Iceland & Greenland – 7N/8D

Itinerary:

Day 1: Welcome to Iceland (50 km/31 mls)
Private transfer from Keflavík International Airport to a 4 star hotel in the center of Reykjavík where you spend 2 nights. We provide you with ideas how to explore Iceland’s capital on your own, dinner suggestions too!

Day 2 : The Golden Circle Route (260 km/162 mls)
Iceland is spectacular and so is the Golden Circle Route. The wide open landscapes are like nothing you’ve ever seen before. The first stop is Thingvellir National Park, the spectacular site of Iceland’s first parliament and the place where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet – and are moving apart. There is a widening fissure in the ground where the planet is literally opening up. Next it’s on to Gullfoss waterfall, a huge fall of water. From here you can see a glacier off to one side. And then it’s geysers. The sheer power of water and steam erupting from the ground due to the build up of extreme heat is awesome and really makes you realize how alive the ground is beneath our feet.

Day 3 : Iceland – West Greenland, Guided City Walk Ilulissat, Welcome Dinner and Midnight Sailing
Private airport transfer in Reykjavik. Flight from Reykjavik to Ilulissat (about 3 hours). Transfer to the hotel and welcome meeting at 4 star Hotel Arctic. After the welcome meeting with your local guide enjoy a guided city walk of Ilulissat and afterwards you have some time to explore the town, visit the local museum and observe Greenlandic life at the always busy harbor. Welcome dinner (2-course) is included at Hotel Arctic. Around 22:00 we depart for a midnight sailing trip to the famous Ilulissat icefjord that is the world’s largest ice sculpture park. The experience is overwhelming, lights and colours change constantly and enjoy a late Martini on “the real rocks”. Duration about 3 hours. Dress warm.

(Note: The season for midnight sun is approx. May 22-Jul 24. Outside this season the excursion is operated as an evening cruise with the beautiful sunset reflecting over the icebergs).

Day 4: Boat trip to Eqi – the calving glacier
Breakfast at the hotel. Early morning departure for the one day boat trip to Eqi – the calving glacier. The Eqi glacier which runs into the fjord, 80 km north of Ilulissat is one of the most beautiful places in Greenland. You can get close to the edge of the glacier by boat as we cruise in front of the glacier for around one hour and might see the calving process. The front of the glacier is 3,4 km wide! The sound of the active glacier is quite remarkable while the sight of icebergs toppling into the water is breathtaking. Afterwards we continue to the small settlement of Ataa, the former trading station, where we will enjoy a delicious 2 course lunch including a glass of wine. There will be time for a short kayak tour or to try your luck as a fisherman in the rivers behind the little restaurant. On the way back to Ilulissat we will keep our eyes open, and hopefully spot some whales. The trip to Eqi is by modern and comfortable tourist boat. Duration: about 8 hours / Level of difficulty: Easy/ Lunch and glass of wine is included.

Day 5: Inuit Settlement at the Ilulissat Icefjord
Breakfast at the hotel. By bus as far as the road goes. Guided walking tour to the old settlement Sermermiut valley on the famous Ilulissat Icefiord that was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2004. The ancient settlement of Sermermiut, 1.5 km south of the town is surrounded by Ilulissat’s beautiful icebergs. Various different Inuit cultures have lived here over the past 4,000 years, and you can still see remains from ancient times. Learn about local history and customs before Europeans arrived. See plots settled for thousands of year and admire the views across the majestic icebergs. Please wear proper boots or hiking boots. Approximate 3 hours. Rest of the day free at leisure to hike along the ice fjord and explore the town of Ilulissat.
Farewell dinner (3-course) is included at Hotel Arctic.

Day 6: West Greenland – Iceland
Breakfast at the hotel. Spend some time in the morning to explore the town of Ilulissat and last minute Greenland shopping. The short cut adventure has come to an end and you return by flight to Reykjavik, Iceland. Private airport transfer in Reykjavik to your accommodation. Stay 2 nights in a 4 star hotel in the center of Reykjavik, Iceland.

Day 7: Blue Lagoon & Reykjavík (90 km / 56 mls)
Depart at 10:00 for a bus tour to the Blue Lagoon. We drive through rough lava fields to visit the Blue Lagoon where you can relax in its rejuvenating geothermal water. The water is very natural and rich in minerals believed to have healing powers. You can stay as long as you please (last bus back to Reykjavik is at 21:00). The afternoon is free at leisure to explore Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, or enjoy optional spa treatments at the Blue Lagoon.

Day 8: Departure Home (50 km/31 mls)
Private transfer from your accommodation in Reykjavík to Keflavík Airport.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Welcome to Iceland (50 km/31 mls)
Private transfer from Keflavík International Airport to a 4 star hotel in the center of Reykjavík where you spend 2 nights. We provide you with ideas how to explore Iceland’s capital on your own, dinner suggestions too!

Day 2 : The Golden Circle Route (260 km/162 mls)
Iceland is spectacular and so is the Golden Circle Route. The wide open landscapes are like nothing you’ve ever seen before. The first stop is Thingvellir National Park, the spectacular site of Iceland’s first parliament and the place where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet – and are moving apart. There is a widening fissure in the ground where the planet is literally opening up. Next it’s on to Gullfoss waterfall, a huge fall of water. From here you can see a glacier off to one side. And then it’s geysers. The sheer power of water and steam erupting from the ground due to the build up of extreme heat is awesome and really makes you realize how alive the ground is beneath our feet.

Day 3 : Iceland – West Greenland, Guided City Walk Ilulissat, Welcome Dinner and Midnight Sailing
Private airport transfer in Reykjavik. Flight from Reykjavik to Ilulissat (about 3 hours). Transfer to the hotel and welcome meeting at 4 star Hotel Arctic. After the welcome meeting with your local guide enjoy a guided city walk of Ilulissat and afterwards you have some time to explore the town, visit the local museum and observe Greenlandic life at the always busy harbor. Welcome dinner (2-course) is included at Hotel Arctic. Around 22:00 we depart for a midnight sailing trip to the famous Ilulissat icefjord that is the world’s largest ice sculpture park. The experience is overwhelming, lights and colours change constantly and enjoy a late Martini on “the real rocks”. Duration about 3 hours. Dress warm.

(Note: The season for midnight sun is approx. May 22-Jul 24. Outside this season the excursion is operated as an evening cruise with the beautiful sunset reflecting over the icebergs).

Day 4: Boat trip to Eqi – the calving glacier
Breakfast at the hotel. Early morning departure for the one day boat trip to Eqi – the calving glacier. The Eqi glacier which runs into the fjord, 80 km north of Ilulissat is one of the most beautiful places in Greenland. You can get close to the edge of the glacier by boat as we cruise in front of the glacier for around one hour and might see the calving process. The front of the glacier is 3,4 km wide! The sound of the active glacier is quite remarkable while the sight of icebergs toppling into the water is breathtaking. Afterwards we continue to the small settlement of Ataa, the former trading station, where we will enjoy a delicious 2 course lunch including a glass of wine. There will be time for a short kayak tour or to try your luck as a fisherman in the rivers behind the little restaurant. On the way back to Ilulissat we will keep our eyes open, and hopefully spot some whales. The trip to Eqi is by modern and comfortable tourist boat. Duration: about 8 hours / Level of difficulty: Easy/ Lunch and glass of wine is included.

Day 5: Inuit Settlement at the Ilulissat Icefjord
Breakfast at the hotel. By bus as far as the road goes. Guided walking tour to the old settlement Sermermiut valley on the famous Ilulissat Icefiord that was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2004. The ancient settlement of Sermermiut, 1.5 km south of the town is surrounded by Ilulissat’s beautiful icebergs. Various different Inuit cultures have lived here over the past 4,000 years, and you can still see remains from ancient times. Learn about local history and customs before Europeans arrived. See plots settled for thousands of year and admire the views across the majestic icebergs. Please wear proper boots or hiking boots. Approximate 3 hours. Rest of the day free at leisure to hike along the ice fjord and explore the town of Ilulissat.
Farewell dinner (3-course) is included at Hotel Arctic.

Day 6: West Greenland – Iceland
Breakfast at the hotel. Spend some time in the morning to explore the town of Ilulissat and last minute Greenland shopping. The short cut adventure has come to an end and you return by flight to Reykjavik, Iceland. Private airport transfer in Reykjavik to your accommodation. Stay 2 nights in a 4 star hotel in the center of Reykjavik, Iceland.

Day 7: Blue Lagoon & Reykjavík (90 km / 56 mls)
Depart at 10:00 for a bus tour to the Blue Lagoon. We drive through rough lava fields to visit the Blue Lagoon where you can relax in its rejuvenating geothermal water. The water is very natural and rich in minerals believed to have healing powers. You can stay as long as you please (last bus back to Reykjavik is at 21:00). The afternoon is free at leisure to explore Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, or enjoy optional spa treatments at the Blue Lagoon.

Day 8: Departure Home (50 km/31 mls)
Private transfer from your accommodation in Reykjavík to Keflavík Airport.