Included Lake Myvatn & Godafoss Experience
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Port
Husavik, Iceland
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
Information Not Currently Available
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
Information Not Currently Available
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 4 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Your tour will take you due south from the small town of Husavik and into the incredible landscape of northern Iceland, created by the dual actions of ice and fire. Your scenic route will take you up the Bardardalur valley, home of the mighty Skjalfandafljot River, the fourth largest river in Iceland. Between its source high up in the mountains near the Vatnajokull ice cap, to the point where it flows into the waters of Skjalfandi Bay, its waters have travelled over a distance of 111 miles and cascaded over countless waterfalls.
Your first stop will be at one of the most imposing of these waterfalls, the thundering falls of Godafoss. Here, the glacial water of the Skjalfandafljot River surge with impressive power over a 100 ft wide, crescent-shaped precipice almost 40 ft in height. It is said that the name of these falls is derived from a moment in 1000 CE when Thorgeir Ljosvetningagodi Thorkelsson, a pagan priest, chieftain, and law speaker in Iceland’s legislative assembly selected Christianity in favour of Norse paganism as Iceland’s official religion. In doing so, it is said he symbolically cast the statues of his pagan idols into the waterfall, though record of this specific event has not been found.
Continuing on your way, you will head towards Dimmuborgir, an eerie landscape of volcanic rock formations, caves, arches, and lava pillars. It was created when the roof of a gigantic lava tube collapsed around 2000 years ago, and consequently sits below the level of the surrounding lava flow landscape. Open to the sky, its solidified volcanic structures now nestle amongst the greenery of bright green vegetation that in the summer provides shelter for birds such as Redwing.
Your final stop for the day will be the sterile, sulphurous, actively volcanic landscape of Namaskard, in the geothermal field surrounding Lake Myvatn. Here, in an almost otherworldly scene, you will witness numerous hot springs, bubbling mud pools and steaming fumaroles, venting their super-heated energy through the acid-encrusted earth.
After your memorable visit to Namaskard’s distinctively Icelandic scenery, you will continue your scenic drive through Iceland’s magical landscape for your transfer back to the ship at Husavik.
Please note: Wherever Included Experience tours are offered, guests are allowed to participate in only one included experience per call unless otherwise specified in the tour description. It is essential that you wear sturdy non-skid walking shoes and warm, layered clothing to fully enjoy and participate in this excursion. Your outer layer should be waterproof and windproof, and you should bring gloves, a warm hat, and a scarf. Small black flies (midges or no-see-ums) populate the Lake Myvatn area. Although they don't bite, they can be quite annoying. We advise guests to wear insect repellent and bring a light scarf or net to cover your face and/or mouth.