All about Iceland
Overview
Highlights
- Explore the fascinating and diverse nature of Iceland
- Visit Reykjavik, Grundarfjörður, Siglufjörður, Seyðisfjörður and the Vestmannaeyjar
- See glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls
- Spot rich birdlife and maybe even whales
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Trip includes
- Cabin grade of your choice on a full board basis
- Wind and water resistant jacket
- Landings with Polarcirkel boats and activities onboard and ashore
- Professional English speaking Expedition team that gives lectures as well as accompanying landings and activities
- Free tea and coffee
Itinerary
A lot of visitors are puzzled when landing in Iceland, because the airport is located in a part of the country that looks like an arctic desert with lava rocks, moss and mountains. 45 minutes later you find yourself in Reykjavik, a charming and vibrant town with lots of restaurants, museums and shops on narrow streets.
Embarkation from 16:00 hours.
The West region of Iceland is often named “The Sagaland”. Here you can enjoy Stykkishólmur and Grundarfjörður‘s diversity with lava and rock formations, glaciers, volcanic activity, hot and cold springs. Snæfellsnes shelters tiny fishing harbours with dark cliffs of c...
One of Iceland’s best-kept secrets is the Westfjords. Ísafjörður is the largest town, with a centuries-old history as a major centre of commerce and trading, all based on fish. We invite you to take a stroll around to see its architecture or join our wide range of optional excursions.
The Hornbjarg cliff is one of the greatest seafowl habitats, and we will take a closer look, and hopefully make a landing.
Siglufjörður offers facilities for both recreation and sightseeing. A few hours in the rugged landscape give you the chance to savour the peace and tranquillity. Grímsey is where the Arctic Circle touches Iceland, and we will use our Polarcirkel boats to reach this island.
Akureyri is a lively and energetic town. It is the most populated community outside the Reykjavík area and the centre of trade, culture and services for the north of Iceland. Akureyri is close to many of Iceland’s most renowned natural beauty spots and the town itself is a popular destination. Enjoy an optional hike or join an excursion to the impressive Goðafoss waterfall.
Today we visit Husavik, and sail by the Langanes peninsula in the evening. Húsavík is the oldest settlement in Iceland. The Museum House at Húsavík houses a maritime museum, natural history museum, folk museum, district archives, photograph archives, and an art galler...
Bakkagerdi is the main settlement in Borgarfjörður. This area is known for its natural beauty and is “the land of the elves”. There are a lot of puffin colonies in the fjord, so it is a popular place for bird watching. Bakkagerdi is off the typical tourist track, and ...
On the east coast you will find pine forests, lush farmlands and a variety of colourful fishing villages and vibrant seaside communities. The Vatnajökull glacier is the largest glacier of Europe and a spectacular sight. From Djúpivogur you can join our optional excursion to Vatnajökull lagoon, or stay and hike in the beautiful surroundings of town.
Surtsey is a volcanic island, formed by an eruption starting 130 meters below sea level and reaching the surface in 1963. Heimaey is the largest of the Westman Islands and is dominated by magnificent bird cliffs. The Vestmannaeyjar is located off Iceland’s south coast...
Our voyage of discovery and adventure ends in Reykjavik. If you have the time, join our exciting post programme Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon.
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Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Hurtigruten.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Hurtigruten Reviews & Ratings
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Tour Operator
The coastline between Bergen and Kirkenes is over 1,490 miles long, and in the 19th Century almost all of it was home to rich fishing grounds. The maritime maps were unreliable and there were only a few lighthouses, especially in the north. This important seaway was lined with perilous reefs, small islands and narrow inlets, and it was essential that a safe trade route be established to link the southern and northern regions of Norway.
When the Norwegian government decided to create a connection between the north and the south, Richard With and his friend Anders Holthe took on the challenge of thoroughly mapping the seas along the coastline. In 1893, Captain Richard With’s steamer, DS Vesteraalen, was brought into regular service along the coast of Norway, and Hurtigruten was established. The service offered several weekly departures, first from Trondheim to Hammerfest and later from Bergen to Kirkenes in only seven days. He called this important connection ‘Hurtigruten’ (the fast route).
120 years later, we still carry freight and passengers. Our captains use their extensive maritime expertise to ensure that guests and goods are safely carried from port to port. Today, as then, the Hurtigruten ships are a part of Norwegian coastal life. One of the fleet’s 11 ships departs Bergen daily, sailing to Kirkenes and back in 12 days at an average speed of 15 knots.
Hurtigruten's Ships
Hurtigruten ships have been a staple along the Norwegian coast since 1893. The current fleet consists of classic ships, ships built in the late nineties, and ships built after the millennium.
MS Fram:
Many boast of their “ultimate” expedition ships. But none, save the MS Fram, contains two critical features which deliver adventure in a more safe and comfortable way. MS Fram is a purpose-build expedition ship built especially for comfortable Explorer voyages, with emphasis on relaxation and discovery.
MS Fram was built in 2007 with one mission in mind - to bring her guests closer to nature, wildlife and unforgettable experiences. As well as offering numerous lounges in which to relax, our more active guests can use our well-equipped gym. Meanwhile, on deck, our Jacuzzis guarantee you surreal memories when passing the towering icebergs of Antarctica or Greenland.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Luggage handling
- Optional excursions and gratuities
Accommodation
The original Fram was the most famous explorer ship of its time, and the achievements of her expeditions are unparalleled. MS Fram brings on the heritage of the original Fram, using the most advanced technology to make her exceptionally well suited for expedition voyages in Polar Regions. Fram means ‘forward’ – lifting expectations of the voyage at hand. MS Fram was built in 2007 with one mission in mind – to bring her guests closer to nature, wildlife and unforgettable experiences. The spacious outside decks include access to the very front of the ship – a great place to observe marine wildlife. The ship is purpose built as an expedition vessel with a higher ice-class, chart drawing tools,ship depth sounding database, extractable forward sounding sonar, iceberg search lights, autonomous tracking system, oversized oil retention system for self-sufficiency, and a full ‘expedition tools-deck’ equivalent to a car-deck that holds 25 vehicles. We believe that as an explorer you need an ‘expedition base-camp’ that is comfortable – something that combines ‘all oceans capabilities’ with safety, flexibility and environmental friendliness. That’s Fram – simply the best expedition ship imaginable.
Year built 2007 Shipyard Fincantieri, Italy Passenger capacity 318 Beds 276 Car capacity 0 Gross tonnage 11647 Length 114 Beam 20.2 Speed 13
Expedition Suite Cabin: Our Expeditions Suites are the most exquisite cabins on the ship. Situated on upper deck, you can enjoy the most comfortable suites on board. Inside you will find seating areas with TV, bathrooms with shower/wc and most of them have double beds. All of the suites offer cabin kits, which contains bathrobe, slippers and other beauty articles. Some of the suites do have more facilities than others. Grand Suite: Enjoy these exclusive suites with one or two rooms, seating area, TV, kettle, tea/coffee, stereo and mini-bar. Some of them also have bathtub. Most of these suites have a private balcony or bay window. Suite: These elegant suites are situated on upper deck with one or two rooms, seating area, TV and mini-bar. Expedition Suite Cabin: Our Expeditions Suites are the most exquisite cabins on the ship. Situated on upper deck, you can enjoy the most comfortable suites on board. Inside you will find seating areas with TV, bathrooms with shower/wc and most of them have double beds. All of the suites offer cabin kits, which contains bathrobe, slippers and other beauty articles. Some of the suites do have more facilities than others. Grand Suite: Enjoy these exclusive suites with one or two rooms, seating area, TV, kettle, tea/coffee, stereo and mini-bar. Some of them also have bathtub. Most of these suites have a private balcony or bay window. Suite: These elegant suites are situated on upper deck with one or two rooms, seating area, TV and mini-bar.
You, or any member of your party, may cancel your travel arrangements at any time. Written notification from the person who made the booking or your travel agent must be received at our offices. We recommend ‘Recorded Delivery’. Cancellation takes effect the day we receive your letter or email. Since we incur costs in relation to your arrangements from the time we confirm your booking you will have to pay the applicable cancellation charges as shown in the table below (which also applies if we cancel because you have failed to make payments on time - see ‘Payment’ section) together with the cost of any air fare for which we have had to pay at the time of the booking and will be payable immediately on cancellation.
When the cancellation letter is received by us before departure
Charges as a % of the total holiday cost (excl. insurance premiums)
60 or more days Retention of deposit
42–59 days is 30%
28–41 days will be 60%
14–27 days is 90%
Less than 14 days is 100%
If you have to cancel for a reason covered by your travel insurance you may be able to reclaim the cancellation charges, less applicable excess. Insurance premiums are not refundable.
- All planned landings are subject to weather – and ice conditions
- All itineraries are subject to change
- Medical questionnaire mandatory
- Free rubber boot rental service on board
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