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Iceland Voyage: Land of Fire and Ice – with Smithsonian Journeys
Reykjavík - Reykjavík
Date :
8/08/2022
à
15/08/2022
Autres dates disponibles
jours
nuits à bord
Shore excursion or activity in each port of call + transfers included
Partez à la découverte des plus beaux paysages de la côte ouest islandaise à travers une croisière de 8 jours proposée par PONANT.
À la lisière de l’Arctique, entre vastes glaciers, fjords vertigineux, volcans et geysers bouillonnants, l’Islande offre un visage à la fois romantique et sauvage.
Vous embarquerez à Reykjavik, capitale la plus septentrionale au monde. Avec ses maisons aux toits colorés et son lac peuplé de canards, elle offre un décor de carte postale.
Première escale de votre périple : la baie de Grundarfjörður, tout près de Kirkjufell. Cette sublime montagne de forme conique présente un charme unique et vous donnera l’occasion de réaliser de sublimes photos.
Votre navire atteindra ensuite Grímsey, petite île difficile d’accès dont la roche volcanique forme à certains endroits de splendides orgues basaltiques. C’est ici le règne des oiseaux marins.
Enfin, vous découvrirez Heimaey. Seule île habitée de l’archipel des Vestmann, ce lieu exceptionnel constitué de volcans et de paysages quasi désertiques vit essentiellement de la pêche.
Ref : RRBE45US - E080822
Découvrez votre itinéraire
Excursion du « Cercle d’Or » : 3 sites reconnus comme les plus emblématiques d’Islande. Les paysages : vastes glaciers, fjords vertigineux, plateaux volcaniques, colonnes de basalte, falaises...
Voir l'itinéraire en détail
Votre voyage en détail
Vos cabines
Vos cabines
Complétez votre voyage
Complétez votre voyage
Inclus dans votre croisière
Pour plus de sérénité, PONANT organise votre voyage en avant ou en après croisière. Ce package est compris dans le tarif de votre croisière.
Prestations complémentaires
Pour plus de sérénité, PONANT sélectionne des vols et assure la prise en charge de vos transferts pour votre voyage ainsi que les visites à terre avant et après le débarquement .
Vous aimerez aussi...
Vous aimerez aussi...
LE JACQUES-CARTIER
LE SOLEAL
21/10/2022 au 1/11/2022
- Inédit
LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT
L'AUSTRAL
4/11/2022 au 20/11/2022
- Inédit
LE LAPEROUSE
9/11/2022 au 23/11/2022
*Tarif minimum par passager, en base occupation double. La catégorie de cabine correspondant à ce tarif peut n’être plus disponible.
Prestation(s)
- Room service 24h/24
- Wi-Fi illimité inclus (réception satellite aléatoire en fonction de la navigation et de la latitude)
- Climatisation individuelle
- Dressing avec étagères et espace penderie
- Coiffeuse et sèche-cheveux
- Produits de bain haut-de-gamme Hermès
- Mini bar inclus
- Machine à café Nespresso et bouilloire
- Coffre-fort électronique
- Ligne téléphonique directe par satellite
- Enceinte Bluetooth Bose
- TV écran plat, chaînes internationales (aléatoire suivant votre navigation) et vidéos à la demande
- Installation 110/220 volts
- Deux cabines PMR
Choisissez votre catégorie de cabine
Tenue idéale pour la vie à bord :
Durant les journées passées à bord, il vous est conseillé de porter des vêtements confortables ou des tenues décontractées. L’ensemble du navire étant climatisé, un pull fin, une veste légère ou un châle peuvent vous être nécessaires. Pour vos déplacements dans les espaces publics et sur les ponts du navire, privilégiez des chaussures légères mais confortables.
Soirée informelle :
Le soir, il vous est conseillé de porter une tenue de ville élégante, en particulier lors des dîners dans nos restaurants où le port de short et tee-shirt n’est pas autorisé.
Pour les femmes :
- Robe simple
- Jupe ou pantalon
- Chemisier ou blouse
- Polo
Pour les hommes :
- Pantalon à pinces ou « chino »
- Veste sport
- Chemise
- Polo
Soirée des officiers :
En fonction de l’itinéraire et du programme de votre croisière, une Soirée des Officiers sur le thème « Soirée Blanche » pourra être organisée. Par conséquent, nous vous incitons à prévoir pour l’occasion une tenue de ville élégante blanche (à défaut noire et blanche).
Soirée de gala :
Lors de nos croisières, deux soirées de gala sont organisées à bord. Aussi, nous vous recommandons de prévoir une ou deux tenues plus formelles.
Pour les femmes :
- Tenue de cocktail
- Robe longue de soirée (si vous le souhaitez)
Pour les hommes :
- Costume foncé
- Cravate conseillée, éventuellement nœud papillon
- Smoking (si vous le souhaitez)
BOUTIQUE :
Une boutique est ouverte durant les moments de navigation proposant une large gamme de tenues, bijoux, maroquinerie et de nombreux accessoires.
Nous vous informons qu’un service de blanchisserie (nettoyage - repassage) existe à bord, mais il n’est pas en mesure de vous proposer un nettoyage à sec. Pour des raisons de sécurité, votre cabine n’est pas équipée d’un fer à repasser.
ACCESSOIRES :
- Lunettes de soleil
- Maillot de bain (pour la piscine ou le spa à bord)
- Tenue de gymnastique (fitness)
- Chargeur de batterie et cartes mémoire pour appareil photo ou caméra numériques
- Chargeur de téléphone portable
- Chapeau / casquette
SOINS – SANTÉ :
- Crème solaire et après-solaire
- Médicaments et ordonnances
TENUES À BORD :
- Tenues décontractées pour la journée
- Tenues élégantes pour les dîners
- Tenues pour les soirées de Gala
- Tenue blanche ou noire et blanche
PRÉCAUTIONS :
Dans le sac qui ne vous quittera pas, pensez à emporter les médicaments dont vous avez besoin, et éventuellement un petit nécessaire de toilette et de rechange (en cas de retard dans la livraison de votre bagage par la compagnie aérienne). Assurez-vous d’avoir toujours avec vous les documents de voyage dont vous pourriez avoir besoin : voucher d’hôtel, voucher de croisière, billets de vol retour… Ne les laissez jamais dans vos bagages enregistrés en soute.
Toutes nos cabines disposent d’un coffre. Nous vous recommandons de ne pas descendre à terre avec vos bijoux de valeur.
Activités PONANT
Smithsonian Journeys
Smithsonian Journeys is the travel programme of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum, education and research complex, consisting of 21 museums, the National Zoological Park, education centers, research facilities, cultural centers, and libraries. Drawing on Smithsonian's resources dating back 175 years, these sailings will feature notable experts and experiences that embrace local cultures and dive deeper into a destination’s history, cuisine, language, environment, and wildlife. For more than 50 years, Smithsonian Journeys has been rooted in and focused on cultural immersion and discovery – with a goal of inspiring guests to become global citizens through travel.
Scott Burns
Scott Burns is a Professor Emeritus of Geology and Past-Chair of the Dept. of Geology at Portland State University where he just completed his 28th year of teaching. He was also Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at PSU from 1997-1999. Scott has been teaching for 48 years, with past positions in Switzerland, New Zealand, Washington, Colorado, and Louisiana. Dr. Burns specializes in environmental and engineering geology, geomorphology, soils, and Quaternary geology. Scott has won many awards for outstanding teaching, the most significant being the Faculty Senate Chair Award at Louisiana Tech University in 1987, the Distinguished Faculty Award from the Portland State Alumni Association in 2001, and the George Hoffmann Award from PSU in 2007. Based on his national leadership performance, Scott was chosen to be a fellow of the Geological Society of America (2004) and a fellow with the Kellogg National Fellowship Program (1990 – 1993). He was president of the Downtown Rotary Club of Portland, Oregon’s oldest and largest Rotary club in 2009. Scott is a 6th generation Oregonian who grew up in Beaverton and is very happy to be "home" after a 25 year hiatus! He actively helps local TV, radio stations, and newspapers bring important geological news to the public. Scott enjoys all sports, especially basketball, running, skiing, hiking, swimming, tennis, and golf.
Language spoken: English
Elisabeth Ward
Assistant Curator of the Smithsonian Institution's special traveling exhibition, Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga, from 2000 to 2004, Elisabeth Ward went on to complete her Ph.D. in Scandinavian Languages and Literature from the University of California at Berkeley, and continues to lecture for Smithsonian Journeys. Dr. Ward has a long-term passionate interest in all things Icelandic. Listening to her mother, Margrét Guðmundsdóttir, speak to her grandparents in the Icelandic language, Elisabeth became fluent over many years while growing up in Southern California and traveling to Iceland during the summer. As part of her Ph.D. research, Dr. Ward lived in Iceland from 2006 to 2010, receiving Icelandic citizenship. Her dissertation focuses on the medieval Icelandic narratives called the Sagas of Icelanders; Dr. Ward’s research reveals the relationship between those stories and the actual physical landscape of Iceland. She argues they are “co-constituted”, meaning one cannot be read without the other.
In addition to appearing on documentaries for the Smithsonian Channel and others, she also worked as the Program Director for Vikingaheimar Museum in Reykjanesbær, Iceland, and as the Director of the Scandinavian Cultural Center at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma Washington. Since 2005, she has served as a consultant for Walt Disney World’s Epcot Center helping to create exhibitions for their Norway Pavilion about the Vikings, Norwegian folk culture, and Norse mythology. She recently returned to California to take a position as Executive Director of the Los Altos History Museum. The daughter of an American serviceman who met his wife while stationed in Iceland in the 1960s, Elisabeth is the mother of a 16-year-old son named Palmar Gudmundur, who also has Icelandic citizenship.
Languages spoken: English, Icelandic
Sous réserve de désistement en cas de force majeure
Temps forts
- Excursion du « Cercle d’Or » : 3 sites reconnus comme les plus emblématiques d’Islande.
- Les paysages : vastes glaciers, fjords vertigineux, plateaux volcaniques, colonnes de basalte, falaises découpées, nombreux geysers.
- La faune : oiseaux marins, sternes arctiques, petits rorquals, baleines à bosse, chevaux islandais.
Escales & excursions
8 août 2022 - Reykjavík
Embarquement 8/08/2022 de 19:00 à 20:00
Départ 8/08/2022 à 21:00
La capitale islandaise s’étend au bord d’une vaste baie, dans l’ouest du pays. Sur la colline d’Oskjuhlið, le musée Perlan offre une vue panoramique sur les quartiers verdoyants. Un peu plus loin, on repère aisément la flèche de l’église évangélique Hallgrímskirkja : elle indique le centre historique, telle une invitation à flâner le long de Skólavördustígur et de Laugavegur, deux rues animées aux charmantes petites boutiques. Aux portes de la ville, la péninsule de Reykjanes qui compte les insolites bassins thermaux du Lagon bleu, est la promesse d'un agréable moment de détente.
9 août 2022 - Grundarfjördur
Arrivée 9/08/2022 en milieu de journée
Départ 9/08/2022 en fin d'après-midi
Cette secrète escale boréale se situe au pied du volcan de Kirkjufell, dans la péninsule de Snæfellsnes. Votre arrivée par bateau vous permettra d’admirer, de manière unique, ce cône de lave dressé à l’entrée de la baie abritant Grundarfjörður. À quelques pas seulement de la jetée, vous découvrirez des ruisseaux limpides, des toundras et des plages donnant sur les eaux céruléennes du Breiðafjörður. Aérée par des pelouses émeraude, la ville vous séduira certainement par ses édifices qui se fondent dans la nature environnante.
10 août 2022 - Grímsey
Arrivée 10/08/2022 en début d'après-midi
Départ 10/08/2022 en soirée
Terre secrète surgissant de l’océan Arctique, Grímsey se situe à la latitude du cercle polaire, dans l’extrême nord islandais. Vous ne manquerez pas d’être surpris par ses reliefs contrastés. À partir de la côte ouest abritant Grímseyjarhreppur, l’unique commune de l’île, vous verrez, en vous dirigeant vers le sud, des collines tapissées de verdoyantes cochléaires. Sur le reste du littoral, ce sont des falaises de basalte peuplées d’oiseaux de mer qui se présenteront à votre vue.
11 août 2022 - Akureyri
Arrivée 11/08/2022 en début de matinée
Départ 11/08/2022 en milieu d'après-midi
La gracieuse cité d’Akureyri se situe tout près du cercle polaire, au fond du fjord de l’Eyjafjörður. Elle vous révélera une saisissante palette de couleurs : l’eau azurée du port, les sorbiers mordorés sur les places et les demeures aux teintes éclatantes dans le centre historique. Le long des rues pavées, vous découvrirez une myriade de terrasses au mobilier de bois. Un vaste escalier taillé dans la colline mène à l’emblématique église Akureyrarkirkja. À proximité, le très beau jardin botanique, favorisé par un microclimat, est l'occasion de découvrir la flore islandaise mais aussi d'admirer des plantes venues du monde entier.
12 août 2022 - Isafjördur
Arrivée 12/08/2022 en début de matinée
Départ 12/08/2022 en début d'après-midi
Votre navire vous mènera au cœur des fjords du nord-ouest de l’Islande, terre sauvage faite de vallées perdues et de falaises vertigineuses, où l’homme a peine à exister. Dans cette région très isolée, le fjord d’Isafjörður est sans conteste l’un des plus beaux du pays, notamment grâce à ses reliefs dessinés par de nombreuses coulées basaltiques très anciennes. La ville d’Isafjörður, nichée au fond du fjord, est un ravissant petit bourg vivant exclusivement de la pêche. Capitale des fjords de l’ouest, son quartier ancien aux maisons de bois rappelle son passé de grand port de pêche.
13 août 2022 - Heimaey, îles Vestmann
Arrivée 13/08/2022 en milieu de journée
Départ 13/08/2022 en début de soirée
Cette terre ancrée au large de la côte australe islandaise est la plus vaste des îles Vestmann et la seule habitée de l’archipel. Des volcans escarpés Eldfell et Helgafell aux verdoyantes prairies du volcan Herjólfsdalur, elle vous révélera une nature riche en contrastes. Sur la route de Stórhöfði, vous surplomberez des plages de sable gris et des falaises sculptées par l’océan Arctique ; vous verrez par la même occasion des landes mordorées au sommet des montagnes. Vous pourrez également découvrir le musée Eldheimar, un lieu ultramoderne et interactif qui fait revivre de façon saisissante l’éruption volcanique qu’a connue Heimaey en 1973.
14 août 2022 15 août 2022 - Reykjavík
Arrivée 14/08/2022 en début de matinée
Débarquement 15/08/2022 à 07:00
La capitale islandaise s’étend au bord d’une vaste baie, dans l’ouest du pays. Sur la colline d’Oskjuhlið, le musée Perlan offre une vue panoramique sur les quartiers verdoyants. Un peu plus loin, on repère aisément la flèche de l’église évangélique Hallgrímskirkja : elle indique le centre historique, telle une invitation à flâner le long de Skólavördustígur et de Laugavegur, deux rues animées aux charmantes petites boutiques. Aux portes de la ville, la péninsule de Reykjanes qui compte les insolites bassins thermaux du Lagon bleu, est la promesse d'un agréable moment de détente.
The Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Upon leaving Grundarfjordur, your journey will take you through several small fishing villages along the famous Snæfellsjökull glacier-capped volcano. After a stop at Djupalonssandur, take a short refreshing walk to the shore of the Atlantic Ocean.
You will enjoy a unique experience discovering this fabulous and mystical glacier, which was made popular in 1864 by the French writer Jules Verne in his novel A Journey to the Center of the Earth, where he located the entrance to the subterranean journey inside the Snæfellsjökull crater: “Here we had entered the Earth by one volcano, and we had come out by another. And this other was situated more than twelve hundred leagues from Sneffels, from that drear country of Iceland cast away on the confines of the Earth…”
Afterwards, you will pass the cliffs of Londrangar on the way to the tiny fishing village of Arnarstapi, which offers splendid multicolor lava formations and an abundance of bird-life.
After a walk around, you will return to your ship through Budir, famous for its beautiful surroundings of black lava and its long beach of yellow sand. Continue over Frodarheidi Heath to the north coast of the peninsula and back to Grundarfjordur.
- This excursion includes walking on uneven but essentially flat terrain. We recommend you wear a wind and waterproof jacket, bring a warm pullover and wear comfortable walking shoes, as the terrain can be slippery and steep. Please note that sites may be visited in a different order.
Inclus
Selon disponibilités, tarif par passager.
The Splendors of Lake Myvatn
From the pier, your coach heads southeast toward Lake Myvatn, situated between dormant Hverfell to the east and a protected nesting area to the northwest that is home to tens of thousands of birds, including dozens of species of duck. The area around the lake is a stunning collection of geological treasures.
You pause first at the geothermal field of Namaskard, full of mudpots, steam vents, sulfur deposits, boiling springs and fumaroles. Next is the remarkable landscape of Dimmuborgir, where you will explore the wondrously surreal structures left behind when a massive lava lake collapsed into the marshes below. (This fantasy world was featured in HBO's Game of Thrones as the background of the Wilding camp.)
Lunch will be served in one of the local restaurants in Skutustadir, and you will have the opportunity to walk among the large number of pseudo-craters for which this small town is known.
After lunch, your coach heads back toward Akureyri, stopping along the way at Godafoss. Legend has it that in the year 1000, Thorgeir, chieftain of the Ljosavatn district and Lawspeaker of the ancient parliament, signaled his decision to adopt Christianity by throwing his statues of the pagan gods into the Falls. Hence the name Godafoss ("Waterfall of the Gods").
- For this moderate excursion, we recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes (the terrain can be slippery), a wind and waterproof jacket and take a warm pullover. Please be aware that the order of the visits may be reversed.
Inclus
Selon disponibilités, tarif par passager.
Traditions of the Westfjords Peninsula
Your excursion begins with a drive along a narrow coastal road to the tiny town of Bolungarvik and to the Osvor Fisherman's Hut. Consisting of a series of old turf-and-stone fishing shacks restored in 1988, the hut houses a variety of relics that tell the story of how arduous life was for the men and women who eked out an existence by catching and salting fish before the technological innovations of the 20th century.
The village of Bolungarvik itself is nestled in the heart of a spectacular bay surrounded by mountains and bathed by the Isafjardardjup or "Djup" fjord, the largest on the Westfjords Peninsula. The nearby Hólskirkja ("church on the hill") contains several interesting pieces, including two grand bells meant to drive away the demons who live on the heath. Your visit here features a short musical program of traditional Icelandic folk songs performed by a local group of singers.
On your return to Isafjördur, pass through the historic old town and its 18th-century buildings to reach the Maritime Museum. The museum is a monument in itself, comprising several buildings that date to the 1780s. As you browse the collections, you will enjoy a tasting of local specialties such as Schnapps, dried fish and locally canned fish cooked the Icelandic way.
- For this excursion, we advise you to wear comfortable shoes, to protect yourself from the sun and to bring a warm and waterproof jacket. Please note the order of the visits may change.
Inclus
Selon disponibilités, tarif par passager.
Beluga Whale Sanctuary
No more than a 10-minute walk from the ship you will discover the world's first Beluga Whale Sanctuary. In pursuit of their mission to protect marine wildlife, the Sea Life Trust, a UK charity, founded this sanctuary as an alternative to confining captive belugas in aquariums. There are currently two resident whales in the sanctuary, transported from Shanghai, China in 2019. You will explore the sanctuary's Visitor Center, which includes an aquarium of local marine life, and you will also learn about the work of the Puffin Rescue Center, which is attached to the sanctuary. Your tour of the shoreside facilities is followed by a short boat ride to the sanctuary itself, where you will see the whales in their private bay, as you observe from a safe and discreet distance.
- This is an easy excursion, involving less than a half mile total walking over paved paths. We recommend comfortable shoes, a wind and waterproof jacket, a hat and sunglasses. You may also wish to bring an extra layer for the boat ride.
Inclus
Selon disponibilités, tarif par passager.
The Volcanic Island of Heimaey
The largest of Iceland's Westman Islands, Heimaey serves as summer home to millions of seabirds — puffin, fulmar, guillemot and others — whose eggs have traditionally been an important source of food for the islanders. You will observe many of them nesting on the tall cliffs that surround the harbor as your motorcoach sets off on an exploration of this rugged outpost in the North Atlantic.
Your route takes you first through the Herjólfsdalur Valley, where ruins of old farmhouses, some dating back to the 7th century, are found. Continue along the scenic western coast, where you can view the outer islands of the archipelago. The youngest of these, Surtsey, was formed in a volcanic eruption in 1963; it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Stop briefly at the puffin nesting ground of Stórhöfði for magnificent views over the island before the route back to the harbor takes you between two volcanic craters, the 5,000 year old Helgafell, “Holy Mountain”, and the considerably younger Eldfell, “Fire Mountain.” Eldfell erupted in 1973, forcing an evacuation of the entire population. During the six-month eruption, a massive operation was mounted to slow and control the lava flow by pumping seawater and spraying the leading edge. Although many houses were destroyed, the effort was successful in preventing the harbor from being closed. This story is documented in the recently opened Eldheimar Museum, where you will have the opportunity to see the excavated remains of a house buried for 40 years in ash.
- We recommend you wear good and comfortable walking shoes and dress in layers. The walk up to the viewpoint at Stórhöfði is very steep and can be slippery.
Inclus
Selon disponibilités, tarif par passager.
Iceland's Golden Circle
This classic excursion encompasses Iceland's “Big Three” attractions—Thingvellir, Gullfoss and Geysir. Collectively known as the Golden Circle, these sites, within easy driving distance of Reykjavik, provide an overview of the scenic wonder for which Iceland is justly renowned.
Your journey begins with a drive inland to Thingvellir National Park, which ranks at the top of Iceland's most visited places and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004. Occupying a vast lava plain of green moss and wild flowers, Thingvellir has been revered by Icelanders since the year 930, when the oldest legislative body in history, the Althing, first convened here. During your visit, take special note of the Law Speaker's rock and of the remains of the turf shelters that were once used as dwellings during the two-week assemblies of the Althing at the height of summer every other year.
Leaving Thingvellir your tour continues over Lyngdalsheidi heath and through the fertile farmlands to the south, where you discover the most beautiful waterfall of the country, the "Golden Waterfall" of Gullfoss. This is where the river Hvita drops 96 feet in two cascades, creating an awesome spectacle.
At the Geysir area, you will encounter a remarkable collection of hissing hot springs, bubbling mud puts and geysers. "Strokkur," the most active geyser, spouts water and steam every few minutes. Here, amid these remarkable geothermal phenomena, enjoy a buffet lunch of soups, salads, meats and vegetables.
After lunch, return to Hafnarfjördur through the Grimsnes region, stopping in Hveragerdi, where geothermal energy has been used to power an extensive greenhouse industry. Continue to the Pearl, a glass dome built atop giant tanks that store hot water for metropolitan Reykjavik. The Pearl's viewing deck affords panoramic views of the city.
- For this moderate excursion, we recommend you wear comfortable shoes, a wind and waterproof jacket, a hat and sunglasses and you take a warm pullover. Please be aware that the order of the visits may be altered.
Inclus
Selon disponibilités, tarif par passager.
Le Bellot
Comme les autres navires de la série des PONANT EXPLORERS, Le Bellot a été conçu pour apporter un confort absolu à ses passagers, même au cœur des régions du monde les plus reculées.
Lignes racées, équipements de pointe, design raffiné, ambiance à la fois feutrée et conviviale, nombre restreint de cabines participent à la modernité du Bellot, unique sur le marché de la croisière.
Jusqu'à 184 passagers
92 cabines & suites
118 membres d'équipage
Spa
2 restaurants
Les ponts
Shore excursion or activity in each port of call + transfers included
PONANT have organised the following included programme for you, which starts the day of embarkation.
Included Features:
- Transfers and luggage handling from the airport in Reykjavík to the ship on the day of embarkation
- Comprehensive 7-night cruise aboard the deluxe Le Bellot, with all the amenities for which PONANT ships are famous
- One included shore excursion or activity in each port of call (see “Itinerary” for more information and choice of excursions, if applicable)
- Transfer from the ship to the airport in Reykjavík at the end of the cruise on the morning of disembarkation
Not included:
- Independent meals and beverages ashore
- Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, etc.)
Notes:
- This voyage is offered on a space available basis
- Programme is subject to change without notice
Conférencier
À bord de votre navire, un conférencier francophone vous propose un éclairage culturel et historique pour approfondir votre connaissance de la destination : origine des traditions locales, histoire des sites emblématiques, évocation de personnages célèbres et des grandes épopées historiques…. Lors de conférences à bord ou de vos sorties à terre, cet expert vous accompagnera tout au long de votre croisière PONANT pour partager avec vous son précieux savoir.
Nos prestations complémentaires
The Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Upon leaving Grundarfjordur, your journey will take you through several small fishing villages along the famous Snæfellsjökull glacier-capped volcano. After a stop at Djupalonssandur, take a short refreshing walk to the shore of the Atlantic Ocean.
You will enjoy a unique experience discovering this fabulous and mystical glacier, which was made popular in 1864 by the French writer Jules Verne in his novel A Journey to the Center of the Earth, where he located the entrance to the subterranean journey inside the Snæfellsjökull crater: “Here we had entered the Earth by one volcano, and we had come out by another. And this other was situated more than twelve hundred leagues from Sneffels, from that drear country of Iceland cast away on the confines of the Earth…”
Afterwards, you will pass the cliffs of Londrangar on the way to the tiny fishing village of Arnarstapi, which offers splendid multicolor lava formations and an abundance of bird-life.
After a walk around, you will return to your ship through Budir, famous for its beautiful surroundings of black lava and its long beach of yellow sand. Continue over Frodarheidi Heath to the north coast of the peninsula and back to Grundarfjordur.
- This excursion includes walking on uneven but essentially flat terrain. We recommend you wear a wind and waterproof jacket, bring a warm pullover and wear comfortable walking shoes, as the terrain can be slippery and steep. Please note that sites may be visited in a different order.
Inclus
Selon disponibilités, tarif par passager.
The Splendors of Lake Myvatn
From the pier, your coach heads southeast toward Lake Myvatn, situated between dormant Hverfell to the east and a protected nesting area to the northwest that is home to tens of thousands of birds, including dozens of species of duck. The area around the lake is a stunning collection of geological treasures.
You pause first at the geothermal field of Namaskard, full of mudpots, steam vents, sulfur deposits, boiling springs and fumaroles. Next is the remarkable landscape of Dimmuborgir, where you will explore the wondrously surreal structures left behind when a massive lava lake collapsed into the marshes below. (This fantasy world was featured in HBO's Game of Thrones as the background of the Wilding camp.)
Lunch will be served in one of the local restaurants in Skutustadir, and you will have the opportunity to walk among the large number of pseudo-craters for which this small town is known.
After lunch, your coach heads back toward Akureyri, stopping along the way at Godafoss. Legend has it that in the year 1000, Thorgeir, chieftain of the Ljosavatn district and Lawspeaker of the ancient parliament, signaled his decision to adopt Christianity by throwing his statues of the pagan gods into the Falls. Hence the name Godafoss ("Waterfall of the Gods").
- For this moderate excursion, we recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes (the terrain can be slippery), a wind and waterproof jacket and take a warm pullover. Please be aware that the order of the visits may be reversed.
Inclus
Selon disponibilités, tarif par passager.
Traditions of the Westfjords Peninsula
Your excursion begins with a drive along a narrow coastal road to the tiny town of Bolungarvik and to the Osvor Fisherman's Hut. Consisting of a series of old turf-and-stone fishing shacks restored in 1988, the hut houses a variety of relics that tell the story of how arduous life was for the men and women who eked out an existence by catching and salting fish before the technological innovations of the 20th century.
The village of Bolungarvik itself is nestled in the heart of a spectacular bay surrounded by mountains and bathed by the Isafjardardjup or "Djup" fjord, the largest on the Westfjords Peninsula. The nearby Hólskirkja ("church on the hill") contains several interesting pieces, including two grand bells meant to drive away the demons who live on the heath. Your visit here features a short musical program of traditional Icelandic folk songs performed by a local group of singers.
On your return to Isafjördur, pass through the historic old town and its 18th-century buildings to reach the Maritime Museum. The museum is a monument in itself, comprising several buildings that date to the 1780s. As you browse the collections, you will enjoy a tasting of local specialties such as Schnapps, dried fish and locally canned fish cooked the Icelandic way.
- For this excursion, we advise you to wear comfortable shoes, to protect yourself from the sun and to bring a warm and waterproof jacket. Please note the order of the visits may change.
Inclus
Selon disponibilités, tarif par passager.
Beluga Whale Sanctuary
No more than a 10-minute walk from the ship you will discover the world's first Beluga Whale Sanctuary. In pursuit of their mission to protect marine wildlife, the Sea Life Trust, a UK charity, founded this sanctuary as an alternative to confining captive belugas in aquariums. There are currently two resident whales in the sanctuary, transported from Shanghai, China in 2019. You will explore the sanctuary's Visitor Center, which includes an aquarium of local marine life, and you will also learn about the work of the Puffin Rescue Center, which is attached to the sanctuary. Your tour of the shoreside facilities is followed by a short boat ride to the sanctuary itself, where you will see the whales in their private bay, as you observe from a safe and discreet distance.
- This is an easy excursion, involving less than a half mile total walking over paved paths. We recommend comfortable shoes, a wind and waterproof jacket, a hat and sunglasses. You may also wish to bring an extra layer for the boat ride.
Inclus
Selon disponibilités, tarif par passager.
The Volcanic Island of Heimaey
The largest of Iceland's Westman Islands, Heimaey serves as summer home to millions of seabirds — puffin, fulmar, guillemot and others — whose eggs have traditionally been an important source of food for the islanders. You will observe many of them nesting on the tall cliffs that surround the harbor as your motorcoach sets off on an exploration of this rugged outpost in the North Atlantic.
Your route takes you first through the Herjólfsdalur Valley, where ruins of old farmhouses, some dating back to the 7th century, are found. Continue along the scenic western coast, where you can view the outer islands of the archipelago. The youngest of these, Surtsey, was formed in a volcanic eruption in 1963; it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Stop briefly at the puffin nesting ground of Stórhöfði for magnificent views over the island before the route back to the harbor takes you between two volcanic craters, the 5,000 year old Helgafell, “Holy Mountain”, and the considerably younger Eldfell, “Fire Mountain.” Eldfell erupted in 1973, forcing an evacuation of the entire population. During the six-month eruption, a massive operation was mounted to slow and control the lava flow by pumping seawater and spraying the leading edge. Although many houses were destroyed, the effort was successful in preventing the harbor from being closed. This story is documented in the recently opened Eldheimar Museum, where you will have the opportunity to see the excavated remains of a house buried for 40 years in ash.
- We recommend you wear good and comfortable walking shoes and dress in layers. The walk up to the viewpoint at Stórhöfði is very steep and can be slippery.
Inclus
Selon disponibilités, tarif par passager.
Iceland's Golden Circle
This classic excursion encompasses Iceland's “Big Three” attractions—Thingvellir, Gullfoss and Geysir. Collectively known as the Golden Circle, these sites, within easy driving distance of Reykjavik, provide an overview of the scenic wonder for which Iceland is justly renowned.
Your journey begins with a drive inland to Thingvellir National Park, which ranks at the top of Iceland's most visited places and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004. Occupying a vast lava plain of green moss and wild flowers, Thingvellir has been revered by Icelanders since the year 930, when the oldest legislative body in history, the Althing, first convened here. During your visit, take special note of the Law Speaker's rock and of the remains of the turf shelters that were once used as dwellings during the two-week assemblies of the Althing at the height of summer every other year.
Leaving Thingvellir your tour continues over Lyngdalsheidi heath and through the fertile farmlands to the south, where you discover the most beautiful waterfall of the country, the "Golden Waterfall" of Gullfoss. This is where the river Hvita drops 96 feet in two cascades, creating an awesome spectacle.
At the Geysir area, you will encounter a remarkable collection of hissing hot springs, bubbling mud puts and geysers. "Strokkur," the most active geyser, spouts water and steam every few minutes. Here, amid these remarkable geothermal phenomena, enjoy a buffet lunch of soups, salads, meats and vegetables.
After lunch, return to Hafnarfjördur through the Grimsnes region, stopping in Hveragerdi, where geothermal energy has been used to power an extensive greenhouse industry. Continue to the Pearl, a glass dome built atop giant tanks that store hot water for metropolitan Reykjavik. The Pearl's viewing deck affords panoramic views of the city.
- For this moderate excursion, we recommend you wear comfortable shoes, a wind and waterproof jacket, a hat and sunglasses and you take a warm pullover. Please be aware that the order of the visits may be altered.
Inclus
Selon disponibilités, tarif par passager.