Puffin Quest

6 days, 5 nights: May through August

This truly unique journey takes you through some of the most remote parts of Iceland, as you travel north along the west coast of the island to visit the nesting grounds of the N-Atlantic Puffin. Along the way, travel via 4x4 over a highland pass, go caving in a lava field, horseback riding on a beach, and snowmobiling on a glacier. Sail across the bay of Breidafjordur, where thousands of islets and skerries shelter seals, whales, dolphins, and dozens of species of birds.

Day 1: Welcome to Iceland!

Guests from N-America arrive in the early morning, visitors from Europe in the late afternoon. We'll pick you up at the airport and take you to Reykjavik where you check into your centrally located hotel. Suggested activities include a walk through downtown Reykjavik, a trip to one of Iceland's many geothermal spas, or a whale and puffin watching tour from Reykjavik harbor. We'll provide dinner recommendations; most of the Reykjavik's top restaurants are within walking distance of your hotel.

Day 2: Thingvellir National Park

Your guide will pick you up at your hotel at 8:30AM. Our first stop today is Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the location of Iceland's parliament between the years 930 AD and 1798. Thingvellir is located in a rift valley, where the N-American and Eurasian tectonic plates pull apart. From here, we’ll head north through Kaldidalur (Cold Valley), which at 700m features snow-covered mountains and glaciers on all sides. After enjoying a picnic lunch at the base of glacier Langjokull, we proceed north to Hallmundarhraun lava field, where we’ll go caving. Here, a local guide will take us on an hour-long tour into one of many ancient “lava tube” caves, which were inhabited by Icelandic outlaws in centuries past. We then proceed through farmland in Borgarfjordur, stopping at scenic waterfalls, and Deildartunguhver, the world’s largest hot spring, before checking into your countryside hotel for the night.

Day 3: Snaefellsnes Penninsula

We begin the day by visiting a nearby ranch, where we can go on an optional 1-2 hour ride along the golden beaches of Longufjorur (Long Beach). We then proceed west along Snaefellsnes peninsula to explore its stunningly beautiful beaches and pebbled coves. The shores and shallows of western Iceland attract large numbers of seabirds and waders, which dominate the birdlife in the area. Of the 75 Icelandic breeding bird species, 60 nest annually in western Iceland. Overnight at 4-star Hotel Budir, one of our favorites.

Day 4: Flatey Island

We'll start the day with a snowmobile ride on nearby Snaefellsjökull glacier, made famous by Jules Verne in his novel Journey to the Center of the Earth. After lunch, we proceed to the picturesque town of Stykkisholmur, where we catch a ferry across Breidafjordur Bay to the tiny and remote island of Flatey (Flat Island, summer population 120), one of several nesting grounds of the puffin in Iceland. Breidafjordur Bay is a stronghold of the White-Tailed Sea Eagle and we may spot them on our ferry-ride. Cormorants and Shags are abundant here as well. Other interesting species in the area are the Slavonian Grebe, Harlequin Duck and the Great Northern Diver. After taking an exploratory walk (the puffin tends to nest on the north side of Flatey), we overnight at a wonderful small hotel on the island.

Day 5: Latrabjarg Cliffs

We continue our ferry ride at 10:30 AM and arrive at the north shore of Breidafjordur Bay around noon. After lunch we head west towards Latrabjarg, Europe's largest bird cliff, 14km long and up to 440m high. Latrabjarg is host to millions of birds including puffins, northern gannets, guillemots and razorbills. The cliffs are vital for their survival and hosts up to 40 percent of the world-population of some species, e.g., the razorbill. We'll spend the afternoon hiking along the cliffs and enjoying close contact with the puffins, which are quite approachable here. We'll overnight at a nearby guesthouse located on a working farm.

Day 6: Return to Reykjavik

We'll make an early start today, as we head further north to Bildudalur to catch a flight back to Reykjavík. Your flight departs Bildudalur at 11:40 AM. Arrive in Reykjavik in time for afternoon flights to N-America. Flights to Europe depart the following morning.

Note, this tour can be extended for one or more days by continuing North to the town of Isafjordur, where, for example, you can go kayaking and sailing in Iceland's most scenic fjords. Please let us know if you'd like more information about this option.

Included:

• Five-nights accommodations with breakfast.
• Expert English-speaking driver-guide for 5 days.
• Luxury 4x4 vehicle for 5 days.
• Picnic lunch on day 2
• Caving tour on day 2.
• Horseback ride on day 3
• Snowmobile ride on day 4.
• Ferry ride on days 4 and 5.
• Airfare between Bildudalur and Reykjavik on day 6.
• Airport transfers on days 1 and 6.

Not included:

• Airfare to Iceland.
• Personal expenses.
• Meals except noted.

For information, availability and bookings

Please send us a note at or call us at +354 857 8804.