Iceland – Northern Lights – 4N/5D

Itinerary:

Day 1 : TUE or THU: WELCOME TO ICELAND (50 km/31 mls)

The Flybus shuttle brings travelers from Keflavík International Airport to Guesthouse Borgartún (for the departures running from 4.10.2016 to 19.12.2016) or Hotel Cabin (for the departures running from 3.1.2017 to 17.4.2017) and Centerhotel Plaza in Reykjavík where you spend one night. We provide you with ideas how to explore Iceland’s capital on your own. Free shuttle bus from Guesthouse Borgartún/Hotel Cabin to downtown Reykjavík at 19:00 and back at 22:00.

Day 2 : WED or FRI: REYKJAVIK CITY TOUR, THE BLUE LAGOON & REYKJANES PENINSULA (220 km/137 mls)

At 09:00 meet your tour guide who shows the group the highlights of Iceland’s exciting capital. Then head out to the Reykjanes Peninsula with its hot springs, mountains, bird cliffs, light houses and fishing villages. At the end of the day, we get to soak off our travels in the warm mineral waters of the famous Blue Lagoon. We stay for two nights in simple cottages in South Iceland. There is an option to upgrade to studio rooms at the Stracta Hotel in Hella. In the evening, we hear about the Northern Lights from our tour guide at Árhús Cottages. Naturally, once darkness falls, you are out in the garden waiting for the Northern Lights.

Day 3 : THU or SAT: SOUTH ICELAND WITH OPTIONAL GLACIER HIKE (200 km/124 mls)

Today we head along the south coast and reach the area near the active volcano that is beneath the Eyjafjallajökull glacier. We stop at the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which plunges from the mountain. Next we visit Skógar folk museums, which contains an outstanding collection of farm and domestic artifacts from Iceland’s past and several turf-built houses. Nearby is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country; the 60 meter high Skógafoss waterfall.
In the afternoon we offer an optional glacier walk. The Sólheimajökull glacier tongue 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 are 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. Minimum age for the glacier hike is 10 years. You need to bring warm clothing, rain gear and hiking boots. We recommend to pre-book the glacier hike to secure space. The price is ISK 11.000 (about EUR 80 per person). Payment is due in Iceland with the guide.

If you booked the trip without the glacier hike, then the tour continues further south were you can stroll on the black lava beach to see the amazing bird cliffs at Reynisfjara near Vík. In the evening there is another presentation about the Northern Lights. If the night is clear, you might see the Northern Lights swirling in a wild and carefree dance across the heavens in dramatic shapes, colours, patterns and sizes. The grounds of Árhús Cottages and the Stracta Hotel in Hella are very large and dark and offer you a good 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”.

Day 4 : FRI or SUN: HORSES & GOLDEN CIRCLE (210 km/130 mls)

In the morning you learn about the Icelandic horse, its special qualities and history and visit a geothermal greenhouse. Travel the Golden Circle route. See steam rising from the Geysir geothermal fields as you arrive. There is a variety of hot springs and bubbling pools. The original geyser is now dormant but has been replaced by Strokkur “the Churn” which erupts at 5-10 minute intervals. Continue on to Gullfoss, a double waterfall that tumbles 34 meters into the Hvítá River and attracts tourists and travellers in summer and winter. Head inland to Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before returning to Reykjavík for your last night, either at Guesthouse Borgartún/Hotel Cabin or Centerhotel Plaza. An optional Northern Lights evening cruise can be booked while in destination, if the weather conditions are ideal. Guests staying at Guesthouse Borgartún/Hotel Cabin are offered a free shuttle bus to downtown Reykjavík at 19:00 and back at 22:00

Day 5 : SAT or MON: DEPARTURE HOME (50 km/31 mls)

Individual transfer by Flybus airport shuttle from your guesthouse/hotel accommodation in Reykjavík to Keflavík Airport.

Daily driving: Total mileage without airport transfer is about 630 km (391 miles) which is an average of 210 km (130 miles) per day. You spend about 3 hours per day on the bus, depending on road conditions, traffic and daily distances. On some days the driving might be longer than on some other days. This tour is suitable for children that are used to bus tours.

CHANGE OF PROGRAM: 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.

Itinerary:

Day 1 : TUE or THU: WELCOME TO ICELAND (50 km/31 mls)

The Flybus shuttle brings travelers from Keflavík International Airport to Guesthouse Borgartún (for the departures running from 4.10.2016 to 19.12.2016) or Hotel Cabin (for the departures running from 3.1.2017 to 17.4.2017) and Centerhotel Plaza in Reykjavík where you spend one night. We provide you with ideas how to explore Iceland’s capital on your own. Free shuttle bus from Guesthouse Borgartún/Hotel Cabin to downtown Reykjavík at 19:00 and back at 22:00.

Day 2 : WED or FRI: REYKJAVIK CITY TOUR, THE BLUE LAGOON & REYKJANES PENINSULA (220 km/137 mls)

At 09:00 meet your tour guide who shows the group the highlights of Iceland’s exciting capital. Then head out to the Reykjanes Peninsula with its hot springs, mountains, bird cliffs, light houses and fishing villages. At the end of the day, we get to soak off our travels in the warm mineral waters of the famous Blue Lagoon. We stay for two nights in simple cottages in South Iceland. There is an option to upgrade to studio rooms at the Stracta Hotel in Hella. In the evening, we hear about the Northern Lights from our tour guide at Árhús Cottages. Naturally, once darkness falls, you are out in the garden waiting for the Northern Lights.

Day 3 : THU or SAT: SOUTH ICELAND WITH OPTIONAL GLACIER HIKE (200 km/124 mls)

Today we head along the south coast and reach the area near the active volcano that is beneath the Eyjafjallajökull glacier. We stop at the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which plunges from the mountain. Next we visit Skógar folk museums, which contains an outstanding collection of farm and domestic artifacts from Iceland’s past and several turf-built houses. Nearby is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country; the 60 meter high Skógafoss waterfall.
In the afternoon we offer an optional glacier walk. The Sólheimajökull glacier tongue 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 are 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. Minimum age for the glacier hike is 10 years. You need to bring warm clothing, rain gear and hiking boots. We recommend to pre-book the glacier hike to secure space. The price is ISK 11.000 (about EUR 80 per person). Payment is due in Iceland with the guide.

If you booked the trip without the glacier hike, then the tour continues further south were you can stroll on the black lava beach to see the amazing bird cliffs at Reynisfjara near Vík. In the evening there is another presentation about the Northern Lights. If the night is clear, you might see the Northern Lights swirling in a wild and carefree dance across the heavens in dramatic shapes, colours, patterns and sizes. The grounds of Árhús Cottages and the Stracta Hotel in Hella are very large and dark and offer you a good 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”.

Day 4 : FRI or SUN: HORSES & GOLDEN CIRCLE (210 km/130 mls)

Geysir hot springs.jpgIn the morning you learn about the Icelandic horse, its special qualities and history and visit a geothermal greenhouse. Travel the Golden Circle route. See steam rising from the Geysir geothermal fields as you arrive. There is a variety of hot springs and bubbling pools. The original geyser is now dormant but has been replaced by Strokkur “the Churn” which erupts at 5-10 minute intervals. Continue on to Gullfoss, a double waterfall that tumbles 34 meters into the Hvítá River and attracts tourists and travellers in summer and winter. Head inland to Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before returning to Reykjavík for your last night, either at Guesthouse Borgartún/Hotel Cabin or Centerhotel Plaza. An optional Northern Lights evening cruise can be booked while in destination, if the weather conditions are ideal. Guests staying at Guesthouse Borgartún/Hotel Cabin are offered a free shuttle bus to downtown Reykjavík at 19:00 and back at 22:00

Day 5 : SAT or MON: DEPARTURE HOME (50 km/31 mls)

Individual transfer by Flybus airport shuttle from your guesthouse/hotel accommodation in Reykjavík to Keflavík Airport.

Daily driving: Total mileage without airport transfer is about 630 km (391 miles) which is an average of 210 km (130 miles) per day. You spend about 3 hours per day on the bus, depending on road conditions, traffic and daily distances. On some days the driving might be longer than on some other days. This tour is suitable for children that are used to bus tours.

CHANGE OF PROGRAM: 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.