Icelandic folklore maintains there are clans of elves and trolls living in the country’s extraordinary hills, rocky outcrops, and lava fields. Will you meet these “Huldufólk” or “Hidden People” said to dislike churches, daylight, and electricity? Hard to say. But here’s what you will see on this breathtaking tour of Iceland—active volcanoes, roaring waterfalls, jagged glaciers, floating icebergs, black-sand beaches, and brilliant-blue geothermal springs. Unique, local experiences await in the “Land of Fire and Ice,” including tasting piping hot bread baked by the heat from the hot springs, sipping Geysir schnapps served at freezing point, and standing in awe before the spectacular Lake Jökulsárlón, home to Europe’s largest glacier and the site of some of the most dramatic scenes from the James Bond movie Die Another Day. The gargantuan sights in the land of the elves will surely leave you stirred, not shaken. Then, Immerse yourself along the dramatic coast of West Greenland, exploring deep into fjords and stunning islands. This trip features the best sites of West Greenland and delivers an in-depth experience in just 12 days. You’ll have opportunities to visit towns such as Sisimiut and Uummannaq, both rich with culture. Find yourself coasting by massive glaciers while enjoying all the comforts Ultramarine has to offer. At the peak of summer months, you’ll enjoy the long sunny days, clear vistas, and longer opportunities to see wildlife.

Your fly, tour, cruise package includes:

• $2500 per person flight credit

• 7-night Iceland Adventure with Globus

• Most meals included

• First-Class or Superior First-Class with private bath or shower. Includes hotel taxes, porterage, tips and service charges

• Visit some of Iceland’s breathtaking natural scenery

• 11-night Gems of West Greenland with Quark in Balcony Suite

• Leadership throughout your voyage by our experienced Expedition Leaders

• All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage

• Select beer and wine during dinner; and coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock

• All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges & more
  

Pricing is per person twin share and based on 07 July – 25 July 2024

Solo traveller pricing available. Please speak to one of our travel consultants for more details

Tour

DAY 1:   ARRIVE IN REYKJAVIK, ICELAND

Welcome to Reykjavik! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

DAY 2:   REYKJAVIK-HELLISHEIDARVIRKJUN-GEYSIR-GULLFOSS-THINGVELLIR-BORGARNES

Incredible Iceland REYKJAVIK Orientation drive. HELLISHEIDARVIRKJUN Visit the geothermal heat and electric power station. GEYSIR Stop at the hot springs and [LF] taste local specialties with a glass of Geysir Schnapps. GULLFOSS Take pictures at the Gullfoss waterfalls. THINGVELLIR [LF] Walk through the rift valley en route to Borgarnes.(B,D) 180 mi / 290 km LOCAL FAVOURITE NATURAL WONDERS Iceland is the only place in the world where separation between the North American and European geological rift (tectonic plates) are above sea level, and nowhere in the world are the edges of both plates as clearly visible than the rift valley in Thingvellir National Park. Here, you can stand on two continents at the same time!

DAY 3:   BORGARNES-HAUGANES-AKUREYRI

Giant Love HAUGANES Take a [LF] whale-watching cruise before continuing to Akureyri. (B,D) 217 mi / 350 km LOCAL FAVOURITE WILD & WONDERFUL Take a whale-watching cruise from Hauganes for the chance to spot humpback and minke whales and dolphins surfacing on the glassy waters of Eyjafjordur bay.

DAY 4:   AKUREYRI-GODAFOSS-LAKE MYVATN-DETTIFOSS-BORGARFJORðUR EYSTRI

Heavenly Sights AKUREYRI Take an orientation walk that includes the botanical gardens. GODAFOSS Take pictures of the "Waterfall of the Gods." Scenic drive to the lovely blue Lake Myvatn. LAKE MYVATN Stop at the geothermal Myvatn Nature Baths. DETTIFOSS Take photos of the most powerful waterfall in Europe (road conditions permitting) before continuing to Borgarfjordur Eystri. (B,D) 190 mi / 305 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT PICTURE PERFECT Take the photographs of a lifetime with a stop at North Iceland's historic and magnificent Gooafoss waterfall, stretching 90 feet across dramatic rock formations to deliver its spectacular cascades along the glacial-fed Skjalfandafljot River.

DAY 5:   BORGARFJORðUR EYSTRI-HOFN AREA

Warm Friends on an Icelandic Fjord BORGARFJORDUR EYSTRI Take a walking tour, followed by a scenic drive en route to Hofn. (B,D) 159 mi / 256 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURE & TRADITION Enjoy a walking tour of Borgarf Jordur Eystri and hear about life in the rural Icelandic countryside over the centuries. Take in the natural beauty of this fjord town where sheep farming, fishing, and music festivals are all part of the culture.

DAY 6:   HOFN AREA-LAKE JOKULSARLON-SKAFTAFELL NATIONAL PARK-VIK AREA

Icy Beauty LAKE JOKULSARLON [LF] Take photos of the Vatnajokull Glacier (weather permitting). Scenic drive through Skaftafell National Park en route to Vik. (B,D) 169 mi / 272 km LOCAL FAVOURITE PICTURE PERFECT Drive through the national park at Skaftafell and stop at Lake Jokulsarlon. Snap photos to capture the astonishingly beautiful glacier Vatnajokull (the Water Glacier) which flows into the lake for a spectacular sight to see at Iceland's largest ice cap.

DAY 7:   VIK AREA-SELJALANDSFOSS-REYKJAVIK

Earthly Powers VIK AREA Scenic drive with views of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano. SELJALANDSFOSS Take photos of the waterfall. REYKJAVIK Enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D) 118 mi / 190 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT NATURAL WONDERS Eyjafjallajokull is one of Iceland's few stratovolcanoes (with an ice cap covering the caldera). When the volcano erupted in 2010, the glacier topping also broke, and the plume of ash rose over five miles into the sky - interrupting European air travel for almost a month!

DAY 8:   REYKJAVIK

Safe travels until we meet again! Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Cruise expedition

Day 1

Arrive in Reykjavik, Iceland

Make your way to your included hotel. You will have the rest of the day to explore this fascinating and incredibly walkable city on your own.

Day 2

Fly to Kangerlussuaq and Embark

This morning you’ll catch your charter flight to Kangerlussuaq, where you’ll board your vessel and begin your expedition. Get ready for a great adventure ahead! Expect a welcome and safety briefing from your Expedition Leader.

Day 3

At Sea

As we sail north along the west coast to our first area of exploration, your Expedition Team will prepare you for the adventures that lie ahead. Once activity and excursion briefings are completed, our education team w

Days 4 to 6

Uummanaq Fjord

Uummannaq Fjord is the second-largest fjord system in Greenland surpassed only by Scoresbysund in east Greenland. On these itinerary days you will have the opportunity to become one of few people ever to explore this area in depth and travel beyond the predictable tourist destinations. The fjord is full of cultural and natural wonders. Potential excursions include visits to the town of Uummanaq, venturing into Qilakitsoq (the site where the famous Greenland Mummies were discovered) and excursions focused around Store Glacier and its immense discharge zone. You’ll embrace the expeditionary spirit as we pioneer new destinations within the labyrinth of valleys and channels in the depths of the fjord.

Quark Expeditions’ core belief in working closely with our local partners will enhance every experience as we explore alongside local experts. We’ll draw on our team’s collective knowledge and expertise to deliver incredible experiences.

Days 7 and 8

Disko Bay

Disko Bay Is a wide, southeastern inlet of Baffin Bay and is the largest open bay in western Greenland. Try to get out on deck as we navigate into this iconic bay where whales are often spotted. Disko Bay is full of exciting destinations for us to explore. We will almost certainly visit the community of Illulissat, which is situated at the head of outlet fjord for Sermeq Kujalleq (Jakobshavn Glacier) , known for discharging 35 billion tons of ice each year. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, the fjord is immensely beautiful and we will encourage you to explore it via one of the many marked hiking trails.

Another area we will consider for this itinerary is the wild beauty of Equip Sermia or Torsukatak Fjords, located in the northeast corner of Disko Bay. Both of these remote areas offer fantastic vistas of large active glacial faces and provide plenty of opportunities for hiking, paddling, and Zodiac cruising. This is also an area where, if conditions allow, we will consider utilizing our twin- engine helicopters to get you in the air to appreciate the immensity of this region.

Days 9 and 10

Qeqqata

Qeqqata (meaning centre) municipality is Greenland’s second smallest administrative region. Situated in the middle of the country’s western coast, Qeqqata is home to almost 20% of Greenland’s populace, most of whom reside in Sisimiut and Manitsoq.

During these two days your expedition team will work with our local partners to curate a balance of community and wilderness-focused activities. We are likely to visit Sisimiut, where you can wonder through the open air museum, participate in local tastings or join a hiking group to venture beyond the town limits along one of many incredible hiking trails on Sisimiut’s doorstep. This is where we will also offer the (paid) mountain biking activity.

Further south, the areas surrounding Manitsoq are equally stunning. One of our favorite destinations in the area is the picturesque alpine lake of Innussuit Tasersuat, which we can hike and share a picnic with friends from Manitsoq. The fjord systems behind Manitsoq are deep and seldom visited. Our team will seek to take you beyond the ordinary and into these fjords for magical one-of-a-kind experiences, one of which is Eternity Fjord, which is home to the tallest mountains in all of West Greenland.

Day 11

Kangerlussuaq

Today, we disembark in Kangerlussuaq and transfer you to your charter flight to Reykjavik, where you’ll spend the night in your included hotel.

Day 12

Reykjavik, Iceland

Today, make your way to the airport to catch your homeward flights, or spend more time exploring this fascinating Icelandic city.