Day 1: Reykjavík, Iceland

After a day of free range independent exploration in Reykjavík, we’ll embark for an evening departure from the geothermal wonderland. Considered one of the cleanest, greenest cities on the planet, the groovy cosmo capital of Iceland is the perfect launching pad. 

Submerge yourself in the healing waters of the famed Blue Lagoon, try the iconic Icelandic hot dogs or visit Yoko Ono’s white stone Imagine Peace Tower (her romantic tribute to John Lennon) on nearby Viðey Island in Kollafjörður Bay.

Laugavegur is the main, buzzy street to see and be seen. There are endless cafes, museums, galleries, vintage and vinyl shops to poke around in. You’ll also find the National Culture House (with original Norse Sagas manuscripts), the best Icelandic cod and several bars eager to pour you a shot of Brennivín. Svarti dauði, or “Black Death,” is a distilled brand of schnapps that is considered Iceland’s signature liquor made from fermented potato mash and caraway seed. Raise a glass, say “skál,” and get ready to circumnavigate this volcanic island of black sand beaches, glacier lagoons, fjords and endless ribbons of waterfalls.

Day 2: Snæfellsnes Peninsula

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula’s mesmerizing coastline is adored for its ever changing landscape.  Referred to as “Iceland in Miniature,” the natural wonders shift from Oreo black sand beaches  to volcanoes, glacier tongues, hardened lava fields, daunting mountains, otherworldly basalt columns, pounding waterfalls, to dripping caves and gaping craters. This peninsula encapsulates all of these in one incredibly condensed region of 90km (56 miles).

Seabirds abound for listers–be on the lookout for Kittiwakes, Arctic Terns and Iceland Gulls. Near shore, Sanderlings, Ruddy Turnstones, Purple Sandpipers, Ringed Plovers, Red Shanks populate the coast. Red-throated Loons and Horned Grebes often delight birders too!

Orcas, minke whales and porpoises are common around Snæfellsnes Peninsula, but larger species of whales keep to deeper waters farther from the coast.

Day 3: The Westfjords

The multi-hued beaches and  jagged cliffs of the Westfjords are a bonanza for birders. Three of the largest bird cliffs in Iceland are in this region–estimates indicate that as many as two million pairs of Brünnich’s Guillemots and Guillemots nest there. Guillemots, Fulmars, Auks, Northern Gannets, large colonies of Atlantic Puffins and Glaucous Gulls take up serious real estate here too!

The beauty of the remote coastal fjords is arresting and an area that few travelers are privy to witnessing. By land, the Westfjords are really only accessible for a few months in the summer from May to September due to the heavy snowfall that buries the region. The Westfjords sometimes get cut off from the rest of the country during winter.

Day 4: Siglufjörður and Grímsey

Today we’ll travel 40km (25 miles) north to the isle of Grímsey which sits (barely!) on the Arctic Circle at 66° 33’ North, earning Iceland its title as one of the world’s eight Arctic nations.

We’ll take  a Zodiac cruise around the 5-square-kilometre (3-square-mile) island to observe the racket and antics of millions of seabirds. The near-deafening chorus of seabirds never stops during the 24-hour long day of the Midnight Sun. A reprieve comes in late July when twilight begins to descend around midnight. Puffins, guillemots and gulls far outnumber its tiny human population of 100 who live in a small village by the harbor.

In Siglufjörður, the former hotbed of the herring fishing industry, we’ll enjoy a re-enactment of the bygone days at the Herring Era Museum. Dressed in early to mid 20th-century garb, the “herring girls” gutted fish and packed them into barrels, often bursting into song and a circle dance. We’ll tour the restored herring oil production facility and learn more about the fascinating boom-and-bust history of herring fishing in Siglufjördur. Iceland is known for its peculiar museums that are dedicated to sorcery and witchcraft, ghosts, stones, sharks, sea monsters and all things phallological. This one is Iceland’s largest maritime museum.

We’ll have time to explore Iceland’s darling northernmost town and historic fishing village. Pop into the bakery for a kaffe and kleina (coffee and Icelandic donut), the Frida chocolate factory (blue cheese chocolate!), Seagul 67 Brewery for a tasting or drop into the Icelandic Folk Music Centre.

Day 5: Akureyri

Immerse yourself in the metro charms of Akureyri, Iceland’s second-largest urban area! We can walk up the steps of Akyureyri’s monumental Lutheran church for a stunning panoramic view. Inside, there’s a large pipe organ (3,200 pipes) and a reflection of a unique pagan tradition to check out–it’s an interpretation of the crucifixion and a model ship suspended from the ceiling which serve as offerings for the welfare of loved ones at sea.

We’ll have time to poke around the city’s shops (you’ll find outdoor gear, thrift, book, design and souvenir shops) cafés and restaurants (think sourdough pizza, vegan ice cream, a curry house and even high tea). For museum buffs, there are TEN to choose from. Sverrir Hermannsson’s Sundry Collection is a quirky favourite (think matchbooks, pens, used nails, razors, hand tools, antique sewing machines, knives, fishing items, farming tools) but there are also museums dedicated to farmhouses, aviation and  motorcycles. There’s also  the White Plague Centre, a former tuberculosis sanatorium from 1927 with an exhibit room that you can visit. Note: You may need to take a taxi to reach some of these museums.

Akuyeri’s botanical gardens are among the northernmost in the world (just 50km or 31 miles from the Arctic Circle) and house an impressive collection of more than 7,000 plant species. Established in 1957 within a city park that had been created by local women in 1912, the gardens are free to walk around.

There’s also an optional excursion to the Forest Lagoon–a newer geothermal spa. This enveloping oasis is tucked in the birch and pine Valaskógur forest and has two infinity pools, two swim-up bars, a cold plunge, rejuvenating Finnish dry sauna and a cozy bistro area overlooking Eyjafjörður, one of Iceland’s longest fjords.

Day 6: Húsavík

Húsavík’s Skjálfandi Bay is known as the whale capital of Iceland. There are 15 different whale species that frequent the area, as well as dolphins and dozens of reeling bird species. The town’s wooden church, Húsavíkurkirkja, was designed and built in 1907 by Rognvaldur Olafsson. Built in the form of a cross, it was constructed with wood imported from Norway.

We’ll have time to take advantage of Húsavík’s diverse and curious museum offerings, including the Whale Museum (the suspended skeleton collection is overwhelming!), the Húsavík Museum and the Exploration Museum, which houses artifacts from Apollo astronaut training in the area.

Day 7: Seyðisfjörður

Today will be dedicated to exploring Seyðisfjörður, a tiny town of 700 that dots the tip of its namesake fjord.

Known for its vibrant art scene, cobbled rainbow road and artisan handicrafts, it’s easy to while away the day. We can opt to take a hike or walk up to the Tvísöngur sound sculpture on a nearby hill. The five interconnected cement domes were designed by German artist Lukas Kühne. Each dome has its own resonance that corresponds to a tone in the Icelandic musical tradition of five-tone harmony. It’s easy to get lost in the rhythm of Iceland’s wide open spaces here.

We’ll also visit the family-owned and operated Skálanes Nature Reserve to learn about the centre’s research and interpretation of Iceland’s environment and cultural history. The Reserve has served as a solid model for sustainable tourism.

There’s an optional excursion to Vallanes Organic Farm, where Eymundur Magnússon and Eygló Björk Ólafsdóttir have been organic farming since 1985. Explore their inspiring premises on a guided tour that digs deep into their focus on developing Icelandic grains, herbs and vegetables. Bonus: You can sample their hyper local products during a tasting!

Day 8: Southeast Iceland

South Iceland is home to some of the country’s most stunning natural attractions.It’s the collision of geothermal and glacial cold. 

There are volcanoes, lagoons, glaciers, steamy hot springs, spouting geysers and enormous waterfalls to see–either ashore (on foot) or by Zodiac cruise. Europe’s biggest glacier, Vatnajökull, is found in the namesake national park. 

Day 9: Heimaey, Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands)

Today’s immersion will be a hot topic. Volcanoes. We’ll learn about the dramatic evolution and history of this volcanically active area that has experienced two major eruptions in recent times.

In 1963, Iceland witnessed the formation of the island of Surtsey. The Eldfell eruption just 10 years later destroyed much of Heimaey, the largest of the Vestmannaeyjars and the only island here that is inhabited.

Of Iceland’s 32 active volcanoes, none is watched more closely than Katla as she lies under glacial ice hundreds of meters thick. Any eruption would inevitably lead to a meltdown and devastating, widespread flooding. Katia last erupted in 1918. 

The Eyjafjallajokull eruption of 2010 remains the most memorable as it stranded millions of tourists worldwide and brought more than 100,000 flights to a halt over seven days over concerns that volcanic ash would damage aircraft engines.

We’ll also take a super scenic Zodiac cruise in search of seabirds, including the “clowns of the sea.” Puffins nest in the nooks of the steep rock faces along the sheer ocean cliffs here and their animated antics are a pure joy to observe.

Day 10: Reykjavík, Iceland

Our circumnavigation of Iceland will close with a tidy knot back in Reykjavík where we’ll disembark in the morning. Give your fellow Wild Women crew a big polar bear hug and start plotting your next life-changing adventure together!

You may wish to extend your stay to absorb more of this cool city and all that it offers from the best-ever fish and chips to browsing outdoor gear shops like the legendary 66°North which was established in 1926. There’s also Aurora Reykjavík, Iceland’s first and only Northern Lights Center. Take a walk through history and learn about mythology rooted in the Arctic Circle and sky above. 

Don’t forget to stop at Baejarins Beztu Pylsur for a classic hot dog made out of pork, beef and lamb. It’s an Iceland pre-requisite.

OCEAN ENDEAVOUR

The Ocean Endeavour is an opulent 137-metre (450-feet), 198-passenger ice-strengthened vessel with twenty Zodiacs, advanced navigation equipment and stabilizers. A doctor, paramedic and medical clinic offer complete peace of mind. The ship has several lounge areas, a library (Compass Room) and multiple viewing decks to totally chill out by yourself or with your newfound crew!

Please note: This is not an exclusive Wild Women Expeditions or 100% women-only trip. The Wild Women group size on the Ocean Endeavour can range from 10 to 40 women. In addition, the ship’s staff and crew will also be co-ed.

*Adventure Canada itineraries may be subject to change without notice due to weather, ice, and sea conditions.