Northern Lights and Whales Tour two

Overview

Discover this mystical land steeped in Viking traditions and volcanic landscapes rarely seen anywhere else on earth. Witness the amazing spectacle of the northern lights and get up close to a variety of whales with a visit to Husavik, Iceland’s best whale watching spot which is home to 15 different species.

Sprawling Reykjavík, the nation’s nerve center and government seat, is home to half the island’s population. On a bay overlooked by proud Mt. Esja (pronounced eh-shyuh) Reykjavík presents a colourful sight-its concrete houses painted in light colours and topped by vibrant red, blue, and green roofs. In contrast to the almost treeless countryside, Reykjavík has many tall, native birches, rowans, and willows, as well as imported aspen, pines, and spruces. Reykjavík’s name comes from the Icelandic words for smoke, reykur, and bay, vík. Embark Ocean Diamond over night in Reykjavik.

After an exciting city tour in Reykjavik you will visit Thingvellir National Park, the ancient site of the world’s first parliament . A stop will be made to admire the beautiful Hraunfossar waterfalls and Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in the world.

Húsavík is often called the “Whale watching capital” of Iceland the town’s offshore waters are home to 15 different whale species, as well as dolphins Watching these graceful ocean giants in their Arctic habitat is an unforgettable experience. An exciting trip in the zodiacs to search for the gentle giants awaits you.

Today‘s destination is Isafjordur, an idyllic town in the Westfjords region. This secluded peninsula is connected to the Icelandic mainland by only a narrow strip of land and includes many roadless areas where cars have never been. The landscape includes jaw-dropping views of dramatic fjords carved by ancient glaciers, sheer table mountains that plunge into the sea and pristine North Atlantic vegetation.

Stykkisholmur is the starting point of your adventure on the Snaefellnes Peninsula, gateway to Snæfellsjökull National Park. Stykkishólmur is located by Breiðafjörður Bay on the north of Snæfellsnes Peninsula and is surrounded by wonderful views of the innumerable islands. One of the defining landmarks in Stykkishólmur are the old houses in the old city centre, some of which were owned by Danish traders, and every year in August there is a Danish town festival in Stykkishólmur called Danskir dagar or Danish days. The oldest house in Stykkishólmur is the Norwegian house, which dates back to 1832. The inhabitants take great pride in preserving the old houses and walking in the centre of town is like walking in another era.

An area of diverse landscapes, characterised by lava fields and glistening fjords and home to bird-rich Breidafjordur Bay. The area is crowned by the magnificent, ice-capped Snæfellsjökull volcano, a 700,000-year-old dormant subglacial volcano, visible from Reykjavik on a clear day and immortalised in Jules Verne’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth. Dark clear skies might offer great opportunities for the Northern Lights.

After breakfast you will disembark the Ocean Diamond and continue on your onward journey.