photo opportunities in the world-famous hot spring area of Geysir. Wait a few minutes for Strokkur to erupt and send a magnificent water and steam column high into the air. We then continue on to the magnificent Gullfoss, the "Golden Falls," and from there to Þingvellir National Park, the ancient site of Iceland’s first parliament. The day ends back in Reykjavik in the late afternoon. Overnight stay in Reykjavík.

Day 9: Departure
Transfer not included.