Board Le Champlain. Arriving by sea, see fishing boats moored in Hafnarfjörður's bays and volcanic rocks; Hafnarfjörður is built on an ancient field of lava flow. In the town center, basalt rocks point you in the direction of the historic houses of Sivertsen and Siggubær: their interiors and period furniture bring old Iceland back to life before your very eyes. Not far from here is a spectacular coastal walk and warm geothermal pools.

Your ship takes you to the heart of the fjords of Northwest Iceland, a wild land of lost valleys and steep cliffs, where man struggles to survive. In this very isolated region 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.

Cross the mythical line of the Arctic Circle. This famous parallel runs at around 66° 33’ latitude north. Often considered the gateway to the Arctic, it is simply the latitude from which it is possible to observe the midnight sun at least once in the year. Once over the Circle, during the summer months, you are able to sail in permanent daylight and the low light that is so particular to the polar regions. This is a unique moment, which is doubtless one of the highlights of your cruise.

Grímsey is a small island located 40 km north of mainland Iceland. It was formed by volcanic rock that has generated majestic basalt pillars. The island has been inhabited since the Vikings came to Iceland and legend has it that it is named after the colonial sailor Grìmur, who sailed from the region of Sogn in Norway. This site is home to fabulous wildlife, with many bird colonies having chosen to nest along the jagged cliffs, such as the ‘‘clowns of the sea’’ known as the Atlantic puffins. While many travelers come here in order to cross the invisible line into the Arctic Circle, the island is also famed as a place to observe the midnight sun. 

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.

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 colors: blue waters in the harbor, bronze mountain ash on the squares, and brightly colored houses in the historical center. As you walk along the cobbled streets, come across rows of terraces with wooden furniture. A vast stairway cut into the hillside leads you up to the emblematic features of the town, namely the Akureyrarkirkja church. Be amazed by the very beautiful botanical garden made possible by a microclimate.

At the end of your journey through the heart of a very beautiful 17-km-long fjord, discover Seyðisfjörður, on the northeast coast of Iceland. Its typical Scandinavian colorful 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.

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 gray-sand beaches and cliffs carved out by the Arctic Ocean. From here, you can also see the bronze landscapes of the mountaintops. Visit Eldheimar, an ultra-modern and interactive museum which traces the volcanic eruption experienced in Heimaey in 1973.

Say farewell to your fellow passengers and the Le Champlain crew and start your journey back home.