This unique escorted tour is truly special because it is dedicated to the exploration of Iceland's western most boundaries. In this western wilderness you can see Iceland at its most mysterious and remote – the real Iceland. Many Icelanders haven’t been there, and most members of the traveling public don’t get there either. This tour is ideal for visitors that have travelled Iceland's ring road before and yearn to get a bit off the beaten path.
Iceland’s Westford’s region has been dubbed “the most famous unknown place in Iceland.” When you throw in the prestigious “European Destination of Excellence” awards and Lonely Planet listing it as one of the 10 regions in the world to visit in 2011, you will see why the Westford’s are becoming increasingly famous – or perhaps less unknown. Lonely Planet says that the “oddly shaped” peninsula is “as isolated as it is spectacular”. Luckily, “isolated” does not mean inaccessible. With only 7400 inhabitants in the region, each person has nearly a square mile of personal space, so there is ample room for any visitors as well. While local culture is interesting, it is, by and large, nature in the West Fjords that attracts visitors. It is untouched and almost uninhabited, and painted by the the midnight sun during the summer. The cliffs and valleys are packed with birds, the uninhabited fjords offer silence and tranquility, and the Arctic fox proudly roams the mountains and inlets. The waterfalls are high and the streams pure. The midnight sun reigns over the distances are long and the fjords are deep. And then there are places where there are no roads at all. Visiting the Westford’s is truly a different experience. It is a different Iceland altogether.

DAY 1, 25.06.12 - 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, 26.06.12 - ON THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE VIKINGS
Depart for Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site that was home to the the world's first democratic parliament during the Viking age. Then you’ll take the interior mountain track "Kaldidalur" North along the shield volcano "Skjaldbreidur" and past the long glacier "Langjökull". You’ll stop at the lava waterfall Hraunfossar and Europe's largest hot spring Deildartunguhver. 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. Continue onto West Iceland - “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. Crossing the long bridge across Gilsfjörður fjord take you into the West Fjords and heading towards the villages of Hólmavík and Drangsnes. Overnight and dinner at 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!

DAY 3, 27.06.12 - 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 4, 28.06.12 - ABANDONED FARMS AND THE WEST FJORD ICE CAP
Crossing the wilderness of the Steingrímsfjarðarheiði moorland will take you to 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. 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 5, 29.06.12 - THE CAPITAL OF THE WEST FJORDS AND VISIT TO A BIRD ISLAND
You’ll travel the scenic shoreline around countless fjords 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 further south for overnight and dinner at Hotel Sandafell in Thingeyri.

DAY 6, 30.06.12 - TRUCK EXPEDITION FROM 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. 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. Options: Fishing on the fjord and/or horse back riding.

DAY 7, 01.07.12 - DYNJANDI WATERFALL
You’ll cross the highest mountains of the West to reach the majestic fjord "Arnarfjörður". You’ll stop at Hrafnseyri, birthplace of Jon Sigurðsson, leader of the 19th century independence movement. 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 travel the shore of many scenic fjords with their beautiful beaches, and pass through small fishing villages. 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 Hotel Breiðavík.

DAY 8, 02.07.12 - BIRD CLIFFS AND ORANGE SANDS
Today is a highlight! 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. You’ll visit "Raudisandur", endless beaches of red and orange sands - simply awesome! Overnight and dinner at Hotel Látrabjarg or Breiðavík

DAY 9, 03.07.12 - FLIGHT TO REYKJAVÍK AND TIME IN THE CAPITAL
You’ll travel from Látrabjarg to Bíldudalur airport and board a flight on Eagle Air, back to Reykjavík where you’ll have the rest of the day to explore Iceland's capital or for an optional whale watching tour. Overnight at Guesthouse Borgartún or Hotel Cabin.

DAY 10, 04.07.12 - 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

ALSO INCLUDED: Entrance to Leifur Eriksson Museum & Viking House (day 2), Boat Trip to Vígur Islands (day 5), Entrance to Ósvör maritime museum (day 5), Truck Tour around Sléttanes peninsula (day 6), Domestic flight Bíldudalur-Reykjavík and transfer Reykjavík domestic airport to accommodation in Reykjavík (day 9), Airport transfer Keflavík airport-Rekjavik-Keflavík airport by FLYBUS on arrival and departure day.

ON TOUR: There is an average of 1-2 hours easy hiking & walking each day. Good walking boots are needed on all our tours, as well as waterproof clothing and we recommend walking/hiking sticks and a binocular for bird watching.

After we receive your booking by email, you will get a short reconfirmation from us by email. Payment is due latest 4 weeks prior to arrival and vouchers and detailed itinerary will be sent after receipt of final payment. This concept will assure an interactive relation between you and our company and we can assist you with any personal needs you might have.