Legendary Northern Isles - Scotland, Faroes & Iceland
13 Days - National Geographic Explorer
Encounter Shetland ponies roaming verdant landscapes. Go back in time at Skara Brae, a 5,000-year-old stone-slab village on Orkney and see the mysterious standing stones of the Ring of Brodgar. Walk with a historian through Jarlshof archaeological site, a complex of ancient settlements spanning 4,000 years of human history. Meet the welcoming islanders who call the scenic Faroes home. Observe incredible birdlife—massive puffin colonies in the Faroes and Grimsey, and on the Cliffs of Noss, thousands of murres and kittiwakes. Experience a near circumnavigation of the geologic wonders of Iceland.
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Home » National Geographic Explorer: Legendary Northern Isles Scotland, Faroes & Iceland
Itinerary Highlights
- Explore the stunning coast lines of some of the most remote islands in Europe
- Visit the Shetland Islands and see the famous Shetland ponies
- Immerse yourself in the ancient Nordic culture and Gaelic history
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Bergen, Norway
- Day 2: Orkney Islands, Scotland
- Day 3: Shetland Islands
- Day 4-6: The Faroe Island Archipelago
- Day 7: Djúpivogur, Iceland
- Day 8: At Sea/Grimsey Island
- Day 9: Lake Mývatn/Akureyri
- Day 11: Western Iceland
- Day 12: Surtsey & Heimaey, Westman Islands
- Day 13: Disembark Reykjavík
![map](../../images/image_local/79530/web_standard_NG-Explorer-Legendary-Northern-Isles-Scotland-Faroes-Iceland-900x.jpg)
Day 1: Arrive in Bergen, Norway/Embark
Bergen is one of the major cities of the powerful Hanseatic League. Hansa merchants operated in the historic Bryggens Wharf area, filled with wooden buildings from the Middle Ages.
Day 2: Orkney Islands, Scotland
Enjoy a morning at sea, then see the standing stones at the Ring of Brodgar and the stoneslab village of Skara Brae. Step into the world of the Vikings at the red sandstone cathedral of St. Magnus, built in 1137.
Day 3: Shetland Islands
Our ship glides past the towering bird cliffs of Noss for views of murres and kittiwakes. Visit the Jarlshof archaeological site and see the famous Shetland ponies.
Day 4-6: The Faroe Island Archipelago
The rugged Faroese are proud of their Viking ancestry, reflected in their ancient language and love of the sea. In Tórshavn, wooden boats bob at anchor in the harbor and harken back to Viking times. Visit the natural history museumand the Kirkjubøur archaeological site, a medieval farming and religious centre.
Day 7: Djúpivogur, Iceland
Dock in Djúpivogur and drive down the coast to explore the vast Vatnajökull icecap. Get close views of the deep blue icebergs in Jökulsárlón ice lagoon.
Day 8: At Sea/Grimsey Island
Enjoy a morning at sea as we sail northward to the land of the midnight sun, going ashore in the evening at the tiny island of Grimsey. Home to nesting sea birds, it lies exactly on the Arctic Circle.
Day 9: Lake Mývatn/Akureyri
Drive to Lake Mývatn, the most geologically active area in Iceland. See the mud pools at Hverarond and the unforgettable sight of Goðafoss, the waterfall of the gods. Visit the explosion crater at Viti. Drive to Akureyri with its beautiful period houses, backed by snow-capped mountains.
Day 10-11: Western Iceland
Cruise past the immense Látrabjarg cliffs, the westernmost point of Iceland and home to a huge population of razorbills. Continue to Flatey Island, a trading post for many centuries. Walk around the charming hamlet that grew here.
Day 12: Surtsey & Heimaey, Westman Islands
The Westman Islands were formed by undersea volcanoes and are among the youngest of the world’s archipelagos. Surtsey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was created in 1963 and 10 years later, Heimaey was threatened by lava flows that nearly closed off its harbor. Visit the crater where the earth is still hot and see areas that were engulfed by lava.
Day 13: Disembark Reykjavík
Today we disembark in Reykjavík with options to visit either the famous Blue Lagoon thermal baths or the hot springs, geothermal power plant and a horse farm, prior to our flight home.
Cabin Details
Category 1 Cabin
17.5m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, non-smoking, 1-2 portholes, writing desk, reading lamp, private bathroom, shower, TV, A/C, bathroom amenities, hairdryers, bathrobe, 110-volt and 220-volt outlet, luggage storage.
Category 2 Cabin
16m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, non-smoking, window, writing desk, reading lamp, private bathroom, shower, TV, A/C, bathroom amenities, hairdryers, bathrobe, 110-volt and 220-volt outlet, luggage storage.
Category 3 Cabin
19.5m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, non-smoking, window, writing desk, reading lamp, private bathroom, shower, TV, A/C, bathroom amenities, hairdryers, bathrobe, 110-volt and 220-volt outlet, luggage storage.
Category 4 Cabin
15.5m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, non-smoking, window, writing desk, reading lamp, private bathroom, shower, TV, A/C, bathroom amenities, hairdryers, bathrobe, 110-volt and 220-volt outlet, luggage storage.
Category Solo A
12m², single bed, non-smoking, window, writing desk, reading lamp, private bathroom, shower, TV, A/C, bathroom amenities, hairdryers, bathrobe, 110-volt and 220-volt outlet, luggage storage.
Category Solo B
12m², single bed, non-smoking, window, writing desk, reading lamp, private bathroom, shower, TV, A/C, bathroom amenities, hairdryers, bathrobe, 110-volt and 220-volt outlet, luggage storage.
Category 5 Cabin
16.5m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, balcony with sliding glass doors, non-smoking, writing desk, reading lamp, private bathroom, shower, TV, A/C, bathroom amenities, hairdryers, bathrobe, 110-volt and 220-volt outlet, luggage storage.
Category 6 Suite
33m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, balcony with sliding glass doors, non-smoking, writing desk, reading lamp, large private bathroom, shower, 2 wash basins, bathroom amenities, hairdryers, bathrobe, 110-volt and 220-volt outlet, TV, A/C, luggage storage.
Category 7 Suite
36m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, sofa bed, balcony with sliding glass doors, non-smoking, seating area, writing desk, reading lamp, large private bathroom, shower, 2 wash basins, bathroom amenities, hairdryers, bathrobe, 110-volt and 220-volt outlet, TV, A/C, luggage storage.
National Geographic Explorer Deckplan
![deck plan](../../images/image_local/7705/web_standard_national-geographic-explorer-deckplan.jpg)
Specifications
- Crew: 86
- Officers: International
- Guests: 148
- Tonnage: 6471
- Length: 367 Feet / 112 Metres
- Width: 54 Feet
- Speed: 15 Knots
- Passenger Decks: 6
- Built: 1982
- Registry: Bahamas
Whats included?
- Accommodations
- Meals indicated
- Excursions
- Services of Lindblad Expeditions’ Leader, Naturalist staff and expert guides
- Use of kayaks, entrance fees
- All port charges and service taxes
What’s not included?
- Air transportation
- Personal items such as emails, laundry, voyage DVD etc.