ICELAND COMPLETE winter - the noRthern lights edItion 9 DAYS
Reykjavik - Gullfoss - Vik - hofn - Egilsstadir - Lake Myvatn - Siglufjordur - Borgarnes - Reykjavik

Enjoy the northern lights version of our most popular tour! We’ll show you the main attractions of the legendary Ring Road, but with the added beauty—and northern lights—of an Icelandic winter.

itinerary & prices

 Day 1 Arrive Reykjavik
Highlights: Reykjavik 
Important:   If you have added extra nights in Reykjavik before your tour, the guide will meet your group for the start of the tour on Day 2 according to the standard “Iceland Complete” itinerary.

Arrival at Keflavik International Airport. Transfers to Reykjavik are not included in the tour. We would be happy to arrange shared or private transfers for you, so let us know at booking time. If you are arriving earlier in the day, you might consider adding a day tour. We would be happy to make suggestions based on your interests. One of our favorite activities after a long flight is to visit one of the neighborhood geothermal pools. It is so refreshing to relax in the warm water, breathing in the fresh Icelandic air. It’s a wonderful way to get to see Icelandic daily life and maybe meet a few locals. It’s also nice to take a stroll in the old city center, perhaps visiting one of the museums or relaxing with a cup of coffee in a cozy café. Tonight, there will be an information meeting at your hotel. You‘ll meet your guide and travel companions and learn more about the tour. Dinner this evening is at your leisure. Reykjavik offers a multitude of restaurants and/or coffee-houses, making dinner a wonderful way to get better acquainted with Iceland’s capital.

Please note that hotels in Iceland start check-in around 14:00 (2:00pm), and early check-in is not guaranteed. Most hotels will be happy to store your luggage if you are not able to check in early.

Please note: If you have added extra nights in Reykjavik before your tour, your tour starts with the evening meeting on Day 1 according to the stamdard “Iceland Complete” itinerary.

Day 2 Geysir - Gullfoss - Skogar - Dyrholaey - Vik
Highlights: Geysir Hot Spring, Gullfoss Waterfall, Hekla Volcano, Eyjafjallajokull Glacier, Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, Skogafoss Waterfall, Reynisdrangar Cliffs, Vik i Myrdal
Approximate Distance: 325 km / 201 miles

Exploding Geysers – Waterfalls – Black Sand Beaches
Breakfast at your hotel. Your local guide will meet you in the lobby of the hotel. Please be in the lobby with your luggage, ready for an enjoyable day in South Iceland! After a quick introduction to our home city of Reykjavik, head to the greenhouse village of Hveragerdi. Continue to the Golden Circle natural wonders. Explore Gullfoss waterfall, a spectacular sight in winter when frozen mid-cascade.  Continue to the geothermal fields of Geysir with bubbling mud pools and the high-spouting Strokkur hot spring (and other geysers). Continue along the south shore and stop to admire the waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss before continuing to Dyrholaey and the black sand beaches of Iceland’s South Shore. Continue to the village of Vik. Dinner and overnight in the Vik area.

If weather conditions are right, your guide will take you on a northern lights hunt on foot in the area outside your hotel tonight, or on one of the other evenings that you are staying in the countryside.

Day 3 Vik – Skaftafell National Park – Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon – Hofn
Highlights: Katla Volcano, Eldhraun Lava Field, Skaftafell National Park, Vatnajokull National Park, Vatnajokull Glacier, Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon, Hofn
Approximate Distance: 285 km / 177 miles

Lava Fields – Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs – Europe’s Largest Glacier
Breakfast at your hotel. Today you will be in a world of glaciers! You’ll be visiting the southern area of Vatnajokull National Park, named after Europe’s largest glacier. The total park area covers almost 14% of Iceland, making it the largest national park in Western Europe! Drive through vast sand plains created by glacial outwashes as you head east. Visit the national park’s famous Skaftafell area, a site of outstanding natural beauty dominated by several magnificent glaciers. One of these is Svinafellsjokull, one of the most beautiful glacial “tongues” that are slowly creeping down from Vatnajokull. Visit Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon where you can enjoy the breath-taking sight of icebergs floating in the fantastic 180m (591 ft.) deep glacial lagoon (make sure your camera is loaded and ready!) Nearby is the dramatic beauty of the Diamond Beach, where shrinking icebergs settle on the black sands before they drift out to sea. Dinner and overnight in Hofn, a fishing port in the shadow of Vatnajokull glacier.  

Optional Tour – You MUST book and pay for this in advance to ensure a spot for you on the tour. Let us know at booking time if you wish to take this tour.

Evening SuperJeep or Snowmobiling tour on Vatnajokull Glacier – Get up on a glacier and see an amazing world of ice | Duration: 3 hours (1 hour on glacier) | Includes: Guided jeep tour onto glacier and snowmobiling on glacier (price based on 2 people per snowmobile), use of boots, overalls, helmets, gloves | Note – Minimum of 3 participants to guarantee departure.

Day 4 Hofn – East Fjords – Egilsstadir
Highlights: Egilsstadir, Lagarfljot Lake, Hallormsstadur
Approximate Distance: 260 km / 162 miles

Narrow Fjords – Picturesque Coastline – Legendary Lake Monster
Breakfast at your hotel. Get ready to enjoy some amazing views today! Drive from Hofn through Almannaskard pass, stopping to admire the majestic coastline. Continue to an area of towering mountains plunging vertically into the sea that form the magnificent East Fjords. Keep your hand on your camera and keep an eye out for wild reindeer, which can sometimes be seen in the area during the winter months. You will also pass villages, each with its own special history and charm. One of these is the tiny village of Breiddalsvik. Here, you’ll visit the local Beljandi microbrewery and sample some of the beer. You’ll meet one of the townsfolk and get a feel for life in a small town, as well as how great beer is made. The road next brings you to Egilsstadir town, located near Iceland’s largest forest and a lake said to be home to a legendary (friendly) monster. The area is also getting a name for itself for its excellent locally sourced cuisine, and you will surely enjoy some of it at dinner. Dinner and overnight in the Eastfjords area.

Day 5 Lake Myvatn Area
Highlights: Hverfjall Crater, Myvatn Lake, Krafla Volcano, Dettifoss Waterfall, Vatnajokull National Park
Approximate Distance: 255 km / 158 miles

Highland Desert – Bizarre Lava Formations – Volcanic Winter Wonderland
Breakfast at your hotel. Explore the empty vastness of the highland desert plateau Modrudalsoraefi, desolate and yet hauntingly beautiful in its winter snows, as you head towards the Lake Myvatn area. On the way, stop at Dettifoss, Europe’s largest and most powerful waterfall. Continue onwards to Namaskard pass with its boiling mud pools and vibrant colors. We often feel like we are visiting another planet when we come here, and you may the same way. It’s such a surreal experience! Explore the natural beauty of the Lake Myvatn area, including the pseudo craters at Skutustadir and the Laxa Salmon River. You will probably see why this area, especially during the wintertime, has been so popular for movie makers. Dinner and overnight stay in the Myvatn area. 

Optional Activity – You MUST book and pay for this activity in advance to ensure a spot for you on the tour. Let us know during the booking process.

 Myvatn Nature Baths – Relax in an azure geothermal lagoon in a peaceful wilderness setting | Duration: Flexible time | Includes: Bathing fee | Not Included: Towel and Swimsuit (rentals available)

Day 6 Lake Myvatn Area – Akureyri - Siglufjordur
Highlights: Dimmuborgir Lava Pillars, Godafoss Waterfall, Akureyri, Trollaskagi Peninsula, Siglufjordur
Approximate Distance: 220 km / 137 miles

“Waterfall of the Gods” – Turf-roofed Folk Museum – The Beautiful Troll Peninsula
Breakfast at your hotel. Start the day by exploring the peculiar lava formations at Dimmuborgir. The name means “Dark Citadels” in Icelandic, and they certainly look as though were built by fantasy creatures. There are local legends that elves live here. Visit the magnificent Godafoss waterfall, one of the most important symbols of North Iceland, and the old turf farm Laufas. Enjoy a taste of some traditional Icelandic farmhouse refreshments and hear tales of life in the old days. Afterwards, visit Akureyri, the colorful northern “capital” of Iceland. The town has charming buildings and a beautiful view of the Eyjafjordur fjord. After spending some time in Akureyri, continue along the coastal roads of Eyjafjordur and the Troll Peninsula. This is a beautiful drive along steep mountains with amazing views over the Arctic Sea and the black sand coastline. The day’s destination is Siglufjordur, set in a beautiful fjord of the same name. This town has some of the finest timber buildings in the country, beautifully restored to their original glory. Siglufjordur is a very picturesque and easily walkable town for an evening stroll. You may even recognize some of the buildings; the town was a filming location for the popular Icelandic thriller series Trapped. Dinner and overnight in Siglufjordur.

Day 7 Skagafjordur – Borgarnes
Highlights: The Herring Era Museum, Skagafjordur Fjord, Drangey Island, Grabrok Crater, Borgarnes
Approximate Distance: 310 km / 193 miles

Historical Museum – Mountain Views – Unique Viking Horse Demonstration
Breakfast at your hotel. This morning visit Siglufjordur’s award-winning Herring-Era Maritime Museum. The museum recreates the atmosphere of the early 20th century, when Siglufjordur was transformed into a frontier-like boom town, thanks to a large migration of herring. The museum will transport you back to that exciting time. Afterwards, head along majestic mountains and narrow passes to Skagafjordur, considered to be one of the finest places in Iceland for horse breeding. Enjoy an introduction to the unique Icelandic horse breed with its special fifth gait, the tolt. Continue towards the village of Blonduos, built on both sides of the river Blanda. This is a part of Iceland known from the Icelandic literary work Vatnsdaela Saga. Cross the Holtavorduheidi plateau taking you into West Iceland. Drive through Borgarfjordur, a region that has been getting international recognition for its diverse landscapes and its Viking history. Dinner and overnight stay in the Borgarnes area.

Day 8 Borgarfjordur – Thingvellir – Reykjavik
Highlights: Deildartunguhver Hot Spring, Barnafoss Waterfall, Hraunfossar Waterfalls, Hvalfjordur Fjord, Thingvellir National Park, Reykjavik
Approximate Distance: 205 km / 130 miles

Europe’s Largest Hot Spring – Picturesque Waterfalls – National Park with Geological Wonders
Breakfast at your hotel. Visit some of the beautiful natural wonders of West Iceland. Drive to Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in Europe. Stop to admire the beautiful Hraunfossar waterfalls, where brightly blue water rushes through black lava formations. Nearby is Barnafoss, a waterfall with a more brilliantly blue color. There is an interesting and poignant legend associated with this waterfall. Drive through the scenic and mountain lined Hvalfjordur fjord to Lake Thingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest lake, and Thingvellir National Park. This UNESCO heritage site is where the world’s oldest continuing parliamentary government was founded in the 10th century. It is also the place where the North American and European tectonic plates meet. You will have the unusual experience of walking between two continents! Afterwards, head to Reykjavik for a last night in the colorful capital city. Your guide will bid you farewell at your hotel. Overnight stay in Reykjavik. Dinner is on your own.

Day 9: Depart Reykjavik
Breakfast at your hotel. Please note that this might be a light breakfast if you are taking an early morning flight. Transfer on your own to the international airport for your departure flight. The airport transfer is not included, but we are happy to help you arrange shared or private transfers. We recommend you depart your hotel no later than three hours before your departure flight. We wish you a pleasant trip back to your homeland and hope to see you in Iceland again!

Let us provide you with an excellent overview of Iceland and its unique wonders
Highlights:

• We’ll take you to many of the classic natural wonders, including the Golden Circle, the Glacier Lagoon, Reynisfjara Beach, Dettifoss waterfall and Myvatn nature reserve

• Enjoy a glimpse into Icelandic life with authentic local activities and delicious dinners– great experiences that also add great value

• Discover and learn about Iceland from our hand-picked local guides, who are passionate and knowledgeable about Iceland

INCLUSIONS

• Guided coach tour from day 2 to day 8

• Information Meeting with the guide on the evening of Day 1

• Expert professional English-speaking local guide from day 2 to day 8

• Free Wi-Fi on board the motor coach

• Accommodation 8nights in a standard room with facilities

• Icelandic breakfast (except arrival day)

• 6 three-course local-cuisine dinners with coffee/tea (days 2-7)

• Souvenir Icelandic Search and Rescue key ring

• Microbrewery visit and beer tasting in Breiddalsvik (day 4)

• Entrance to Laufas Folk Museum with Icelandic-style refreshments (day 6)

• Horse show in Skagafjordur (day 7)

• Entrance to the Herring Era Maritime Museum (day 7)

• Use of crampons/cleats (if needed)

• Great photo stops

• Seat rotation during the tour

• Northern lights guided hunt on foot one selected evening

• Northern lights hunting kit (use of blanket and headlight)

• Customer care service during office hours

• 24-hour Iceland Travel emergency line assistance while you are in Iceland

1. Also (Added Value)

   • Northern lights “wake-up call” option during the night on days 2-7 (please note: available at most countryside hotels)

2. Optional Tours

   You can book and pay for these tours in advance for your convenience and to ensure a spot for you on the tour. Let us know during the booking process.

   Day 3: Evening SuperJeep or Snowmobiling tour on Vatnajokull Glacier – Get up on a glacier and see an amazing world of ice | Duration: 3 hours (1 hour on glacier) | Includes: Guided jeep tour onto glacier and snowmobiling on glacier (price based on 2 people per snowmobile), use of boots, overalls, helmets, gloves | Note – Minimum of 3 participants to guarantee departure

   Day 5: Myvatn Nature Baths – Relax in an azure geothermal lagoon in a peaceful wilderness setting | Duration: Flexible time | Includes: Bathing fee | Not Included: Towel and Swimsuit (rentals available)

EXCLUSIONS

• Breakfast on arrival day

• International airfare

• Baggage porterage at airport/hotel

• Personal travel insurance (highly recommended)

• Round-trip transfers between airports and hotels

• Beverages, snacks, lunches, dinners unless otherwise noted in itinerary

• Guaranteed early check-in (check-in time for most hotels in Iceland starts between 14:00 and 16:00 (2:00pm and 4:00pm)

• Guaranteed late check-out

• Any service not specifically listed under “Included”