Iceland Trip – Northern Lights & Golden Circle

5 days, Reykjavík to Reykjavík

Most people that visit Iceland go in the summer, but there’s a whole other side to this place in the winter months. (It is called “Iceland,” after all.) Spend five days doing really cool things like hiking glaciers, snowshoeing through Þingvellir National Park, reflecting on life under the Northern Lights, and warming up in Geysir Hot Springs, all the while staying in a character-filled renovated farmhouse. See another side of this amazing country.

Is this tour for me?

Travel Style: Classic

All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.

Service Level: Standard

Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.

Physical Rating: 3 – Average

Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Reykjavík

Arrive at any time. Make your way to Reykjavík today to start your tour. Have some time before the welcome meeting? Consider stopping for a dip at the Blue Lagoon, explore the Reykjavík harbor, or visit the Harpa museum.

Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting – 1h

The adventure begins tonight. Feel free to explore, but make sure you’re back in time to meet the group. After introductions, your CEO will review the details of your tour.

Accommodation: KEA Skuggi Hotel (or similar) Hotel

Day 2 – Reykjavík/Álftröð

Travel from Reykjavík to a lava cave in the Bláfjöll Mountains. Explore the cave before continuing on to Þingvellir National Park. Visit the park including sights like Geysir Hot Spring and Gullfoss Waterfall. In the evening, enjoy a Northern Lights in the Golden Circle before returning to the farmhouse in Álftröð.

The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and sightings will be dependent on weather conditions. We cannot guarantee that travellers booked on this tour will experience the Northern Lights.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

– Lava Caving by the Blue Mountains

Go beneath the earth’s surface to discover how Iceland was created. Walk and crawl through the Leiðarendi cave that was carved out by flowing volcanic lava, and marvel at the multi-coloured rock formations left in its path.

– Thingvellir National Park Visit

Stop at Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site, to see the faults created by North American and Eurasian tectonic plates shifting apart. The Oxara river cuts through the largest rift in the valley, Almannagja, and leads to the Oxarafoss waterfall. Iceland’s parliament was also established in the area in 930, the park was later created to protect the remains of the open-air assembly grounds. One of the most-visited sights in Iceland, the park is an excellent spot for camping, hikingand SCUBA diving between the tectonic plates.

– Gullfoss Waterfall Visit

Discover one of the most impressive waterfalls in Iceland, Gullfoss and complete the tourist circuit known as the Golden Circle. This massive waterfall cascades over three “steps” before spilling into a large crevice. Fed by a glacier lake, the water passing through the falls can be a dark grey depending on how much sediment gets pushed through the river.

– Geysir Visit

See a variety of geothermal pools and the erupting hot spring Strokkur. Geysir is one of the oldest geysers recorded in the world, but is most often dormant. Strokkur erupts a spray of boiling hot water straight into the air about every ten minutes.

Accommodation: Alftrod Guesthouse (or similar) Guesthouse

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 3 – Álftröð

Hike or snowshoe in the Reykjadalur area. Opt to hike to the hot springs, or discover a secret lagoon. Enjoy cooking dinner together in the farmhouse before another evening viewing the Northern Lights.

The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and sightings will be dependent on weather conditions. We cannot guarantee that travellers booked on this tour will experience the Northern Lights.

Optional Activities – Day 3 – Hot Springs Hike

Take a short hike along the scenic Reykjadalur trail. Walk along the rolling hills and pools of bright blue water. Follow the steaming pools that line the footpath until you come to the hot springs – natural pools heated by geothermal activity. Jump in and enjoy the healing effects of one of Iceland’s simplest pleasures.

Accommodation: Alftrod Guesthouse (or similar) Guesthouse

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 4 – Álftröð/Reykjavík

Travel to the Sólheimajökull Glacier for a stunning hike. Drive the scenic southern coast and visit the Skógarfoss and Seljalndsfoss waterfalls on the way back to Reykjavík. Enjoy a final night in the city.

Private Vehicle – Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Solheimajokull Glacier Hike

Take an easy hike through the dramatic glacier valley and along the black sand flood plains to the edge of the ice. Enjoy stunning, panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, glaciers and the Eyjafjallajökull volcano. The guide will explain the volcanic history of the area and the affects of global warming.

Free Time – Sólheimajökull

Discover what the Sólheimajökull can tell you about the affects of climate change in Iceland. Opt to take a hike around this beautiful area.

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall Visit

Seljalandsfoss is a 60m (196 ft) tall waterfall located along the popular ring road. Behind the flow of water is a path, allowing visitors to peek behind the curtain of water cascading over the rocks above.

Skógafoss Waterfall Visit

Visit Skógafoss, one of the largest and most recognizable waterfalls in Iceland. The 60m (200 ft) high falls forms a constant mist that floats in the air, if viewed in the sunlight the mist can create rainbows. The sound and view of the thundering water cutting through the green hills make the falls a must-see on any trip to Iceland.

Accommodation: KEA Skuggi Hotel (or similar) Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch

Day 5 – Reykjavík

Depart at any time. Meals included: Breakfast

 

What’s Included

* Lava caving (Leiðarendi Cave)

* Golden Circle sightseeing

* Þingvellir National Park visit

* Geysir Hot Spring visit

* Gullfoss Waterfall visit

* Northern Lights hunting (2 nts)

* Snowshoeing and/or hiking (Reykjadalur)

* Glacier hike (Sólheimajökull Glacier)

* Southern coast drive including Skógarfoss Waterfall and Seljalndsfoss Waterfall

* Transport to/from all included activities and between all destinations

Accommodations

Hotels (2 nts), renovated farmhouse (2 nts, shared facilities).

Meals

4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
Allow USD140-185 for meals not included.

Transportation

Private vehicle, snowshoes, walking.

Staff & experts

Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout.

Important Notes

1. The landscape of Iceland is unique and unlike most things you’ve seen. So is the weather. It is unpredictable and changeable, so be prepared to experience a variety of conditions during your time in Iceland. It’s not uncommon to experience rain, sun, wind and snow all in the same visit, so please pack accordingly.

2. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and sightings will be dependent on weather conditions. We cannot guarantee that travellers booked on this tour will experience the Northern Lights.

 

What to Bring

Our advice is to pack as lightly as possible. We highly recommend using a backpack, sports bag or soft compact wheeled suitcase, whichever you find easiest to carry, plus a small daypack is essential. Dressing in layers is recommended as weather can change dramatically, without notice.

Checklist

Cold Weather:
• Long-sleeved shirts or sweater
• Scarf
• Warm gloves
• Warm hat
• Warm layers

Documents:
• Flight info
• Insurance info
• Passport
• Required visas or vaccination certificates
• Vouchers and pre-departure information

+ Essentials:
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Day pack
• First-aid kit

etc.