Your expeditionary journey begins in Reykjavik, where you’ll enjoy two pre-cruise nights exploring Iceland’s capital and its spectacular surroundings. Set off on an exciting Superjeep tour of the famous Golden Circle to see some of South Iceland’s best sites and spend a relaxing morning bathing in geothermally heated waters at the Sky Lagoon. It's then time to board your luxury expedition cruise with Swan Hellenic and set off towards the Westfjords and the wildlife-filled islands of Grímsey and Hrisey, keeping an eye out for whales along the way. As you sail north, you'll make a stop at the remote and rarely-visited volcanic island of Jan Mayen before arriving in Svalbard, a majestic Norwegian archipelago that's home to giant glaciers, rugged mountains, awe-inspiring fjords and an abundance of wildlife, including polar bears, seals and walruses. Disembark in Longyearbyen, the world's northernmost town, and make your way back to the UK via Copenhagen, where you may choose to add on a few extra days to see the sights of the Danish capital.
Iceland, Jan Mayen & Svalbard: Arctic Expedition Cruise with Swan Hellenic
To book call us on:
At a glance…
Enjoy two nights in Reykjavik before sailing deep into the Arctic on this epic voyage with Swan Hellenic
» 14 day expedition cruise
» Accommodation: Deluxe Outstanding accommodation with top-of-the-range facilities and excellent service, usually in a fantastic location (typically 5 stars)
» Price from: £9,075 pp incl. flights
Day by day itinerary
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Day 1 » Depart for Reykjavik
Enjoy complimentary airport lounge access before boarding your flight from the UK to Keflavik. On arrival, a transfer will take you to your hotel in central Reykjavik, where you'll be based for the next two nights. The rest of the day is yours to relax and get a feel for Iceland's compact capital city. If there's one thing you absolutely must see while you're here, it's Hallgrimskirkja – the 74 metre-tall Lutheran church that towers over the city. It's an impressive architectural feat to marvel at from the outside, but it's also worth taking the lift to the top for superb views overlooking Reykjavik and out towards the mountains in the distance.
Be sure to also take a stroll down Laugavegur, the main pedestrian street where you'll find an abundance of places to eat, drink and shop. Continue down to the waterfront, meanwhile, to find the famous Sun Voyager monument and Harpa concert hall, another of the city's most recognisable landmarks.
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Day 2 » Golden Circle Superjeep tour
Today, you'll set off on an exciting excursion taking in some of South Iceland’s most famous attractions in a Superjeep. First up is Thingvellir National Park, which is both the site of the world’s first parliament and the place where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are pulling slowly apart. Next, visit Strokkur geyser, which erupts roughly every five minutes, before heading to Gullfoss waterfall, widely considered to be one of Iceland’s most impressive. End the day with a drive up to Iceland’s second-largest icecap, Langjökull. Here, there's the opportunity to try snowmobiling. As you head back to your hotel, make a brief stop at the small but beautiful Faxi waterfall.
Stay: Hotel Reykjavík Centrum, Iceland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 3 » Sky Lagoon & board Swan Hellenic cruise
Spend a blissfully relaxing morning at the Sky Lagoon, one of Iceland’s newest and most impressive geothermal pools. Located only 10 minutes from Reykjavik city centre, it features ocean views, a swim-up bar and a hot and cold wellness ritual that includes saunas, plunge pools, steam rooms, and more.
Later on, you’ll be transferred to the SH Vega to begin your Swan Hellenic expedition cruise. Dinner will be served onboard this evening.
Stay: SH Vega
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 4 » Dynjandi waterfall
The first leg of your cruise brings you to the wild and remote Westfjords region, home to the majestic Dynjandi waterfall. Take an easy 15-minute hike up to the waterfall to admire it up close, passing several smaller falls as you go, including Háifoss, Úðafoss, Göngufoss, Hundafoss, and Bæjarfoss. When you reach Dynjandi, you will see right away why so many compare it to a bridal veil because of its distinctive, flowing shape. It is the largest waterfall in the Westfjords, with a total height of 100 metres.
Stay: SH Vega
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 5 » Isafjordur
Your explorations of the Westfjords now bring you to the bustling fishing town of Isafjordur, the region's largest settlement, hemmed in by rugged mountains. It's well-preserved centre is home to some of Iceland's oldest timber buildings, dating back to the 18th century when the town was a major trading hub. This is a delightful spot for a leisurely stroll. The Westfjords Heritage Museum, meanwhile, offers a fascinating insight into the town's history and maritime heritage.
Stay: SH Vega
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 6 » Grimsey Island
Remote Grimsey Island is located about 40 kilometres off Iceland’s north coast. Most travellers here look forward to setting foot inside the Arctic Circle, as this is the only place in Iceland where you can do so. Grimsey is home to fewer than 100 permanent residents, who are vastly outnumbered by the over one million seabirds who call this place home. This is a birdwatcher’s dream, thanks to the lack of egg predation and the well-stocked surrounding seas. Grimsey has one of Iceland’s largest tern nesting sites as well as one of its largest puffin colonies.
You'll also sail down the Eyjafjordur fjord to visit Hrisey Island, whose surrounding waters are home to diverse wildlife, including puffins, seals, and whales. Hrisey itself may be small, but it certainly packs a punch when it comes to cultural heritage. The island’s distinct identity is well preserved through traditional Icelandic crafts, such as hand-knitting and woodworking.
Stay: SH Vega
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 7 » Husavik
The town of Husavik overlooks Skjálfandi Bay and is best known as Iceland's whale watching capital. In particular, keen marine life enthusiasts keep their eyes peeled for the endangered and elusive blue whale, though humpbacks and minke whales are more commonly seen. Husavik is on the Arctic Coast Way and is part of the Diamond Circle route, which links several of North Iceland’s most impressive sights. The town’s Whale and Exploration Museum focuses on everything from ancient Viking history to Apollo astronaut training, which takes place nearby. Husavik is also home to Iceland’s first house, which dates back to 860 AD. Just outside the town centre is GeoSea, a complex of geothermal sea baths dug into a cliffside overlooking the sea.
Stay: SH Vega
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 8 » Day at sea
Spend today relaxing onboard SH Vega, taking advantage of all the amenities available on the ship. Perhaps you'll want to check out the gym, pamper yourself at the spa, look out for whales from the deck, or simply enjoy some downtown in the lounge. This is the perfect chance to recharge after a busy few days before continuing on your journey north into the Arctic.
Stay: SH Vega
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 9 » Jan Mayen
Your next stop is Jan Mayen, a remote Norwegian island in the Arctic Ocean, whose northeastern end is dominated by the imposing stratovolcano Beerenberg, towering above the ice cap and glaciers. The only permanent residents here are the Norwegian Armed Forces and meteorological station staff, who live in the tiny settlement of Olonkinbyen. While most of the island is completely barren, you may spot purple saxifrage and endemic dandelions growing next to jet black sands. Jan Mayen is also another haven for bird lovers, with its populations of northern fulmars, Brünnich’s guillemots, black guillemots and little auks.
Stay: SH Vega
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 10 » Day at sea
Enjoy another day at sea as you sail towards Svalbard. Savour the culinary options, take in an interesting talk from one of the knowledgeable guest lecturers, gain valuable tips from onboard professional photographers, or simply relax as you venture ever deeper into the Arctic Ocean.
Stay: SH Vega
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Days 11-13 » Svalbard
As you approach Svalbard, you'll be struck by the distinctively rugged, serrated-edge mountains that dominate this remote Norwegian archipelago in the High Arctic. It's a land of truly spectacular landscapes, including dramatic fjords, gigantic glaciers and vast stretches of tundra. Over the next few days, you'll have the opportunity to explore its stunning coastline, including many areas that are inaccessible by land. Keep an eye out for all kinds of wildlife as you go – Svalbard is home to the likes of polar bears, reindeer, Arctic foxes, walruses, seals and numerous whale species. A kayaking expedition is the perfect way to appreciate Svalbard's natural beauty up close.
Stay: SH Vega
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 14 » Disembark cruise & return to UK via Copenhagen
You'll conclude your cruise in Longyearbyen, Svalbard's main settlement and the world's northernmost town with a population greater than 1,000. Here, take a transfer to the airport to catch a charter flight to Copenhagen. From there, you can either fly back to the UK on the same day or extend your stay for a night or two to spend some time exploring the Danish capital.
Meals: Breakfast
Gallery
To book call us on:
At a glance…
Enjoy two nights in Reykjavik before sailing deep into the Arctic on this epic voyage with Swan Hellenic
» 14 day expedition cruise
» Accommodation: Deluxe Outstanding accommodation with top-of-the-range facilities and excellent service, usually in a fantastic location (typically 5 stars)
» Price from: £9,075 pp incl. flights
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