The Land of Northern Lights

Overview:

Budget accommodation option:

• from £ 1,355 per person based on availability and two people sharing a standard double/twin room. 

Upgraded accommodation option:

• from £ 1,575 per person based on availability and two people sharing a standard double/twin room. 

Single supplemnt upon request. 

Maximum group size is 40 persons

*Special departures over Christmas and New Year's. 

2024 Departure Dates:

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Welcome to Iceland (50 km/31 mls)

Upon arrival, take the FlybUs shuttle to your hotel in Reykjavík where you will spend the night. You will also receive some recommendations for exploring the capital on your own during the afternoon before spending the night at Hotel Cabin*** or Hotel Klettur****. 

Day 2: Reykjavik City Tour, The Blue Lagoon & Reykjanes Peninsula (220 km/137 mls)

At 09:00 this morning you will meet with your tour guide who will showcase some of the best Reykjavik has to offer before heading to the Reykjanes Peninsula. Here you will be treated to the breathtaking natural landscape of mountains, hot springs and bird cliffs, as well as visiting some stunning light houses and quaint fishing villages. Wind down at the Blue Lagoon where the wildly blue mineral waters are known for their healing properties. Finally, learn about the Northern Lights while waiting for darkness to fall at the Árhús Cottages before hopefully seeing the Aurora Borealis lighting up the sky. There is a choice of accommodation in simple cottages or there is an option to upgrade to a room at the Stracta Hotel in Hella.

Day 3: South Iceland Adventure (200 km/124 mls)

Today you will travel along the coast to see some of Iceland’s best natural phenomena surrounding the Eyjafjallajökull glacier. Visit the tall and narrow Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, and experience walking the trail behind the cascading water if you don’t mind getting a bit wet! Explore the black lava beach near Vík at Reynisfjara to see the amazing birdlife in their natural habitat. Later in the afternoon, head to the vast, 60 metre high Skógafoss waterfall and the nearby folk museum with its historical artefacts and turf-built houses. You may also opt to book a Glacier Hike. Enjoy another night of hopefully watching the Northern Lights dart across the pitch black sky, before spending the night at the Árhús Cottages or the Stracta Hotel.

Day 4: Icelandic Horses & Golden Circle (210 km/130 mls)

In the morning, after learning about the native Icelandic horses you will visit a geothermal greenhouse to prepare for your visit to some of the most famous geothermal sites in Iceland. Travelling the Golden Circle Route you will witness the bubbling and exploding hot springs in the Geysir geothermal fields, and the Strokkur geyser erupts every 5-10 minutes, so you won’t miss this natural phenomenon. Next you will see the spectacular Gullfoss double waterfall, as well as visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Þingvellir National Park. You may opt to book a Northern Lights cruise for the final evening if the weather permits. Spend the night in Reykjavík. 

Day 5: Farewell Iceland (50 km/31 mls)

Take the Flybus airport shuttle from Reykjavík to Keflavík Airport for your flight home.

Accommodation:

For this program we use budget accommodation in order to offer an attractive package price. You get great value for money. First and last night are at Hotel Cabin in Reykjavík, offering good standard, simple rooms with private shower/wc. The hotel features a breakfast room and bar/lounge area with TV. Hotel Cabin is located about 5 minute drive to the center of Reykjavík. 2nd & 3rd night are at Árhús Cottages in Hella, South Iceland, where 23 rooms with shower/wc are located in simple cottages in the large garden right on the river banks in the village of Hella. Árhús Cottages are popular with outdoor active guests and families travelling with children. All cottages are equipped with a small kitchenette and free Wi-Fi. There is a restaurant on premises, and a public swimming pool and supermarket are in walking distance.

Hotel Upgrade Option:

In Reykjavik overnight will be at Hotel Klettur in downtown Reykjavík. In Hella overnight will be in 24m2 studio rooms with kitchenette at Stracta Hotel, which offers a restaurant, hot tubs and sauna on its premises. It is a 10 minute walk from Stracta Hotel to Árhús Cottages in Hella where the guide gives the Northern Lights lectures and presentations. The Northern Lights movie is also shown at Stracta Hotel. Please contact our team for a quote on upgrades.

Dinners:

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. The Árhús Cottages and Stracta Hotel in South Iceland offer a limited a la carte menu with a selection of fish, meat and vegetarian as main course. Lunch stops are made at small country restaurants or petrol station diners.

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 2 evenings a combination of presentations, lectures, film and guided Northern Lights searches in the garden of Árhús Cottage in Hella, South Iceland, about 10 minute walk from Stracta Hotel.  Árhús Cottages and Stracta Hotel in South Iceland offer a Northern Lights wake up call for guests that register for that special service at the reception. 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 event. For the best photos we recommend using a tripod.  

Package Includes:

• Direct return flights from London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow or Bristol (other UK airports upon request)
• 1 piece of check-in luggage per traveler (up to 20 kg)
• Arrival & departure airport transfer by Flybus
• Fully escorted 3 day coach tour with English speaking guide
• 4 nights' accommodation in guesthouse and cottages
• Breakfast at the hotel
• Entrance with towel at Blue Lagoon
• Entrance fee to Skógar Folk Museum and Turf Houses
• Visit to Icelandic horse stables & geothermal greenhouse 
• Northern Lights program with 2 evenings of lectures, presentations, film and guided searches for northern lights and midnight refreshments
• 24 hour emergency service
• ATOL protection
• All taxes

You'll see...

• Geysers & hot springs in Iceland
• Hot Springs Iceland
• Northern Lights
• Northern Lights in Iceland
• Photographing the Northern Lights
• Reykjavik City
• The Pearl
• The Saga Museum