OVERVIEW

Travel by panoramic coach on a tour that offers fascinating insights on the lives of those who make the sometimes-harsh landscape of Iceland’s Westfjords their home. Beginning from the pier, you’ll drive through the streets of Isafjordur and out along the coastal road for a tour of wondrously remote Bolungarvik, a fishing village towered over by its surrounding mountains. Nearby, you’ll stop at the outdoor Ósvör Museum, where a century-old fisherman’s hut has been restored, complete with the tools of the trade – and the fisherman. On another leg of the journey, you’ll find yourself up amidst breathtaking views of the magnificent mountains of the Djup, largest of the West Fjords and the Buna River. Not far from that spot, you’ll stop to admire a beautiful, stepped waterfall in Tunguskogur and take an opportunity to taste the freshest, clearest mountain water you may ever have encountered. Back in Isafjordur, you’ll stop in at the Maritime and Folk Museum, which calls one of the town’s oldest and best-preserved houses its home. The museum presents an excellent collection of artifacts related to the region’s maritime history – as well as a sizable accordion collection. Gotta has something to do during those long winters.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore the remote Westfjords region by coach, stopping to absorb the local color in its many forms.
• Visit the remote fishing village of Bolungarvik and tour a century-old fisherman’s hut nearby in Ósvör.
• Behold stunning mountain vistas along the Djup fjord and taste clear mountain water from a waterfall in Tunguskogur.
• Tour a quirky Maritime and Folk Museum, filled with historic fishing artifacts – and accordions.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear weather-appropriate clothing including a water/wind proof jacket.
• Comfortable, flat walking shoes with a non-slip sole are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

OVERVIEW

See the nature, meet some locals and catch a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes in small Icelandic fishing towns during this enlightening tour. Included is a breathtaking drive through the West Fjord Mountain landscape, where farms and villages huddle on narrow strips of land isolated between rocky ridges and deep fjords. Appearing as if an apparition at one point will be tiny Skrudur, Iceland’s oldest botanical garden. You’ll go in and have a look around. Over 100 years old, this dot-sized green oasis in the midst of the badlands proves what can be grown this far north. Another curio you’ll encounter is the old shark-fishing town of Flateyri, perched on a spit of land projecting out into Onundarfjordur fjord and boasting a current population of about 200. You’ll take a guided stroll along main street and into the life of this mountain-surrounded outpost, entering an intimate little church where you’ll be treated to an Icelandic music program, and visiting the old bookstore that doubles as the village museum and archive, before enjoying coffee and local traditional pastries at Gunnukaffi.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Travel across a ruggedly beautiful West Fjord landscape of steep mountain ridges and sheltered fjords.
• Visit Skrudur, a century-old botanic garden deep in the middle of, well, just about nowhere.
• Take a guided stroll through the fishing village of Flateyri, all on its own on the edge of a fjord surrounded by magnificent slopes.
• Hear Icelandic music in a church, visit an old bookstore that thinks it’s a museum.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear weather-appropriate clothing including a water/wind proof jacket.
• Comfortable, flat walking shoes with a non-slip sole are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

OVERVIEW

Travel by boat to the island of Vigur, famous for its huge colonies of sea birds and tiny colony of friendly locals. The journey is both scenic and swift; just about half an hour to traverse the Ísafjarðardjúp fjord to Vigur, where a cluster of red-roofed buildings sits tranquilly against a dramatic snow-capped backdrop. This sparsely populated islet is home to thousands of feathered citizens – comical puffins, eider ducks, guillemots and sometimes-overprotective arctic terns who love to swoop. Upon arrival, you’ll have a chance to observe local life on the island, where the farmers make a living by harvesting the down of eider ducks – and provide essential protection for their nests and chicks. It’s hard not to feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you meet with the tiny band of welcoming inhabitants. Their relaxed, easy manner and unique lifestyle will certainly make an impression. Once you’ve seen how the humans live here, you’ll take a leisurely guided island walk to see how Vigur’s resident birds thrive in their own natural habitats. As your visit draws to a close, refreshments will be served by the farmer’s family before the boat ride back to Isafjordur.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Skim by boat across magnificent Ísafjarðardjúp fjord to an island where the birds outnumber the humans.
• Be greeted by a family whose farm crop is eider down, collected from the nests of resident ducks they help keep protected from more aggressive birds.
• Take a guided walk around the island to observe the puffins, eider ducks, guillemots and arctic terns who make their home here.
• Enjoy relaxed refreshments and conversation, offered up the farmer and his family.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear weather-appropriate clothing including a water/wind proof jacket.
• Comfortable, flat walking shoes with a non-slip sole are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

OVERVIEW

Mix with the locals on a walking overview tour of the largest and liveliest town in the West Fjords. Surrounded by dramatic mountains and arcing into its namesake fjord on a curving spit of land, it’s tempting to envision Isafjordur as a remote and unworldly outpost. But on this survey of town, you’ll soon discover that there’s a surprisingly cosmopolitan vibe afoot here, blending seamlessly with an undeniable frontier character. The old town still has blocks lined with some of Iceland’s oldest wood-and-tin houses, built by the early fishing merchants who found prosperity here in the 18th and 19th centuries, but it’s also home to a thriving arts and emerging culture scene. Though isolated, Isafjordur is the kind of place that independent and eccentric thinkers have always been drawn to. Your knowledgeable guide will relate some of that history and lead the way as you soak up the town’s relaxed ambiance and most interesting sights. One of those will surely be the Maritime Museum out at the tip of the spit. Set up inside one of the town’s oldest and best-preserved houses, the exhibits include an excellent collection of maritime artifacts – as well as a sizable accordion collection.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy an escorted walk through a town with one foot squarely in the past and another in the current culture.
• See some of the Iceland’s oldest and most lovingly preserved tin-roofed wooden houses.
• Learn about this remote city’s intriguing history and unexpected worldliness.
• Tour a Maritime Museum in an 18th-century house where the historic fishing artifacts and accordion collections mingle.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear weather-appropriate clothing including a water/wind proof jacket.
• Comfortable, flat walking shoes with a non-slip sole are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

OVERVIEW

Travel from Isafjordur to the Jökulfirdir Fjord by boat to visit a remote village deserted by all its residents over 60 years ago. The only way to get to Hesteyri is from the water; it’s about a 70-minute ride. The tiny settlement never did have any roads leading to it, and no electricity or telephone links. What it did have – and still does – is an outstandingly picturesque setting amidst steep snow-dusted mountains and quiet, secluded coves. Notwithstanding the natural beauty, in the 1940s the 80 inhabitants decided they’d had enough, and by 1952 the last of them had moved away. Many of their structures still stand, little changed from how they were then. And since the village has been an ecologically protected area for decades, the native flora and fauna have had a field day. Hikers here often encounter Arctic foxes, seals, and birds of many types. You’ll stroll around the eerily empty village with your guide, enjoying traditional Icelandic refreshments at a house where the doctor used to live. Don’t miss this chance for what will certainly be an excursion unlike any other you take this voyage. It can get quite chilly out at sea, especially since the boat is only partially covered—so be sure to dress warmly for maximum comfort during your adventure.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Travel about 70 minutes by boat from Isafjordur to a tiny village along the Jökulfirdir Fjord. No one’s home there.
• Enjoy an eerie tour of an entire settlement that was abandoned by its residents in 1952.
• Learn the unusual history of this place from your guide and share traditional Icelandic refreshments at the house where the village doctor once lived.
• Be on the lookout for foxes, seals, and sea birds; this has been a wild protected reserve for many years.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear weather-appropriate clothing including a water/wind proof jacket. It can be colder out on sea and the boat is only partially covered.
• Comfortable, flat walking shoes with a non-slip sole are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

OVERVIEW

Kayak the serene waters of the fjord that fronts Ísafjörður, a natural setting enhanced by the many seabirds that flock here to raise their young during the summer. After a briefing on how to get the most out of the experience, you will ease into a sleek kayak and paddle off into the clear, calm waters of the fjord. Ísafjörður sits in a spectacularly scenic setting, so there will be plenty to see as you paddle between the majestic mountains that rise abruptly from both sides of the fjord. Because of the steep backdrop, almost all the buildings are at the water’s edge. Although Ísafjörður is the largest town on the Westfjords peninsula, its population is only a few thousand, and the town has remained remarkably quaint and well worth a photo. You can also expect to see quite a bit of wildlife while kayaking, especially seals and seabirds that may include oystercatchers and arctic terns.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Kayak through the glass-smooth waters of the fjord that fronts Ísafjörður.
• Take in the magnificent scenery that surrounds the steep-walled fjord.
• Watch for wildlife such as seals and seabirds, which are often abundant.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Discover the scenic wonders of the Westfjords peninsula and sample fresh seafood in one of its fishing villages. Long ago, glaciers carved their way across the peninsula, leaving behind a dramatic landscape of deep fjords, steep mountains and craggy inlets. Because the terrain is so harsh, life here has always revolved around the sea. The draw of water is even more powerful farther inland at Dynjandi, the largest waterfall in Westfjords. This natural wonder consists of seven cascades, each with its own name and identity. According to legend, supernatural beings once lived in Dynjandi, whose name means “The Thunderer.” At Dynjandi you will enjoy refreshments. You will next visit Suðureyri, a fishing village that was considerably more remote until a tunnel through the surrounding mountain made traveling there easier. During your stop in Suðureyri we will walk the popular seafood trail and get acquainted with local village life at the edge of the Arctic Circle. And see how the thriving community processes Iceland’s finest fish. and taste their products and learn about how the fish can be on your dinner plate just 36 hours after leaving the ice-cold ocean waters.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore Westfjords peninsula, one of the wildest most uninhabited areas of Iceland.
• Behold the peninsula’s largest waterfalls, where supernatural beings supposedly once lived.
• Visit a waterfront villages and sample fresh fish while walking the Seafood Trail.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Walk through the eco-friendly fishing village of Suðureyri while sampling Icelandic delicacies made with fresh seafood and other ingredients that reflect the local cuisine. Although still somewhat remote, Suðureyri has become more popular since a tunnel was built through the mountain that once isolated the village. Fishing continues to drive the economy as you will discover on the village’s renowned Seafood Trail, whose businesses will offer bite-sized samples of the sustainably sourced seafood caught in the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The boats that leave Suðureyri are so fast and the fishermen so efficient that the local catch is typically on sale in Europe a mere 36 hours after being pulled from the sea. As you meander about the harbor and through a seafood processing house, you will sample a variety of dishes that may include favorites such as fried cod cakes, halibut tempura and smoked salmon.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Walk about the village of Suðureyri and stop at businesses involved in the fishing industry.
• Sample a variety of foods that reflect the local seafood-based cuisine.
• Gain an understanding of the importance of fishing on the wild Westfjords peninsula.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Discover some of the eco-friendly businesses that thrive in the mountainous Westfjords peninsula, one of the wildest areas in Iceland. Salt Verk may well be the most unusual as it is the world’s only company that produces 100% sustainable salt from seawater by harnessing geothermal power through a fascinating process that is centuries old. You will have the opportunity to sample the chocolates following lunch in a hotel in Heydalur Valley that harvests produce and fish in sustainable ways. The peninsula is so beautiful it’s easy to understand why the locals are so obsessed with keeping it pure and natural. The lookout at Kambsnes will offer one of the best views of the glacial fjords, while visiting Hvítanes will present an unobstructed look at a colony of harbor seals. The final stop of the tour will be the Arnardalur viewing point where you will enjoy a tasting of a handcrafted chocolate with views of the fjord. Travel through endless fjords and valleys and take in the wilderness along with it‘s diverse landscape and wildlife. This is a perfect tour for people that love a mixture of culture and nature.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Gain insight into some of Westfjord peninsula’s most sustainable businesses.
• See how geothermal energy is used to extract salt from seawater.
• Savor a lunch of sustainably harvested ingredients and a sampling of chocolates.
• Observe a large colony of harbor seals up close as they sun along the rocky shore.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Cruise into the pristine seas off the Westfjords peninsula, looking for some of the more than 20 species of whales and porpoise that feed in these nutrient-rich waters. The seemingly endless food supply of krill and small fish attracts humpback whales, minke whales and many others. You will have the opportunity to watch for these fascinating creatures from inside the boat or out on the observation deck. It is a breathtaking sight to see humpback whales acrobatically breaching the water’s surface, waving their flukes up and down as they dive, and feeding to fatten up for their winter migration south. Minke whales are quite a bit smaller, but no less impressive. They have sharply pointed snouts that appear first when they breach. Although minkes are typically solitary, they are inquisitive and are often spotted swimming alongside vessels or feeding beneath flocks of seabirds. If you see one, it will be a mesmerizing sight that you will not soon forget.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise into nutrient-rich waters teeming with various species of whales.
• Look for humpback whales breaching the water’s surface and waving their massive flukes.
• Keep an eye out for typically solitary minke whales feeding beneath flocks of seabirds.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Become immersed in the Viking lifestyle at a cultural center that has preserved their traditions in entertaining ways. At the Skálin Viking Centre, you will learn about the Vikings that settled in Iceland more than a millennium ago. You may be surprised by what the Vikings were really like, which goes far beyond being fierce warriors. If you want to get into character, feel free to put on hand-sewn Viking clothing and carry around replicas of Viking weapons. For a glimpse into the domestic side of Viking life, you can try your hand at baking bread over an open fire. A short walk will bring you to the ruins of the Viking parliament in Thingeryri, which is known as The Thing. It is one of 36 Viking parliaments that sent representatives to Alþingi/Althing– the main parliament– to pass legislation and resolve conflicts. Founded in 930, Alþingi/Althing is world’s oldest surviving/continuous parliament.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit a cultural center where traditional Viking life is still celebrated.
• Join the fun by dressing in Viking attire and wielding replica Viking weapons.
• Learn about daily life among the Vikings from baking bread to sewing clothing.
• Visit the ruins of the local parliament that sent Vikings to the main parliament at Þingvellir.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Ride into the breathtaking countryside on the outskirts of Isafjordur on an ATV made for rugged terrain and exhilarating adventures. After a briefing to ensure that you maximize the experience, you will drive off following the guide in a caravan of four-wheel-drive all-terrain vehicles. Much of the way will be on gravel roads that would otherwise be inaccessible. As you ascend into the mountains behind Isafjordur, the views will become even more spectacular as you will enjoy a unique elevated perspective of the town below. Many of its most colorful, well-preserved wooden buildings date to the 19th century. As you look out over the pristine waters of Skutulsfjörður fjord, which is an arm of a larger fjord, you can’t help but be awed by the dramatic setting. During stops, the guide will describe the natural beauty that draws so many outdoor enthusiasts such as hikers and kayakers to Isafjordur.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive an ATV into the forested mountains that loom over Isafjordur.
• See pristine areas that are impossible to reach except in a 4x4 vehicle.
• Behold the naturally beautiful setting of Isafjordur from high in the mountains.
• Hear enlightening commentary about the local flora and fauna during stops.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.