Day 1. Arrival
Individual transfer by Flybus shuttle from Keflavik International airport to your accommodation in Reykjavik where you spend the night.
Day 2. Reykjavík Sightseeing - Borgarfjörđur Saga Valley
Your winter journey through Iceland begins with the many attractions of the capital, before heading out into nature. The day runs as follows:
• First you will meet your guide and take a tour of some of Reykjavík's best attractions
• Then it is time to head out of town and into the incredible Icelandic landscape
• Next it is on to the
Borgarfjörđur valley – you will learn why the valley is strongly connected to the Sagas and Icelandic history
• Climbing up the
Grábrók volcano crater you will see the effect of volcanic activity on the landscape
• You will also visit
Deildartunguhver – Europe's most powerful hot spring
• And you will get to see the
Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls
• The day's journey ends with the first of two nights in
Icelandair Hotel Hamar
• Along the way you will be given a lecture on Aurora Borealis – the incredible
Northern Lights
• The day ends with a guided stroll where, if conditions are right, you may experience the dancing lights of the Aurora Borealis in the night sky
Day 3. Snćfellsnes Peninsula - Lava Cave
A day exploring some of the stunning
Snćfellsnes Peninsula – “the peninsula of the snowy mountain“, juts out from Iceland’s west coast, like a long arm with a clenched fist at its tip:
• At
Bjarnarhöfn, a classic taste of Iceland awaits the brave – it is your chance to try Iceland's notorious fermented shark
• Depending on road and weather conditions, you will visit the fishing village of
Grundarfjörđur, a place with an impressive coastline and mountains, lakes and waterfalls behind the village. Jutting out into the bay rises one of the most photographed mountains in Iceland,
Mt. Kirkjufell
• Experience the area from below, inside
Vatnshellir cave. We take you 35 meters underground and about 200 meters into the lava tube under the glacier Snćfellsjökull!
• On the way back the guide gives you some practical tips on how to photograph the Auroras as part of the Northern Lights Academy program
• Again your day ends by heading out in search of the Northern Lights – or hoping they come to you as you relax in a hot tub under the stars
Day 4. The Golden Circle - Geothermal Taste - Icelandic Horses
Today is dedicated to the classic tour of Iceland's most famous destinations – the Golden Circle. You will get a special culinary treat using geothermal energy, as well as an insight into the unique qualities of the Icelandic horse. The schedule includes:
• A drive through the dramatic
Hvalfjörđur fjord, with views across the water
• The first stop is at an
Icelandic wool outlet store, to see what they do with all those sheep!
•
Ţingvellir National Park – perhaps Iceland's most important historical area, it is full of geological and cultural interest – both as the site of the first parliament and the meeting point of two tectonic plates
•
Geysir - an otherworldly landscape of bubbling pools, hot springs and the geyser Strokkur, which erupts high into the air every few minutes
•
A special taste of geothermal cooking in a geothermal area – the chef of the Restaurant Geysir invites you to taste freshly baked hot spring bread served with Icelandic butter, boiled eggs and herring
•
Gullfoss – Iceland's most famous waterfall thunders into the Hvítá river with a deafening roar
• An insight into the
Icelandic horse – you will learn about the history of these distinctive animals and the unique five gaits that makes them special
• A visit to a
geothermal greenhouse – geothermal energy is great for horticulture and heated greenhouses make an unusual sight in the bare landscape
As usual, your day ends by looking up into the dark skies and hoping the Northern Lights will show themselves. And you can always spend the time in a hot tub just enjoying the view.
Day 5. Natural Wonders of South Iceland & Eyjafjallajökull Volcano
A packed day checking out the South coast's classic natural treasures: volcanoes, waterfalls, glaciers and icebergs. The highlights include:
• At the
Lava & Volcano Exhibition Center, we learn about geology and active volcanoes.
•
Skógafoss waterfall – at 60 metres high one of Iceland's most famous waterfalls
• A visit to a
folk museum – offering an outstanding collection of farm and domestic artefacts from Iceland’s past and several turf-built houses
• In the afternoon we take a stroll on the black lava beach and along bird cliffs at
Reynisfjara beach in South Iceland.
• The next two nights near
Kirkjubćjarklaustur in Vatnajökull National park region
As you head back to the hotel you have another chance to encounter the dramatic beauty of the Northern Lights.
Day 6. Vatnajökull National Park & Glacier including Glacial Lagoon and Diamond Beach
Today’s program is all about glaciers, ice and icebergs:
• Your first stop is
Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon – one of Iceland's most famous natural jewels, where icebergs of all sizes float in the freezing blue waters and sometimes seals appear
• You can walk on the black sandy beach, the so-called
Diamond beach, where large icebergs get stranded
• Next – a visit at
Hof, where there is a tiny turf church – a glimpse into the rural past
• Spend time at Europe’s largest national park, which has Iceland’s highest mountains, an alpine environment, and Europe’s largest glacier
• At the end of the day you can enjoy a further video presentation about the Northern Lights, as part of the Northern Lights Academy program
Before you go to sleep, you can step out into the peaceful darkness and search the heavens for the dancing colors of the Northern Lights.
Optional Ice Cave Tour offered between November 15th and March 15th
The tour takes about 2,5 hours in total – a 30-minute drive by 4×4 vehicle from the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and 5-15 minutes hike (one-way). You spend about one hour inside the ice cave. You need good hiking boots, warm clothing that keeps you dry from the dripping water in the ice cave. Minimum age is 10 years old. The ice cave tour can be booked on day 2 of Northern Lights Exploration tour. The ice cave explorers meet their local guide at the glacier lagoon and will be brought back to the hotel after the ice cave tour, while the rest of the group continues the official tour program. The ice cave explorers will miss out on some of the official tour programs, as there is no time for everything, but the stop and visit at the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon are included for all group members.
Price per person ISK 23.000.-
Day 7. South Shore, Reykjavík & Blue Lagoon
The last full day of your amazing journey reveals more natural treasures, ending in the world-famous geothermal waters of the
Blue Lagoon. The day includes:
• Head across the
Eldhraun lava field to the village of Vík, where we make a photo stop. The black lava beach with high bird cliffs and pounding waves is awe-inspiring
• Visit the picturesque waterfall
Seljalandsfoss – there is a trail that takes you behind the waterfall if you don´t mind getting wet!
• In the afternoon you get to soak in the famous
Blue Lagoon. We reach Reykjavík around dinner time for one last night.
Day 8. Departure
Individual transfer by Flybus airport shuttle from your accommodation in Reykjavík to Keflavík airport
The price depends on your selection.