Discover Inspiration in Iceland: Explore the Nature, People, and Auroras
Iceland Travel
Hidden Powers & Northern Lights
People who visit Iceland often feel it changes their view on life. Iceland’s otherwordly landscapes inspire people. In addition, Icelanders’ focus on green energy solutions, wellness focus, and artistic expression are also a motivation to make changes in one’s own life for the better.
Now it’s your turn. Here’s your change to experience amazing natural forces first-hand with this great introduction to Iceland. Discover the very best of South Iceland. We’ll show you beloved places such as Geysir, Gullfoss waterfall, the Glacial Lagoon/Diamond Beach, Vatnajökull National Park, and the Blue Lagoon. Several overnights are in excellent locations for northern lights hunting.
Season: October 2024 – April 2025
Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights
Language: English
Maximum size: 16 or 36 participants
Activity/Difficulty Level: 1 out of 5 (Very Easy)
We Support Iceland’s Nature and Local Communities! During the trip you’ll receive a special souvenir: an Iceland Search and Rescue Association (ICE SAR) key ring. Your guide will tell you about this trained team of volunteers dedicated to rescue work and accident prevention in Iceland. ICE-SAR’s work is supported by contributions from companies and individuals. Iceland Travel is one of these proud supporters. Additionally, all our escorted tours include carbon offsetting through Kolviður, the Iceland Carbon Fund (ICF).
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival in Iceland
Arrival at Keflavík International airport. Transfers to Reykjavík 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 arrive 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 favourite activities after a long flight is to visit one of the neighbourhood geothermal pools. 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 cosy café.
Dinner this evening is at your leisure. Reykjavík offers a multitude of restaurants, making dinner a wonderful 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: Þingvellir – Geysir – Gullfoss
Breakfast at your hotel. Your guide will meet you in the lobby of the hotel. Start your adventure by visiting the fascinating Aurora Reykjavík 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.
Depart Reykjavík and head onwards to Þingvellir National Park (UNESCO World Heritage site) where the world’s oldest parliament met for centuries on the shores of Iceland’s largest lake. This place makes us Icelanders enormously proud of our heritage. You might even have a rare chance to walk between two continents!
Continue to the geothermal fields of Geysir with bubbling mud pools and the high-spouting Strokkur hot spring. Last but not least, you’ll visit the dramatic two-tiered Gullfoss waterfall, a spectacular sight in winter when frozen mid-cascade.
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 power and hot water. You’ll visit a unique outdoor geothermal bakery where sweet Icelandic rye bread is baked in hot sands. You can taste some of the freshly baked bread, hot from the ground. It’s especially delicious eaten with Icelandic butter and smoked trout.
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 South Iceland
Approximate Driving Distance: 185 km / 115 miles
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Copyright: LCC Iceland Travel -
Copyright: LCC Iceland Travel -
Copyright: LCC Iceland Travel
Day 3: Iceland’s South Shore
Breakfast at your hotel. Drive along the South Shore, an area of Iceland that is especially beautiful to view in the winter. 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. Enjoy the exhibit and an interesting film about Icelandic volcanoes. 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 Eyjafjallajökull (last eruption 2010).
Stop at the spectacular waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. If trail conditions are right, you might be able to walk behind the ribbon-like Seljalandsfoss falls. Skógafoss is a beautifully shaped waterfall that makes a perfect backdrop for a selfie.
Head onwards to visit Reynisfjara beach. Take a walk on the black sand, admiring the extraordinary rock formations and thundering waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Cross Eldhraun, a vast lava field created from a very destructive 18th-century eruption as you head to your overnight.
Dinner and overnight stay in the Kirkjubæjarklaustur area.
Approximate Driving Distance: 200 km / 124 miles
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Copyright: LCC Iceland Travel -
Copyright: LCC Iceland Travel
Day 4: Vatnajökull National Park
Breakfast at your hotel. Today you’ll be visiting the southern area of Vatnajökull 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! Visit Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon where you can enjoy the breath-taking sight of icebergs floating in the fantastic 180m (591 ft.) deep glacial lagoon. Nearby is the dramatic beauty of the Diamond Beach, where shrinking icebergs settle on the black sands before they drift out to sea.
Visit the national park’s famous Skaftafell area, a site of outstanding natural beauty dominated by several magnificent glaciers.
Dinner and overnight in the Kirkjubaejarklaustur area.
Approximate Driving Distance: 260 km / 162 miles
Day 5: Reykjanes and the Blue Lagoon
Breakfast at your hotel. Head back along the beautiful South Coast, enjoying a different view of the winter landscapes. Visit the village of Hveragerði, which is one of the few sites in the world located directly in the middle of a geothermal area. Hveragerði is often called “The Flower Village” because of its geothermal greenhouses.
Next, you’ll visit a horse farm to meet some locals: Icelandic horses. This Viking horse breed played a pivotal role in Icelandic history. Enjoy petting these friendly horses and snapping a few selfies with them. You’ll also taste some sweet refreshments that are traditionally served on Icelandic farms.
Turn onto a southern coastal road and follow alongside the shoreline with its breathtaking sea waves. The road 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 Reykjavík, where your guide bids you farewell at the hotel. The evening is open for you to enjoy your own activities. Dinner is on your own.
Overnight in Reykjavík.
Approximate Driving Distance: 365 km / 227 miles
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Copyright: LCC Iceland Travel -
Copyright: LCC Iceland Travel -
Copyright: LCC Iceland Travel
Day 6: 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 from 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!
Important
- Northern lights are dependent on weather conditions and sightings are not guaranteed
- We reserve the right to alter routes without prior notice, due to road conditions
- Please advise us at booking time if you have food allergies or dietary preferences
- A minimum of 3 passengers is required to guarantee each departure
Included
- Guided coach tour from day 2 to day 5
- Expert professional English-speaking local guide from day 2 to day 5
- Free Wi-Fi on board the motor coach
- Accommodation 2 nights in a standard room with facilities in Reykjavík
- Accommodation 3 nights in a standard room with facilities in the countryside
- Icelandic breakfast (except arrival day)
- 3 Two-course local-cuisine dinners in the countryside (main course and dessert) with coffee/tea (day 2, 3, 4)
- Souvenir Icelandic Search and Rescue keyring
- Entrance fee to the Aurora Reykjavík Northern Lights Centre (day 2)
- Visit to outdoor geothermal bakery and taste of steam-baked rye bread (day 2)
- Entrance fee to the LAVA Centre and volcano film at the LAVA Centre Cinema (day 3)
- Visit to a local horse farm to meet Icelandic horses. Visit also includes traditional Icelandic refreshments. (day 5)
- Blue Lagoon admission, including towel rental, silica mud mask and one drink (day 5)
- Use of crampons/cleats (if needed) for walking on snow/ice covered surfaces
- Great photo stops
- Carbon offsetting through Kolviður, the Iceland Carbon Fund (ICF).
- Seat rotation during the tour
- Northern lights guided hunt on foot one selected evening, including use of crampons and headlight
- Customer care service during office hours
- 24-hour Iceland Travel emergency line assistance while you are in Iceland
- Also (Added Value): Northern lights “wake-up call” option during the night on days 2 - 4 (please note: available at most countryside hotels)
Not Included
- Breakfast on arrival day
- International airfare
- Baggage porterage at airport/hotel
- Personal travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Round-trip transfers between airports and hotels
- Beverages, snacks, lunches, dinners unless otherwise noted in itinerary
- Guaranteed early check-in (check-in time for most hotels in Iceland starts between 14:00 and 16:00 (2:00pm and 4:00pm)
- Guaranteed late check-out
- Any service not specifically listed under "Included"
Accommodation
Quality Category: These are quality hotels, guesthouses, and farmhouse accommodation, all with private facilities and breakfast included. In Reykjavík: 4-star hotel. In the Countryside: The most comfortable accommodation available in each area. Most of the groups stay at the following hotels. Please note this is an advised hotel list and subject to change.
Day 1 – Fosshótel Reykjavík
Day 2 – Stracta Hotel
Day 3 – Hotel Klaustur/Fosshótel Núpar
Day 4 – Hotel Klaustur/Fosshótel Núpar
Day 5 – Fosshótel Reykjavík
Lufthansa City Center