9D8N ICELAND COMPLETE - WINTER NORTHERN LIGHTS EDITION
Highlights:
Let us provide you with an excellent overview of Iceland and its unique wonders
We’ll take you to view first-hand many of the classic natural wonders, including the Golden Circle, the Glacier Lagoon, Reynisfjara Beach, Dettifoss waterfall and Myvatn nature reserve
Enjoy a glimpse into Icelandic life with authentic local activities and delicious dinners– great experiences that also add great value
Discover and learn about Iceland from our hand-picked local guides, who are passionate and knowledgeable about Iceland
Day 1: Arrival in Iceland
Please note: If you have added extra nights in Reykjavík before your tour, our guide will meet you and the group for the start of the tour on Day 2 according to the standard “Iceland Complete” itinerary.
Arrival at the Keflavik airport. Transfers to Reykjavik are not included in the tour. We would be happy to arrange shared or private transfers for you, so let us know at booking time. You might even consider booking a transfer that includes a visit to the Blue Lagoon. (Please note the Blue Lagoon entrance must be booked in advance - we can help with that!)
If you are arriving earlier in the day, you might consider adding a day tour. We’d be happy to make suggestions based on your interests. One of our favorite activities after a long flight is to visit one of the neighborhood geothermal pools. It is so refreshing to relax in the warm water, breathing in the fresh Icelandic air. It’s a great way to get to see Icelandic daily life and maybe meet a few locals. It’s also nice to take a stroll in the old city center, perhaps visiting one of the museums or relaxing with a cup of coffee in a cozy café.
Dinner this evening is at your leisure. Reykjavik offers a multitude of restaurants and/or coffee-houses, making dinner a great way to get better acquainted with Iceland's capital.
Please note that hotels in Iceland start check-in around 14:00 (2:00pm), and early check-in is not guaranteed. Most hotels will be happy to store your luggage if you are not able to check in early.
Day 2: Geysir – Gullfoss – Skogar – Dyrholaey – Vik
Approximate distance: ca325km / 201miles
Exploding Geysers – Waterfalls – Black Sand Beaches of the South Shore
Breakfast at your hotel. Your guide will meet you at the hotel around 8:45 (8:45am). Please be in the lobby with your luggage, ready for a great day in South Iceland!
After a quick introduction to our home city of Reykjavik, head to the greenhouse village of Hveragerdi. Head on to the Golden Circle natural wonders. Explore Gullfoss, the "Golden Waterfall", and the nearby Geysir hot spring area to see the famous Geysir and Strokkur, as well as numerous other hot springs and boiling mud pools. Continue along the south shore and stop to admire the waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss before continuing to Dyrholaey and the black sand beaches of Iceland’s South Shore. Continue to the village of Vik.
Dinner and overnight in the south coast area.
If weather conditions are right, your guide will take you on a northern lights hunt on foot in the area outside your hotel tonight, or on one of the other evenings that you are staying in the countryside.
Day 3: Vatnajokull National Park –Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon – Hofn
Approximate distance: ca285km / 177miles
Lava Fields – Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs – Europe’s Largest Glacier
Breakfast at your hotel. Today you will be in a world of glaciers! You’ll be visiting the southern area of Vatnajokull National Park, named after Europe’s largest glacier. The total park area covers almost 14% of Iceland, making it the largest national park in Western Europe! Drive through vast sand plains created by glacial outwashes as you head east. Visit the national park’s famous Skaftafell area, a site of outstanding natural beauty dominated by several magnificent glaciers. Then view Svinafellsjokull, one of the most beautiful glacial “tongues” that are slowly creeping down from Vatnajokull.
Visit Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon where you can enjoy the breath-taking sight of icebergs floating in the fantastic 180m (591 ft.) deep glacial lagoon (make sure that camera is loaded and ready!) Nearby is the dramatic beauty of the Diamond Beach, where shrinking icebergs settle on the black sands before they drift out to sea.
Dinner and overnight stay in the Hofn, a fishing port in the shadow of Vatnajokull glacier.
Day 4: Hofn - East Fjords - Egilsstadir
Approximate distance: ca259km / 161miles
Narrow Fjords – Steep Mountains – Picturesque Coastline – Legendary Lake Monster
Breakfast at your hotel. Drive from Hofn through Almannaskard pass, stopping to admire the majestic coastline. Continue to the towering mountains plunging vertically into the sea that form the magnificent East Fjords. Enjoy the amazing views. Keep your hand on your camera and also keep an eye out for wild reindeer, which can sometimes be seen in the area during the winter months. You will also pass villages, each with its own special history and charm. One of these is the tiny village of Breiddalsvik visit the local Beljandi Microbrewery and sample some of the beer. This is a quirky brewery in a charmingly rustic building. The local community came together to create the brewery. You’ll meet one of the townsfolk and get a feel for life in a small town, as well as how great beer is made. (Note- Brewery visit is in the 2020-2021 version of the tour)
The road brings you to Egilsstadir town, located near Iceland’s largest forest and a lake said to be home to a legendary (friendly) monster. The area is also getting a name for itself for its excellent locally sourced cuisine, and you’ll enjoy some of it at dinner.
Dinner and overnight stay in the Egilsstadir area.
Day 5: Lake Myvatn Area
Approximate distance: ca255km / 158miles
Highland Desert – Bizarre Lava Formations – Geothermal & Volcanic Winter Wonderland
Breakfast at your hotel. Explore the empty vastness of the highland desert plateau Modrudalsoraefi, desolate and yet hauntingly beautiful in its winter snows, as you head towards the Lake Myvatn area. On the way, stop at Dettifoss, Europe's largest and most powerful waterfall. Continue onwards to Namaskard pass with its boiling mud pools and vibrant colors. We often feel like we are visiting another planet when we come here, and you may the same way. It’s such a surreal experience!
Explore the natural beauty of the Lake Myvatn area, including the pseudo craters at Skutustadir and the Laxa Salmon River. You will probably see why this area, especially during the wintertime, has been so popular for movie makers.
Dinner and overnight stay in the Myvatn area.
Day 6: Lake Myvatn Area – Akureyri – Siglufjordur
Approximate distance: ca219km / 136miles
"Waterfall of the Gods" – Turf-roofed Folk Museum – The Beautiful Troll Peninsula
Breakfast at your hotel. Start the day by exploring the peculiar lava formations at Dimmuborgir.The name means “Dark Citadels“ in Icelandic, and they certainly look as this they were built by fantasy creatures. There are actually legends that elves live here.
Visit the magnificent Godafoss waterfall, one of the most important symbols of North Iceland, and the old turf farm Laufas. Enjoy a taste of some traditional Icelandic farmhouse refreshments and hear tales of life in the old days. Afterwards, visit Akureyri, the colorful northern “capital“ of Iceland. The town has charming buildings and beautiful view of the Eyjafjordur Fjord. After spending some time in Akureyri, continue along the coastal roads of Eyjafjordur and the Troll Peninsula. This is a beautiful drive along steep mountains with amazing views over the Arctic Sea and black sand coastline. The destination is Siglufjordur, set in a beautiful fjord of the same name. This town has some of the finest timber buildings in the country, beautifully restored to their original glory. Siglufjordur is a very picturesque and easily walkable town for an evening stroll. You may even recognize some of the buildings; the town was a filming location for both seasons of the popular Icelandic thriller series Trapped. The town is actually a relaxing and friendly place, and it‘s great to spend an evening soaking in the hot tubs of your hotel while enjoying the scenic fjord views.
Dinner and overnight in Siglufjorður
Day 7: Skagafjordur – Borgarnes
Approximate distance: ca310km / 193miles
Historical Museum – Fertile Farmlands – Glacial Rivers – Unique Viking Horse Demonstration
Breakfast at your hotel. This morning visit Siglufjordur’s award-winning Herring-Era Maritime Museum. The museum recreates the atmosphere of the early 20th century, when Siglufjordur was transformed into a frontier-like boom town, thanks to a large migration of herring. The museum will transport you back to that exciting time.
Afterwards, head along majestic mountains and narrow passes to Skagafjordur, considered to be one of the finest places in Iceland for horse breeding. Enjoy an introduction to the unique Icelandic horse breed with its special fifth gait - the tolt. Continue towards the village of Blonduos, built on both sides of the river Blanda. This is a part of Iceland known from the Icelandic literary work Vatnsdaela Saga. Cross the Holtavorduheidi plateau taking you into West Iceland. Drive through Borgarfjordur, a region that has been getting international recognition for its diverse types of scenery and its Viking history.
Dinner and overnight stay in Borgarnes area.
Day 8: Borgarfjordur – Thingvellir – Reykjavik
Approximate distance: ca205km / 130miles
Europe's Largest Hot Spring – Picturesque Waterfalls – National Park with Geological Wonders (UNESCO)
Breakfast at your hotel. Visit some of the beautiful natural wonders of West Iceland. Drive to Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in Europe. Stop to admire the beautiful Hraunfossar waterfalls, where brightly blue water rushes through black lava formations. Nearby is Barnafoss, a waterfall with even more brilliantly blue colors. There is an interesting and poignant legend associated with this waterfall.
Drive through the scenic and mountain lined Hvalfjordur fjord to Lake Thingvallavatn, Iceland's largest lake and Thingvellir National Park. This UNESCO heritage site is where the world‘s oldest continuing parliamentary government was founded in the 10th century. It is also the place where the North American and European tectonic plates meet. You will have the unusual experience of walking between two continents! Afterwards, head to Reykjavik for a last night in the colorful capital city.
Overnight stay in Reykjavik. Dinner is on your own.
Day 9: Farewell to the Land of Fire and Ice
Breakfast at your hotel. Please note that this might be a light breakfast if you are taking an early morning departure flight. Transfer on your own to the international airport for your departure flight. The airport transfer is not included, but we are happy to help you arrange shared or private transfers.
We recommend you depart your hotel no later than three hours before your departure flight. We wish you a pleasant trip back to your homeland and hope to see you in Iceland again!