The Land of the Northern Lights Exploration
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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, photograph 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.
Highlights:
- Budget holiday offering excellent value for money
- Must-see nature: the Golden Circle, the South Coast and the Blue Lagoon
- Visit to Skógar folk museum with turf houses
- 2-night stay in South Iceland, ideal for Northern Lights hunting
- 2 evenings with a combination of lectures, presentations, film and guided searches for Aurora Borealis
- Optional Northern Lights fjord cruise (day 1 and 4)
- Optional glacier hike (day 3)
- Two hotel class options to suit every budget
Tour Itinerary
Day 1, TUE or THU: WELCOME TO ICELAND (50 km/31 mls)
The Flybus shuttle brings travellers from Keflavík International Airport to your hotel in Reykjavík where you spend one night. We provide you with ideas how to explore Iceland's capital on your own.
Day 2, WED or FRI: REYKJAVIK CITY TOUR, THE BLUE LAGOON & REYKJANES PENINSULA (220 km/137 mls)
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, lighthouses and fishing villages. At the end of the day, we get to soak off our travels in the warm mineral rich waters of the famous Blue Lagoon. We stay for two nights in simple cottages in South Iceland. In the evening, we hear about the Northern Lights from our tour guide at Árhús Cottages. Naturally, once darkness falls, you are out in the garden waiting for the Northern Lights.
Day 3, THU or SAT: SOUTH ICELAND WITH OPTIONAL GLACIER HIKE (200 km/124 mls)
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 artefacts 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 behaviour 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 is 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 about 3 hours in total, about 90 minutes on the ice and about 30-40 min walk (one-way) from the parking lot 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 only be booked with the guide on day 2. The special price for the Land of Northern Lights group members is about ISK 14.000 (about EUR 120 per person) instead of ISK 14.900 official rate; prices are subject to change. Payment is due with the glacier hike company on day 3 in Icelandic Krona - cash only!
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 Árhús Cottages and 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".
Day 4, FRI or SUN: HORSES & GOLDEN CIRCLE (210 km/130 mls)
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. An optional Northern Lights evening cruise can be booked if the weather conditions are ideal.
Day 5, SAT or MON: DEPARTURE HOME (50 km/31 mls)
Individual transfer by Flybus airport shuttle from your guesthouse/hotel accommodation in Reykjavík to Keflavík Airport.
Daily driving: Total mileage without airport transfer is about 630 km (391 miles) which is an average of 210 km (130 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. This tour is suitable for children that are used to bus tours.
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.
Departures: every Tuesday and Thursday from September - April
Group Size: 40 people max
Accommodation Class | Price based on 2 or 3 sharing | Solo traveller supplement |
Budget Accommodation (Hotel Cabin and Árhús Cottages: | £1,195* per person | £155* |
Comfort Accommodation Hotel Klettur and Hotel Stracta): | £1,395* per person | £495* |
The price is from £1,195* per person, depending on your preferred accommodation, based on 2 people sharing a double/twin room
*Prices are subject to availability
This Includes:
- Return flights from the UK including hand luggage, taxes and fees
- Arrival & departure airport transfer by FLYBUS Plus shuttle (no guide)
- Fully escorted 3-day bus tour with an English-speaking guide (Note: also guided in Mandarin and Spanish)
- 4-nights budget/comfort accommodation, in rooms with private shower/wc
- Daily breakfast
- 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 during 2 evenings with a combination of lectures, presentations, film and guided searches for the Northern Lights and midnight refreshments
- Use of winter & Northern Lights Explorer equipment: simple non-slip snow & ice grippers spikes for shoes and a flashlight that is helpful when walking in the dark and operating your photo camera at night
- Financial Protection (ATOL)
Not Included:
- Optional Excursions
- Travel Insurance
- Anything else not specifically listed under "this includes"
Why book with All Iceland?
All Iceland is a UK based travel company that specialises in Iceland
Book with the Icelandic experts!
Our office is staffed and run by Icelanders, we promise intimate local knowledge from where to stay to places to eat and the hidden gems that you will not find in tourist guides. We will help you get the holiday you want and we can adapt this package. Book through us and your holiday will also be fully ATOL and ABTA protected. Travel with confidence!
Contact us and we can help you:
- to stay longer and discover more, this package can be extended -
- to book additional excursions -
- if you have specific accommodation requirements -
- to book this package with or without flights -
All Iceland cooperates with airlines that offer direct, scheduled flights to Iceland, Faroe Islands and Greenland. When making a holiday enquiry, please state which airport you wish to fly from. We can offer a package with or without flights. When you book a holiday package including UK flights, your holiday will be fully ATOL Protected.
Flights to Iceland
Icelandair, full service airline: London Heathrow and London Gatwick, Manchester, Glasgow and Dublin to Keflavík Airport (KEF).
PLAY, low cost airline: London Stansted, Liverpool to Keflavík Airport (KEF).
British Airways, full service airline: London Heathrow to Keflavík Airport (KEF).
easyJet, low cost airline: London Gatwick and London Luton, Bristol, Manchester and Edinburgh to Keflavík Airport (KEF).
Flights to Iceland, Akureyri
easyJet: London Gatwick
Domestic Flights in Iceland
Icelandair: Domestic flights between Reykjavík Domestic Airport (REY) to Akureyri, Egilsstaðir, Ísafjörður, Vopnafjörður, Grímsey and Þórshöfn.
Fugfelagið Ernir: Domestic flights between Reykjavík Domestic Airport (REY) to Vestmannaeyjar, Höfn, Húsavík, Bíldudalur and Gjögur.
Flights to Faroe Islands and Greenland
Atlantic Airways: Edinburgh to Vagar Airport Faroe Islands.
Air Greenland: Copenhagen to Greenland.
Icelandair: Reykjavík Domestic Airport to Faroe Islands and Greenland.
Bespoke Holidays
At All Iceland we tailor make holidays for our customers.
With this in mind you cannot book this holiday directly on the website but please send us an enquiry or give us a call and we will help you to create your once in a lifetime holiday. Contact our team of Icelandic Experts today and start planning with us!