Iceland Voyage: Land of Fire and Ice

Gullfoss waterfall

Aboard the 184-guest Le Bellot 8 days from $6,320* / June 6–13, Aug. 8–15, 2022 & Aug. 13–20, 2023

Encounter Iceland’s thrilling geological extremes—from glaciers to still-warm lava fields—on a voyage to remote fjords, waterfalls, volcanic islands, and dramatic landscapes imbued with mythology.

Itinerary

Day 1 — Reykjavík, Iceland: Arrive in Reykjavík, the world’s northernmost capital. Board the ship this evening and cruise north under the midnight sun towards the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Day 2 — Snaefellsnes Peninsula: Get an up-close view of the cone-shaped Kirkjufell peak as the ship approaches the village of Grundarfjördur. Discover the natural wonders of Snaefellsnes, from the black-pebble beach of Djúpalónssandur to the mystical glacier Snaefellnesjökull, made famous by Jules Verne’s A Journey to the Center of the Earth. Or board local boats for a whale-watching excursion for a chance to see minke, humpback, pilot, and sperm whales, as well as orcas and dolphins. Day 3 — Grimsey: Iceland’s northernmost inhabited island, Grimsey is bisected by the Arctic Circle yet enjoys mild weather year-round. From its only village, Grimseyjarhreppur, set out to explore its lush, emerald hills. Encounter thriving populations of seabirds, including auks, and, with luck, puffins that come to nest on the island’s basalt cliffs from April to August. Day 4 — Akureyri and Lake Myvatn: Dock in Akureyri, Iceland’s second-largest town, and travel to Lake Myvatn, home to fascinating geological phenomena. See the bubbling, steaming geothermal field of Námaskard, and stroll among the surreal lava formations of Dimmuborgir, the mythic source of Icelandic folklore. Watch for migratory birds and 14 species of duck on the shores of Lake Myvatn. After lunch in Skútustadir, explore the town’s distinctive pseudo-craters formed when hot lava flowed over the wetlands 2,300 years ago. On the return to Akureyri, stop at Godafoss, the “Waterfall of the Gods.” Alternatively, enjoy the Icelandic tradition of soaking in natural thermals baths. Day 5 — Isafjördur: Awaken in the stunning Westfjords, a rugged peninsula that juts out of Iceland’s northwest coast. Drive along the coast to the tiny town of Bolungarvík and learn about life in this remote outpost at the Osvor Fisherman’s Hut and Hólskirkja, the “Church on a Hill.” Hear a local group sing traditional Icelandic folk songs before continuing to Isafjördur for a visit to the Isafjördur Maritime Museum and a tasting of local specialties. Day 6 — Heimaey, Vestmannaeyjar: Sail to the Westman Islands off the southern coast, arriving at Heimaey at midday. Then tour the

island, encountering Viking farmhouses, a puffin nesting ground, the Eldheimar Museum, and the World Heritage site of Surtsey—the world’s youngest island. Alternatively, spend the afternoon at the world’s first Beluga Whale Sanctuary, established by the Sea Life Trust, and also learn about the work of the sanctuary’s Puffin Rescue Center. Day 7 — Reykjavík: Return to Reykjavík and set out for the sites of the Golden Circle: the World Heritage site of Thingvellir National Park, a lava plain where the world’s oldest legislative body first convened in A.D. 930; the two-tiered “Golden Waterfall” of Gullfoss; and Geysir, a steaming geothermal area that gave rise to the word “geyser.” Stop in Hveragerdi, where geothermal energy has been used to power an extensive greenhouse industry. Cap off your trip on the viewing deck of the glass-domed Pearl, taking in sweeping views of the city. Day 8 — Reykjavík: After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight home.

*Pricing reflects a savings bonus ranging from 5% to 30%, based on the number of staterooms available at the time of printing. See our website for current pricing. Book early for higher savings.

Highlights

• Explore the mystical Snaefellsnes Peninsula, from its black-pebble beaches and legendary glaciers to the iconic peak of Kirkjufell. • Cross the Arctic Circle on a visit to the birdwatcher’s paradise of Grimsey, and head south to see still-warm lava fields, puffin colonies, and beluga whales in the

Westman Islands. • Encounter the spectacular waterfalls of

Godafoss and Gullfoss, and see geological forces in action in Lake Myvatn, Thingvellir, and Geysir. • Discover the rugged Westfjords, learning about the local way of life in remote fjord-side villages and the town of Isafjördur.

Grimsey North Sea

Isafjördur

Grundarfjördur Akureyri

ICELAND

REYKJAVIK

Heimaey

Smithsonian Journeys Experts

Our experts on the June 2022 departure include Jim Zimbelman, a senior geologist emeritus at Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, and Elisabeth Ward, an expert in Scandinavian culture. See our website for the experts on the other departures.