Best of Snaefellsnes Peninsula
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Port
Grundarfjordur, Iceland
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$350
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 7 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Explore Iceland's Snæfellsnes Peninsula, which wows with stunning natural beauty.
Your journey begins with a panoramic drive to Helgafell -- a 240-foot-tall rocky mound with a parsonage resting at its base. Helgafell plays a key part in the Laxdœla Saga -- an ancient Icelandic love story in which the heroine makes this mountain her last home and resting place.
Travel past striking landscapes to reach Stykkisholmur, established as a trading post in 1550. It is the largest village on the peninsula with first-rate fishing, access to the fjords, and amazing outdoorsy opportunities. Watch for well-preserved traditional Icelandic homes covering the area's gently rolling hills.
Marvel from the coach at the magnificence of Snæfellsjökull -- a stratovolcano long covered by a dense glacier. Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth prominently features Snæfellsjökull, making it one of Iceland's most famous sites.
Savor a hearty lunch featuring soup, fresh bread, the catch of the day, pure Icelandic water and time to relax.
Near the quaint fishing hamlet Arnarstapi, you'll discover three blowholes that create fountains of ocean water when the wind and wave conditions are right. Walk along the awe-inspiring cliffs to see a myriad of nesting seabirds, including kittiwakes, fulmars, razorbills and a vast colony of Artic terns.
Snap photos of Hellnar -- now just a quiet fishing village but once a major port-of-call for fishing vessels. The incredible rock formations on the beach include the Valasnös cliff. Step inside the Snæfellsnes National Park Visitor Center, which explains much of the peninsula's naturally beautiful terrain.
At Djupalonssandur, a wooden boardwalk leads to a viewpoint offering beautiful vistas of the ocean and the beach below. Walk down to the tranquil, black-pebbled beach to find four giant lifting stones, each one heavier than the last. These were used to qualify men to work on fishing boats. Test your own strength on these heavy-duty stones and marvel at the silky-soft black pebbles covering the shore, worn smooth by the tide. Note the soothing murmur or tinkling sound every time a wave rushes through the stones. It is quite unique -- a beautiful sound that perfectly suits this mesmerizing place.
Please note: The path down to the lifting stones is steep and can be quite slippery in wet weather. Tour involves extensive walking over uneven surfaces. Not advisable for guests with mobility limitations. Arctic seabirds migrate away after mid-August. Wildlife sightings are likely but are not guaranteed. Wear sturdy non-skid walking shoes. It is essential that you wear warm, layered clothing in order to fully enjoy and participate in this excursion. Outer layer should be waterproof and windproof. Bring gloves, a warm hat and a scarf. All views are weather permitting and are not guaranteed. Parents traveling with children under the age of 3 must rent a child's car seat from the tour operator; please see the Destinations staff on board. You cannot use your car seat from home in Iceland.