DAY 1: Departure from USA
- Board your international flight from the USA to reach Iceland in the next day. Meals will be served on board of the flight.
|
DAY 2: Welcome to Iceland
- Private airport transfer by coach and guide from Keflavik International airport to Reykjavik where you spend the night.
- Overnight: Reykjavik
|
DAY 3: Snaefellsnes Peninsula & Fjord Cruise
- The Snaefellsnes Peninsula, the peninsula of the snowy mountain, juts out from Iceland west coast, like a long arm with a clenched fist at its tip, and is in many ways a microcosm of the whole island. A rugged mountain chain runs its length.
- Visit the fishing village of Grundarfjorour, a place with an impressive coastline and mountains, lakes and waterfalls behind the village. Jutting out into the bay rises one of the most photographed mountains in Iceland, Mt. Kirkjufell. Enjoy a whale watching tour in this beautiful scenery in the Breioafjorour fjord where orcas chase herring and later a uniquely Icelandic treat awaits at Bjarnarhofn, where they make Hakarl the fermented shark.
- On the way back to Borgarnes the guide gives you some practical tips on how to photograph the Auroras as part of the Northern Lights Academy program. Naturally, once darkness falls, we are out in the hotel garden to chase the Northern Lights and to soak in the hotel outdoor hot tubs.
- Overnight: Borgarnes
- Meal: Breakfast
|
DAY 4: Golden Circle, Geothermal Taste & Fridheimar
- The first stop is at an Icelandic wool outlet store, just to see what they do with all those sheep, we continue inland to Pingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We travel the Golden Circle route and see steam rising from the Geysir geothermal fields as we 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 The original geyser is now dormant but has been replaced by Strokkur the Churn which erupts at 5&ndash10-minute intervals. The chef of the Restaurant Geysir invites you to taste freshly baked hot spring bread served with Icelandic butter, geothermally boiled eggs and herring. It is best served with a small glass of Geysir Schnapps, very cold nearly freezing.
- On we travel to Gullfoss, a double waterfall that tumbles 34 meters into the Hvita River and attracts tourists and travelers in summer and winter. In the afternoon, we visit Frioheimar horse stables and geothermal greenhouses, before we reach the accommodation in South Iceland. Tonight, step into the darkness and search for the elusive Northern Lights, and enjoy them from the garden of the hotel, amidst the peace and stillness of rural Iceland.
- Overnight: Selfoss - Landborgir
- Meal: Breakfast
|
DAY 5: Natural wonders of southern Iceland
- Today we travel along the South coast. We will visit one of Iceland finest folk museums. This museum contains an outstanding collection of farm and domestic artifacts from Icelands past and several turf built houses. Nearby is Skogafoss waterfall which is 60 meters high and one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country.
- In the afternoon we take a stroll on the black lava beach and along bird cliffs at Reynisfjara in South Iceland. We spend 2 nights near Kirkjubaejarklaustur in the Vatnajokull National Park region, located in complete darkness and ideal for Northern Lights search.
- Overnight: Kirkjubaejarklaustur
- Meal: Breakfast
|
DAY 6: Skaftafell national park & Vatnajokull Glacier
- Today program is all about glaciers, ice and icebergs. We travel to Jokulsarlon, a glacial lagoon filled with floating icebergs, and we explore the extraordinary site and might see seals swimming in arctic waters. You can walk on the black sandy beach where large icebergs get stranded.
- In the afternoon we visit the tiny turf church at Hof and spend time at Europe largest national park, which has Iceland highest mountains, an alpine environment, and Europe largest glacier.
- In the evening enjoy a film presentation about the Northern Lights as part of the Northern Lights Academy program.
- Be careful not to go to bed too soon in this remote and quiet location or you may just miss out one more chance of seeing the Northern Lights shimmering and dancing across the night sky.
- Overnight: Kirkjubaejarklaustur
- Meal: Breakfast
|
DAY 7: South Shore, Reykjavik & Blue Lagoon
- From Kirkjubaejarklaustur we head across the Eldhraun lava field to the village of Vik, where we make a photo stop. The black lava beach with high bird cliffs and pounding waves is very impressive.
- Further west we reach the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall which plunges from the mountain. There is a trail that goes behind the falling water and offers interesting views, if you are prepared to get wet in the afternoon we return to Reykjavik and have about 2-hour leisure time to explore Iceland capital on our own, visit museums, do some shopping or simply rest after all this touring.
- In the evening we get to soak in the famous Blue Lagoon, followed by one last nocturnal tour to seek more Northern Lights. Around midnight we reach Reykjavik for one last night.
- Overnight: Reykjavik
- Meal: Breakfast
|
DAY 8: Departure
- Private transfer by bus (no guide) from your accommodation in Reykjavik to Keflavik airport.
- Meal: Breakfast
|
