Iceland Circular Saga

Iceland Circular Saga 8 Days

Prices From £3,897pp
May Only | 7 nights

Big Discounts!

Iceland Circular Saga 8 Days

Aboard: Fridtjof Nansen

Embark on a breathtaking journey around Iceland’s stunning coastline, starting and ending in Reykjavík. This full circumnavigation takes you through a land shaped by fire and ice, where volcanoes, glaciers, geysers, and hot springs create a dramatic and ever-changing landscape. Along the way, experience unforgettable wildlife encounters, from whale watching in Húsavík to spotting Atlantic Puffins in Bakkagerði and Heimaey, and even sailing across the Arctic Circle.

With a wide range of included and optional excursions available at each stop, this is the ultimate opportunity to experience the very best of Iceland’s raw natural beauty.

Various departures available in May 2026 & 2027. Please enquire for full dates and rates.

Highlights

  • Embark on a full circumnavigation of Iceland’s enchanting coastline
  • Experience ever-changing landscapes of volcanoes, glaciers, geysers, waterfalls and hot springs in the land of fire and ice
  • Spot whales in Húsavík, one of Europe’s best whale-watching destinations
  • See thriving colonies of Atlantic Puffins in Bakkagerði and Heimaey
  • Sail across the Arctic Circle
  • Learn about Iceland's heritage, ancient sagas and folk tales filled with mysticism, elves and trolls
  • Fantastic selection of included excursions
  • Wide range of optional excursions available to book

What's Included

  • Full board accommodation onboard with daily breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Wine, beer and spirits available at meals and throughout the day and evening (subject to licensing laws, excludes premium drinks)
  • All day coffee, tea and soft drinks
  • Landings with small boats and activities on board and ashore (as per itinerary)
  • Professional English-speaking Expedition team that provide lectures and discussions, as well as accompanying landings and activities
  • Complimentary waterproof expedition jacket and refillable Ocean Bottle
  • Free basic Wi-Fi onboard
  • Photography tips from onboard professional photographer, plus professional photos from your trip
  • Use of sauna, hot tubs, pool, fitness room, lounges and more
  • Full use of Science Centre, extensive library and advanced biological and geological equipment
  • Citizen Science Programme where you can assist with ongoing scientific research
  • Loan of boots, trekking poles and all equipment for activities

Big Discounts!

Book select departures by 31st August and receive up to 25% discount off select cabins! Plus a free suite upgrade!
Price shown includes voyage discount.

Offer applicable when booked before 1st September 2026

Full terms and conditions apply. Offer subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. / Available on selected dates/vessels.

Our popularitinerary Suggestions

All our itinerary holidays are fully customisable

Reykjavik - Embark
1Day

Reykjavik - Embark

Your Icelandic cruise will begin in the capital city of Reykjavik where your expedition vessel will be waiting for you. You may wish to arrive a day or 2 early to spend some time exploring this charming and vibrant modern city which offers top restaurants, interesting museums and quirky narrow streets. Embarkation will begin in the afternoon and as you settle in to your cabin, explore your new surroundings and enjoy a relaxing welcome dinner, we will set sail for our adventure.

Grundarfjörður
2Day

Grundarfjörður

Your Iceland cruise begins with an unforgettable adventure in the charming fishing town of Grundarfjörður. Nestled along the scenic Breiðafjörður Bay, this picturesque harbour sits just two miles from the iconic Kirkjufell Mountain, one of Iceland’s most renowned landmarks.

A visit to nearby Snæfellsnes Peninsula National Park will open up a number of optional opportunities for excursions including a visit Djúpalónssandur's black sand beach and the Saxhóll crater, and a guided underground tour along a gigantic lava tube. The famous Snæfellsjökull also lies within this area. You could choose to hike around the area to marvel at the glacial view, or even take an incredible Snowcat tour to the top of this magnificent ice-capped volcano.

Please get in touch for full details and prices for all available excursions.

Ísafjörður
3Day

Ísafjörður

Next up we make our way to the enchanting Westfjords region to explore the beautiful harbourside town of Ísafjörður which occupies an exceptionally scenic spot flanked by towering mountains on all sides.

Today you can choose to explore at your leisure and could take a relaxing stroll around the town to shop for handicrafts or discover its architecture that includes some of Iceland’s oldest known houses. You could take a visit to the Westfjords Heritage Museum to learn more about the port’s fascinating history, or, if you’re feeling energetic, steep hike up to Naustahvilft – the Troll’s Throne – where you will be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes.

An included excursion will offer you the chance to visit the majestic Dynjandi waterfall. Optional excursions include a scenic drive along the awe-inspiring Isafjardardjup fjord followed by a glimpse into 19th century life on a visit to a small turf farm.

Akureyri & Goðafoss
4Day

Akureyri & Goðafoss

Cruise into Eyjafjörður, Iceland’s longest fjord, and take in breathtaking views of snowcapped peaks. Alongside neighbouring Skjálfandi Bay, this region is one of Europe’s premier whale-watching destinations. At the head of the fjord lies Akureyri, often called Iceland’s ‘Northern Capital.’ Here, you can stroll through the tranquil botanical gardens, explore local museums, and sample Icelandic cuisine at charming eateries.

Venture further on an included coach tour to witness the stunning Goðafoss waterfall, where turquoise waters cascade over rugged black rocks. Then, explore the dramatic volcanic landscapes of Lake Mývatn, one of the few places where you can see the Mid-Atlantic Ridge up close. Discover the surreal Skútustaðir craters, navigate the lava formations of Dimmuborgir, and experience the bubbling geothermal cauldrons of Námaskarð.

An optional excursion gives you the chance to swim in the Mývatn Nature Baths to enjoy an unforgettable natural bathing experience.

Húsavík & the Arctic Circle
5Day

Húsavík & the Arctic Circle

Your journey continues in Húsavík, a charming coastal town renowned for its world-class whale-watching opportunities. Arriving in the morning, you’ll have the chance to take in stunning views over Skjálfandi Bay, where humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises, and even the occasional blue whale make an appearance. With a bit of luck, you might spot these majestic creatures in the wild, and an included visit to Húsavík’s Whale Museum offers fascinating insights into their world.

Húsavík also serves as a gateway to some of North Iceland’s most spectacular sights, including Jökulsárgljúfur National Park, the mighty Dettifoss waterfall, and the horseshoe-shaped Ásbyrgi canyon - believed in Icelandic legend to have been formed by the hoof of Odin’s eight-legged horse. An optional “Diamond Circle” excursion here will take you to witness some of these delights as you take a coach tour to the Whispering Cliffs, Ásbyrgi canyon, and the powerful Dettifoss waterfall. You could also join an optional whale watching tour - a highlight of any trip to this area!

Later, as we sail along the coast of Grimsey Island, we’ll cross the Arctic Circle, marking another unforgettable moment on your Icelandic adventure.

Bakkagerði
6Day

Bakkagerði

Today we arrive in the “the land of elves” as we visit beautiful Bakkagerdi, the main settlement in Borgarfjörður. This peaceful area is one of Iceland’s hidden gems and is home to delightful views, tranquil walks and excellent birding opportunities with large puffin colonies abounding in the scenic fjord. According to folklore, Bakkagerði is inhabited by a large population of local land spirits or elves, known as huldufólk, meaning 'hidden people'. On your included guided walking tour you can learn all about this folklore, as well as the area’s history, culture and architecture. You will meet friendly and welcoming locals along the way, visit the beautiful local church, the old Lindarbakki turf house, the fish factory and Icelandic Down – famous for their eiderdown products. There are also excellent hiking opportunities here.

An optional Brewery Tour is also offered here, where you will enjoy a visit and a tasting at KHB Brugghús, the only distillery in Iceland to produce Landi, the original Icelandic moonshine.

Heimaey
7Day

Heimaey

Located off the south coast of Iceland, the Westman Islands are dominated by magnificent cliffs which form the natural habitats for many different seabirds, including puffins and kittiwakes, and are also a great place for whale watching.

Spectacular Heimaey is the largest of the Westman Islands and will be the last stop on our exciting Iceland cruise. Our historian experts will accompany us here as we explore this island which is known as “Iceland’s Pompeii” due to an unexpected volcanic eruption in 1973 which forced the entire population of the island to evacuate and set sail to mainland Iceland. The eruption caused substantial damage, with a large number of buildings being buried underneath the ash and lava, and many being completely destroyed. A number of buildings have since been unearthed and restored and there is now a fascinating museum, Eldheimar, which has been built around the remains of one of the homes.

During your included Lava and History walk, you can learn all about the area, its people, its geology and its history. You will visit Skansinn, a replica of a fort built on the orders of a Danish king, the Sagnheimar Folk Museum, and Landlyst, one of Heimaey’s oldest buildings, as well as taking a walk across the lava to understand more about volcanic eruptions.

A number of optional tours are also available here. These include a boat tour which will allow you to explore the spectacular caves of Fjósið and Klettshellir, search for bird and marine wildlife sightings, and hear Viking sagas from a local historian guide. You could also join a scenic drive to discover bird cliffs, ancient farmhouse ruins, volcanoes and magnificent viewpoints, or take a RIB boat safari to explore around the island’s caves and visit Stakkabót, where you’ll be able to see thousands of puffins flying and splashing into the sea. As with all optional excursions on this itinerary, these will incur an additional cost and should be requested in advance.

Reykjavik - Disembark
8Day

Reykjavik - Disembark

Arrival into Reykjavik will sadly signal the end of our thoroughly enjoyable Iceland cruise, and after breakfast it will be time to disembark and bid a fond farewell to our expedition team. There are numerous optional post-voyage excursions available in this unique city, an early Viking settlement that today has become the modern capital of Iceland. These include an exciting Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon excursion, and please feel free to ask for more details on these.

A view from Above

All Aboard

Fridtjof Nansen
Luxury vessel

Fridtjof Nansen

The next generation of expedition ship, this brand new custom-built vessel (launched in 2019) features a revolutionary battery hybrid powered propulsion system. Combining state of the art technology with a premium on board experience the ship has a rich and comfortable interior design using the finest Scandinavian materials, and offers 3 excellent restaurants, a welcoming explorer lounge, a large gym and wellness centre, a fantastic infinity pool and Jacuzzis, and huge indoor and outdoor observation decks. The highlight of this vessel for many is the onboard Nansen Science Centre, an interactive area where guests can develop a deeper understanding of the areas we will be exploring.

All of the spacious accommodation cabins on the Fridtjof Nansen are outside cabins and have been stylishly decorated and sumptuously furnished. All cabins have windows and 50% of them feature a private balcony. Premium aft suites feature private outdoor Jacuzzis with spectacular views.

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 has more than 15 years of experience in the travel industry and continues to be inspired by the people, places and wildlife he discovers. His in-depth personal knowledge of a diverse range of destinations ensures your adventure itinerary will be a holiday like no other.

Sheena Ogley Senior Travel Expert

Having amassed a host of extraordinary adventures in destinations all over the world, Sheena’s experience, skills and enthusiasm for helping clients plan their ideal itinerary will help make your holiday unforgettable, action packed and life-changing.

Simon Rowland Senior Travel Expert

Simon’s deep passion for and first-hand knowledge of a vast range of destinations all over the world gives him the ideal skills to help you create a truly unforgettable wildlife inspired adventure to the most exciting places on the planet.

Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

Call us
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

Fill in our
Enquiry form

Book Consultation

Book a
Consultation

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