Think of Iceland and there are several familiar associations: hip Reykjavik the beautiful therapeutic Blue Lagoon, or perhaps our musical exports Bjork or Sigur Ros. But this land of boiling mud pools, spurting geysers, glaciers and waterfalls is also an adventure playground. Its breathtaking landscape is an inspiration to artists and photographers. Iceland is the least densely populated country in Europe, with a pure, unpolluted and truly magical landscape. Iceland’s summers are surprisingly warm, lush and green, with days lengthening until midsummer, when the sun dips down to the horizon but never sets.
Day 01 Arrive Reykjavik By Flight
Arrival at Keflavik International Airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 Reykjavik – Borgarnes (69 kms / 57M appx.)
After breakfast, proceed to Reykjavik city tour exploring some of the highlights of Iceland’s capital. The Borgarfjorour valley is known as the Saga valley of West Iceland because many important historical events took place there. You get a chance to climb the Grabrok volcano crater and warm up at Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring, producing 180 litres of nearly boiling water 97°c per second. Next we head to Hraunfossar, full of waterfalls that pour from beneath a kilometre-wide lava field. We spend the next two nights at Borgarnes in West Iceland. This afternoon includes a lecture about Northern Lights and after dinner we take a walk into the garden to search for the Northern Lights followed by a hot cup of chocolate or tea. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 Borgarnes
After breakfast, proceed to we explore the Snaellsnes Peninsula which juts out from Iceland’s west coast. A rugged mountain chain runs its length. We travel to the charming fishing town of Stykkisholmur for a lunchtime cruise on the Breidafjordur fjord. Afterwards we can stroll around the sheltered harbour exploring this charming town with its many old wooden houses. A uniquely Icelandic “treat “awaits you at our next stop, Bjarnarhofn, where they make Hakarl – delicious fermented shark. On our way back to Reykholt we stop at Borgarnes where we have the opportunity for an optional visit to the Icelandic Settlement Center museum, or to the local geothermal swimming pool. Today our guide gives us some practical tips of how to photograph the Auroras as part of the Northern Lights Academy program. Naturally, once darkness falls, we are out and about chasing the Northern Lights which is most pleasant while soaking in the hotel’s outdoor hot tubs. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 Borgarnes – Hella (154 kms / 02H appx.)
After breakfast, proceed to morning we travel along the scenic shores of the Hvalfjorour fjord, stopping at an Icelandic wool outlet store before turning inland to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. After a stop at the park, we continue to Gullfoss “the golden falls“ a double waterfall that tumbles 34 meters into the Hvita River. Look out for the steam from the Geysir geothermal fields as we arrive. Here there is a variety of hot springs and bubbling pools with the original geyser now dormant but Strokkur the Churn very much still active with eruptions every 5-10 minutes. When we get to Geysir, we visit the restaurant and taste freshly baked hot spring bread served with delicious Icelandic butter, geothermally boiled eggs, and local herring. This is best served with a small glass of ice cold nearly frozen Geysir Schnapps. This afternoon, we learn about the history of the hardy Icelandic horse and the special qualities they possess. We also visit a geothermal greenhouse, before reaching our accommodation in South Iceland. Tonight, we step into the darkness and search for the elusive Northern Lights, which are best enjoyed from the comfort of the hot tub in the garden of the hotel amidst the peace and stillness of rural Iceland. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05 Hella – Kirkjubaejarklaustur (161 kms / 01 hrs 57 min appx.)
After breakfast, proceed to our first stop is at the Eyjafjallajokull Information Centre where we learn about how people live next to a glacier and an active volcano and the famous eruption of 2010. Further east we visit one of Iceland’s finest folk museums. This museum contains an outstanding collection of farm and domestic artefacts typical of Iceland’s past as well as turf-built houses. Nearby is the waterfall of Skogafoss which stands 60 meters tall and is one of the most impressive waterfalls in Iceland. This afternoon we take a stroll along black lava beach and the bird cliffs at Reynisfjara beach in South Iceland. We spend the next 2 nights near Kirkjubaejarklaustur in the Vatnajokull National Park region, located in complete darkness and ideal for Northern Lights search. Overnight at hotel.
Day 06 Kirkjubaejarklaustur
After breakfast, proceed to morning we travel to Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon which is filled with floating icebergs. Exploring this extraordinary site we keep an eye out for seals swimming in the freezing Arctic waters. We then can walk along the black sandy beach where some large icebergs have gotten stranded. This afternoon we visit the tiny turf church in the town of Hof before heading to the National Park. The Vatnajokull National Park covers about 12,000 square kilometres and is the largest National Park in Europe. Here we find Iceland’s highest mountains, an alpine environment, and Europe’s largest glacier which the park is named after. Tonight we enjoy a movie presentation about the Northern Lights as a part of the Northern Lights Academy program before hopefully seeing the Northern Lights shimmering and dancing across the night sky. Overnight at hotel.
Day 07 Kirkjubaejarklaustur – Vik – Reykjavik (248 kms / 2H hrs 55M appx.)
After breakfast, proceed to the black lava beach and along the bird cliffs at Reynisfjara beach in South Iceland, Further west we reach the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall which plunges over the mountain. Those wishing to get a bit closer can take a trail that goes behind the falling water but be prepared to get wet. In the afternoon we return to Reykjavik where we have a couple of hours to explore Iceland’s capital on our own, visit museums, do some shopping or simply rest after all this touring. This evening we head to the famous Blue Lagoon for a relaxing soak, followed by a traditional Icelandic dinner at the Northern Light Inn Hotel and finishing off with one last nocturnal tour to seek more Northern Lights. Around midnight we reach Reykjavík for one last night. Overnight at hotel.
Day 08 Depart Reykjavik By Flight
Departure transfer to onwards destination.
| City | Nights | 5* Hotels |
| Reykjavik | 02 | CenterHotel Midgardur |
| Borgarnes | 02 | Icelandair Hotel Hamar |
| Selfoss | 01 | Hotel Selfoss & Spa |
| Kirkjubajarklaustur | 02 | Fosshotel Nupar |
- Meet assist at the airport and hotels.
- 07 nights accommodation as per the program
- Daily breakfast at the hotels.
- Entrance fees.
- Local English / French / German / Italian / Spanish / Chinese / Russian speaking guide.
- Borgarfjordur Valley, Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Gulfoss Waterfall and Strokkur geyser
- Thingvellir National Park, Eyjafjallajokull Glacier, Skogafoss waterfall and Black lava beach
- Reynisfjara beach, Seljalandsfoss waterfall, Lava fields and Northern Lights viewing
- Vatnajokull National Park and Blue Lagoon
- All transfers, sightseeing, excursions by private vehicle.
- All taxes.
Branding
– Logo branding on Vehicles.
– Color and logo branding Merchandise.
– Departure gifts with company’s branding.
- Personal Expenses.
- Camera / Video Camera Fees.
- Medical Aid.
- Tips.
- Travel Insurance.
- Visa (If any).
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– In Asia, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.