Iceland Ocean Cruise Walking & Hiking Tour

Couples, Friends & Solos

Small Group Adventures for:

Couples, Friends & Solos Adults 18+

Women's Adventures Women 18+

Families with Young Adults 20s & Beyond Best for ages 20+ (min. age 18)

Families with Older Teens & 20s Best for ages 17-23 (min. age 14)

Families with Teens & Kids Best for ages 9-17 (min. age 4)

From $9,099 - $14,599 /person

8 days

7 nights

Activity Levels 1-2

We categorize our trips based on a range of activity levels from leisurely (1) to avid (5) with plenty of options in between.

Small Luxury Ship

Premiere Hotels - From lavish luxury to on-trend boutique, offering experiences as unique as the regions we explore.

Casual Plus Hotels - A step above Casual but not quite Premiere.

Casual Hotels - Known for their character, charm and proximity to outdoor adventures and Backroads activities.

Small Luxury Ships - Unpack once and cover more distance on an intimate ship with spacious staterooms and superb amenities.

Iceland Ocean Cruise Walking & Hiking Tour

Couples, Friends & Solos

Small Group Adventures for:

Couples, Friends & Solos Adults 18+

Women's Adventures Women 18+

Families with Young Adults 20s & Beyond Best for ages 20+ (min. age 18)

Families with Older Teens & 20s Best for ages 17-23 (min. age 14)

Families with Teens & Kids Best for ages 9-17 (min. age 4)

8 days

7 nights

Activity Levels 1-2

We categorize our trips based on a range of activity levels from leisurely (1) to avid (5) with plenty of options in between.

Small Luxury Ship

Premiere Hotels - From lavish luxury to on-trend boutique, offering experiences as unique as the regions we explore.

Casual Plus Hotels - A step above Casual but not quite Premiere.

Casual Hotels - Known for their character, charm and proximity to outdoor adventures and Backroads activities.

Small Luxury Ships - Unpack once and cover more distance on an intimate ship with spacious staterooms and superb amenities.

2025: Jun-Aug

From $9,099 - $14,599 /person

Passage to the Land of Fire & Ice

Discover Iceland as the Vikings did... by sea! Aboard a luxury ship, journey toward the Arctic Circle. Sojourn on secluded islands with vast puffin colonies. Cruise down magnificent fjords toward unspoiled wilderness. Venture inland to explore the wild volcanic landscape. Feel your own saga unfold as you glide effortlessly through Nordic waters.

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Highlights

  • Hike amid ancient volcanoes, bizarre rock formations, thundering waterfalls and pristine fjords as you voyage near the Arctic Circle
  • Experience outings exclusive to Backroads guests through dramatic landscapes and on secluded islands with cliff-nesting birds
  • Rejuvenate in mineral-rich thermal pools, venture near steaming mud pots and hidden cascades and witness geothermal power in action
  • Indulge in the luxury of the intimate Ponant superyacht—with fine French cuisine, open-air lounges and spa treatments

See our Active Cruise Terms & Conditions.

Iceland Ocean Cruise Map

Iceland

Start/End Reykjavík

Airports & Travel details*

* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.

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Itinerary

Days 1-2

Description

Begin your adventure in Thingvellir National Park • Trek through a geothermal valley past bubbling mud pots • Be swept away by magnificent Snæfellsjökull National Park • On foot, discover Iceland's quintessential landscapes, including seaside cliffs, otherworldly rock formations and rolling farmlands • Keep an eye out for kittiwakes, gulls and arctic terns • While our ship sails, grab a pair of binoculars and search for whales and seabirds.

Accommodations

Nights 1-7

Ponant Ship
Select a departure date for your ship details

These luxurious and sleek vessels have an intimate French atmosphere and boast an open-air bar, three lounges and a team of master chefs crafting gourmet dishes. A Condé Nast Traveler and Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report Readers’ Choice cruise line. (pool, spa)

View sample deck plans

Days 3-4

Description

Greet one of the largest colonies of Iceland's most famous seabird, the Atlantic puffin (making their home here during April through August) • The vibrant green and grassy island of Grímsey is home to more than 60 species of birds • Marvel at beautiful basalt columns created when heavy lava flow met with the cold sea • Peek into Grjótagjá Lava Cave—a brilliant cavern where scenes of Game of Thrones were filmed • Take in the views of serene and surreal Lake Mývatn.

Accommodations

Nights 1-7

Ponant Ship
Select a departure date for your ship details

These luxurious and sleek vessels have an intimate French atmosphere and boast an open-air bar, three lounges and a team of master chefs crafting gourmet dishes. A Condé Nast Traveler and Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report Readers’ Choice cruise line. (pool, spa)

View sample deck plans

Days 5-8

Description

Explore the charming fishing village of Grundarfjörður, admiring views of the largest fjord in the Westfjords • Hike through a spectacular ravine with a mighty waterfall • Amble through the bustling fishing town of Ísafjördur • At Heimaey, climb to the crater rim of Eldfell Volcano, where panoramic vistas await • Cruise to one of the country's most active geothermal regions • Trek near the active volcano of Mount Hengill • Hike along steaming waterfalls and take a dip in thermal waters • Head further into the breathtaking Reykjadalur Valley, past bubbling mud pots and a hidden cascade • Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on board before bidding farewell and disembarking in Reykjavík or Hafnarfjördur.

Accommodations

Nights 1-7

Ponant Ship
Select a departure date for your ship details

These luxurious and sleek vessels have an intimate French atmosphere and boast an open-air bar, three lounges and a team of master chefs crafting gourmet dishes. A Condé Nast Traveler and Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report Readers’ Choice cruise line. (pool, spa)

View sample deck plans

What's Included

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Straight Talk

We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Ships

The ships we sail on are like floating luxury hotels, so you can visit a new destination each day without touching your suitcase once you've settled in. Our ships are custom‐designed with a variety of inviting spaces that offer plenty of room for both relaxing and socializing. These ships are vastly smaller than most cruise ships, with up to just 150 passengers on our river trips and up to only 250 on our ocean trips.

Backroads Support on Board & on Shore

We sail with up to 30 Backroads guests per group. Occasionally there may be more than one Backroads group onboard and you may cross paths with the other group on routes or at restaurants. When this occurs, each group will have their own dedicated onboard Backroads leaders.

Backroads Cruising Life

If you're new to Backroads active cruise trips, there are a few things you need to know. Although our average group size is larger than a typical Backroads tour, our ship-based trips feel smaller and much more intimate than a typical cruise.

Additionally, even with an itinerary subject to fixed nautical schedules, we get out and explore far beyond the cruise norm. Although our time ashore may be shorter than an average Backroads Hotel trip, you still have the option to select a route that matches your pace. In larger cities, you can decide to shift gears and opt for less active sightseeing activities. It's important to note, our time ashore can be limited due to changes in the nautical schedule and ship tendering.

Being onboard a ship provides the benefit of being able to take advantage of ship amenities: the fitness room, spa, sauna and swimming pool. In addition, there is the opportunity to relax in the inviting common spaces or the privacy of your room, complete with balcony. Your Trip Leaders will have information on the array of options to choose from.

If having longer routes or more flexibility to explore is important for you, we recommend choosing one of our River Cruise or Hotel trips. If you love meeting new people and having more time to relax aboard the ship, and enjoy the ease of unpacking once, you'll love our approach to active ocean cruising. Nobody does it like we do.​

Meals

On our active cruises, we seek out diversity by including regionally authentic and inventive meals for onshore lunches. Most on-ship meals feature French traditional cuisine while other meals, though delightful, feature international cuisine meant to appeal to a wide cross section of passengers and may at times feel more conventional and less reflective of the region than on Backroads Hotel trips.

Stateroom Categories

In contrast to our Hotel trips, which typically have similar room categories, the Ponant ships offer a wide range of stateroom categories to choose from. The top-tier staterooms often fill fast, so book as early as possible if this is important to you.

Climate & Itinerary Changes

The combination of Iceland's prolific waterfalls, vast ice fields, vibrant green landscape and warm ocean currents makes this island like no other place in the world. The island's climate can be as surprising as its terrain, with weather patterns and microclimates that can bring sun, wind, fog, sleet, rain and snow all in the same day (or hour!). Please be sure to bring warm layers and waterproof gear for every day of the trip.

In addition, the fluctuating weather may result in delays to port departures and trip itinerary changes, but your Backroads Trip Leaders are always prepared to make necessary adjustments to ensure a great trip while keeping safety the top priority. 

Want more information? Download a detailed itinerary.

Itineraries include detailed descriptions of each day, tips on travel arrangements, regional highlights and more. It's the perfect tool to help you choose!

Request itinerary

From $9,099 - $14,599 /person

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Accommodations

Small Ships, Big Adventures

Our small ships feel more like boutique retreats, offering an experience a world away from the typical large cruise.

Ship may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.

Nights 1-7

Ponant Ship
Select a departure date for your ship details

These luxurious and sleek vessels have an intimate French atmosphere and boast an open-air bar, three lounges and a team of master chefs crafting gourmet dishes. A Condé Nast Traveler and Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report Readers’ Choice cruise line. (pool, spa)

View sample deck plans

From $9,099 - $14,599 /person

View Dates
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From $9,099 - $14,599 /person

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Dates & Prices

The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy

Note: You may only reserve one Stateroom Category at this time. Your stateroom will be assigned based on availability. Please contact us if you are interested in booking multiple Stateroom Categories for your party, selecting a specific stateroom, or Single Supplement pricing.

Your guest & room selections

1 adult

1 room, 1 bed

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Looks like you’re traveling with a smaller group

Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.

Please Select a Group Size

Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.

Want more information? Download a detailed itinerary.

Itineraries include detailed descriptions of each day, tips on travel arrangements, regional highlights and more. It's the perfect tool to help you choose!

Request itinerary

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Backroads provides flexible booking policies so that you can plan your vacation with complete peace of mind.

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From $9,099 - $14,599 /person

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