Iceland Northern Lights Tour Package (7 Nights / 8 Days)

Your first day is mostly focused on visiting the fabulous and very famous Golden Circle attractions.

We visit Þingvellir National Park, an incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site with huge geological, historical and cultural significance. The historic Icelandic Parliament was founded here in 930 CE/AD, called the Alþing, this is the oldest still existing democratic parliament in the world. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates continue to move apart, runs right through Þingvellir. You will see the rugged plate-edge of the gorge, this must have been a really dramatic backdrop to the ancient parliamentary sessions! Your next stop is at the Geysir geothermally active area, home to Great Geysir, the famous spouting hot spring which gave us the English word ‘geyser’. You will witness Strokkur, the most active hot spring in recent times, blasting powerful torrents of superheated water every 5 to 10 minutes. Steaming fumaroles and hot springs can also be seen around the area. The final Golden Circle attraction before we head along the south coast is the thundering Gullfoss waterfall. Gullfoss means ‘Golden Falls’, you will see golden-toned mists rising around the waterfall as the mighty Hvítá river crashes through two drops of 11 m and 21 m. Hvítá means ‘White River’, this raging glacial torrent originates at Langjökull, the second biggest glacier in Iceland.

On our way to your country hotel, situated near the village of Vík, we will stop to enjoy two legendary and very beautiful waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Both are around 60 m high, they are, otherwise, very different. Skógafoss waterfall cascades gracefully from the former sea cliffs. Seljalandsfoss is sometimes referred to as “the unusual waterfall”, a pathway leads behind the curtain of falling water, offering you a unique experience and views.

You will be picked up in Reykjavík at 8:00. Picking everyone up takes up to 30 minutes, depending where your accommodation is located in Reykjavik you may have to wait a few minutes, your patience is much appreciated.

Our first stop today is at Reynisfjara black sand beach. A walk along the beach will bring you to the extremely impressive and unusual basalt column cave. You will also see the troll-like and atmospheric Reynisdrangar peaks rising just off-shore. Now to the glaciers!

We travel through some extraordinary landscapes and other-worldly scenery on the way to Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park. You will see views of the stunning Mýrdalsjökull glacier, home to one of the most feared volcanoes of all, the notorious Katla. You will also see another great fire maestro, Eyjafjalljökull. Our journey will take us over the Eldhraun lava field to Skaftafell, a lush green oasis in the midst of black volcanic sand areas. Skaftafell is quite sheltered with flourishing vegetation and birch forests.

Our specialist glacier guide will lead you on a three-hour glacier hike, giving you the opportunity to explore a stunning glacier tongue of Vatnajökull, the biggest glacier in Europe. You will learn all about this sensational blue/white ice world.

We continue with the theme of ice, onwards to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, action scenes from James Bond and other movies have made this the most famous ice lagoon in the world. Feast your eyes on the jaw-droppingly beautiful iceberg filled lagoon and visit the fabulous Diamond Beach. This coal-black beach glitters with shimmering blue/white icebergs washed ashore by the tide, these opalescent forms are extraordinary shapes. You will feel as though you have stepped through a magic doorway into a mystical ice realm with magic landscapes. Your accommodation will be in the Höfn area, a charming town known as ‘the lobster capital of Iceland’.

Today we head to Iceland´s sensational East Fjords. You will travel the narrow roads which thread their way between the mountains and the ocean, passing through the very remote peninsular of Hvalnes. Continuing onwards you will see the really dramatic and contrasting scenery around Lón, the Þvottárskriður landslides and Álftafjarðar, a really beautiful fjord.

A stop is made at Djúpivogur, a still traditional small fishing village, this friendly community is well known for its eco-conscious and welcoming ways. We recommend you take a look at Eggin í Gleðivík (The Eggs of Merry Bay), a splendid outdoor sculpture. At our next stop we will enjoy an exhilarating three-hour hike to Hengifoss, the second highest waterfall in Iceland (128 m). There are more beautiful falls to discover on this hike, the towering Litlanesfoss waterfall is framed by incredible giant hexagonal basalt columns. You will pass a sensational gorge where the ash layers left by ancient volcanic eruptions can clearly be seen, the colorful rock makes these all the more impressive. Following our hike we travel to Egilsstaðir, your accommodation for the night will be at a country hotel in this area.

Today we will explore North Iceland. Our journey from Egilsstaðir will take us through the wilderness area around Möðrudalur, the highest inhabited place in Iceland at 469 m, this farming community is now host to the highest coffee house in the land. Our first destination is Dettifoss waterfall, these falls have the most powerful flow rate in Europe. Believe us, this roaring torrent is truly awesome – you really will feel humbled by the power of Icelandic nature. Your next attraction, the mystical landscapes around Lake Mývatn, has an altogether different character. The scenery will keep getting more surreal! We are heading to the steaming lunar landscapes and bubbling technicolor mud pots at the Námaskarð geothermal area. The steaming fumaroles and sizzling hot springs waft clouds of steam across these other-worldly vistas. There are more extraordinary scenes to come when we take you to see the Hverfjall crater and the unbelievable Dimmuborgir lava formations, known as the Dark Castles!

Now for some relaxation! Mývatn Nature Baths, the Icelandic name for these baths is Jarðbóðin – unsurprisingly, the hot water comes straight up out of the earth. Bathe in the mineral rich alkaline water (36 – 40 C), the entrance fee can be paid when booking or on site. Or you could take a stroll to enjoy the wonderful views and take a break in the cafeteria. Goðafoss, a dreamy crescent shaped waterfall, is our last stop before we continue to Eyjafjörður, the longest fjord in Iceland, rimmed by high mountains. Your accommodation will be at a country

Sometimes we can fit in a short stop at the Capital of the North, Akureyri. Our journey will always take us through this beautiful little town in the midst of the mountains close to the apex of the mesmerizing Eyjafjörður Fjord (the Island Fjord). We are heading for the absolutely charming and still traditional fishing town of Dalvík, with its busy working harbor and fabulous views over Eyjafjörður and Hrísey Island. The dramatic high mountains, home to some of the best ski slopes in Iceland will be at your back. Your three-hour whale watching boat trip starts at Dalvík harbor. You will skim over Eyjafjörður, going in whichever direction is best to see humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, minke whales, and occasionally even blue whales. These tours are really successful when it comes to spotting whales, they are seen on 98% of tours. You are surrounded by the incredible natural beauty of Eyjafjörður, the longest Fjord in Iceland, every view is totally spectacular. You will get the opportunity to try sea angling, as soon as we come ashore that fish is cooked and you can taste the most amazingly fresh fish. It's also possible to upgrade (Apr-Oct) for a small fee to a 1.5-hour rhib boat tour, that can give the opportunity to approach them closer.

Next on the agenda is a drive to Siglufjörður, a beautiful fishing village with an incredible history. This town was overtaken by a Klondike-like gold rush atmosphere in the early 20th century, when the tiny and isolated community became known as the herring fishing capital of the Atlantic. Traveling around Tröllaskagi (the Troll Peninsula) you will see stunning ocean scenery and incredibly steep mountains. Your visit to Siglufjörður will give you a fabulous insight into how life was lived in tiny and isolated Icelandic villages. On the way to your hotel for the night you will pass through the farming heartland of Iceland, this is also a big horse farming area. Your small hotel will be at Borgarnes.

On the 6th day of the tour we head to Borgarfjörður in West Iceland, an area voted as one of the best destinations by Lonely Planet in 2016. Borgarfjörður has a lot to show and we will visit some of the best natural and historical stops. Deildartunguhver hot spring is on our list as well as two waterfalls: Barnafoss (also known as the Children's waterfall) and Hraunfossar which emerges in low cascades straight from a lava field. Before ending the day with scenic views of Hvalfjörður (Whale Fjord) we will also stop at Reykholt, a historic site that was once home to a famous Icelandic historian, lawyer, politician, author of some of the Icelandic Sagas, and poet Snorri Sturluson.

We should arrive back in the city at approximately 5 – 6 pm. You are dropped off at the closest authorized pick up point to your accommodation, maybe even at your hotel. In the evening, you'll be picked up for the 3 hour long Magical Aurora mini bus tour, to hunt down the northern lights.

You have another day to make the most of being in Reykjavík, the stunning capital of Iceland. Check off a few more things on your Reykjavík bucket list – there are plenty more options. Maybe, explore the network of cycling and walking paths which thread around the coast and crossthe city. The coastal scenery is spellbinding from places such as Seltjarnarnes and Mosfellsbær, both are easily reached by Strætó buses, although it is easy to walk to Seltjarnarness. Grasagarðurinn, the Reykjavík Botanical Gardens, are well worth a visit. See the area where the women of Reykjavík used to do their laundry in the hot spring pools. These beautiful gardens are situated next to Laugardalslaug, the largest swimming pool in Iceland. Shop and browse some more, laze in coffee shops or restaurants, visit another museum or gallery, or squeeze in one last amazing adventure activity tour – the choice is for you to make!