Excursion Mid-voyage land adventure: incredible iceland! tour at Akureyri

Discover the rugged Viking past, stunning natural splendour, and amazing geothermal wonders of the ‘Land of Fire and Ice’ during this immersive, two-night overland adventure to Iceland. Your journey begins in Skagafjordur at the Glaumbær Museum, with its farmhouse dating from 900 A.D. At Sauðárkrókur, experience a captivating, interactive visit to the ‘Battle of Iceland’ exhibition. After a local lunch, visit nearby Eiriksstaðir to join storytellers by the fire, and learn about and examine authentic Viking tools. Marvel at the iconic Kirkjufell, Europe’s most photographed mountain, and the arch-shaped Djúpalónssandur Bay on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Next, explore inside the ancient Vatnshellir Cave, enjoy a guided tour with lunch at Arnarstapi Village, and capture the scenic beauty of Lóndrangar. Stop by panoramic Ytri Tunga Beach, one of the best seal-watching spots in Iceland, and discover the Saga Geopark and Reykholt’s Snorrastofa Cultural & Research Centre. After a local lunch, cap off your Icelandic excursion with photo stops at the mesmerising Lava Falls and Children’s Waterfall, then Deildartunguhver, Europe's mightiest hot spring, before taking a relaxing and rejuvenating soak in the Krauma Geothermal Baths.

02MIDAKU-A Incredible Iceland!

Duration: 3 Days/2 Nights

Departs from: Akureyri at approximately 9:00 a.m.

Re-join ship: Reykjavik at approximately 4:45 p.m.

Reserve by: At least 90 days prior to sailing

IMPORTANT NOTE

This Silver Shore Mid-Land Adventure requires advance booking through Silversea Reservations no later than 90 days prior to the sail date. Requests received after this date may be accommodated on a space-available basis. Tickets are available in limited quantities, and participation cannot be guaranteed for those guests not booking well in advance. A minimum number of participants is required to operate this programme. 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. Cancellation fee, unless otherwise advised, 90 - 0 days prior to the initial sailing date: 100% of the programme fare per person is due.

Payment in full is due at time of final payment. Bookings made within 120 days of sailing require full payment within seven days of booking or sooner, as specified by Silversea.

All Land Adventure fares are subject to change, and not guaranteed until payment is received in full by Silversea. All Land Adventures are non-transferable, and non-refundable, within 120 days of sailing. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by someone 18 years of age or older. All Land Adventures are owned by independent contractors, and Silversea makes no representations and assumes no responsibility for the services provided by these operators. Land Adventures may be modified by the operators at their sole discretion.

VISA INFORMATION:

Please check with your travel professional for details regarding visa requirements for the United Kingdom. It is the responsibility of each guest to obtain all appropriate visas before cruising.

LOCAL CURRENCY:

The local currency for Iceland is the Icelandic Krona (ISK); however, US dollars are well-accepted by most vendors. Local ATMs are available in some locations visited, and credit cards are accepted in most larger shops and hotels (a shopping stop is planned during this programme).

Discover the rugged Viking past, stunning natural splendour, and amazing geothermal wonders of the ‘Land of Fire and Ice’ during this immersive, two-night overland excursion to Iceland.

DAY ONE – Saturday, May 10, 2025 – Akureyri/Skagafjordur/Sauðárkrókur/Stykkisholmur

After disembarking the ship in Akureyri, meet your guide and drive to the Glaumbær Museum

After disembarking the ship in Akureyri, meet your guide and depart for the scenic, approximately 80-minute drive to Skagafjordur. Upon arrival, a visit is made to the Glaumbær Museum. This farmhouse has stood on the hill since the Age of Settlements (900 A.D.), with buildings ranging from the mid-18th century to 1879. The farmhouse, crucially preserved since 1947, boasts a unique construction of turf, stones, and timber. The walls feature a herringbone pattern of stones and turf, with minimal rock to prevent dampness.

Explore the buildings that comprise the Glaumbær Museum complex

Comprising 13 buildings with each serving a specific function, the farmhouse includes the baðstofa, a communal eating/sleeping room, and additional spaces such as the pantry, kitchen, front hall, and passages. Accommodation, guest rooms, storerooms, and a smithy are also part of this historical complex. Noteworthy are two 19th-century timber houses, Áshús and Gilsstofa, representing the region’s early timber constructions. The adjacent Glaumbær Church, built in 1926, completes this important historical site.

Continue on to Sauðárkrókur for a captivating, interactive visit to the ‘Battle of Iceland’ exhibition

Next, re-board your coach and continue on to Sauðárkrókur. Upon arrival, immerse yourself in the Viking Era at the 1238 ‘Battle of Iceland’ exhibition. Utilising cutting-edge, interactive technology, this exhibit transports you back in time, allowing you to experience the fearsome Battle of Örlygsstaðir first-hand. This pivotal battle marked the beginning of Iceland’s independence, shaping the nation's history.

Proceed for a delicious lunch at a local restaurant in Sauðárkrókur

Leaving the ‘Battle of Iceland’ exhibition, proceed on-foot for a delicious lunch at the Kaffi Krókur restaurant (or similar).

Visit nearby Eiriksstaðir for a unique opportunity to join storytellers by the fire

After lunch, re-board your coach and head to nearby Eiriksstaðir, with a comfort stop en route. Upon arrival, enjoy a unique opportunity to join storytellers by the fire. Listen to renowned tales from the 10th century and engage with authentic Viking tools to gain insight into craftsmanship, architecture, and clothing, all crafted by hand utilising original tools and methods.

Transfer to your hotel for check-in and some free time to freshen-up before dinner

Following your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 1.5-hour drive to your hotel in Stykkishólmur for check-in and some free time to freshen-up before dinner.

Dinner is at the hotel.

Overnight accommodations in a Deluxe Room at the Fosshotel Stykkishólmur – Stykkishólmur   

DAY TWO – Sunday, May 11, 2025 – Stykkishólmur/Grundarfjordur/Arnarstapi/Varmaland  

After breakfast, meet your guide and head for a photo stop at the iconic Kirkjufell Mountain

After breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide and depart for Grundafjordur, where the iconic Kirkjufell, Europe's most photographed mountain, awaits your arrival. A photo stop is made here to marvel at the breath-taking beauty of this majestic natural wonder.

Stop for photos at the arch-shaped Djúpalónssandur Bay, situated on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Leaving Kirkjufell, re-board your coach and continue past majestic landscapes en route to a photo stop at Djúpalónssandur, an arched-shaped bay adorned with dark cliffs and exquisite black sand, situated on the picturesque Snaefellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland.

Take a guided walking tour inside the ancient Vatnshellir Cave, formed during a volcanic eruption

Your adventure continues with a guided, approximately 45-minute walking tour inside the Vatnshellir Cave, an ancient lava tube formed 8,000 years ago during a volcanic eruption in the Purkhólar crater family. This intriguing cave is located just 547 yards (about 500 metres) from the volcanic crater itself. As molten lava flowed down the hill like a river, it cooled on the surface, forming a crust atop the lava river. When the eruption ceased, the remaining lava beneath this crust drained out, leaving behind a remarkable lava tube.

Visit the charming village of Arnarstapi and stop to capture the scenic beauty of Lóndrangar

Following your cave tour, re-board your coach and drive to Arnarstapi, a charming village on the southern side of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Upon arrival, take a guided stroll through the area with its charming houses, and hear intriguing stories about the local history of old fishing hubs. Afterward, a brief photo stop is made at picturesque Lóndrangar.

Savour a delightful lunch at a local restaurant amidst the natural wonders of Arnarstapi

Next, proceed for a delightful lunch at a local restaurant in this enchanting area, surrounded by the natural wonders of Arnarstapi. After lunch, some free time is made available to explore your surrounds independently.

Stop by scenic Ytri Tunga Beach for wonderful seal-watching opportunities

Your last stop on today’s journey is at Ytri Tunga. This scenic beach, located near the farm of the same name on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, offers a unique coastal experience as one of the best seal-watching spots in Iceland. During your visit, you may spot endemic seals sunning themselves on the beach or frolicking in the surf.  

Transfer to your hotel in Varmaland for check-in and some free time to freshen-up before dinner

At the conclusion of your beach visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately one-hour, 45-minute drive to your hotel in Varmaland, with a comfort stop en route. Upon arrival at the Varmaland Hotel, proceed for check-in and some free time to freshen-up before dinner.

Dinner is at the hotel.

Overnight accommodations in a Deluxe Room at the Varmaland Hotel – Varmaland  

DAY THREE – Monday, May 12, 2025 – Varmaland/Reykholt/Reykjavik  

After breakfast at the hotel and check-out, meet your guide and transfer to the Saga Geopark

After breakfast at the hotel and check-out, meet your guide and depart for the short drive into the rich historical tapestry of the Saga Geopark, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, to explore its unique landscape, nature, history, and culture.

Visit the Snorrastofa Cultural & Research Centre, former residence of Snorri Sturluson

Upon arrival in Reykholt, head to the Snorrastofa Cultural and Research Centre, which is dedicated to medieval studies. This was once the residence of Snorri Sturluson, an illustrious chieftain, poet, and author whose enduring works, including Snorra-Edda and Heimskringla, profoundly influenced Nordic poetry, imagery, and mythology.

Explore the life and works of this famous Norse luminary, and the history and culture of Reykholt

Explore the history and culture of Reykholt, and life and contributions of Snorri Sturluson. His works, Prose Edda and Heimskringla, provide valuable insights into Old Norse mythology and medieval northern European history.

Walk over to the old church, then visit Snorralaug, Iceland's oldest geothermal pool

Leaving Snorrastofa, walk over to see the old church, then visit Snorralaug. Iceland's oldest geothermal pool, Snorralaug dates from the Middle Ages, and Snorri Sturluson himself once bathed here. Bathing in the pool has been prohibited since 1817, marking the year when it was formally designated a protected heritage site.

Enjoy lunch at a local hotel in Reykholt, surrounded by its natural and cultural wonders

Next, proceed on-foot for a delightful lunch in this enchanting area at the Fosshotel Reykholt (or similar), surrounded by Reykholt’s natural and cultural wonders.

Marvel at the mesmerising Lava Falls & Children’s Waterfall

After lunch, re-board your coach and continue on to Borgarfjörður. Upon arrival, marvel at the Hraunfossar (Lava Falls), a mesmerizing series of waterfalls created by rivulets flowing from the Hallmundarhraun lava field. Nearby, witness the dynamic force of Barnafoss (Children’s Waterfall), a waterfall rushing through a narrow rocky valley, accompanied by the tragic local legend of two boys and the old stone bridge that once spanned these falls.

Visit Deildartunguhver, Europe's mightiest hot spring, and learn how it’s utilised to heat local areas

Leaving the falls, your adventure continues with a visit to Deildartunguhver, Europe's mightiest hot spring. Here, scorching-hot, approximately 212-degree-Fahrenheit (about 100-degree-Celsius) water gushes forth at approximately 47.5 gallons (about 180 litres) per second. During your visit, marvel at the ingenious use of this thermal wonder for central heating in Borgarnes and Akranes, with even showers within an approximately 40-mile (about 65-kilometre) radius relying on its geothermal power.

Take a soothing, relaxing, and rejuvenating soak in the Krauma Geothermal Baths

Adjacent to the Deildartunguhver Hot Spring is the Krauma Geothermal Baths & Spa Resort. Upon arrival at Krauma and after showering, immerse yourself in nature's essence whilst relaxing and bathing in the rejuvenating geothermal baths at Krauma. The hot water feeding the baths flows from the Deildartunguhver Hot Spring.

Leaving the baths, commence the scenic drive to Reykjavik

Following your soak in the Krauma Geothermal Baths, shower-up, change clothing, and re-board your coach for the scenic, approximately 1.5-hour drive to Reykjavik.

Transfer to the pier and ship

Upon arrival at the port of Reykjavik, transfer to the pier and embark the ship.

Please note: This Mid-Voyage Land Adventure requires an extensive amount of walking for up to 3.2 miles (about 5.25 kilometres), at times over uneven, gravel, cobblestone, grassy, slippery, and natural surfaces and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coaches, two spiral staircases inside the Vatnshellir Cave, and many steps at the sites visited. This tour is recommended for active guests in good physical condition. This tour is not suitable for pregnant guests, guests with back and/or neck problems, guests with heart and/or respiratory conditions, guests prone to motion sickness, guests with a fear of heights, guests with claustrophobia, guests with limited mobility, and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing in layers with flat, non-slip, sturdy, and closed-toe walking shoes or sneakers, and bring sun protection, a weatherproof jacket and pants, wool under-layers (Merino, for example), sunglasses with a strap, a weatherproof jacket, raingear, an umbrella, a small backpack for land visits (for cameras, bottled water, etc.), camera, medications, cameras, binoculars, and Icelandic Kronas or credit cards for purchases from the ship. Guests must be at least 18 years old to be served alcoholic beverages. Guests must carry their passports and ship’s ID at all times. Photography/videography of other guests, or in the changing areas, is not permitted at the Krauma Thermal Baths. Swimsuits are required inside the Krauma Thermal Baths. The tour sequence, timings and itinerary may vary. Space on this tour is extremely limited; we suggest you book well in advance to avoid disappointment.   

Programme Includes:

One-night stay in a Standard Double Room at the Stykkisholmur Fosshotel – Stykkisholmur

One-night stay in a Standard Double Room at the Varmaland Hotel – Varmaland  

Two breakfasts, three lunches, and two dinners

All sightseeing and transfers as per itinerary

Not Included:

Any meals and drinks not specified above, gratuities to drivers and tour guides, laundry, telephone calls, cancellation insurance and other personal items.