Best of Snaefellsnes Peninsula
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Port
Grundarfjordur, Iceland
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
Information Not Currently Available
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$299.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
6¾ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Experience truly breathtaking scenery on this unforgettable adventure exploring Iceland's Snaefellsnes Peninsula, which wows with stunning natural beauty.
Begin your day with a scenic drive to Helgafell, a 240-foot-tall rocky mound with a parsonage from 1904 resting at its base. Known as "the holy mountain," this renowned landmark once housed a temple dedicated to Thor, the Norse god of thunder. It also plays a key part in the Laxdœla Saga -- an ancient Icelandic love story in which the heroine makes this mountain her home and final resting place.
Back on the road, travel past striking landscapes to reach Stykkisholmur -- the largest town on the peninsula. This thriving center of commerce and tourism was established as a trading post in 1550. While passing through town, admire the well-preserved traditional Icelandic homes atop gently rolling hills.
Marvel at the magnificence of the dramatic Snaefellsjokull stratovolcano. Jules Verne's novel Journey to the Center of the Earth prominently features this mountain, which is one of Iceland's most famous sites.
At a local restaurant, savor a hearty lunch featuring soup, fresh bread, fish of the day and pure Icelandic drinking water.
Your adventure continues to Arnarstapi -- a quaint fishing hamlet that plays a prominent role in several Icelandic legends. Its dazzling volcanic rock formations include three blowholes. Walk along the awe-inspiring cliffs to catch a glimpse of the myriad of seabirds that nest here -- kittiwakes, fulmars, razorbills and a vast colony of Arctic terns.
Enjoy a photo stop at Hellnar, where incredible rock formations on the beach include the Valasnös Cliff that stretches protrudes over the beach and the sea. The Snæfellsnes National Park Visitor Center offers insights into the peninsula's naturally beautiful terrain.
Djupalonssandur was once a bustling fishing village but is now home only to a tranquil, black-pebble beach. The four giant lifting stones here, each one heavier than the last, were once used to qualify men to work on fishing boats. Follow a boardwalk to a viewpoint offering beautiful vistas of the ocean and the beach below, or venture along the shoreline to marvel at the silky-soft pebbles covering the shoreline, worn smooth from the tide. Listen for the soothing murmur of the tide rushing through the stones -- it's the unique and beautiful sound effect by which you'll remember this mesmerizing place.
Following your adventure, return to the pier in Grundarfjordur.
Notes:
Participants must negotiate stairs and/or uneven surfaces. Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair or for those with mobility limitations. Wildlife sightings are likely but are not guaranteed. It is essential that you wear warm, layered clothing to fully enjoy and participate in this excursion; outer layer should be waterproof and windproof. Bring gloves, a warm hat and a scarf. The path to the lifting stones is steep and slippery. Wear sturdy non-skid walking shoes.