Hidden Powers and Northern Lights Hunt – Winter Escorted Tour

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).

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 20^th 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.

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

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.

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.

Breakfast at your hotel.  Please note that this might be a light breakfast if you are taking an early morning departure flight.  Transfer to the international airport for your departure flight. Airport transfer is not included, but we are happy to help you arrange arrange shared or private transfers. We recommend you depart your hotel no later than three hours before your departure flight.