Iceland, Greenland & Crossing the Arctic Circle

Sprawling Reykjavík, the nation's nerve center and government seat, is home to half the island's population. On a bay overlooked by proud Mt. Esja (pronounced eh-shyuh), with its ever-changing hues, Reykjavík presents a colorful sight, its concrete houses painted in light colors and topped by vibrant red, blue, and green roofs. In contrast to the almost treeless countryside, Reykjavík has many tall, native birches, rowans, and willows, as well as imported aspen, pines, and spruces.Reykjavík's name comes from the Icelandic words for smoke, reykur, and bay, vík. In AD 874, Norseman Ingólfur Arnarson saw Iceland rising out of the misty sea and came ashore at a bay eerily shrouded with plumes of steam from nearby hot springs. Today most of the houses in Reykjavík are heated by near-boiling water from the hot springs. Natural heating avoids air pollution; there's no smoke around. You may notice, however, that the hot water brings a slight sulfur smell to the bathroom.Prices are easily on a par with other major European cities. A practical option is to purchase a Reykjavík City Card at the Tourist Information Center or at the Reykjavík Youth Hostel. This card permits unlimited bus usage and admission to any of the city's seven pools, the Family Park and Zoo, and city museums. The cards are valid for one (ISK 3,300), two (ISK 4,400), or three days (ISK 4,900), and they pay for themselves after three or four uses a day. Even lacking the City Card, paying admission (ISK 500, or ISK 250 for seniors and people with disabilities) to one of the city art museums (Hafnarhús, Kjarvalsstaðir, or Ásmundarsafn) gets you free same-day admission to the other two.

Welcome to Reykjavík, the world’s northernmost capital city. Your journey begins here in Iceland’s unique and imaginative spirit.

This afternoon, you’ll meet the Captain and crew of your ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht. Be welcomed on board with a glass of Champagne and explore your spacious suite. Join your fellow guests for a drink in the Scenic Lounge as you toast to the start of an unforgettable journey.

Please book your flight to arrive into Reykjavik prior to 02:00 PM.

Known as the fjord of adventures, Patreksfjörður is the largest town along the southern part of the Wesrfjords region. See millions of seabirds nesting on the dramatic Látrabjarg bird cliffs and walk along its spectacular beaches, where the sand ranges from powder white to rich gold.

Weather permitting, this afternoon you will visit the jewel of the Westfjords, Dynjandi Waterfall. Feel the cold mist on your face as you admire the cascading bridal veil falls and discover why it was nicknamed ‘the thunder’. Tumbling down seven tiers over 100 metres, it is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland.

Join the Discovery Team as they present engaging lectures in the state-of-the-art theatre, reflecting on the amazing sights you’ve experienced so far and sharing insights into the exciting ports ahead. Check the daily program for the schedule. 

Elevate your Icelandic experience and take flight on one of two on board helicopters^, marvelling at the jaw-dropping views of glaciers, volcanoes, and cascading waterfalls from above. This exclusive adventure offers a breathtaking new perspective on one of the world’s most dramatic landscapes.

Two colossal terraces of sheer rock stand either side of this extraordinarily located town - which rides a jutting spit onto an immensity of black fjord water. Surprisingly, considering the remoteness of its location and its compact size, Isafjordur is a modern and lively place to visit, offering a great choice of cafes and delicious restaurants – which are well stocked to impress visitors. The town is a perfectly located base for adventures amongst Iceland's fantastic wilderness - with skiing, hiking and water-sports popular pursuits among visitors.

Isafjördur is the gateway to the Westfjords region on Iceland’s northernmost peninsula. Set on the Skutulsfjörður Fjord, surrounded by mountains and the sea, it has been an important fishing and trading centre for over 500 years. The well-preserved Old Town is filled with colourful historic buildings, making for a picturesque stroll.

The surrounding Westfjords area abounds in natural wonders, with waterfalls, hiking trails, and jagged cliffs. Isafjördur offers vast, uncharted spaces for relaxation and Nordic stillness, making it a popular destination for travellers seeking a peaceful escape. Tonight, you will sail across the Arctic circle to reach Ittoqqortoormiit.

Elevate your Icelandic experience and take flight on one of two on board helicopters ^, marvelling at the jaw-dropping views of glaciers, volcanoes, and cascading waterfalls from above. This exclusive adventure offers a breathtaking new perspective on one of the world’s most dramatic landscapes.

Scenic Discovery:
Enjoy immersive Scenic Discovery experiences such as kayaking and zodiac cruising, subject to weather conditions and harbour master approval.

On the northern side of the entrance to the Scoresbysund fjord system stands Ittoqqortoormiit, the only permanent settlement in the region. The population here is approximately 430 people, largely dependent on a subsistence lifestyle. The inhabitants make their living hunting seals, narwhals, muskoxen and polar bears. Ittoqqortoormiit is the northernmost settlement on Greenland’s east coast, apart from a few meteorological and military stations. Brightly colored, quaint little houses and dogsled enclosures dot the rocky slopes of the settlement. It must be incredible to live here every day enjoying the magnificent views of Kap Brewster and the Volquart Boon Coast to the south.

Located above the Arctic Circle and nestled beside the world's largest and deepest multi-branched fjord system, Ittoqqortoormiit stands as one of Greenland's most remote towns. Home to approximately 350 residents, this small community offers a fascinating insight into the traditional Inuit way of life. Here, people have embraced a sea-dependent existence, where the ever-changing sea ice opens new opportunities for exploration.

Learn stories of the community's resilience with a guided tour. Explore key landmarks such as the museum, church, weather station, and public service building. Enjoy the chance to have your passport stamped in this unique destination, adding a unique touch to your visit.

Scenic Discovery:
Weather permitting, join the Discovery Team on Zodiac excursions, explore by kayak or enjoy shore landings.

Akureyri, called the Capital of the North is the second largest urban area in Iceland, and a lively one at that. Hemmed by the 60-km (37-mile) long Eyjafjörður, Akureyri is sheltered from the ocean winds and embraced by mountains on three sides. Late 19th-century wooden houses impart a sense of history, and the twin spires of a modern Lutheran church rising on a green hill near the waterfront, provide a focal point. To the south of Akureyri is the pyramid-shape rhyolite mountain Súlur. Beyond it is Kerling, the highest peak in Eyjafjörður District.

Akureyri is the country’s second largest settlement after Reykjavik, but with only around 20,000 residents it still feels like a friendly small town. Though it sits just 60 kilometres below the Arctic Circle, the climate is pleasantly mild and picturesque, with colourful homes set on green hills at the base of a volcanic mountain chain.

See the striking Akureyri Church and stroll through one of the world’s most northerly botanic gardens, home to endemic Icelandic flora and hardy foreign species. Keep an eye out for the elves and hidden people that are said to dwell in the town.

Elevate your Iceland experience and take flight on one of two on board  helicopters^, marvelling at the jaw-dropping views of glaciers, volcanoes, and cascading waterfalls from above. This exclusive adventure offers a breathtaking new perspective on one of the world’s most dramatic landscapes. 

Scenic Discovery:
Enjoy immersive Scenic Discovery experiences such as kayaking and zodiac cruising, subject to weather conditions and harbour master approval.

Grímsey is a small island north of the Icelandic mainland, home to only 100 people and one million seabirds. Nesting on the high cliffs that surround the whole island, the chatter of seabirds here is constant, especially during the 24 hours of sunshine in summer. This grassy outcrop straddles the Arctic Circle, making it one of the few places on earth where you can cross the Arctic Circle on foot – truly a once in a lifetime experience.

Your Discovery Yacht will set sail just after lunchtime to cross the Arctic Circle on your way to Vopnafjörður.

Elevate your Iceland experience and take flight on one of two on board helicopters^, marvelling at the jaw-dropping views of glaciers, volcanoes, and cascading waterfalls from above. This exclusive adventure offers a breathtaking new perspective on one of the world’s most dramatic landscapes.

Scenic Discovery:
Enjoy immersive Scenic Discovery experiences such as kayaking and zodiac cruising, subject to weather conditions and harbour master approval.

Vopnafjörður is a hidden gem along Iceland's stunning eastern coast. It’s long been a busy trading port and is still a flourishing village, home to around 600 people. Many people with Icelandic heritage can trace their history here as it was the largest emigration point for North America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The highlight here is the sprawling, pristine fjordlands that wind along the coast. Embark on outdoor experiences like hiking and birdwatching in the surrounding mountains, offering a true taste of Icelandic wilderness.

Elevate your Iceland experience and take flight on one of two on board helicopters^, marvelling at the jaw-dropping views of glaciers, volcanoes, and cascading waterfalls from above. This exclusive adventure offers a breathtaking new perspective on one of the world’s most dramatic landscapes.

Scenic Discovery:
Enjoy immersive Scenic Discovery experiences such as kayaking and zodiac cruising, subject to  weather conditions and harbour master approval.

Seyðisfjörður, a beautiful 19th-century Norwegian village on the east coast of Iceland, is regarded by many as one of Iceland's most picturesque towns, not only due to its impressive environment, but also because nowhere in Iceland has a community of old wooden buildings been preserved so well as here. Poet Matthías Johannessen called Seyðisfjörður a 'pearl enclosed in a shell'. The community owes its origins to foreign merchants, mainly Danes, who started trading in the fjord in the mid-19th century. But the crucial factor in the evolution of the village was the establishment of the Icelandic herring fishery by Norwegians in 1870-1900. The Norwegians built up a number of herring-fishing facilities, and in a matter of years the little community grew into a boom town. Today, about 800 people live in Seyðisfjörður. The local economy has long been based on the fisheries, while light industry also flourishes. Tourism is playing a growing role, as the picturesque town in its spectacular surroundings attracts more and more visitors. The car/passenger ferry Norrøna, which plies between continental Europe and Iceland every summer, docks at Seyðisfjörður every Thursday. Seyðisfjörður has been a cosmopolitan community from its foundation, and the ferry service has contributed to ensuring that it remains so.

Seyðisfjörður, a beautiful 19th-century Norwegian village on the east coast of Iceland, is regarded by many as one of Iceland's most picturesque towns, not only due to its impressive environment, but also because nowhere in Iceland has a community of old wooden buildings been preserved so well as here. Poet Matthías Johannessen called Seyðisfjörður a 'pearl enclosed in a shell'. The community owes its origins to foreign merchants, mainly Danes, who started trading in the fjord in the mid-19th century. But the crucial factor in the evolution of the village was the establishment of the Icelandic herring fishery by Norwegians in 1870-1900. The Norwegians built up a number of herring-fishing facilities, and in a matter of years the little community grew into a boom town. Today, about 800 people live in Seyðisfjörður. The local economy has long been based on the fisheries, while light industry also flourishes. Tourism is playing a growing role, as the picturesque town in its spectacular surroundings attracts more and more visitors. The car/passenger ferry Norrøna, which plies between continental Europe and Iceland every summer, docks at Seyðisfjörður every Thursday. Seyðisfjörður has been a cosmopolitan community from its foundation, and the ferry service has contributed to ensuring that it remains so.

In a country with an abundance of natural drama, Seyðisfjörður may steal the show. Set at the mouth of a beautiful fjord, this is East Iceland’s heart of culture, heritage and hospitality – and then there’s the architecture. The centre of town is known for 19th-century timber houses perched on the side of the lagoon, built by fisherfolk when the region was booming.

There’s plenty of culture to go with the small-town country charm, complemented by plentiful wildlife, including reindeer and porpoises drawn by the verdant setting of cascading waterfalls and snow-capped mountains.

Elevate your Icelandic experience and take flight on one of two on board  helicopters^, marvelling at the jaw-dropping views of glaciers, volcanoes, and cascading waterfalls from above. This exclusive adventure offers a breathtaking new perspective on one of the world’s most dramatic landscapes.

Scenic Discovery:
Enjoy immersive Scenic Discovery experiences such as kayaking and zodiac cruising, subject to weather conditions and harbour master approval.

It’s hard to imagine, as you stroll Heimaey’s idyllic streets of white wooden houses, that this island was literally torn apart by a spectacular volcanic eruption, just over 40 years ago. The fact that you can visit incredible Heimaey at all is something of a miracle – because the oozing lava of the Eldfell volcano threatened to seal the harbour off completely. Fortunately, its advance was halted by gallons of seawater, pumped onto it by the plucky islanders, who saved their fishing industry in the process. Iceland's famous for its scenery, and the huge castles of volcanic rock that rise out of the sea's waves here are some of the country's most dramatic.

The earth is always rumbling beneath Iceland. Today, you’ll see a perfect example of nature’s ability to both create and destroy. When the volcano Eldfell, meaning ‘Hill of Fire’, erupted here in 1973, parts of the island were covered in lava and ash, sealing them in a virtual time capsule. Walking through the town, you’ll be able to see signs of the eruption and fallout.

Keep your eyes open for our black and white friends, with more Atlantic puffins nesting here than anywhere else in the world.

Elevate your Icelandic experience and take flight on one of two on board  helicopters^, marvelling at the jaw-dropping views of glaciers, volcanoes and cascading waterfalls from above. This exclusive adventure offers a breathtaking new perspective on one of the world’s most dramatic landscapes. 

Scenic Discovery:
Enjoy immersive Scenic Discovery experiences such as kayaking and zodiac cruising, subject to weather conditions and harbour master approval.

Sprawling Reykjavík, the nation's nerve center and government seat, is home to half the island's population. On a bay overlooked by proud Mt. Esja (pronounced eh-shyuh), with its ever-changing hues, Reykjavík presents a colorful sight, its concrete houses painted in light colors and topped by vibrant red, blue, and green roofs. In contrast to the almost treeless countryside, Reykjavík has many tall, native birches, rowans, and willows, as well as imported aspen, pines, and spruces.Reykjavík's name comes from the Icelandic words for smoke, reykur, and bay, vík. In AD 874, Norseman Ingólfur Arnarson saw Iceland rising out of the misty sea and came ashore at a bay eerily shrouded with plumes of steam from nearby hot springs. Today most of the houses in Reykjavík are heated by near-boiling water from the hot springs. Natural heating avoids air pollution; there's no smoke around. You may notice, however, that the hot water brings a slight sulfur smell to the bathroom.Prices are easily on a par with other major European cities. A practical option is to purchase a Reykjavík City Card at the Tourist Information Center or at the Reykjavík Youth Hostel. This card permits unlimited bus usage and admission to any of the city's seven pools, the Family Park and Zoo, and city museums. The cards are valid for one (ISK 3,300), two (ISK 4,400), or three days (ISK 4,900), and they pay for themselves after three or four uses a day. Even lacking the City Card, paying admission (ISK 500, or ISK 250 for seniors and people with disabilities) to one of the city art museums (Hafnarhús, Kjarvalsstaðir, or Ásmundarsafn) gets you free same-day admission to the other two.

Today you will return to Reykjavik. This is a city that never disappoints – a busy, buzzy capital with a creative soul, wild nightlife and a population of cool, quirky Reykvíkingurs. Choose to stay longer to explore its stylish restaurants, chic boutiques, innovative galleries and fascinating museums.

After one final breakfast on board, disembark your ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht. Farewell the crew and your fellow guests, taking with you a memories of an unforgettable voyage.

Please book your flight to depart out of Reykjavik after 01:00 PM.

#Spa treatments at additional cost. +All drinks on board, including those stocked in your mini bar, are included, except for a very small number of rare, fine and vintage wines, Champagnes and spirits. Specialty restaurants require a reservation, enquire on board.
^Flights on board our two helicopters and submersible experiences are at additional cost, subject to regulatory approval, availability, weight restrictions, medical approval and weather, ice and tidal conditions. Helicopter not in operation in Greenland.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the voyage will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.