A perfectly sized island lost in the icy Atlantic can make any traveler's dream come true. Chase the Northern Lights in dreamlike, volcanic scenery with no air pollution or drive across centuries-old glaciers and majestic volcanoes in robust super jeeps and stop for a sensational photographic moment next to thundering waterfalls or steaming geysers. Explore the extra-terrestrial topography of Iceland on board a private helicopter and land next to a remote local restaurant where humar, the local lobster, is served in abundance. This is Iceland, the Land of Fire and Ice.
Ship: Silver Cloud
Voyage Number: 1918 (Post-cruise)
Departure Date: 14 August 2019
Nights: 6 nights
Disembark ship: Reykjavik
Program End Airport: Reykjavik
Highlights:
· Experience the geothermal energy that fires Iceland
· Drive across centuries-old glaciers and majestic volcanoes in super jeeps and visit the inner core of a glacier
· Go whale-watching along the northern coast
· Fly by private helicopter to remote islands and onto ice caps
· Stay at spectacular hotels combining Icelandic tradition with the most modern and luxurious amenities
Itinerary:
Day 1 - Arrive in Reykjavik and transfer to the Tower Suites. Fly by private helicopter to a Viking themed lunch with full service private chef. Drive to Thingvellir National Park, where the Icelandic Althing (General Assembly) convened for over 800 years until 1798. You will later meet the local farmers at Fridheimar Greenhouse to taste some of the diverse and fresh Icelandic food and ingredients. Before horseback riding one of the typical Icelandic horses, visit Geysir -active for the last 10,000 years- and Gullfoss waterfall with its wide curved steps and steep plunges. Return to Tower Suites and have a welcome dinner at Michelin star Dill Restaurant.
Day 2 - After breakfast fly by private helicopter to Akureyri. Drive to Godafoss waterfall for a champagne toast and continue to Lake Myvatn and the geothermal area around Krafla and Namaskard. A lunch at a private place will feature local fresh produce. Walk through Dimmuborgir, an area of strange rock formations -used for scenes in "Game of Thrones"- before driving west to Deplar Farm, a luxury resort hotel built in the traditional Icelandic style in remote Skagafjordur. Dinner will be served in Deplar.
Day 3 - This will be a day of exploring Iceland's North. There will be several options available to keep you busy: chose kayaking or go fishing on nearby Stifluvatn, go mountain-biking or visit Siglufjordur and its famous Herring Era Museum. A special activity would be to go whale watching in Eyjafjordur, looking for white-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises, as well as humpback and minke whales. You could also go on a RIB safari or go horseback riding. Enjoy an evening around a bonfire and let a local storyteller entertain you with tales of elves and trolls and other hidden beings.
Day 4 - After a leisurely breakfast, we will take our private helicopter to fly to remote Drangey Island, home to thousands of seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, gannets, kittiwakes, fulmars, and shearwaters along with ravens and gyrfalcons. Enjoy bird-watching and a hearty Icelandic lunch. During the afternoon fly back to Reykjavik and the Reykjavik Tower Suites. During pre-dinner cocktails a private lecture will bring closer some of the interesting facets of Iceland.
Day 5 - This morning you will fly from Reykjavik to the top Eyjafjallajokull, of one Europe's most famous volcanos covered by an ice cap. A special lunch set up on the ice cap will be followed by an exploration of the area in private Arctic Buggies. Eventually you will reach two famous waterfalls: Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. In both cases the water drops some 60 meters and one can even walk behind the falling water. Legends claim of treasures hidden there, but after the exploration on the ice cap some local delicacies and a hot chocolate will certainly be treasured.
Day 6 - Today set out to explore the inner core of an ice cap. In the morning fly by private helicopter onto the Langjokull Glacier. There you will enter a man-made ice tunnel at 1200 meters above sea level. Deep within the glacier you will feel transported into another dimension, a world of stunningly beautiful blue ice at the heart of this glacier. After refreshment inside a special ice cave, your helicopter will take you to the picturesque island Arnarey in the bay of Breidafjordur. A private lunch with the freshest produce of West Iceland will be set up for you. Later fly across Breidafjordur to Stykkisholmur, located on the Snaefellsnes peninsula. After lunch fly back to Reykjavik and the Reykjavik Tower Suites. This evening, a special Farewell Dinner will be had at one of Reykjavik's top restaurants.
Day 7 - On your last day enjoy a relaxing stay at Blue Lagoon, Iceland's most famous hot springs. After your various explorations and diverse impressions of Iceland, bathe in the milky blue water, have a massage or a spa treatment and enjoy a walk in the Blue Lagoon's unique and spectacular surroundings before being transferred to Keflavik International Airport for your onward flight arrangements around mid-afternoon.
This description is a general overview of the programme only and changes may be made if local conditions require. Space is limited, therefore once reserved, this program is non-refundable. A minimum number of participants is required to operate this excursion.
Please note: This Couture Collection requires an extensive amount of walking, some of which is on uneven surfaces. This excursion is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or those who utilize a wheelchair. All vehicles utilized are the best available. Pack carefully; luggage weight restriction is limited to 50 lb. (23 kg) plus one carry on limited to 22lbs. (10 kg). Plan on wearing layers of clothing for comfort depending on the weather. Sunblock, wide-brimmed, expedition-style hats and sunglasses are necessary. This Land Adventure involves touring outdoors and guests may be exposed to cold and/or inclement weather. Bring rain gear. The tour itinerary and order of sites are subject to change without prior notice and airline alterations to the flight schedules may affect the tour content.
INCLUDED:
· Private helicopter travel whilst sightseeing in Iceland
· 4 nights accommodation at the luxurious Tower Suites in Reykjavik
· 2 nights luxury accommodation at the exclusive Deplar Farm
· All meals and drinks specified
· A variety of specialized activities to enhance your Icelandic experience
· Bespoke dinners prepared by award-winning chefs
· Services of a specialized English speaking driver-guide throughout your stay
· Access to the very best scenic sights Iceland has to offer
All Land Adventures require a minimum number of participants in order to operate as described. If this minimum number is not met, Silversea reserves the right to offer the programme at a different rate based on private arrangements, or to cancel the specific departure. Silversea's published cruise cancellation policy will remain in effect. All Land Adventure fares are subject to change and are not guaranteed until payment is received in full by Silversea. Onboard Spending Credit may not be applied to the purchase of this programme. All Couture Collection programs are non-transferable and non-refundable for any reason, and are recommended to guests 18 years of age and older. This description is a general overview of this programme. Our local operator reserves the right to substitute other sites if local situations, including holidays, changes made by airlines, government activities, and weather, require. The programme described in this brochure is provided by independent contractors. Silversea acts solely as ticketing agent. Silversea shall have no obligation or liability of any kind to guests for the business practices, acts or omissions in connection with or arising out of arrangements with independent contractors, including but not limited to airline carriers, ground-tour operators, other providers, and hotels since they are neither agents for nor employees of Silversea Cruises. Silversea's liability does not extend beyond the vessel.