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Enjoy the breathtaking landscape and rich wildlife that Hornstrandir Nature Reserve has to offer on this family-friendly excursion.
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This tour will take us in search of the charming and elusive Arctic Foxes that inhabit the emerald hills of the isolated Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. Hornstrandir is one of the few places that the Arctic Fox can live and raise its young in peace, without fear of falling prey to hunters and habitat change – making it perfect for nature and wildlife lovers alike.
The day begins in our Service Center for a briefing, where we will answer any questions and make final preparations. We depart at 9 am from the harbor in Ísafjörður on our passenger ferry it takes around an hour to reach the nature reserve. Along the way, we’ll see the majestic fjords in all their glory, including towering mountains, rolling green hills, and the craggy cliffs that overlook their sparkling blue waters.
The boat will drop us at the Kviar farmhouse, giving us an entire day to enjoy the untouched nature reserve. Your guide will tell you about how people have managed to survive in such an isolated location, and we’ll go in search of the playful Arctic Foxes that inhabit the area.
We’ll try to tailor the rest of the day to what the group wants – we may go for a short hike and enjoy some spectacular vistas over the surrounding area, explore the area behind the farmhouse which hosts a number of gorgeous waterfalls or simply relax near the farmhouse, and breathe in some of the cleanest air in the entire world. We’ll have a traditional Icelandic picnic for lunch, and you’ll be free to spend the afternoon appreciating the majestic scenery.
A family of Arctic Foxes has had a den close to our farm house for a number of years – making it the perfect place to spot them. The foxes in Hornstrandir are much friendlier to humans than mainland foxes, meaning that we can get really close to them. The experience is especially good in the summer, when the adorable young cubs, venture out into the open to play and explore their surroundings. Many of our guests snap excellent photos during the tour and we highly recommend bringing a camera.
During this time, your guide will prepare an authentic Icelandic dinner, which we’ll eat together in the farmhouse, discussing all the magical things that we’ve seen, and learning more about the farmhouse. The boat will pick us up at around 19:00 and we’ll return to Ísafjörður at about 20:00.
Our Service Center (white container), Ísafjörður Harbour. Please arrive no later than 8:30 AM. The itinerary may change according to weather conditions and the ability of the group.
Rental car is the ideal option, specially during the summer season. The whole road from Reykjavik to Isafjordur is asphalted. Another option is booking a flight from the domestic airport in Reykjavik.
Yes, there are about 54 bird species that breed in the West Fjords. Other popular sightings include mink, seals, whales and dolphins.
