Silversea Luxury Cruises A SEYDISFJORDUR

Explore the pristine natural beauty of Seyðisfjörður in an invigorating new way during this panoramic hiking excursion.

Seyðisfjörður, Vestdalur Valley, Mountains, Nature, Ocean

Depart the pier for the short drive to the starting point of your guided hiking tour. Upon arrival, begin you're approximately 2.25-hour nature trek on-foot up to a part of the Vestdalur Valley near Seyðisfjörður. This valley is a protected nature reserve due to its remarkable flora. Along the way, take in breath-taking views of the valleys, mountains and ocean of this exquisite Icelandic landscape.

Vestdalseyri Town

Next, your nature trek takes you to the abandoned town of Vestdalseyri for a look at the ruins of this former thriving town. Vestdalseyri was inhabited for roughly a century, from 1851-1963. Originally, it was home to a whaling station and one of the largest cooperatives in the country. Despite Vestdalseyri's beautiful, sunny location, the town eventually declined, with its last inhabitant leaving in 1963.

Waterfalls

Your picturesque journey continues with a walk past a series of beautiful waterfalls offering splendid views and photo opportunities. At the conclusion of your visit, begin the hike back to the coach. Upon arrival, re-board your coach and commence the short drive back to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount of walking for approximately 2.5 miles (about four kilometres), at times over uneven and natural surfaces and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear warm, comfortable clothing in layers with sturdy, flat, closed-toe and non-slip hiking shoes, and bring sun protection and a weatherproof jacket from the ship. Space on this tour is very limited; we suggest you book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Discover the splendid beauty and landmarks of eastern Seyðisfjörður during this picturesque, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Seyðisfjörður, Fjarðarheiði Mountain Pass, Egilsstaðir, Lake Lagarfljót

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 45-minute drive to the impressive mountain-pass of Fjarðarheiði. After a photo stop here, re-board your coach and head for a visit to Egilsstaðir, the commercial centre of eastern Iceland. Leaving Egilsstaðir, re-board your coach drive along Lagarfljót Iceland's third-largest lake. The lake's bed lies approximately 328 feet (about 100 metres) below sea level, having been formed by glaciers over thousands of years. This lake is famous for the mythical 'Ness' that is said to reside far below.

Snæfellsstofa Visitor's Centre, Vatnajökull National Park, Skriðuklaustur, Refreshments

Next, your journey continues along the lakeside to Snæfellsstofa, the Visitor's Centre for the area covering the east side of Vatnajökull National Park, to explore the nature of the area through interactive exhibits. Following your visit and refreshments, proceed on-foot to the nearby Skriðuklaustur, an unusual building of basalt blocks with white cement and the former home of one of Iceland's greatest writers, Gunnar Gunnarsson. Today, this building serves as a residence for artists and writers, both Icelandic and foreign.

Valþjófsstaður Church Estate and Manor Farm, Hallormsstaður, Hallormsstaðarskógur Forest

After a refreshment stop at the Skriðuklaustur, re-board your coach and head to Valþjófsstaður, a 13th-century church estate and manor farm in the Fljótsdalur Valley. The church was consecrated in 196 and contains many valuable items, among them an exquisite chalice and paten. Your last stop is at the Hallormsstaður. One of the county's most successful government forestry stations, it is nestled in the beautiful Hallormsstaðarskógur Forest, and features more than 40 species of trees from various parts of the world. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 40-minute drive back to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking for approximately 0.6 miles (about 0.95 kilometres), at times over uneven, gravel and grassy surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach, three steps at Valþjófsstaðir, 20 steps at Egilsstaðir and 25 steps at Skriðuklaustur. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility, and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear warm, comfortable clothing in layers with sturdy, flat, closed-toe and non-slip walking shoes, and bring sun protection and a weatherproof jacket from the ship. The tour sequence may vary.

Embrace the natural splendour and history of eastern Iceland during this scenic, full-day sightseeing excursion.

Seyðisfjörður, Fjarðarheiði Mountain Pass, Egilsstaðir, Lake Lagarfljót

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 45-minute drive to the impressive mountain-pass of Fjarðarheiði. After a photo stop here, re-board your coach and continue past Egilsstaðir, the commercial centre of eastern Iceland. Leaving Egilsstaðir, re-board your coach drive along Lagarfljót Iceland's third-largest lake. The lake's bed lies approximately 328 feet (about 100 metres) below sea level, having been formed by glaciers over thousands of years. This lake is famous for the mythical 'Ness' that is said to reside far below.

Snæfellsstofa Visitor's Centre, Vatnajökull National Park, Skriðuklaustur

Next, your journey continues along the lakeside to Skriðuklaustur, an unusual building of basalt blocks with white cement and the former home of one of Iceland's greatest writers, Gunnar Gunnarsson. Today, this building serves as a residence for artists and writers, both Icelandic and foreign. Following your visit, proceed on-foot to the nearby Snæfellsstofa, the Visitor's Centre for the area covering the east side of Vatnajökull National Park, to explore the nature of the area through interactive exhibits.

Valþjófsstaður, Wilderness Centre, Hallormsstaðarskógur Forest, Egilsstaðir Town

Re-board your coach and head to Valþjófsstaður, a 13th-century church estate and manor farm in the Fljótsdalur Valley. The church was consecrated in 1966 and contains many valuable items, among them an exquisite chalice and paten. Following a brief stop at the church, re-board your coach and drive into the valley towards the edge of northern Europe's largest wilderness area. Here, proceed for lunch made from locally-sourced ingredients at the Wilderness Centre. After lunch, drive through the beautiful Hallormsstaðarskógur Forest, which features more than 40 species of trees from around of the world, en route to a confort stop at Egilsstaðir Town. At the conclusion, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 40-minute drive back to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking for approximately 0.6 miles (about one kilometres), at times over uneven, gravel and grassy surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach, three steps at Valþjófsstaðir, 16 steps at the Wilderness Centre, 20 steps at Egilsstaðir and 25 steps at Skriðuklaustur. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility, and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear warm, comfortable clothing in layers with sturdy, flat, closed-toe and non-slip walking shoes, and bring sun protection and a weatherproof jacket from the ship. The tour sequence may vary.

Experience one of the most remote locales in Iceland during this memorable, half-day excursion to the beautiful and expansive Skálanes Nature Centre.

Þórarinsstaðir Archaeological Site, Green Valley, Old Farms, Mountains

Depart the pier for the short drive to Þórarinsstaðir. Upon arrival, a stop is made at this important archaeological site, which features artefacts from the first years of settlement in Iceland. Afterward, re-board your coach and continue driving through a green valley surrounded by high mountains. The valley is dotted with isolated, abandoned farms that remind the traveller that this peaceful landscape was once home to farmers and their families.

Skálanes Nature Centre, Birds, Ducks, Reindeer, Seals, Whales

Next, experience one of the most remote locales in Iceland during a visit to the approximately 3,089-acre (1,250-hectare) Skálanes Nature Centre. Here, the Icelandic environment and cultural history can be researched and interpreted, whilst maintaining a model for sustainable tourism. Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour. During the summer months, Skálanes is home to about 47 different bird species. At times, seals and reindeer can be spotted in this vicinity, and, on rare occasions, a whale can be seen off the coast. Eider ducks nest in great numbers around the pond. Following your tour, refreshments and a comfort stop, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 35-minute drive back to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount of walking for approximately 0.93 kilometres-1.24 kilometres (about 1.5 kilometres-two kilometres), at times over uneven, gravel, and natural surfaces and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear warm, comfortable clothing in layers with sturdy, flat, closed-toe and non-slip hiking shoes, and bring sun protection and a weatherproof jacket from the ship. Although frequently encountered on this type of tour, wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. Space on this tour is very limited; we suggest you book in advance to avoid disappointment.