Iceland Circumnavigation

Iceland Circumnavigation 11 or 12 Days

Prices From £8,476pp
June Only | 11 nights

Up To 20% Discount!

No Solo Supplement!

Iceland Circumnavigation 11 or 12 Days

Aboard: Greg Mortimer

This fantastic cruise will take you all the way around the remote and visually stunning volcanic island of Iceland to get up-close to its awe-inspiring landscapes, fascinating culture, unique hospitality and abundant birdlife. The exquisitely diverse landscapes offer up a world of hot springs, volcanoes, thundering waterfalls, black sand beaches, towering mountains and lava fields, all waiting for you to discover them. Exploring along the coast and through enchanting inland areas, you will enjoy thrilling Zodiac cruises and exciting walks and hikes as we find out what makes this beautiful island so special.

Various departures available.
Please note: 2026 departure will be an 11 day itinerary.
Please enquire for full dates and rates.

Highlights

  • Discover a world of incredible scenery, with waterfalls, volcanoes, hot springs, geysers and much more!
  • Enjoy excellent whale watching opportunities
  • Visit Vatnajökull National Park to see Europe’s largest glacier
  • Explore around the remote fjords and bays of the Westfjords and learn all about the volcanic eruptions on Heimay in the Westman Islands
  • See some of the most geologically active areas in Iceland including the incredible ‘heaven and hell’ contrast in landscape at Lake Mývatn
  • Discover the hidden gem of Seydisfjordur
  • Enjoy an included "Golden Circle" tour before departure
  • A choice of inland excursions at most stops
  • Myriad birdlife
  • Exciting Zodiac cruises
  • Resident photography guide

What's Included

  • Full board accommodation on board ship with daily breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks
  • Wines, beers and soft drinks with dinner
  • One night hotel accommodation in Reykjavik pre-voyage
  • Golden Circle tour
  • Group transfers to and from ship
  • Captain's Welcome and Farewell drinks including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages
  • Zodiac landings and excursions
  • Programme of expert lectures
  • Loan of rubber boots
  • Complimentary 3-in-1 polar jacket
  • Printed photo book with images from your expedition

Up To 20% Discount!

Book select departures now and receive up to 20% discount!

Offer applicable when booked before 1st June 2025

Applies to new bookings in select cabins on select departures. Subject to availability and cannot be combined with any other offer. May be withdrawn at any time. Full terms & conditions apply. / Available on selected dates/vessels.

No Solo Supplement!

The first 10 solo travellers to book select 2026 departures will get a dedicated solo stateroom with no single supplement! (usual supplement is 50%!)

Offer applicable when booked before 1st June 2025

Applies to new bookings on select departure dates. Subject to availability and is not combinable with any other offer. Offer may be withdrawn at any time. Full terms and conditions apply. / Available on selected dates/vessels.

Our popularitinerary Suggestions

All our itinerary holidays are fully customisable

Reykjavik - Arrive
1Day

Reykjavik - Arrive

Having arrived independently on day 1 to Reykjavik, Iceland’s vibrant capital city, you can make your way to the hotel for your included overnight stay. The rest of the day will be at your leisure and you may wish to spend some time soaking up the sights and sounds of this unique city.

Golden Circle Tour - Embark
2Day

Golden Circle Tour - Embark

After breakfast on the morning of day 2 you can join your exciting included Golden Circle and Geothermal Energy tour. Famous seismic sights you will visit will include the Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir and the history-rich Thingvellir National Park. You can then experience first-hand how green, sustainable energy is produced at one of the largest single-site geothermal power plants on the planet at the Geothermal Energy Exhibition and Ljósafossvirkjun Power Station.

In the early evening you will transfer to the port to board your expedition vessel. After settling into your comfortable cabin and exploring your new surroundings, as you join the crew at the special Welcome Dinner the ship will set sail into the beautiful fjord of Hvalfjördur where some time on deck or in one of the observation lounges may reward in sightings of various seabirds and seals.

Throughout your Iceland cruise, our itinerary will be flexible, with your experienced captain and crew choosing the best course each day for optimal experiences.

Arnarstapi / Grundafjordur
3Day

Arnarstapi / Grundafjordur

Our first full day of expedition adventure will bring us to Snaefellnes Peninsula, the gateway to the Snæfellsjökull National Park, where we will arrive at Arnarstapi to begin our exploration of this area that is characterised by lava fields and glistening fjords, and is home to the magnificent, ice-capped Snæfellsjökull volcano.

Today you will have a choice from 3 different excursions, with a varying degree of difficulty. For a gentle exploration, take the Highlights of Snaefellsness tour; an 8 hour adventure that will take you to the dramatic black pebble beach of Djúpalónssandur, the picturesque hamlet of Búðir, and the magnificent Snæfellsjökull National Park where you can choose to explore via the incredible hiking trails should you be feeling energetic. Your tour will conclude with a visit to the iconic Mount Kirkjufell, a favourite among photographers and known to many as a filming location for the TV show "Game of Thrones." Not far from this majestic mountain is a waterfall that completes the picturesque scene.

For a higher paced adventure, the Natural Wonders of Snaefellsnes tour might be your choice. On this 8 hour tour you will hike the easy-level coastal trail that connects the two villages of Arnarstapi and Hellnar (2 hours). The trails will take you along the wild shoreline with a view of the ocean and extraordinary columnar basalt and lava cliff formations on one side and stunning mountains and Snæfellsjökull Glacier on the other. There will also be great chances of spotting Arctic Tern, kittiwakes, gulls and fulmars. You will then explore the 8,000-year-old Vatnshellir Cave, a subterranean wonderland replete with stunning geology, fascinating rock formations, and colourful volcanic rock. The tour ends with a visit to Mount Kirkjufell.

Alternatively, you may choose the Snaefellsnes Adventure Tour, an adrenaline racing tour through the area’s contrasting terrains. Moderate to difficult hikes will take you to the Pufubjarg bird cliff, the Londrangar basalt cliffs, across a lava field to Malarrif, the Eldborg crater, and the Gerðuberg Cliffs.

Westfjords
4 - 5Days

Westfjords

Over the next two days, we explore the Westfjords region featuring outstanding landscapes with jaw-dropping views of dramatic fjords carved by ancient glaciers, sheer table mountains that plunge into the sea and pristine North Atlantic vegetation.

At Patreksfjordur, a shore excursion by coach takes us to Latrabjarg cliffs. As Europe’s largest bird cliff, Latrabjarg is home to millions of seabirds, such as puffin, razorbill, fulmar and guillemot. Enjoy the impressive variety of natural wonders and unspoiled nature. Latrabjarg also happens to be the westernmost point in Europe, east coast of the North American continent on the other side of the Atlantic. In the afternoon, enjoy the bountiful silence and magnificent landscapes as we make our way north, spotting whales and other wildlife along the way.

Thingeyri, a quaint village nestled on a slender strip of land, graces the shores of one of Iceland's most picturesque fjords, Dýrafjörður. Much like many other coastal settlements in Iceland, the village's culture and industry have been intricately woven with the influence of the sea over centuries. The surrounding landscape is adorned with towering mountains, lending a distinctive charm to the scenic expanse that envelops Thingeyri. This idyllic region is often hailed as the "Alps of the Westfjords," especially the highland area nestled between the majestic fjords of Dyrafjordur and Arnarfjordur. The beauty of Thingeyri lies not only in its coastal simplicity but also in the dramatic backdrop of high mountains that paints a captivating portrait of this Icelandic village.

Visit the dramatic and powerful Dynjandi waterfall, then choose from two shore excursion options that best suits your interests and level of fitness. The first option is a “That Viking Thing Experience” which will take you back in time and learn about the Viking ways and how the hardy Norse people lived off the land. Walk through a recreated Viking area, learning about what is fact and what is fiction in the many stories you've heard about the famous Vikings. A short hike brings you to the old ruins of the Viking meeting place called a Thing - the closest translation in English is 'parliament.' Step inside the interactive Viking Museum for a chance to dress up in authentic hand-sewn Viking clothing, take photographs, drink Icelandic Viking beer, bake your own Viking bread, and explore the museum - all part of learning more about Viking ways.

The second option is a Sandafell Mountain Hike which will reward in gorgeous views over the town, surrounding mountains and the water below.

Akureyri & Husavik
6Day

Akureyri & Husavik

Today brings us to picturesque Akureyri, Iceland’s second largest city outside the capital area, which is blessed with a superb snow-capped mountain backdrop. Again, there will be three excursions to choose from today to best suit your interests and level of fitness.

The first option is a Góðafoss, Lake Myvatn & Baths tour which will take you to the Goðafoss waterfall, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland where you can enjoy a gentle walk along the 400-metre trail to the main viewpoint. You will then explore the Lake Myvatn area and drive to the Mývatn Nature Baths where you can enjoy a completely natural bathing experience that begins with a relaxing dip amidst clouds of steam rising up from a fissure deep in the Earth’s surface, and ends with a luxurious swim in a pool of geothermal water drawn from depths of up to 2,500 metres / 8,200 feet.

Option 2 will follow a similar route to option 1 but instead of visiting the nature baths you will enjoy a hike around Lake Myvatn’s Skútustaðagígar pseudo craters and visit the lava cliffs and caves of Dimmuborgir.

Option 3 will be the most strenuous of the options and will see you hike around Dimmuborgir, and up the steep slopes of Hverfjall Crater and around the crater’s rim. This is a 9km loop trail and takes approximately 3 hours or 3.5 hours to include walking around the rim and will reward in incredible, otherworldly views of the surrounding landscape. You will then travel to Dettifoss waterfall, reputed to be the most powerful waterfall in Europe.

Each excursion will conclude in Húsavik, the whale watching capital of Iceland, where your ship will be waiting.

Grímsey / Húsavik
7Day

Grímsey / Húsavik

The next stop on our Icelandic cruise will be the verdant grassy island of Grímsey where an exploration here will see us cross the imaginary line of the Arctic Circle. We will spend some time here enjoying Zodiac cruising through the waters in search of sightings of whales and seabirds including puffins, guillemots and gulls. This will also be another great spot for the kayakers among us.

Sailing back towards the mainland we will enjoy some further whale watching opportunities in the waters of Skjálfandi Bay around Húsavik, Iceland’s ‘whale watching capital’. Here we will hope for numerous sightings of some of the excellent numbers of 24 different whale species that are frequently found here along with dolphins and abundant seabirds. If luck is on our side we may enjoy memorable sightings of orca and even Blue whales, the largest animals on the planet!

Skálanes Research Centre & Seyðisfjörður
8Day

Skálanes Research Centre & Seyðisfjörður

Established in 2005, Skálanes is an independent nature reserve near Seyðisfjörður, that boasts beautiful bird colonies, abundant plant life, and fascinating archaeology. The stunning cliffs that reach to 640 metres are home to thousands of seabirds including nesting eiders and Arctic terns and a gradually evolving ecosystem of flora and fauna. Seals, whales and reindeers are a common sight. The landscape hosts remains of farms and turf structures which gives a context to the interaction of humans and nature since the settlement of Iceland. You may have the option to do a Zodiac cruise around the cliffs to see the bird colonies of kittiwakes, fulmars, and guillemots, or enjoy a walk ashore.

In the afternoon, we spend some time exploring Seyðisfjörður, a picturesque fishing village that is renowned for its charming collection of colourful wooden buildings located around the lagoon. Take a stroll around town and discover the timber houses that are remnants from when the Norwegians settled here and established the herring fishing facilities from 1870-1900. From the valley above the town, the river Fjardara tumbles down in beautiful cascades to the lagoon. There are a number of delightful hiking trails to explore, or alternatively, you can discover a flourishing cultural scene with an arts centre, the famous blue church that stages music concerts and the only two cinemas in the east of Iceland. Back in town, browse the stores where you will discover handicrafts by local artists and artisans – perfect as a souvenir or gift.

Djupivogur
9Day

Djupivogur

In Iceland’s east, we disembark in Djupivogur, our gateway to Vatnajokull National Park, home to Europe’s largest glacier. We drive to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, a glacial lagoon filled with floating icebergs that wash up on shore and stand gleaming on the nearby black-sand beach, dubbed Diamond beach. At Jokulsarlon, you can choose from a boat excursion on the lagoon, try a hike on the glacier, or hike to a canyon, visiting a number of waterfalls along the way.

At Sea & Westman Islands
10 - 11Days

At Sea & Westman Islands

Formed by volcanic eruptions around 10,000 years ago, the beautiful Westman Islands archipelago (Vestmannaeyjar), just off Iceland’s south coast, will be the perfect place to enjoy the last excursions of our trip. After a day spent sailing at sea, we will sail past the UNESCO World Heritage site of Surtsey Island which emerged from the sea in 1963, before reaching Heimaey, the archipelago’s main island. Here we will see the remains of, and learn all about, the violent volcanic eruption in 1973 that changed the landscape of this area forever. From here, you will have two excursions to choose from.

The first excursion offers you the chance to visit the Eldheimar Volcano Museum to learn all about the area’s fascinating history, followed by a drive to Stórhöfði cape for some puffin watching.

Option 2 will bring a more energetic day and will offer a two-hour hike up the Eldheimar Volcano where you can learn more about the geology and volcanology of Iceland, followed by a visit to a unique volcano museum that tells the story of the Heimaey volcanic eruption, the emergence of Surtsey Island in 1963, and the geology of the Westman Islands.

Reykjavik - Disembark
12Day

Reykjavik - Disembark

Arrival back in Reykjavik sadly signals the end of our Iceland cruise, and after breakfast a transfer will be provided to either the airport or to a downtown location should you wish to extend your stay in this fascinating city. Various extension tours are available here so please feel free to ask us if you need any advice on continuing your adventures.

A view from Above

All Aboard

Greg Mortimer
Luxury vessel

Greg Mortimer

The brand new (2018-19) “Greg Mortimer” is a purpose-built expedition vessel capable of negotiating the strongest winds and waves, and has been built to world-class polar standards. The Greg Mortimer redefines expedition cruising for the future, utilising the ULSTEIN X-BOW, a cutting edge nautical technology which allows for gentle travel and motion at sea, reduced vibrations, improved comfort and safety on board, virtual anchoring, lower fuel consumption and lower air emissions.

Robust, powerful, and built with passengers’ comfort and safety at the forefront of design, the Greg Mortimer features a modern ice-strengthened hull at ice class 1A, four sea-level launching platforms for fast and efficient access to Zodiacs, a custom-built activity platform, the most up-to-date and concise safety features including the latest ‘return to port’ technology, and has been built to meet and exceed the strict environment standards of the Polar Code, for non-intrusive and low-impact voyages.

For exceptional at sea wildlife and scenery viewing opportunities the ship has custom-built hydraulic platforms offering unobstructed views, an indoor observation lounge, side viewing platforms and an outdoor top deck which allows for 360-degree views.

With space for 132 passengers the ship has 80 well designed staterooms with en-suite bathrooms, ranging from porthole to balcony categories, a large dining room/restaurant with family style dining, a spacious lecture room, a well stocked library, Wellness Centre complete with gym equipment, sauna and spa, a multimedia room and a fully-stocked medical centre.

Too much to choose from? This is where we come in

Take advantage of our vast experience, passion and expertise to help you hand craft the perfect Iceland adventure for you.

Michael Gardiner Senior Travel Expert

Mike lives and breathes adventure travel and has a wealth of experience in some of the most exciting and inspirational destinations in the world. His expertise and first-hand experience afford him the skills to help build holidays to remember.

Sheena Ogley Senior Travel Expert

With countless travel experiences and an enduring hunger for adventure, Sheena knows exactly what’s needed to craft a holiday of a lifetime. Her experience and generosity of spirit are legendary and she’ll help you build an itinerary that will make all your dreams come true.

Simon Rowland Senior Travel Expert

With a lifetime of unforgettable nature and adventure based travel under his belt, Simon shares his passion, enthusiasm and hands-on experience to help create the perfect itinerary for every client.

Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

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0800 195 3385
Outside the uk
+ 44 1625 5811 43
Call us
+ 44 1625 5811 43
Call us
+ 44 1625 5811 43

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Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

Call us - 0800 195 3385
Outside the uk? + 44 1625 5811 43
+ 44 1625 5811 43 Call us - 0800 195 3385

Chat Now

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callback

Fill in our
Enquiry form

Book Consultation

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