The Hornstrandir Panorama day tour in Hornstrandir Nature Reserve is excellent. The Nature Reserve is an extraordinary place at the northern tip of the Westfjords. It is close to the Arctic Circle, and the only way to get there is by boat.

No permanent residents have been on the peninsula since the early fifties, so it’s raw and untouched.

This tour is a perfect way to explore Hornstrandir if one day is all you have. We explore a very remote part of the peninsula, including pristine hiking, breathtaking views and diverse wildlife. To top it off, we have a delicious home-cooked dinner in a beautifully restored farmhouse initially built in 1921.

An Arctic Fox family has had their den in the farmhouse’s backyard for years, and the cubs usually get curious when guests appear.

We meet at our office in Aðalstræti 17 (downtown main street) half an hour before departure for a briefing, where we will answer any questions and make final preparations. We depart at 9 am from the harbour in Ísafjörður on our passenger ferry Bjarmi.

After about an hour of scenic boat ride over fjords and along mountain cliffs, we will be dropped off at Ádalir valley or Steig in Veiðileysufjörður fjord.

Then a gentle hike takes us up the valley, over streams and through flower fields, where there are no trails or other signs of human presence. We’ll reach an elevation of around 460 meters and enjoy a fantastic view of the surrounding fjords. Somewhere along the way, we’ll stop by a small stream for a well-earned lunch (please bring your favourite snacks or a sandwich).

In the afternoon, we descend Kvíadalur valley to the old farmhouse at Kvíar. At Kvíar, you can relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings while your guide prepares a delicious dinner.

After dinner, the boat will collect us, and we will arrive back in Ísafjörður at approximately 7 pm.

This itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change depending on the weather and the group’s ability.

Meeting point: Our base in Aðalstræti 17 (downtown main street) in Ísafjörður.

Departure: 09:00 am. Be there half an hour before departure time.

Departures: We have departures every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

Minimum age: 12 years.

Group size: We need a minimum of 4 participants to operate the tour. The maximum group size is 10, but most tours are between 4 and 6 people.

Trip Difficulty: Moderate.

Duration of trip: 10 hours.

Included: Boat ride, professional guide and delicious homemade dinner.