Sea Kayaking in Iceland's West… (trip)
Sea Kayaking in Iceland's West Fjords
- Keflavík Airport, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Boats, Barges & Small Ship Cruises
| from $4,950* per person | 11 Days | June |
| Comfort accommodations | Exertion level: 3 | |
| Operator: H2Outfitters | 12 people max | |
Take the voyage with H2Outfitters' staff, and cross the seas to the island Republic of Iceland. We'll land in this small country's capitol, Reykjavik, the iceland2-750place of Norseman Leif Erikson and his Viking explorers made landfall centuries ago. His statue stands beneath the church towers of Hallgrimskirkja. Leif's era was a time of epic Viking sagas, discoveries, and battles with the gods and demons that inhabited the geo-thermal nooks and crannies scattered across the surface of the island. These "super-natural forces" have since been tamed by the local population and now support the people and the land as alternative energy sources while at the same time providing recreational and therapeutic resources as an added bonus. From hiking, skiing, and boating to the relaxation of soaking away the stresses and strains in the plentiful hot springs, the land in and of itself is unequaled as an adventures' paradise.
We'll paddle into the country's deep fjords, visit small villages, and get to know the people on an intimate level of culture-to-culture. The locals are self-sufficient, welcoming to voyagers from the sea like ourselves, and always curious about the ancestry of the new friends they meet. Remember, these are people with icelandweb2surnameslike Sigurds-son or Olafs-dottir and they want to know who you belong to this in this world! This is their land where the mountains meet the sea, a land that is in a constant state of flux with seismic volcanic action and slow-moving glaciers. The metaphor of fire and ice holds so true in this dynamic environment and is the driving force behind the hospitality and generosity of its people.
We'll trek to, and stand on, the surface of a glacier underway, breath air whose crispness will quickly become an acquired taste, and savor the magical light in a land that is for half the year bathed only in shades of twilight. This is the atmosphere of adventure, and discovery, and there is no place like it on this Earth. And so, it might be said that Iceland is an all-encompassing wilderness that not only transcends the conflict between man and nature, but also offers visitors an opportunity to become participants in its daily give and take.
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Locations visited/nearby
Iceland
Itinerary
Day 1Overnight flight from US
Day 2
It’ll be early morning when you arrive in Iceland and a great time to start your adventure. After picking up your luggage at baggage claim, you’ll be transported to the nearby domestic airport where you’ll catch a one-hour flight to the West fjords. Upon arrival, you’ll check into the guesthouse, have lunch and then gear up for the kayak trip. There will be some time also to wander around the village of Isafjadur as you unwind from your travels. After dinner it’s off to bed for a good night’s sleep before the kayak journey begins. (L, D)… Guesthouse
Day 3
The morning will be spent taking care of any final preparations for the kayak camping part of the trip before we are transported to the launch site and begin the paddling trip. We’ll enjoy our first night camping along the shores of the fjord indulging in some local Icelandic cuisine. (B, L, D)… Camping
Day 4 –Day 7
These are the paddling days during which we will be exploring these magnificent fjords. The West fjords, practically severed from the rest of Iceland are the oldest part of Iceland that was deeply indented by the intense erosion of the ice age. In its wake, the glaciers left a land mass so penetrated by deep narrow bays that it made travel over land extremely time-consuming until recent improvements were made to the road system. These deep narrow bays, however, offer boaters delightful territories to explore under the protection of the mountain ranges that border them. We’ll utilize the long daylight hours to not only paddle but enjoy walking the shoreline or hiking the sloping mountain ranges quite often occupied by grazing sheep or Icelandic horses. We’ll paddle past old fishing villages, many of which have been abandoned after the quota system was put in place during the last century, and visit some of the small villages still surviving in this remote section of Iceland. The fjords run anywhere from 8 to 15 miles deep and we will be weaving our way in and out of the fjords throughout the course of our trip. The shoreline along most of the fjords is very kayak accessible providing many options for camping and lunch stops. June is the time of the midnight sun so we can maximize the days. We’ll have plenty of time to paddle, stretch our legs, or just simply kick back and enjoy the spectacular scenery that surrounds us each day. (B, L, D)… Camping
Day 8
After a leisurely morning, we'll paddle over to the island of Vigur, a popular birding island with puffins and eiders found nesting among the rock walls built by local farmers. This colorful little community is centered around a quaint coffeehouse, a great place for us to kick back, enjoy a cup of coffee, and mingle with the locals. Later in the day, we'll return to Isafjador and spend one final night in this charming Icelandic village enjoying hearty Icelandic dishes at one of the local's favorite restaurants. (B, L, D)… Guesthouse
Day 9
Following breakfast we’ll be transported to the local airport for a flight back to the capitol city of Reyjkavik. Reykjavik is the northernmost capitol in the world and is home to 60% of Iceland’s population. It is a thriving city, growing rapidly in the past ten years. It offers stylish shops, restaurants and a vibrant nightlife and many museums, galleries and parks waiting to be explored. The city also hosts many indoor and outdoor thermal swimming pools to soak away the aches and pains so feel free to indulge in some relaxation too. Reykjavik offers a slew of restaurants featuring varied cuisine and varied price points and this evening you’ll be free to experience the establishment of your choice. (B)… Guesthouse
Day 10
Today, you’ll have the option to enjoy riding an Icelandic horse through lava fields and maybe even across some streams experiencing the unique gait called “tolting”. These sure-footed creatures are very gentle and hardy and remain today an important means of transport over this rugged terrain. It’s an experience you won’t forget. Should you decide not to experience the Icelandic horse, we can assist you in arranging for one of the many other half day or day trips to some of Iceland’s other “natural” wonders. At the end of the day, we’ll meet up for our finale dinner, telling tall tales of our trip, and sharing memorable moments with each other. (B, D)… Guesthouse
Day 11
Our last day in Iceland will be another to remember with a visit to the famous Blue Lagoon, a unique bathing experience in a surreal setting of lava fields and a geothermal plant. The water is so rich in silica that it forms a sticky mud on the floor of the lagoon, which is said to be good for the skin. The constant year-round water temperature of 90-110 degrees makes this a necessary stop each and every time you visit Iceland. You’ll be totally relaxed for your flight back to the states – a great way to end your adventure! (B)
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