Overview:
"Awe-inspiring, magical, breathtaking, spellbinding, mesmerizing", these are a few of the words to describe the Aurora Borealis or - as they are more commonly called - the Northern Lights. In fact, no amount of words or, indeed, images could ever do real justice to the Aurora. It is one of Mother Nature's most spectacular natural phenomena. This winter adventure goes to North, East and South Iceland. Join us for a group tour around the country in pursuit of Northern Lights.
Holiday price is from £3,095 per person based on availability and two people sharing a double or twin room. Single supplement is £ 570 person.
Maximum number of participants is 30 persons.
2017/2018 Departure Dates:
| DEPARTURE |
RETURN |
| 01 Oct |
08 Oct |
| 15 Oct |
22 Oct |
| 29 Oct |
05 Nov |
| 05 Nov |
12 Nov |
| 19 Nov |
26 Nov |
| 11 Feb |
18 Feb |
| 18 Feb |
25 Feb |
| 25 Feb |
04 Mar |
| 04 Mar |
11 Mar |
| 11 Mar |
18 Mar |
| 18 Mar |
25 Mar |
| 25 Mar |
01 Apr |
.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Welcome to Iceland (50 km/31 mls)
The Flybus shuttle brings travelers from Keflavík International Airport to the accommodation in Reykjavík where you spend the night. We provide you with ideas how to explore Iceland's capital on your own, dinner suggestions too! Food lovers will be pleased and perhaps even impressed by the number of diverse restaurants in Reykjavík. Many award winning chefs create delicious Icelandic cuisine that is characterized by an imaginative use of local ingredients such as fresh seafood, organic lamb and wild game; but be sure to try the fabulous Icelandic hotdog and pizza too!
Day 2: The Capital of North Iceland & Lake Myvatn (140 km/87 mls)
At 06:10 meet your tour guide and travel by air to Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland. We explore this charming town of 17,000 inhabitants and travel to Goðafoss, the waterfalls of the Gods. We continue to Lake Mývatn which is known for its geological wonders, active bird life and being Iceland's winter wonderland, but also for having Iceland's coldest temperatures. We stop at bizarre lava formations, walk around pseudo craters and hike in a lava field at Dimmuborgir "the dark castles". In the evening, join a lecture about Northern Lights, relax at Mývatn Nature Baths and get ready to chase the elusive Northern Lights.
Day 3: Venturing East (220 km/137 mls)
We start the day at Mývatn bird museum and travel to the hot spring area of Námaskarð with bubbling mud pools and steaming solfataras. We head through the uninhabited highlands and a moonlike surrounding to East Iceland. With some luck with might spot an Arctic fox or see some reindeer. We stay at Hotel Hallormsstaður located in Iceland's largest forest. This setting is perfect for hunting the magical auroras.
Day 4: Walk in the Woods, Visit Fishing Villages & Meet the Locals (120 km/75 mls)
After a walk through the Hallormsstaður arboretum we travel to Eskifjörður, a charming seaside village in the East Fjords. We visit the local maritime museum, take a private tour through a historic seaman's lodge and get the opportunity to taste locally produced shark meat, dried fish and Brennivín snaps. We visit the local Aurora museum where a local photographer and Aurora hunter shows us some amazing Northern Lights photos, tells us about personal Aurora encounters and if the weather conditions are suitable, leads us to a secret Northern Lights spot just outside the village. Overnight at Fosshotel East Fjords.
Day 5: Fjords, Glacer & Ice (385 km/239 mls)
We start the day with a visit to Petra's incredible collection of stones and minerals. On we travel to admire the dramatic fjord landscape and its tiny fishing villages at the end of twisty roads in the East Fjords. Soon we see Vatnajökull, Europe's biggest glacier and we stop at Jökulsárlón, a glacial lagoon filled with floating icebergs. We travel to the tiny turf church at Hof and continue through the largest national park in Europe. 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 in the region.
Day 6: Lava Landscapes of the South Coast (255 km/158 mls)
A beautiful drive with many natural wonders awaits us today as we head across the Eldhraun lava field. We see sandy deserts, mountainous cliffs, glaciers and waterfalls. We stroll along the black lava beach of Reynisfjara and stop at Skógafoss waterfall which is 60 meters high and one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country. At the Eyjafjallajökull Information Center we learn about living next to a glacier and an active volcano. We continue to the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall. After dinner we enjoy a film presentation about Northern Lights which is part of the Northern Lights educational program. Naturally, once darkness falls, we are out to chase the Northern Lights and to soak in the hotel's outdoor hot tubs. Overnight in South Iceland.
Day 7: Golden Circle (190 km/118 mls)
We explore the Golden Circle sights: Geysir geothermal fields, Gullfoss waterfall and Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. As we return to Reykjavík, we show you highlights of the world's northernmost capital. Last stay in Reykjavík.
Day 8: Farewell Iceland (50 km/31 mls)
Individual transfer by Flybus airport shuttle to Keflavík Airport.
Daily driving: Total mileage without airport transfer is 1.310 km (814 miles) which is an average of 219 km (135 miles) per day. You spend about 3 hours per day on the bus, depending on road conditions, traffic and daily distances. On some days the driving might be longer than on some other days.
CHANGE OF PROGRAM: Itineraries may be subject to change at short notice during severe weather conditions and certain outdoor activities/day trips may be cancelled during the winter season in Iceland. In these rare cases, where situations of force majeure apply, excursions/activities cannot be refunded but the local guides will try their best to find reasonable alternatives where and whenever possible.
INFORMATION REGARDING DINNER AND LUNCHES: In Reykjavik, the dinner is on your own. There are many restaurants for both fast food and a fine a la carte dining in Iceland's capital. In the countryside hotels, a 2-course dinner is included. If you have any special diet requests or allergies, please let us know at the moment of your booking. For lunch the group stops at small country restaurants, road side shops or petrol station diners on route.
NATURE FEES: There is a possibility that some of the nature attractions around Iceland might charge an entrance fee during the trip. These entrance fees are not included in the tour price and need to be paid by all tour members additionally on the spot, when entering any of these nature sites. Locations, amount of entrance fee, form of payment and other details are not known at the present time and are subject to change.
NORTHERN LIGHTS: This program includes during 5 evenings a combination of presentations, lectures, film and guided tours at spots that are likely to offer a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis – the Northern Lights. All countryside hotels in this program offer a Northern Lights wake up call for guests that register for that special service at the hotel reception. At some of the hotels this service is only offered until 02:00 or 03:00 in the morning. This tour series is designed to spend 5 evenings in the countryside to maximize the chances of seeing the elusive Northern Lights, still the tour is dependent on weather and therefore sightings are not guaranteed. The Northern Lights are in the northern hemisphere from September through April but are only visible when the sky is clear and free of clouds. Like many of natural wonders, the Northern Lights are ephemeral – they may be visible, they may appear for a bit and then be gone (it is not a TV show that you can just turn on and off). But it is worth the patience which is much required. Because they are a winter event, you need to be prepared to wait outside while looking for them. It is best to dress very warmly, in layers, with good footwear, gloves, hats and whatever else will make you comfortable while you await patiently this truly outstanding light show. For the best photos we recommend using a tripod.
Package Includes:
- Direct return flights from London, Manchester, Glasgow or Bristol
- 1 piece of check-in luggage per traveler (up to 20 kg)
- Arrival & departure airport transfer by FLYBUS Plus shuttle (no guide)
- Fully escorted 6-day bus tour with an English-speaking guide
- Domestic flight Reykjavík-Akureyri including airport taxes and airport transfer in Reykjavík
- 7-nights accommodation, in rooms with private shower/wc, and including breakfast
- 5x 2-course dinner and 5x midnight refreshment on day 2-6
- 1x light lunch and coffee & cake en route on day 3
- Entrance with towel at Mývatn Nature Baths
- Visit to bird museum at lake Mývatn
- Shark meat, dried fish and Brennivín schnapps tasting on day 4
- Meet the locals: entrance and tour at Maritime Museum and Randulf’s sea-house in Eskifjörður
- Visit to Petra’s stone & crystal collection
- Visit to Aurora museum and encounter with local Northern Lights photografer and Aurora hunter in East Iceland
- Visit to a multi media presentation at Eyjafjallajökull Volcano Information Center
- Northern Lights program during 5 evenings with a combination of lectures, presentations, film and guided searches for the Northern Lights
- Use of winter & Northern Lights explorer equipment: simple non-slip snow & ice grippers spikes for shoes and a flash light that is helpful when walking in the dark and operating your photo camera at night
- 24-hour emergency service
- ATOL protection
- All taxes
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