Icelandic Nature & Traditions with Ponant

Description

Discover the most beautiful landscapes on the Icelandic west coast during an 12-day PONANT cruise.

On the edge of the Arctic, between vast glaciers, vertiginous fjords, volcanoes and boiling geysers, this circumnavigation will enable you to discover the wild and romantic landscapes of Iceland.

Departing from Reykjavík, you will set off aboard Le Dumont-d’Urville, heading for Heimaey, the only inhabited island in the Westman archipelago. It is an exceptional place composed of volcanoes and almost-desert landscapes, where fishing is the main food source. You will then set sail for the bay of Grundarfjörður, right near Kirkjufell. This stunning cone-shaped mountain possesses a unique charm and this will be an opportunity to take some beautiful photos.

After visiting the villages of Ísafjörður and Djúpavík, you will head for Siglurfjörður, to the north of the Tröllaskagi peninsula, whose mountainous silhouettes are reminiscent of French alpine reliefs. Founded in the 10th century, this small port reputed for herring fishing is also known for the beauty of its fjord.

Le Dumont-d’Urville will sail for Grímsey, a small, hard-to-reach island where, in certain places, the volcanic rock forms magnificent basalt columns. Birds such as guillemots and puffins reign here.

Akureyri, the capital of north Iceland, will welcome you on the shores of the Eyafjörður fjord, very close to the Arctic Circle.

Your ship will then head south again to Hornafjörður, in the Vatnajökull National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will be dazzled by the beauty of the landscapes around the Jökulsarlon glacial lake.

Finally you’ll reach Reykjavík, the most northerly capital in the world.

Trip Name

Icelandic Nature & Traditions with Ponant

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Luxury Passenger Capacity: 92 cabins Built: 2017/2018 Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed staterooms, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 staterooms and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience. As the first ship in a new series that remains true to the Ponant spirit, Le Dumont d'Urville will embody the unique atmosphere that is the cruise line’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort. Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service. Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel. RESTAURANTS As it is an essential part of French culture, gastronomy will naturally have pride of place aboard this new ship. Through its two restaurants, Le Dumont d'Urville will invite you on a journey to elegance and epicureanism. In a relaxed atmosphere, a first dining area located on Deck 3 and able to seat 70 will serve grilled meats daily, along with a variety of salads and desserts. To the back of Deck 4, you will find a 260 m² panoramic restaurant which can accommodate all of our passengers in a single sitting. Designed differently to that on our other ships, this dining area, which opens onto the outside, will have a buffet of salads, desserts and cheeses at your disposal. Our discreet and attentive crew will provide table service for hot meals. PUBLIC AREAS Like Le Boréal and its sisterships, Le Dumont d'Urville has many common areas that are designed and equipped to meet all of your needs while preserving the intimacy of each passenger. A 140 m² reception area includes: A reception/concierge desk, An excursions desk, The ship’s administrative services, The sales office, manned by our Guest Relations Officer, Our 50 m² boutique which sells clothing, jewellery, beauty products, postcards and various accessories, Toilets accessible to passengers with reduced mobility. A new hydraulic platform with adjustable height provides: Easier boarding than on any other cruise ship, Easier Zodiac embarkation and disembarkation for expeditions, Easier access to the sea for swimming and practising various water sports such as kayaking or paddle-boarding. A pool deck offering: A pool with a panoramic view, equipped with a counter-current swimming system, A pleasant solarium, An outdoor bar and lounge with armchairs and sofas. A 200 m² main lounge which can accommodate all of our passengers to share convivial moments and to host activities organised during the day or evening. Lastly, a theatre that seats 188, equipped with: The latest sound and lighting technology, A LED wall as the stage backdrop, for the projection of high-resolution images and videos.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1 REYKJAVÍK

Iceland’s capital stretches along the edge of a vast bay in the west of the country. Perlan, the “Pearl of Reykjavík”, a museum located on ’Oskjuhlið hill, offers a panoramic view of the lush, green landscapes. A little further, one can easily spot the signpost showing the way to the evangelical Hallgrímskirkja church, and to the historical centre where one can stroll along the Skólavördustígur and the Laugavegur, two lively streets with charming small shops. For some relaxation just outside of the city, visitors have the opportunity to visit the Reykjanes peninsula and its famous thermal lagoons of the Blue Lagoon.

Day 2 - Day 2 SAILING AROUND SURTSEY ISLAND & HEIMAEY, VESTMANNAEYJAR

A small drop of basalt in the North Atlantic Ocean, Surtsey is a volcanic island formed by a submarine eruption that lasted from 1963 to 1967, off the Westman Islands to the south of Iceland. The island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To protect its virgin ecosystem against human presence, it is forbidden to land there. Only a few scientists have access to Surtsey to study the plant and animal colonisation of the island. Mosses, fungi and lichens were followed by vascular plants. Around 300 invertebrate species and 90 bird species have gradually colonised it. While sailing around Surtsey, you will enjoy a unique panorama of this extraordinary island’s contours.This land seated off the southern coast of Iceland is the largest of the Vestmann islands, and is the only inhabited island in the archipelago. The steep Edfell volcanoes and the green prairies of Herjólfsdalur offer rich contrast of nature. On the Stórhöfði road, look out over grey sand beaches and cliffs carved out by the Arctic ocean. From here, you can also see the bronze landscapes of the mountaintops. You could visit Eldheimar, an ultra-modern and interactive museum which traces the volcanic eruption has experienced Heimaey in 1973.

Day 3 - Day 3 GRUNDARFJÖRDUR

This secret boreal hideaway is located at the foot of the Kirkjufell, on Snaefellsnes peninsula. Arriving by boat means you’ll get a closer view of the lava-stone rock standing like a sentinel at the entrance to the bay; Grundarfjörður lies sheltered behind this cone-shaped rock. A stone’s throw from the jetty, crystal clear waters, tundra and beaches give onto the cerulean waters of Breiðafjörður. Scattered with its emerald-coloured lawns, this town, with its buildings that merge into the surrounding countryside, will most certainly win your favour.

Day 4 - Day 4 ISAFJÖRDUR

Your ship will take you to the heart of the fjords of North-West Iceland, a wild land of lost valleys and steep cliffs, where man struggles to survive. In this very isolated region we find the Isafjörður fjord, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the country, mainly for its relief, forged by many very ancient basaltic flows. The town of Isafjörður, which nestles at the back of its fjord, between imposing mountains, is a delightful little town that lives exclusively from fishing. The capital of the Western fjords, its old wooden houses bear witness to its past as a major fishing port.

Day 5 - Day 5 DJÚPAVÍK

Located in the Westfjords region, Djúpavík is a small Icelandic village that was home to one of the biggest herring processing factories in Europe in the early 20th century. Closed down in 1954 due to dwindling fish stocks along the coasts, the abandoned factory was eventually bought by a couple who transformed it to make use of the unusual acoustics. Indeed, inside the plant’s silos you will be able to feel the vibrations of music during a unique experience. The waterfall overlooking the town adds an extra touch of magic to this out-of-the-way place.

Day 6 - Day 6 SIGLUFJÖRDUR & GRÍMSEY

Set on the banks of a magnificent fjord edged with summits with alpine silhouettes, Siglufjördur is a small fishing village in the north of the Tröllaskagi peninsular. Former “herring capital”, the small town flourished until the beginning of the 1960s and saw its population grow as a consequence. The Herring Era Museum, the country’s largest maritime museum, will let you travel back in time and discover, thanks to faithful reconstructions, people’s lives at the time: fishing boats, salting station, and the dwellings and offices of the fishing captains.Grimsey is the northernmost island of Iceland surging from the Arctic ocean, with the Arctic circle running through the island. Its contrasted contours are surprising. From Grímseyjarhreppur, the island’s only town located on the west coast, then heading due south, you can take in the beauty of the hillsides, lushly carpeted with moss and grass. On the rest of the coastline, imposing basalt cliffs inhabited by sea birds stand proud.

Day 7 - Day 7 AKUREYRI

The elegant city of Akureyri is located very close to the Arctic circle, tucked away in the Eyjafjörður fjord. It displays a stunning palette of colours: blue waters in the harbour, bronze mountain ash on the squares and brightly-coloured houses in the historical centre. As you walk along the cobbled streets, you’ll come across rows of terraces with wooden furniture. A vast stairway cut into the hillside leads up to the emblematic feature of the town, namely the Akureyrarkirkja church. The very beautiful botanical garden made possible by a microclimate offers the opportunity to discover the Icelandic flora as well as plants from all over the world.

Day 8 - Day 8 HÚSAVÍK

According to the Landnámabók, a manuscript describing the discovery of Iceland by the Scandinavians in the 9th and 10th centuries, Húsavík is the site of the first Nordic settlement in Iceland. This small fishing port very close to the Arctic Circle is known for being the place where there is the highest chance of spotting whales. A museum is even dedicated to them. The small town is also the ideal departure point for discovering Ásbyrgi Canyon, a geological treasure that is the subject of Nordic legends. The horseshoe-shaped canyon is divided in two by a huge rock formation called Eyjan (island in Icelandic). Covered in trees, the canyon is said to have appeared when Sleipnir, the god Odin’s horse, set one of his eight hooves down on the ground.

Day 9 - Day 9 SEYDISFJÖRDUR

At the end of your journey through the heart of a very beautiful 17-km-long fjord, discover Seyðisfjörður, on the north-east coast of Iceland. Its typically Scandinavian, colourful houses and small blue church stand in the middle of an enchanting setting, between rivers and waterfalls. The village, surrounded on all sides by mountains with snow-topped peaks, has around 700 inhabitants. This small fishing port with a very picturesque charm is not far from Skálanes, a nature reserve of more than 1,000 hectares that is home to about fifty bird species. This port of call combines nature and culture, with wonderment guaranteed.

Day 10 - Day 10 HORNAFJÖRDUR

Hornafjörður is a small town located in the eponymous fjord in the south-east of Iceland, in Vatnajökull National Park where the country’s largest ice cap can be found. From this fjord that is also home to the small town of Höfn, you will have the possibility of discovering the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. In this incredible landscape, the glaciers calve icebergs that are carried toward the ocean by the currents via a small channel and eventually beach themselves. You will be able to admire the beauty of these blue icebergs on the black volcanic beaches. On the very aptly named Diamond Beach, the striking contrast between the colours and the elements is breathtaking.

Day 11 - Day 11 AT SEA

During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

Day 12 - Day 12 REYKJAVÍK

Day 13 - Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Discover Reykjavik, capital of Iceland with its many cultural riches including the city’s contemporary art museum.
Possibility of discovering Iceland’s fishing-based culinary customs, cultural experiences and traditions.
Possibility of an excursion to the Skalanes nature reserve and explore the Jökulsarlon glacial lake and Diamond Beach.
Landscapes: vast glaciers, breathtaking fjords, volcanic rock, basalt pillars, jagged cliffs and geysers, waterfalls, lava fields, geothermal field, caves, lake, icebergs, glacier lagoon, black sand beaches.
Wildlife: Northern gannets, Arctic terns, Minke whales, humpback whales, killer whales, porpoises, dolphins, Icelandic horses.