Iceland Cruises - Journeys in the Land of Ice & Fire: Akureyri to Reykjavik

This morning our full day optional excursion will take you from Akureyri to Husavik (where you will meet the Panorama in the evening). We take the Ring Road to reach Godafoss Waterfall - the Falls of the Gods - and will hear about the Kristni Saga, recounting the arrival of Christianity and the end of Paganism.  After lunch we visit   Lake Myvatn, Namarksard and Dimmuborgir, all fine examples of the volcanic world with lava fields, boiling and steaming mud pools, steam vents and craters.  We rejoin the Panorama in Husavik midafternoon. Time to walk around this colorful port or option to take a late afternoon whale watching excursion. Passengers not taking the excursion will be sailing from Akureyri to Husavik with the Panorama. Overnight in port.

Morning sailing through the Skjafandi Bay to Siglufjordur. As always our Captain will inform you of whale sightings. Mid-day we reach Siglufjordur, Iceland's  northernmost city, very close to the Arctic Circle and possibly the most picturesque  port of Iceland. Once known as the capital of Herring fishing. The optional walking excursion through the city will take you to the port, the Herring Museum, the Folk Music center housed in Madame House, the oldest house in the city. Late afternoon we sail to the port of Isafjordur. Overnight at sea.

After breakfast onboard, disembark for an optional tour to Thingeyri village and the interactive Viking Museum. After the “Viking experience” we return to Isafjordur and visit the Maritime and Heritage Museum, highlighting the rich history and culture of this fishing community.Return to Panorama. Late afternoon, we cruise around the Westfjords on our way to the picturesque Patreksfjordur. Overnight at sea

Today we can choose from 2 optional excursions:

1.The optional  Westfjord adventure excursion starts from our port  and reaches  the  Látrabjarg cliffs,  with the largest seabird colony in the northern Atlantic famous for its puffins colony.  Your next stop is at Rauðasandur or “Red Sand” beach, distinct itself from most of Iceland’s beaches, as it is golden and pink in color. We will ride on a tractor carriage with our expert guide and local farmer along the beach to the seal colony, where you can see the seals up close. 2. The optional excursion to the Dynjandi waterfall, one of the most beautiful in Iceland and Bildudalur for a visit to the sea monsters museum. Late afternoon we sail to Akranes. Overnight at sea

Morning arrival to Akranes and disembark by tenders for our 2 Optional excursions:

1. The Vikings saga optional excursion: You will reach Deildartunguhver, Europe's most powerful thermal spring, to the Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls area. We will stop in Reykholt which was the intellectual centers of the island.

2. The Langjokull Glacier optional excursion: We drive to Iceland’s majestic hinterland, the Langjökull glacier, Iceland’s second largest glacier. At the Langjökull, (“The Long Glacier”, 360 m. 4,460 ft.) you will visit the Ice Cave, a man-made cave that consists of a series of tunnels and caves carved through solid glacier ice. There is also an ice chapel and an ice bar. Our guide will tell you about glaciology and how climate change is affecting the glaciers. After lunch you will drive to Hraunfoss and Barnafoss - two of Iceland's most picturesque waterfalls, located close to Húsafell. Your return to Akranes will take you along the coastline, back to the pier for embarkation and a late afternoon sailing to Reykjavik. Evening arrival in Reykjavik. Overnight in port.

Our Golden Circle Optional excursion   will start at the Thingvellir National Park, a place of tremendous interest as a primary site of both Iceland’s geological and historical heritage. The tour continues  to  Gulfoss, Iceland's most  beautiful waterfall  and then to the Geysir geothermal area with its multitude of hot springs, where the most active one, Strokkur, spouts every few minutes. We stop at the Hveragerdi village, where geothermal water has been used to build up an extensive greenhouse industry and then at the Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant showcasing Iceland's ability to supply green power.  Our tour end as we pass through Reykjavik’s city center before arriving at the pier- Overnight in port.

Disembarkation 9 am -10 am at Reykjavik, Iceland.