Categories Escorted Tours Winter Tours Adventure & Eco Travel Iceland Winter Tours Scandinavia

It’s no secret that Iceland has been blessed by a vast variety of landscapes and scenery, where every turn brings another ‘wow’ moment. This trip takes you to gushing waterfalls, eerie lava fields, spouting geysers and colorful volcano craters. This budget-friendly Iceland program includes two evenings in pursuit of the Northern Lights.

Itinerary

Arrival day and individual transfer to Reykjavík. There are at least two different transportation companies at Keflavík airport where transfer tickets can be purchased on arrival in Iceland, with frequent departures to Reykjavík offering drop-off at the hotel or a nearby bus stop. There are taxis too.

Overnight and breakfast at Hotel Cabin or similar

GOLDEN CIRCLE & NORTHERN LIGHTS (230 km/143 mls)

At 09:00 meet your tour guide and fellow group members. Today, we visit three of South Iceland's most famous spots: Gullfoss waterfall, Geyser hot springs, and Þingvellir National Park. Besides the 3 highlights, we add a bit extra. We start with a stop at a local supermarket in the "geothermal-town" of Hveragerði, where you can see and shop some typical Icelandic goodies. Hveragerði is built above a hot-spring field and the town is thriving by the geothermal heat. Horticulture, local swimming pool, the bakery and other businesses harness the natural green energy as one of their foundations. We continue to the explosion crater Kerið, which is filled with water and resembles an ancient amphitheater. Gullfoss, "the golden falls", is a double waterfall that tumbles 34 meters into the Hvítá river and attracts tourists and travelers all year. You see the steam from the Geysir geothermal fields as you arrive. There are a variety of hot springs and bubbling pools. The original geyser is now dormant and has been replaced by Strokkur, "the Churn", which erupts at 5-10 minute intervals. Next stop is the ancient Viking Parliament area of Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site. The Þingvellir area is part of a fissure zone running through Iceland, situated on the tectonic plate boundaries of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The faults and fissures make evident the rifting of the earth's crust. Before reaching the hotel, our guide explains the science of the Northern Lights and give you practical tips how to photograph the Northern Lights. The next two nights are spent at Hotel Borealis, located in the countryside of South Iceland, away from light pollution and set in a peaceful surrounding ideal for searching for the Northern Lights. Your tour guide and the hotel staff show you the best spots on the hotel property where you might see the mystical Northern Lights, also called Aurora Borealis.

LEISURE DAY & NORTHERN LIGHTS HUNT (300 km/186 mls)

Leisure day with time to relax in the hotel's hot tub and enjoy the fresh clean air of Iceland's tranquil countryside. A short walk takes you to Ýrafoss waterfall or uphill to a beautiful viewpoint. If you prefer to be a bit more active, we offer two optional guided excursions.

Optional Tour 1: SOUTH ICELAND TOUR, about 300 km roundtrip

Explore the region near the active volcano and glacier Eyjafjallajökull. Visit the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which is 65 meters high and plunges from the mountain. Next, we stop at one Iceland's most impressive waterfalls, the 62-meter high Skógafoss waterfall. The tour continues further south where you can stroll on the black lava beach to see the amazing bird cliffs at Reynisfjara near Vík. Price for the optional South Iceland Tour is ISK 14.000. Payment is due with our tour guide in Icelandic Krona, Visa or MasterCard.

Optional Tour 2: SOUTH ICELAND TOUR WITH GLACIER HIKE, about 260 km roundtrip

Explore the region near the active volcano and glacier Eyjafjallajökull. Visit the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which is 65 meters high and plunges from the mountain. Next, we stop at one Iceland's most impressive waterfalls, the 62-meter high Skógafoss waterfall. Those group members that selected the tour including the glacier hike will head to the Sólheimajökull glacier tongue, which extends from the great Mýrdalsjökull glacier down to the sandy plains of the Icelandic south coast. The spectacular surroundings are marked by rugged and majestic rock formations thoroughly shaped by the glacier. On this fun, safe and easy to moderate glacier walk you get to explore the wonderland of ice sculptures, water cauldrons, ridges and deep crevasses on the breath-taking Sólheimajökull glacier. While enjoying all the features of the glacier and its spectacular surroundings, you will learn more about the behavior of glaciers and their impact on nature. No technical requirements are needed for the tour as an experienced glacier guide will teach you how to use basic glacier equipment, such as crampons and an ice axe, which is provided for glacier walk tours. The unique experience of a glacier walk on one of the many retreating glaciers of the world is sure to leave lasting memories. Duration of this activity is about 3 hours in total, about 90 minutes on the ice and about 30-40 min walk (one-way) from the parking lot to the glacier edge itself. The minimum age for the glacier hike is 10 years. You need to bring warm clothing, rain gear, and hiking boots. The glacier hike can only be booked with the guide on day 2. The price for the South Iceland Tour with glacier hike is ISK 26.000. Payment is due with our tour guide in Icelandic Krona, Visa or MasterCard.

In the evening there is a film presentation about the Northern Lights. If the night sky is cloudless, you might see the Northern Lights swirling in a wild and carefree dance across the heavens in dramatic shapes, colors, patterns, and sizes. The grounds of Hotel Borealis are extensive and dark and offer you an excellent location for Northern Lights search if the weather conditions are right. It requires patience, warm clothing and the excitement of "maybe there could be Northern Lights".

REYKJAVÍK CITY TOUR (95 km / 59 mls) & OPTIONAL BLUE LAGOON (98 km / 61 mls)

Today, we return to Reykjavík and show the group highlights of Iceland's exciting capital. We see the charming city center, the Parliament, the harbor and Hallgrímskirkja Church, whose steeple is a landmark. We pass Harpa concert hall and visit the Pearl, a remarkable building, and viewpoint (optional admission to panorama terrace). The city tour ends around 1 pm at the hotel. Overnight in Reykjavík.Hotel Cabin or similar

The afternoon is free at leisure, to explore Iceland's capital on your own, or do a bit of shopping before going home. You might consider visiting museums, galleries, and exhibitions, such as the fantastic Whales of Iceland exhibition, consisting of 23 man-made life size models of various whale species found in Icelandic waters. At the Perlan Museum, you can walk through a unique indoor ice cave which is a replica of an ice tunnel dug straight through a glacier. Admission fees to museums can be purchased on the spot.

Optional Tour 3: BLUE LAGOON

Afternoon bus transfer & entrance fee. Stay at the Blue Lagoon for 2,5 hours. We recommend booking at least 8 days before arrival in Iceland to secure space at the Blue Lagoon. Price ISK 10.000 per person. Payment is due with our tour guide in Icelandic Krona, Visa or MasterCard.

DEPARTURE DAY

Departure and individual transfer to Keflavík airport. There are at least two different transportation companies and taxis that offer frequent trips with pick-up from hotels or nearby bus-stops.

Notes