Northern Lights Exploration 2023 - 2024

• Arrival & departure airport transfer by FLYBUS Plus shuttle (no guide)
• 6 days escorted bus tour with English-speaking guide/driver-guide
• 7-nights accommodation in comfort tourist-class hotels including breakfast
• Guided tour into Vatnshellir cave
• Hot spring Tasting with geothermally cooked bread and eggs
• Visit the Settlement Center in Borgarnes
• Visit to Icelandic horse stables & geothermal greenhouse
• Visit Lava Exhibition Center
• Entrance fee to Skógar folk museum and turf houses
• Entrance with towel at Blue Lagoon
• Northern Lights program

• Any private expenses
• Any additional services
• All meals not listed under "included"
• Single supplement (mandatory when in single room)

Day 1. Arrival

Individual transfer by Flybus shuttle from Keflavik International airport to your accommodation in Reykjavik where you spend the night.

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Day 2. Reykjavík Sightseeing - Borgarfjörður 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 Borgarfjörður 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
• The afternoon includes a lecture about Northern Lights – 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

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Day 3. Snæfellsnes Peninsula - Lava Cave

A day exploring some of the stunning Snæfellsnes 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:

• Visit the fishing village of Grundarfjörður, 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

• Visit Arnarstapi and Hellnar before experiencing the area from below, inside Vatnshellir cave. We take you 35 meters underground and about 200 meters into the lava tube under the glacier Snæfellsjökull!
• 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

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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 Hvalfjörður fjord, with views across the water
• The first stop is Þingvellir 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.

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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 Kirkjubæjarklaustur in Vatnajökull National park region, , located in darkness and ideal for Northern Lights search

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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 film presentation about the Northern Lights, as part of the Northern Lights Academy program

Be careful not to go to bed too soon in this remote and quiet location, or you may miss out one more chance of seeing the Northern Lights shimmering and dancing across the night sky.

Optional Ice Cave Tour offered between October-April (weather permitting)

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.

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Day 7. South Shore & 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.

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Day 8. Departure

Individual transfer by Flybus airport shuttle from your accommodation in Reykjavík to Keflavík airport

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September 22, 2023	English		Sold out	Standard Group
September 26, 2023	English			Small Group
October 06, 2023	English		Sold out	Standard Group
October 10, 2023	English			Small Group
October 20, 2023	English		Sold out	Standard Group
October 24, 2023	English			Small Group
October 27, 2023	English			Standard Group
October 31, 2023	English		Sold out	Small Group
November 03, 2023	English		Sold out	Standard Group
November 07, 2023	English			Small Group
November 10, 2023	English			Standard Group
November 14, 2023	English		Sold out	Small Group
November 17, 2023	English			Standard Group
November 21, 2023	English		Sold out	Small Group
November 28, 2023	English			Small Group
December 01, 2023	English			Standard Group
December 05, 2023	English			Small Group
December 08, 2023	English		Sold out	Standard Group
December 12, 2023	English			Small Group
December 15, 2023	English			Standard Group
January 02, 2024	English			Small Group
January 05, 2024	English			Standard Group
January 09, 2024	English			Small Group
January 12, 2024	English			Standard Group
January 16, 2024	English			Small Group
January 19, 2024	English			Standard Group
January 23, 2024	English			Small Group
January 26, 2024	English			Standard Group
January 30, 2024	English			Small Group
February 02, 2024	English			Standard Group
February 06, 2024	English			Small Group
February 09, 2024	English			Standard Group
February 13, 2024	English			Small Group
February 16, 2024	English			Standard Group
February 20, 2024	English			Small Group
February 23, 2024	English			Standard Group
February 27, 2024	English			Small Group
March 01, 2024	English			Standard Group
March 05, 2024	English			Small Group
March 08, 2024	English			Standard Group
March 12, 2024	English			Small Group
March 15, 2024	English			Standard Group
March 19, 2024	English			Small Group
March 22, 2024	English			Standard Group
March 26, 2024	English			Small Group
March 29, 2024	English			Standard Group
April 02, 2024	English			Small Group
April 05, 2024	English			Standard Group

• 20% Deposit
• Cancellation:
• A cancellation fee of 20% of the tour price and accommodation will be retained by us for cancellations made from 4 to 8 weeks before departure.
• A cancellation fee of 50% applies for bookings cancelled 14-28 days prior to tour start.
• No refund is possible for cancellations less than 14 days before departure, or for no shows, and for a tour begun but not completed.
• CHILDREN DISCOUNT: 20% discount for children 8-11 years of age if sharing room with parents. Tour is not recommended for children younger than eight years of age. Triple rooms are double rooms with extra bed and ideal for two adults and one child.

DEPARTURES: From September to April

DURATION: 8 days / 7 nights

LANGUAGES: English

GROUP SIZE:
- Standard group: maximum 40 people
- Small group: maximum 16 people
- Minimum group size: 5 people

Min Age: 8+
Minimum age for Ice Cave tour is 10+.

Complementaries:
Entrance fees
Free Wi-Fi on the bus
Use of ice crampons for shoes
Use of flashlight

Additional Services:
Extra night in Reykjavik before/after the tour - on request
Optional ice cave visit October-April (weather permitting)

Dinner: Dinner is on your own.

ACCOMMODATION 2023-2024: Comfort tourist-class hotels (subject to change)

Reykjavik: Hótel Klettur or similar
West Iceland: Hotel Hamar or similar (2 nights)
South Iceland: Landhotel in Hella area or similar (1 night)
Vatnajökull Region: Fosshótel Núpar or similar (2 nights).
Note that the hotel list is subject to change.
Note that most double rooms in Iceland are actually twin bedded rooms

NOTE: Itineraries may be subject to change at short notice during severe weather conditions and certain outdoor activities/day trips may be cancelled during the winter season in Iceland. In these rare cases, where situations of force majeure apply, excursions/activities cannot be refunded but the local guides will try their best to find reasonable alternatives where and whenever possible.

*This tour is not suitable for young children.

PAYMENT:
A non refundable deposit of 20%, of the total package price should reach Iceland Road Trip within 2 days of confirmation of booking and full payment not later than 6 weeks prior to tour departure. In case of delay on payments, Iceland Road Trip will reserve the right to treat this as a cancellation and withdraw its confirmation of the services.
Every detail regarding the booking must be included, in order for Iceland Road Trip to ensure efficiency, including the passengers´ name, flight information, all accommodation, tours and other services.

INSURANCE:
To avoid dispute in case of cancellation, we strongly recommend that our clients purchase a comprehensive travel insurance in their home country, that covers your cost should you have to cancel your tour. This kind of travel insurance is usually not expensive and it frequently covers other risks too.

Highlights of the tour:

Hraunfossar Waterfalls
Deildartunguhver Hot Sprig
Borgarnes-Town
Stykkishólmur Town
Hvalfjörður Fjord
Þingvellir National Park
Gullfoss Waterfall
Geysir Geothermal Area
Skógafoss Waterfall
Kirkjubæjarklaustur Town
Skaftafell
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Vík Town
The Blue Lagoon