Iceland, island of fire and ice, has become one of the world's top travel destinations, not only with thrill-seeking adventurers, but also nature lovers looking for something different. Here, you'll discover active volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, glaciers, ice fields, and fjords, for this sparsely populated country, resting at the edge of the Arctic Circle, sits atop one of the world's most volcanically active areas.

Icecaps and glaciers, spouting geysers and steaming solfataras, volcanoes, raging rivers and magnificent waterfalls, clusters of puffins and razorbills, and cavorting whales just offshore—it's all just another day in Iceland. This country's many geological wonders have brought a tourism boom, with most first-time visitors driving the Golden Circle Route through the southwest. But lively Reykjavik has plenty of man-made attractions, too, including the magestic Hallgrimskirkja church and a music scene that doesn't quit. Geothermal baths are also a major draw, such as the mineral-rich Blue Lagoon.

ICELAND

The Northern Lights of Hidden Iceland

(5 nights/ 6 days)

Day 1 Reykjavik

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.

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 Thingvellir – Geysir – Gullfoss: Thingvellir - Geysir - Gullfoss

Breakfast at the hotel. Start the adventure by visiting the fascinating Aurora Reykjavik Northern Lights Centre. You’ll get a great introduction to northern lights, how they are formed and the folklore surrounding them. You’ll also get tips about how to capture northern lights on film. It’s also possible to get assistance from the staff in adjusting your camera’s settings for northern lights photos.

Then head onwards to Thingvellir National Park (UNESCO World Heritage site) where the world’s oldest parliament met for centuries on the shores of Iceland’s largest lake. This is a place that makes us Icelanders very proud of our heritage, and your guide will show you some of the amazing sites here. You might even have the rare chance to walk between two continents!

Continue on to the geothermal fields of Geysir with bubbling mud pools and the high-spouting Strokkur hot spring. Last but not least, visit the dramatic two-tiered Gullfoss waterfall, a spectacular sight in winter when frozen mid-cascade. Stop at Skalholt, Iceland’s capital “city” during the Middle Ages and now a culture center with a beautiful church.

During the day you will also visit the town of Laugarvatn. The town is built around three hot springs, and the residents have cleverly harnessed the hot springs for heating, greenhouses and even cooking. You’ll visit a unique outdoor geothermal bakery where sweet Icelandic rye bread is baked in the hot sands. You’ll have the chance to taste some of the freshly baked bread, hot from the ground. It’s especially delicious slathered in sweet Icelandic butter.

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 the evening of Day 3 or 4.

Dinner and overnight in the south coast area.

Day 3 South Shore - Eyjafjallajokull Volcano

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive along the South Shore, an area of Iceland that is especially beautiful to view in the winter. This is one of the main farm regions of the country, and the road will pass by typical Icelandic farms, often with Icelandic horses roaming in the fields. This part of Iceland is home to the wonderful LAVA Centre, an interactive, high-tech educational exhibition depicting volcanic activity, earthquakes and the creation of Iceland over millions of years. Enjoy both the exhibit and viewing an interesting film about Icelandic volcanoes at the Centre’s cinema. Continue onwards. If the skies are clear you might see the area’s two most famous volcanoes in the distance: Mount Hekla (last eruption 2000) and Eyjafjallajokull (last eruption 2010). You might also possibly catch a glimpse of Westman Islands archipelago off the coast of Iceland.

Stop at the spectacular waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. If trail conditions are right, you might be able to walk behind the ribbon-like Seljalandsfoss falls. Skogafoss is a beautifully shaped waterfall that makes a perfect backdrop for a selfie. It has an interesting history geologically, and it just may also be hiding some buried treasure from the Middle Ages.

We’d like you to meet some of our best countrymen with a visit to an Icelandic Search and Rescue (ICE-SAR) base. We Icelanders are very proud of our rescue teams. Thousands of Icelandic volunteers dedicate themselves to work for ICE-SAR rescue teams and assisting in accident prevention programs. Their joint mission is to prevent accidents and save human lives. ICE-SAR serves in both Icelandic and international rescue efforts. You’ll meet some members of the team and get an introduction to the unique ICE-SAR program.

Head onwards, passing Myrdalsjokull Glacier, to visit Reynisfjara beach. Take a walk on the black sands, admiring the extraordinary rock formations and thundering waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Cross Eldhraun, a vast lava field created from a very destructive 18^th-century eruption as you head into Southeast Iceland. The snows of winter make this landscape into something very mysterious. Dinner and overnight stay in the Kirkjubaejarklaustur area.

Day 4 Vatnajokull National Park – Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon: Skaftafell National Park - Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon

Breakfast at the 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 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. Then view Svinafellsjokull, one of the most beautiful glacial “tongues” that are slowly creeping down from Vatnajokull. Visit the national park’s famous Skaftafell area, a site of outstanding natural beauty dominated by several magnificent glaciers. After an amazing day, return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 5 Hveragerdi – Blue Lagoon – Reykjavik: Volcanic Areas - Hveragerdi - Blue Lagoon - Reykjavik

Breakfast at the hotel. Head back along the beautiful South Coast, enjoying a different view of the winter landscapes. Visit the village of Hveragerdi, which is one of the few sites in the world located directly in the middle of a geothermal area. Hveragerdi is often called “The Flower Village” because of its many flower greenhouses heated by hot water from nearby springs. Turn onto a southern coastal road and follow alongside the shoreline with its breath-taking sea waves, passing through a deserted community that once was a flourishing center for the region.

The trip then takes you through the surreal landscapes of the Reykjanes peninsula, where you can enjoy a dip in the famous Blue Lagoon, a unique wonder of nature with pleasantly warm, mineral-rich water in the middle of a black lava field. Return to Reykjavik, where the evening open for you to enjoy your own activities. Dinner is on your own.

Day 6 Farewell to the Land of Fire and Ice: Departure from Reykjavik

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! 

Guaranteed Departues:

January 13, 20

February 10, 15, 17, 24

March 03, 08, 10, 31

April 5

1928 Euros per person in twin/double

2308 Euros per person in single

Triple upon request

* Please keep in mind that prices change according to accommodation category and departure dates.

Hotels for the guaranteed departures 

1st night Reykjavik Natura Icelandair Hotel

2nd night Straca

3rd night Klaustur Hotel

4th night Klaustur Hotel

5th night Reykjavik Natura Icelandair Hotel

Included in the price:

• 2 nights accommodation in Reykjavík, breakfast included ***
• 3 nights accommodation in the countryside, breakfast included
• Guide in Spanish from the 2nd to the 5^th
• 3 x 2 course dinner including coffee / tea (days 2,3,4)
• Entrance to the Lava Centre and volcano film at the Lava Centre’s Cinema
• Blue Lagoon bathing fee and rent of towel, silica mud mask and one drink
• Northern Lights guided hunt on foot one selected evening
• Northern Lights hunt kit (blanket and headlight

Does not include:

• Breakfast on arrival day.
• International flights
• Airport / hotel baggage service
• Personal travel insurance (recommended)
• Swimsuits at Blue Lagoon (you can rent at the lagoon)
• Drinks, snacks, lunch, dinner not specified in itinerary
• Check in before hotel time (please note that check in at most hotels in Iceland is at 14:00)
• Check-out after hotel time
• Everything not mentioned in the "included" list

Children under 12 years have a 25% discount as long as they share the room with both parents

This is a guide price. Please enquire and we will provide a full personalized quote for you.  All our itineraries are tailor-made to your own requirements so can be modified however you wish.