Local Experiences in the Westfjords & North Iceland
Are you looking for familiarizing yourself more with the countryside of Iceland? Are you interested in off the beaten path, rural areas and experiences that focus on leaving the guests with a story to tell rather than only things they saw? Then this tour is up your alley! Experience the Westfjords while traveling to Akureyri, the capital of the North.
Dates: 28 - 29 September
Departure
Date: 28 September
Time: 14:00 GMT
Location: Location: Reykjavík Domestic Airport
Return
Date: 29 September
Time: 21:00 GMT
Location: Akureyri
Participants
Min: 8
Max: 20
Price
ISK: 29,500
EUR: 200
What's included
Flight to Isafjordur (included transfer from your Vestnorden fee)
- Bus transfer both days
- English-speaking Local guide both days
- 2 dinners
- 1 lunch
- Tasting of local products
- Beer tasting at local brewery
- Candle making
- 1 night at Hotel in Isafjordur with Breakfast included
- Entrance and introduction to the Witchcraft center in Holmavik
- Entrance and introduction to Saltverk
What's not included
Beverages other than water, coffee and tea are not included during lunches or dinners.
Deviation / Please Note
As always while traveling in Iceland the weather can cause delays and changes. For that we have countered plan A, B and C and will inform any changes due to weather in timely manner to all participants.
Tour description and schedule
Start the day by meeting a local Westfjords guide in Reykjavík for a gastronomic introduction to both regions, the Westfjords and North Iceland, a journey of the tastebuds before your flight to Ísafjörður.
Upon arrival in Ísafjörður, drop off your luggage at the hotel before visiting the Candle House, where you create your own candle infused with the scents of the Westfjords. End your first day with dinner at the world-famous restaurant Tjöruhúsið, where you will enjoy the catch of the day served buffet-style. The restaurant is better explained as a food experience rather than a restaurant as the buffet constantly changes throughout your meal and the location of the restaurant is in one of Iceland’s oldest houses.
The next day begins early, packed with various experiences, visits, and introductions. After breakfast you journey through one of Iceland’s largest fjords, Ísafjarðardjúp (The Deep of Isafjordur).
Enjoy a scenic drive along the shoreline, passing through narrow fjords with deep ocean and mountains whose roots meet the sea. Few people inhabit the area, but birds, seals, and even whales can often be spotted along the way.
We stop for seal watching at Hvítanes, where up to 80 seals reside year-round. Deeper into the fjords, we visit Saltverk, a sustainable sea salt producer that uses geothermal energy to evaporate seawater and hand-harvest the salt. We then continue through the fjords and arrive in the small fishing town of Hólmavík.
In Hólmavík, we get a glimpse into Iceland’s darker history at the Museum of Witchcraft and Sorcery, where the dark era of witch hunts is brought to life. Afterward, enjoy a tasting of local beer at Galdur Brewery and learn about exciting new hotel projects in Hólmavík that will break new ground in Westfjords tourism and better connect the region to both the West and North of Iceland. We are very excited to share these developments with you. Before continuing our journey, we will enjoy lunch together in Hólmavík.
After Hólmavík, we leave the Westfjords behind and arrive in North Iceland, stopping at historical sites, meeting locals, and taking in the scenic landscape. We begin with Kolugljúfur Canyon, beautiful and peaceful canyon with multiple waterfalls falling into a plunge. After that scenic stop we meet the locals at Stóra Ásgeirsá. There, you will have the opportunity to learn firsthand about farming life in rural Iceland.
We then stop by Þrístapar, the site of Iceland’s last execution in 1830.
Afterward, we inspect the historic old town of Blönduós before enjoying dinner at Brimslóð Atelier Guesthouse and Restaurant. This restaurant specializes in Icelandic heritage cuisine with a modern twist, serving homecooked meals made with local ingredients.
After dinner, we head to your hotel in Akureyri, with an expected arrival between 20:00 and 21:00.
What to wear
Even though there are no hikes involved it is always a good idea to take along sturdy shoes, as some pathways may be uneven. A jacket and light layers for it is always better to have a jacket and not need it rather than being cold without one.
What to bring
Warm & outdoor clothes, good walking shoes, casual clothes for dinners. Always bring your swimsuit along while visiting Iceland!
Tour Contact
Name: Gunnar Ingi Hrafnsson
Email: gunnar@fantasticfords.is
Phone: +354 868 1494