Spectacular nature, great guides and the northern lights. This tour is a bestseller and for a good reason!
Staff review:Thorsteinn Mar
Reviewed August 31, 2018
Discover South Iceland’s raw natural wonders
Icebergs, hot springs and volcanoes dominate Iceland’s beautiful yet rugged landscape. On a guided coach tour, experience the hidden powers of the island including dramatic vistas of the notorious Eyjafjallajökull volcano and the breathtaking Glacial Lagoon. With several overnights in stunning rural locations, you’ll be perfectly situated to hunt for the magical Northern Lights. Iceland is one of the best places in the world to experience this majestic phenomenon.
Highlights:
- Walk along the continental rift at Thingvellir National Park (UNESCO site)
- Visit a unique early 20th-century farmhouse built into a cave
- Discover the diverse nature along the South Coast of Iceland, with volcanoes, glaciers and waterfalls
- Walk along the banks of the awe-inspiring iceberg Glacial Lagoon
- Uncover the impact and power of recent volcanic eruptions near Eyjafjallajokull
- Hunting for northern lights in optimal rural locations
- Visit the world-renowned Blue Lagoon
All departures are guaranteed with minimum of 2 participants
Maximum group size: 36 participants.
Included
- 2 nights at a hotel in Reykjavik, including breakfast (except arrival day)
- 3 nights at countryside hotels, including breakfast
- Guided coach tour from day 2 to day 5
- 3 * One-course dinners with coffee/tea (days 2, 3, 4)
- Entrance fee to the Northern Lights Centre in Reykjavik
- Entrance to Laugarvatnshellir, The Cave People
- Entrance to the new Lava Centre and volcano film at the Lava Centre’s Cinema (day 3)
- Northern Lights hunt kit on day 3 or 4 (use of flashlight, blanket & hot drink)
- Northern Light guided hunt on foot one selected evening
- Blue Lagoon admission, including towel rental, silica mud mask and one drink (day 5)
*Option available at booking time to add dessert course to these dinners
Also (Added Value):
- Northern Lights “wake-up call” option during the night on days 2-4 (please note: available at most countryside hotels)
Not Included:
- International airfare
- Baggage porterage at airport/hotel
- Personal travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Round-trip transfers between airports and hotels
- Swimsuit at the Blue Lagoon (can be rented on site)
- Beverages, snacks, lunches, dinners unless otherwise noted in itinerary
- Guaranteed early check-in (check-in time for most hotels in Iceland is 14:00 (2:00pm)
- Guaranteed late check-out
- Any service not specifically listed under “included”
Accommodation- Comfort Hotel Category
This tour stays in hotels with private bathrooms, generally a mix of four and three star hotels. Most of the groups stay at the following hotels. Please note this is an advised hotel list and subject to change.
Day 1 – Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura or Fosshotel Reykjavik
Day 2- Icelandair Hotel Fludir or Stracta Hotel Hella
Day 3- Hotel Klaustur
Day 4- Hotel Klaustur
Day 5 – Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura or Fosshotel Reykjavik
Accommodation- Economy Hotel Category
This tour stays in hotels with private bathrooms, in standard economy hotels. Most of the groups stay at the following hotels. Please note this is an advised hotel list and subject to change.
Day 1 – Fosshotel Raudara or Fosshotel Lind or Reykjavik Lights
Day 2- Stracta Hotel Hella
Day 3- Hotel Kria (Vik)
Day 4- Hotel Kria (Vik)
Day 5 – Fosshotel Raudara or Fosshotel Lind or Reykjavik Lights
Important
Please note that northern lights are dependent on weather conditions. Sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Day 1
Highlights: Reykjavik Hallgrimskirkja Tjornin National Gallery The Sun Voyager Perlan Parliament House
Arrival
Important: If you have added extra nights in Reykjavík before your tour, the guide will meet your group for the start of the tour on Day 2 according to the standard “Hidden Powers and Northern Lights” itinerary.
Overnight stay in Reykjavik. Airport transfer is not included, but we are happy to help you arrange shared or private transfers.
Please note that check-in at most hotels starts at 14:00 (2:00pm).
Day 2
Highlights: Gullfoss Geysir Thingvellir National Park
Thingvellir - Geysir - Gullfoss
Approximate distance: ca150km / 93miles
Northern Lights Centre – National Park with Geological Wonders (UNESCO) – Exploding Geysers – The Famous Golden Falls
Start the day by visiting the fascinating Northern Lights Centre in Reykjavik for an exciting and informative presentation on the Northern Lights.
Then head onwards to Thingvellir National Park (UNESCO World Heritage site) where the world’s oldest parliament met for centuries on the shores of Iceland’s largest lake.
Continue through farmland areas to the geothermal fields of Geysir with bubbling mud pools and the high-spouting Strokkur hot spring. Last but not least, visit the dramatic two-tiered Gullfoss waterfall, a spectacular sight in winter when frozen mid-cascade. Stop at Skalholt, Iceland’s capital during the Middle Ages and now a culture centre with a beautiful church. During the day you will also visit Laugarvatnshellir cave where two Icelandic families built a cozy homestead and farm during the early 20th century. The furnishings and buildings in the cave has been restored to show how the residents once lived.
Dinner and overnight in the south coast area.
Day 3
Highlights: Eyjafjallajokull Seljalandsfoss Skogafoss Vík Reynisdrangar Cliffs
South Shore - Eyjafjallajokull Volcano
Approximate distance: ca229km / 143miles
Waterfalls – Lava Centre – Glacial Views – Black Sand Beaches
Drive along the south shore, an area of Iceland that is beautiful to view in the winter. This is one of the main farm regions of the country, and the road will pass by typical Icelandic farms, often with Icelandic horses in the fields.
This part of Iceland is home to the new Lava Centre, an interactive, high-tech educational exhibition depicting volcanic activity, earthquakes and the creation of Iceland over millions of years. Enjoy both the exhibit and viewing an interesting film about Icelandic volcanoes at the center’s cinema.
Stop at the spectacular waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. Head onwards, passing by Myrdalsjokull Glacier, to visit Reynisfjara beach. Take a walk on the black sands, and admire the extraordinary rock formations and thundering waves of the Atlantic Ocean.
Dinner and overnight stay in Kirkjubaejarklaustur area
Day 4
Skaftafell National Park - Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon
Approximate distance: ca255km / 158miles
Western Europe’s Largest National Park – Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs – Europe’s Largest Glacier
Today enter the southern area of Vatnajokull National Park, named after Europe’s largest glacier. This national park is also the largest one in Western Europe. Drive through vast sand plains created by glacial outwashes as you head east en route to the Vatnajokull area. Visit Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon where you can enjoy a breath-taking sight of icebergs floating in the fantastic 180m (591 ft.) deep glacial lagoon. Then view Svinafellsjokull, one of the most beautiful of the glacial outlets emerging from Vatnajokull. Visit the national park’s famous Skaftafell area, a site of outstanding natural beauty dominated by Vatnajokull glacier.
Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 5
Highlights: Hveragerdi The Blue Lagoon
Volcanic Areas - Hveragerdi - Blue Lagoon - Reykjavik
Approximate distance: ca348km / 217miles
Greenhouse Village – Thundering Waves – Geothermal Lagoon
Head towards the village of Hveragerdi, which is one of the few sites in the world located directly in the middle of a geothermal area. Hveragerdi is often called “The Flower Village” because of its many greenhouses heated by hot water from nearby springs. Follow along the coastline with its breathtaking waves and through a deserted community that once was a flourishing centre for the region.
On to the Reykjanes peninsula, where you can enjoy a dip in the famous Blue Lagoon, a unique wonder of nature with pleasantly warm, mineral-rich water in the middle of a black lava field.
Return to Reykjavik, where the evening is at your own leisure. Dinner is on your own.
