During the day we explore Southwest Iceland, known for its natural wonders and cultural sights. See glittering glaciers, snow-clad mountains, giant lava fields, steaming hot springs and beautiful waterfalls. Bathe in the mineral rich geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon, walk on a black lava beach, visit Icelandic horses on their farm, photography idyllic turf houses and travel close to the famous Eyjafjallajökull volcano. This short getaway to Iceland offers insight into Iceland's nature and cultural life, with two nights in Iceland's capital and two nights in South Iceland, an ideal location for the search for the Northern Lights. Also called Aurora Borealis, they are visible in the northern sky from September through April when the sky is clear and free of clouds. During this tour it is possible to book an optional glacier hike.
Individual transfer by Flybus shuttle bus from Keflavik airport to your accommodation in Reykjavik. You may explore Iceland’s capital city on your own if time allows.
Overnight location:
Hotel Cabin (Budget version, standard room is 10m²) / Hótel Klettur (Comfort version), or similar
Start point
Keflavik International Airport / Keflavíkurflugvöllur (KEF), Keflavíkurflugvelli, Sandgerði, Southern Peninsula 235, Iceland
At 09:00 meet your tour guide who shows the group the highlights of Iceland's exciting capital. Then head out to the Reykjanes Peninsula with its hot springs, mountains, bird cliffs, light houses and fishing villages. At the end of the day, we get to soak off our travels in the warm mineral waters of the famous Blue Lagoon. We stay for two nights in simple cottages in South Iceland. There is an option to upgrade your accommodation to the Stracta Hotel in Hella. In the evening, we hear about the Northern Lights from our tour guide. Naturally, once darkness falls, you are out in the garden waiting for the Northern Lights.
Overnight location:
Hotel Stracta or similar
Today we head along the south coast and reach the area near the active volcano that is beneath the Eyjafjallajökull glacier. We stop at the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which plunges from the mountain. Next we visit Skógar folk museums, which contains an outstanding collection of farm and domestic artifacts from Iceland's past and several turf-built houses. Nearby is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country; the 60 meter high Skógafoss waterfall.
In the afternoon we offer an optional glacier walk. The Sólheimajökull glacier tongue extends from the great Mýrdalsjökull glacier, down to the sandy plains of the Icelandic south coast. The spectacular surroundings are marked by rugged and majestic rock formations thoroughly shaped by the glacier. On this fun, safe and easy to moderate glacier walk you get to explore the wonderland of ice sculptures, water cauldrons, ridges and deep crevasses on the breath-taking Sólheimajökull glacier. While enjoying all the features of the glacier and its spectacular surroundings, you will learn more about the behavior of glaciers and their impact on nature. No technical requirements are needed for the tour as an experienced glacier guide will teach you how to use basic glacier equipment, such as crampons and an ice axe which are provided for glacier walk tours. The unique experience of a glacier walk on one of the many retreating glaciers of the world is sure to leave lasting memories. Duration of this activity is approximately 3 hours in total, about 90 minutes on the ice and about 30-40 min walk (one-way) from the car park to the glacier edge itself. The minimum age for the glacier hike is 10 years. You need to bring warm clothing, rain gear and hiking boots. The glacier hike can be booked with your tour guide on spot for a special GJ Travel discount.
If you booked the trip without the glacier hike, then the tour continues further south where you can stroll on the black lava beach to see the amazing bird cliffs at Reynisfjara near Vík. In the evening there is another presentation about the Northern Lights. If the night is clear, you might see the Northern Lights swirling in a wild and carefree dance across the heavens in dramatic shapes, colours, patterns and sizes. The grounds of the Stracta Hotel in Hella are very large and dark and offer you a good location for Northern Lights search if the weather conditions are right. It requires patience, warm clothing and the excitement of "maybe there could be Northern Lights".
Overnight location:
Hotel Stracta or similar
In the morning you learn about the Icelandic horse, its special qualities and history and visit a geothermal greenhouse. Travel the Golden Circle route. See steam rising from the Geysir geothermal fields as you arrive. There is a variety of hot springs and bubbling pools. The original geyser is now dormant but has been replaced by Strokkur "the Churn" which erupts at 5-10 minute intervals. Continue on to Gullfoss, a double waterfall that tumbles 34 meters into the Hvítá River and attracts tourists and travellers in summer and winter. Head inland to Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before returning to Reykjavík for your last night, either at Hotel Cabin or Hotel Klettur. An optional Northern Lights evening cruise can be booked while in destination, if the weather conditions are ideal.
Overnight location:
Hotel Cabin (Budget version, standard room is 10m²) / Hótel Klettur (Comfort version), or similar
Individual transfer by Flybus airport shuttle from your guesthouse/hotel accommodation in Reykjavík to Keflavík Airport.
End point
Keflavik International Airport / Keflavíkurflugvöllur (KEF), Keflavíkurflugvelli, Sandgerði, Southern Peninsula 235, Iceland
4 nights in tourist-class hotels including breakfast
Hótel Cabin: Cabin is our budget accommodation in Reykjavík for this tour. The hotel offers standard rooms that are 10m2 with private bathrooms. A restaurant and bar are located on the ground floor of the hotel. The hotel is ideally located for sightseeing and some shopping in the city center.
Hótel Klettur: Klettur is our comfort accommodation in Reykjavík for this tour. The hotel offers standard rooms that are 18-24m2 with private bathrooms. A bar, with a excellent selection of Icelandic beers, cocktails and wine, is located on the ground floor of the hotel.
Stracta Hotel: Stracta is both our budget and comfort accommodation on the country side. Stracta is located in a small village with little exposure to city lights, making the possibility for viewing the Northern Lights from the hotel garden, or possibly your window. Our travelers that book the budget option will be staying in a standard room, which are 18m2, with private bathrooms, and our travelers that book the comfort oprtion will be staying in studio rooms, which are 24m2, with private bathrooms and a small kitchenette suitable for basic self-catering. A restaurant is located on the ground floor of the hotel. In the evenings you can relax in the hot tubs and sauna located in the hotel gardens.
All hotels have breakfast and free WiFi.
Hotels are subject to change.
International and domestic flights not included
Experienced English-speaking driver and guide throughout tour apart from arrival and departure days
Daily breakfasts
Optional experiences are available on this tour for an additional cost and will be provided to you with your finalised travel documents
Iceland
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