Fire and Ice: An 8-Day Sail Around Iceland | National Geographic Explorer Expedition Ship

Fire and Ice: An 8-Day Sail Around Iceland

Experience Iceland’s fire and ice on this 8-day sailing adventure. Explore Reykjavík before journeying through the Westfjords, Siglufjörður, and Húsavík for wildlife encounters and Viking legends. Witness puffins in Borgarfjarðarhöfn, glaciers in Djúpivogur, and volcanic landscapes in the Westman Islands. Conclude your expedition back in Reykjavík, immersing yourself in Iceland’s breathtaking natural wonders.

Day by day

Day 1: Reykjavík | Embarkation

Arrive in Reykjavík, the northernmost capital in the world and Iceland’s lively cultural hub. Take the day to explore at your leisure, visiting highlights such as Hallgrímskirkja Church, the striking Harpa Concert Hall, or one of the city's many geothermal pools. In the afternoon, check in with the hospitality desk before beginning your journey at sea.

Day 2: Westfjords | Wildlife and Fjords

Venture into the remote and unspoiled landscapes of the Westfjords, a region defined by towering cliffs and deep fjords. Discover Ísafjarðardjúp, a sanctuary for marine life such as whales, seals, and seabirds. Paddle through tranquil waters in a kayak or hike to a secluded waterfall. Visit Vigur Island, where puffins nest in large numbers and eiderdown harvesting is still practiced.

Day 3: Siglufjörður | Herring Heritage & Reforestation

Day 4: Húsavík | Geology & Mythology

Day 5: Borgarfjarðarhöfn | Puffin Paradise & Fjords

Day 6: Djúpivogur | Ice & Black Sand Beaches

Day 7: Westman Islands | Volcanoes & Lava Fields

Day 8: Reykjavík | Disembarkation

+12

Highlights

Witness puffins, whales, and seals in their natural habitats.

Explore Iceland’s diverse landscapes, from fjords and waterfalls to glaciers and volcanic craters.

Visit Surtsey, one of the youngest islands on Earth, and cruise past its pristine, protected shores.

Experience Iceland’s herring history in Siglufjörður and take part in a local reforestation effort.

Relax in geothermal baths and take in the raw beauty of Iceland’s black-sand beaches.

Activities

Sea Kayaking

Under full instruction from your sea kayaking guide, experience true tranquillity as you paddle through clinking ice floes and realise the enormity of the surrounding scenery. Look out for breaching whales, lounging seals and penguins zipping alongside your kayak. Some experience is required.

Ice Camping

Camp out on the ice and experience the silence which blankets the continent by night. This is your chance to completely connect with this ethereal ice world – wrap up warm and embrace the Antarctic elements.

Snowshoeing

Get a spring in your step when you slip on a pair of snowshoes in Antarctica. Enabling you to easily scale gentle slopes, this unique activity allows you to access hard to reach places and seek out the most impressive views.

Photography

Learn to capture wildlife and landscape shots in a small group photography program, including critiquing sessions and editing classes. Plus, Explorer Boat excursions with a dedicated photography expert on landings.

Explorer Boats

Achieve the best views and photographs from a forward facing Explorer Boats. They allow you to sit comfortably and securely while crackling through the ice-strewn waters. Look out for wildlife such as penguins, seals and whales as you cruise.

Yoga

It doesn’t get more serene than complimentary yoga classes to the tune of glacial scenery. Join the most unique exercise setting in the world after a day of exploration. Classes are regular but are dependent on weather conditions and swell.