ANOTHER ICELAND - West Fjords in depth 02.-10.07.2012
This is an UNIQUE opportunity to discover Iceland ultimate western
boundaries, the remotest and most mysterious parts of the country,
unfamiliar to many Icelanders and hardly accessible to the general
public.
DAY 1, 02.07.12 - ARRIVAL IN ICELAND
Arrival at Keflavik International Airport and transfer to hotel in the
capital area. Overnight at Guesthouse Borgartun or Hotel Cabin. We’ll
provide ideas to explore Reykjavik on your own.
DAY 2, 03.07.12 - ORANGE SANDS AND BIRD CLIFFS
You’ll board a flight on Eagle Air at Reykjavík domestic airport to Bíldudalur in the West Fjords. There you will meet with your local guide and tour bus, starting your West Fjord Discovery with a highlight! You’ll visit "Raudisandur", endless
beaches of red and orange sands - simply awesome! In the afternoon you’ll travel to Látrabjarg. It will be a memorable walk in the wilderness to
the top of the highest bird cliffs in Iceland, known in the world for
its density of northern birds - puffins, razorbills, guillemots,
fulmars, cormorants and kittiwakes and other cliff birds either in tens
of thousands, hundreds of thousands or in the millions. Látrabjarg is
known as the place where you can get very close to the seabirds and even
if you’re not into bird watching, the comic antics of the puffins and
the sheer scale of the mob are mesmerizing. "Látrabjarg" is the remotest
bird cliff in Western Europe and the ultimate fortress against the high
waves of the North Atlantic. Greenland is 300 km further west and even
further is Canada, areas that are important in the sagas with Eric the
Red and the discovery of America. The day ends
in Breidavik, an endless bay of golden sand, often decorated with an
explosion of colorful sunsets. Overnight and dinner at Hotel Látrabjarg or Breiðavík
DAY 3, 04.07.12 - DYNJANDI WATERFALL
You’ll travel the shore of many scenic fjords with their
beautiful beaches, and pass through small fishing villages. You’ll
also get to admire the Dynjandi, with its seven levels of plunging
water, declared the country's most beautiful waterfall by the people of
Iceland. You’ll stop at Hrafnseyri, birthplace of Jon
Sigurðsson, leader of the 19th century independence movement. You’ll cross the highest mountains of the West from the majestic
fjord "Arnarfjörður" to reach Thingeyri. Thingeyri is the oldest trading post of the Westfjords with a warehouse
dating back to the 18th century. Fishing and fish processing are still
the main livelihoods here. The town is in a spectacular setting with,
Kaldbakur, the West Fjord’s highest peak, and many other beautiful
mountains surrounding it. Overnight and dinner at Hotel Sandafell in Thingeyri. Options:
Fishing on the fjord and/or horse back riding.
DAY 4, 05.07.12 - TRUCK EXPEDITION FROM THINGEYRI
Today you’ll enjoy an UNIQUE Adventure
expedition by truck, along a rugged track around the peninsula between
Arnarfjörður and Dýrafjörður fjord. You’ll stop at Keldudalur valley to
visit the old church part of the historical house collection of
Iceland’s National Museum. The mountains are among the most magnificent
ones in Iceland, the beaches are breathtaking and there are numerous
cliffs with dramatic lava intrusions. This exceptional adventure will
show you sights that are impressive even in a land full of impressive
sights. Overnight and dinner at Hotel Sandafell in Thingeyri.
DAY 5, 06.07.12 - THE CAPITAL OF THE WEST FJORDS AND VISIT TO A BIRD ISLAND
From Thingeyri you’ll travel further north to
Ísafjörður, the capital town of the West Fjords. Then it’s on a bit
further to the picturesque village of Bolungarvík and the well known
maritime museum in Ósvör. In the afternoon you’ll see the shore and
wildlife from the sea as you take a boat trip to Vigur Island which has
the smallest post office in Iceland, some beautifully renovated old
homes and the only windmill in Iceland. Vigur is known for its bird
life, too, with abundant puffins, guillemots and arctic terns as well as
and eider duck farm. Once back on dry land you’ll travel the scenic shoreline around countless fjords to Heydalur. Overnight and dinner at the Farm-Guesthouse Heydalur, in the middle of a
spectacular countryside setting with a river, waterfall, shrub covered
hillsides, mountains, fjords and a shore full of wildlife and flora.
You’ll find yourself far from the rest of the world, in enchanted nature
where you find also a natural hot pool. There are kayak- and horse
rental available.
DAY 6, 07.07.12 - ABANDONED FARMS AND THE WEST FJORD ICE CAP
Today you’ll explore the long deep fjord Ísafjarðardjúp. Driving along Kaldalón
gives you a unique view as you approach Drangajökull, the sole ice cap
in the West Fjords. The entire length of the northern shoreline of the
Ísafjarðardjúp bay is deserted, all the farms here have been abandoned.
One of Iceland's most beloved composers Sigvaldi Kaldalóns, lived in
Kaldalón for a time. He was also a doctor, but took the name Kaldalón,
because the natural beauty of the place spellbound him.
Crossing the wilderness of the Steingrímsfjarðarheiði moorland brings you to Hotel Malarhorn in Drangsnes, with a view of the
island Grímsey, known for its many birds. You may also spot some whales
in the fjord! Overnight at dinner at Hotel Malarhorn in Drangsnes.
DAY 7, 08.07.12 - COASTAL WILDERNESS
Today you’ll discover the coastal wilderness of "Strandir", the wildest
and remotest coast of Western Europe. The road ends in the middle of
nowhere, on the shore at the natural geothermal hot pool in Krossanes.
Here you can soak in, it’s hot water with amazing views towards the sea
– it’s a uniquely lovely experience. Overnight and dinner at Hotel
Malarhorn in Drangsnes. Optional trip to Grímsey Puffin Island for bird
watching.
DAY 8, 09.07.12 - ON THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE VIKINGS
Depart Drangsnes and heading towards the villages of Hólmavík, crossing the long bridge across Gilsfjörður fjord takes you into “Dalir” the stepping-stone to the New
World. Here you’ll visit the reconstructed turf longhouse at the farm of
Eric the Red, the birthplace of his son Leifur the Lucky, who
discovered America around 1000 AD - five hundred years before Columbus. Continue onto Borgarfjörður where you’ll visit the
historical site of Reykholt, the home of Snorri Sturluson, a historian,
poet and the writer who recorded Iceland’s sagas in the 13th century.
You’ll stop at the lava waterfall Hraunfossar
and Europe's largest hot spring Deildartunguhver. Then you’ll take the interior mountain track "Kaldidalur" South past the long
glacier "Langjökull" and along the shield volcano "Skjaldbreidur". Visit Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site that
was home to the the world's first democratic parliament during the
Viking age. In the later evening you’ll you’ll reach Iceland's capital. Overnight at Guesthouse Borgartún or Hotel Cabin in Reykjavík.
DAY 9, 10.07.12 - DEPARTURE
Several shuttles are available to transfer from your hotel in Reykjavík to Keflavik airport for your flight home.
Tour is guided in English & French
Minimum 8 persons, maximum 18 persons