Hesteyri & Glacier Fjord Cruise
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Port
Isafjordur, Iceland
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Activity Level
Strenuous
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$209.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 4½ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Visit the abandoned village of Hesteyri, reached only by a 70-minute boat ride.
The landscape in Jökulfirdir Fjord is very beautiful, with impressive, steep, snow-flecked mountains and quiet, secluded coves. In the late 1940s, all 80 inhabitants of Hesteyri village decided to move away. At the time, they were living without telephones, electricity or roads. By 1952, the village was completely abandoned.
Stroll through the village with your guide, enjoying traditional Icelandic refreshments at the old doctor's house. You will feel the distinctly eerie atmosphere of this unusual place where time seems to have stood still.
Renowned Icelandic crime and thriller author Yrsa Sigurðardóttir wrote a fantastic ghost story Ég Man Þig (I Remember You), whose plot takes place on Hesteyri Island. The story was recently made into a movie filmed on location here during the winter.
Notes:
Due to Ísafjörður's remoteness and the scarcity of professional guides, all guiding is handled by locals; some are not professional, but all have great experience in guiding and extensive knowledge of the area. 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. Wear sturdy non-skid walking shoes. Walking is required on gravel paths and uneven surfaces. You will transfer from the boat to a smaller inflatable boat to land at Hesteyri. Participants must be physically fit. There is a 200-yard walk from the ship to where the tour boat is docked. Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair. The boats are not wheelchair accessible. Suitable for guests with mobility limitations with a companion to assist. The boats do not have restrooms. There is no guiding during the boat portion of the tour.