Upon your arrival in Reykjavik, a representative from Aurora Expeditions will meet you and transfer you to your group hotel. If arriving before 4 pm, you can visit the Aurora Expeditions hospitality area at the hotel to leave your luggage, enjoy refreshments, and collect your luggage tags. The ground operations team will be available to assist with pre-embarkation details or provide information on dining options, withdrawing cash, or shopping for last-minute items. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure, with meals at your own expense.

This morning, ensure your cabin luggage has tags with your name and cabin number. Your luggage will be collected from the hotel, transferred to the port, and delivered to your cabin before arrival. Keep valuables and personal items with you for the day.

After breakfast and check-out, embark on a guided Golden Circle tour, visiting iconic sites such as Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir, and Thingvellir National Park. In the evening, join your fellow travelers, expedition team, and crew for a Welcome Dinner to kick off the adventure.

Over the next three days, explore the Westfjords region, featuring outstanding landscapes with jaw-dropping views of dramatic fjords carved by ancient glaciers, sheer table mountains that plunge into the sea, and pristine North Atlantic vegetation.

At Patreksfjordur, a shore excursion by coach takes you to Latrabjarg cliffs. As Europe's largest bird cliff, Latrabjarg is home to millions of seabirds, such as puffin, razorbill, fulmar, and guillemot. Enjoy the impressive variety of natural wonders and unspoiled nature. Latrabjarg is the westernmost point in Europe, on the east coast of the North American continent on the other side of the Atlantic.

Immerse yourself in the tranquillity of the afternoon as you cruise northward, taking in breathtaking landscapes and keeping a watchful eye for whales. Later, embark on a Zodiac landing to witness the awe-inspiring power of Dynjandi waterfall.

Thingeyri, a quaint village on a slender strip of land, graces the shores of one of Iceland's most picturesque fjords, Dyrafjordur. Much like many other coastal settlements in Iceland, the village's culture and industry have been intricately woven with the influence of the sea over centuries. The surrounding landscape is adorned with towering mountains, lending a distinctive charm to the scenic expanse that envelops Thingeyri. This idyllic region is often hailed as the "Alps of the Westfjords," especially the highland area between the majestic fjords of Dyrafjordur and Arnarfjordur. The beauty of Thingeyri lies in its coastal simplicity and the dramatic backdrop of high mountains that paints a captivating portrait of this Icelandic village.

Personalize your expedition with the included 'Your Choice' experiences that best suit your interests and level of fitness.

Option 1 - That Viking Thing Experience  
Duration: 2 hours + free time 
Level of difficulty: Easy  
Today, step back in time and learn about the Viking ways and how the hardy Norse people lived off the land. Walk through a recreated Viking area, learning about what is fact and what is fiction in the many stories you've heard about the famous Vikings. A short hike brings you to the old ruins of the Viking meeting place called a Thing - the closest translation in English is 'parliament.' Step inside the interactive Viking Museum for a chance to dress up in authentic hand-sewn Viking clothing, take photographs, drink Icelandic Viking beer, bake your own Viking bread, and explore the museum - all part of learning more about Viking ways.

Option 2 - Sandafell Mountain Hike   
Duration: 3 hours  
Level of difficulty: Moderate-Difficult (dependent on fitness level)  
For avid explorers, Iceland is littered with hidden gems, and possibly the best-kept secret of all is the Westfjords. Lying in the most north-westerly area of the island, this sprawling area of natural beauty is truly a hiker's paradise. Rocky peaks, deep crevices, and charming Icelandic towns all add to the appeal of the Westfjords, not to mention the various hiking trails snaking across the unusual countryside. Today, hike Sandafell, which offers gorgeous views over the town, surrounding mountains, and the water below. 

On Vigur Island, birdwatchers can try to tick a few species on their list, while others can enjoy walks and hikes of varying difficulty levels, soaking in the stunning surroundings. The island's unique ecosystem is a haven for birdlife, making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts. Stroll along the coastline, watch for puffins and other seabirds, or venture deeper into the island to discover hidden gems. With its rolling hills, picturesque landscapes, and fresh sea air, Vigur offers an unforgettable experience.

Picturesque Akureyri is Iceland's second-largest city outside the capital area, blessed with a superb snow-capped mountain backdrop.

Personalize your expedition with the included 'Your Choice' experiences that suit your interests and fitness level.

Option 1 - Godafoss, Lake Myvatn & Baths 
Duration: 8 hours, including lunch 
Level of difficulty: Easy 
Your first stop will be the Godafoss waterfall, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland. There is a 400-meter trail, easy and mostly flat, and it takes approximately 10 minutes to get to the main viewpoint. Next, visit Lake Myvatn and explore the area. After lunch, rejoin the coach to travel to Myvatn Nature Baths. Drawing on a centuries-old tradition, the tastefully designed complex offers bathers a completely natural experience that begins with a relaxing dip amidst clouds of steam rising from a fissure deep in the Earth's surface and ends with a luxurious swim in a pool of geothermal water drawn from depths of up to 2,500 meters / 8,200 feet.

Option 2 - Godafoss, Lake Myvatn & Dimmuborgir 
Duration: 8 hours, including lunch 
Level of difficulty: Moderate 
Your first stop will be the Godafoss waterfall, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland. There is a 400-meter trail, easy and mostly flat, and it takes approximately 10 minutes to get to the main viewpoint. Next, visit Lake Myvatn's Skutustadagigar pseudo craters. Wander the marked walking paths through the area. You can easily walk around the bowl-like landmasses or hike to reach the top for a magnificent view of the scenic surroundings. After lunch, rejoin the coach to travel to Dimmuborgir, an area strewn with enormous lava rocks and cliffs. These extraordinary lava cliffs and pillars from molten lava flowed over a pond in the eruption of Ludentsborgir and Þrengslaborgir some 2,300 years ago. The most famous of these formations is "The Church," aptly named as this is a cave, open at both ends and with a dome-like ceiling.

Option 3 - Hverfjall Volcanic Crater Hike, Dimmuborgir & Dettifoss 
Duration: 8 hours, including lunch 
Level of difficulty: Strenuous 
Your first stop will be Dimmuborgir, an area strewn with enormous lava rocks and cliffs. These extraordinary lava cliffs and pillars form from molten lava flowing over a pond in the eruption of Ludentsborgir and Þrengslaborgir some 2,300 years ago. The most famous of these formations is "The Church," aptly named as this is a cave, open at both ends and with a dome-like ceiling. From here, walk up the steep slopes of Hverfjall Crater and around the crater's rim for otherworldly and awesome views of the surrounding landscape. This 9km loop trail takes approximately 3 or 3.5 hours to include walking around the rim. After lunch, rejoin the coach to travel to Dettifoss waterfall in northeast Iceland, the most powerful waterfall in Europe. The falls are 100 meters / 328 feet wide and drop 44 meters / 144 feet down to the Jokulsargljufur canyon.

Return to Akureyri for a free evening. Discover the charm of this northern gem as you explore its vibrant streets. Unwind in cozy pubs, savor the taste of Iceland's finest craft beers at local breweries, or immerse yourself in the city's lively atmosphere.

During the early morning, cruise into Akureyri and disembark at approximately 8.00 am. Farewell to your Expedition Team and fellow passengers as you continue your journeys. Transfer to Akureyri airport.