Expedition to Iceland & East Greenland

Day 1: Reykjavík - Embark Ship

Arrive in Reykjavík, Iceland’s vibrant coastal capital and the world’s northernmost capital city. Explore the city’s colourful streets, distinctive architecture, and lively cafe culture, or simply relax and unwind after your journey. 

In the afternoon, embark your expedition vessel, the National Geographic Explorer,

your base for the journey ahead.

Meals: Dinner 

Day 2: Djúpavík

Enjoy a relaxed morning at sea, gaining insight into Iceland’s remarkable biodiversity. Join your expedition team on deck to watch for the many whale species that inhabit the Westfjords, with opportunities to spot several throughout the day.

In the afternoon, arrive on the remote eastern edge of the Westfjords, an area seldom visited yet rich in both natural beauty and history. Visit the tiny settlement of Djúpavík, once a thriving centre during Iceland’s herring boom of the 1930s. Its impressive herring factory, once the largest concrete structure in the country, now stands as a museum preserving this important chapter of Icelandic heritage.

Explore the museum to learn about the significance of the herring industry or choose from a range of guided walks and activities set against the surrounding mountain landscapes. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Day 3: Skagafjörður

Skagafjörður is the gateway to North Iceland, renowned for its glacial rivers, Icelandic horses, and rich saga history. Enjoy a gentle float trip along the Jökulsá River or visit a traditional turf farm to gain insight into rural Icelandic life, including the iconic Icelandic horse.

Delve into local legend as you learn about Grettir the Strong and the saga that bears his name, with the option to explore Drangey Island. Here, discover dramatic landscapes and observe abundant birdlife, including kittiwakes, shearwaters, and, with luck, ravens and gyrfalcons.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4-5: East Coast of Greenland

Cross the Denmark Strait to the remote and rugged shores of Eastern Greenland. Renowned for its vast network of tidewater glaciers flowing from the ice sheet, this region offers exceptional opportunities to explore dramatic fjords both by ship and on shore landings.

Conditions permitting, choose from activities such as hiking, kayaking, or Zodiac cruising, each offering a different perspective on this extraordinary landscape. As you journey through these pristine waters, spend time on deck or on the Bridge, scanning for the region’s unique wildlife. Keep watch for humpback and beluga whales, seals, and, if you’re fortunate, the elusive narwhal or even a polar bear. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Day 6-7: Westfjords of Iceland

Explore the serene beauty of Iceland’s Westfjords, a region of dramatic landscapes and rich wildlife. Sail into Ísafjarðardjúp and go ashore on Vigur Island, where you’ll visit a traditional eider farm to learn about the centuries-old process of collecting and cleaning eiderdown, alongside the island’s thriving bird colonies. Walk along boardwalks through a puffin colony, part of a collaborative conservation effort between Lindblad Expeditions and local owners to support research and protect nesting habitats.

As you cruise back through the fjord, head to the railings to watch for whales that frequent these waters. The following day, continue exploring another remote fjord, with opportunities for guided hikes along scenic trails leading to a dramatic waterfall cascading from the high plateaus above.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Day 8: Reykjavík - Disembark Ship  

Disembark in Reykjavík and transfer to your hotel. Spend time exploring the charming old city centre, visiting fascinating museums, wandering colourful streets, or relaxing in a cosy cafe with a cup of coffee.

Meals: Breakfast 

Day 9: Reykjavík

Today, immerse yourself in a new level of wellness at Sky Lagoon with the signature Skjól Ritual, a unique seven-step spa journey at the heart of this remarkable geothermal experience.

Designed to engage both body and mind, Sky Lagoon awakens the senses. Breathe in the salty air of the Atlantic, listen to the rhythm of the ocean and surrounding wildlife, and unwind in tranquil surroundings. The highlight is the lagoon’s striking infinity edge, offering sweeping views across a serene fjord, with sights of Keilir Mountain, the Bessastaðir Presidential Residence, and, on clear days, the iconic Snæfellsjökull glacier.

Meals: Breakfast 

Day 10:  Golden Circle and South Shore

Begin your day at Reykjavík’s Harpa Concert Hall with the immersive Volcano Express experience, a thrilling journey through one of Iceland’s most volcanically active regions. Feel the power of earthquakes, the heat of flowing lava, and the sensation of flight as you soar above erupting volcanoes and delve deep beneath the Earth’s surface to understand the forces shaping this remarkable landscape.

Depart Reykjavík to explore Iceland’s extraordinary volcanic terrain. Travel through the Hengill volcanic system, one of the country’s largest geothermal areas, where natural energy is harnessed to generate power and support local life. Continue to Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site where Iceland’s ancient parliament once met, and where you can stand between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

Journey on to the Geysir geothermal area, where bubbling mud pools and the Strokkur geyser erupt dramatically, before visiting the magnificent Gullfoss waterfall, cascading in two tiers into a rugged canyon. In Laugarvatn, experience local traditions at a geothermal bakery, where rye bread is baked in the earth’s natural heat, best enjoyed warm with Icelandic butter and smoked Arctic trout.

Continue along the scenic South Shore, passing fertile farmland shaped by volcanic activity and framed by the iconic peaks of Mount Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull. Stop to admire the striking waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, tumbling from cliffs beneath glacier-capped mountains.

As you travel, watch for seabirds along the coast, including Iceland’s beloved puffins. Conclude your day in Vík, Iceland’s southernmost village, where during summer the Midnight Sun casts a soft golden light across black-sand beaches and dramatic coastal landscapes.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11: Vatnajökull National Park – Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon

Discover the Katla UNESCO Global Geopark, a region renowned for its extraordinary volcanic landscapes and geological significance. Begin at Reynisfjara Beach, where black volcanic sands, dramatic basalt columns and the powerful Atlantic surf create one of Iceland’s most striking coastal scenes.

Continue into the Lakagígar region, shaped by historic eruptions that formed vast, otherworldly lava fields. Cross Eldhraun, one of the largest lava flows on Earth, created during the Laki eruption, an event that had far-reaching climatic impacts across the Northern Hemisphere.

Journey into Vatnajökull National Park, home to Europe’s largest glacier and covering nearly 14% of Iceland. Explore the Öræfajökull region, an ice-capped stratovolcano whose historic eruption gave rise to its name, “Wastelands,” now transformed into a landscape of fertile plains and striking contrasts.

Visit the breathtaking Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, where icebergs drift across deep, tranquil waters, and nearby Diamond Beach, where fragments of ice rest on black sands before returning to the sea. Continue to the lush Skaftafell area, a scenic oasis surrounded by glaciers and volcanic peaks.

Return to Vík and immerse yourself in Icelandic summer traditions. Meet locals at Smiðjan Brugghús, learn about craft brewing, and enjoy a hearty Icelandic-style barbecue dinner.

Later, embrace the magic of the Midnight Sun on an evening walk through the Vík landscape, a cherished local tradition, complete with light refreshments as the sky glows in soft, lingering hues.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 12: Hveragerði – Blue Lagoon – 

Visit the village of Hveragerði, one of the few places in the world situated directly within a geothermal area. Often called the “Flower Village,” it is known for its volcano-powered greenhouses and thriving horticulture.

Continue to a nearby horse farm to meet Iceland’s iconic horse breed, a vital part of the country’s heritage. Learn about their history and enjoy traditional Icelandic refreshments.

Travel along the scenic southern coastline, where powerful ocean waves meet dramatic landscapes, before arriving at the Reykjanes Peninsula. This rugged region, home to the Fagradalsfjall volcanic system, showcases Iceland’s raw geological forces. Recognised as a UNESCO Geopark, Reykjanes sits along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where tectonic plates meet.

Conclude your day with a relaxing soak in the famous Blue Lagoon, surrounded by black lava fields and filled with warm, mineral-rich waters, before returning to Reykjavík.

Meals: Breakfast 

Day 13: Reykjavík

Farewell to the Land of Fire and Ice. After an unforgettable journey through Iceland’s dramatic landscapes and natural wonders, transfer to the international airport for your onward departure, taking with you lasting memories of this extraordinary destination.

Meals: Breakfast