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2024 Iceland and Auroras Tour

The ultimate Iceland and Northern Lights adventure! Picture yourself standing awe-struck, under a crisp night-sky where the mesmerizing and enchanting dance of the spectacular Northern Lights shimmer in the heavens above you....

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2024 Iceland Tour Overview

Picture yourself standing awe-struck under a crisp night-sky, where the mesmerizing and enchanting lights of the spectacular aurora borealis dance in the heavens above you.

Picture also, beholding the might and power of Dettifoss, Gullfoss and Seljalandsfoss, some of Europe and Scandinavia’s most powerful and beautiful waterfalls.

From the desolate and other-worldly bubbling mud pools and spurting geysers of Geysir to the spectacular expanses of Vatnajokull,  Europe’s largest glacier mass.  From the stunning icebergs floating in the other-worldly Glacier Lagoon to the magnificent sentinel rock formations of Reynisfara in South Iceland.

Welcome to our spectacular “Iceland and Auroras” tour during autumn. Iceland is famous not just for the mesmerising natural scenery it boasts but also for the enchanting northern lights/aurora borealis which begin to be seen from late August as the nights start to get darker and longer. To see the aurora borealis is truly to watch one of the greatest spectacles that our Earth puts on!

Come along and join us in September 2024 for our 14-day, boutique Iceland trip, our “Iceland and Auroras” relaxed-pace, 4-star autumn holiday in this stunning part of the world. See for yourselves why Iceland has become one of the must-visit destinations in recent years.  Most Iceland trips are 7, 9, 10 or 11 days in length. We slow things right down and make sure you get to see ALL of the must-see parts of Iceland on our no-holds-barred 14-day trip!

Click on the link below to hear what our Past Guests have to say about our other international trips!:

https://quovadisholidays.com/about/testimonials/

Included Highlights 2024 Iceland Tour

  • Guided tour of Reykjavik including entrances with expert Local Guide
  • Blue Lagoon thermal baths visit
  • Akranes Museum and Reykholt 13th C Home visits
  • Langjokull Glacier “Into the Glacier” experience
  • Viðgelmir Lava Cave visit
  • Breiðafjörður Bay bird and nature cruise
  • Bjarnarhöfn shark farm visit
  • Snæfellsnes Peninsula spectacular drive incl Kirkjufell “church” mountain and Snæfellsnesjokull glacier, black lava and yellow beaches in Búðir and stunning Arnastapi cliffs photostops
  • Djúpalónssandur’s black-pebbled beach
  • Drive  through the peaceful farmlands and coastal views of beautiful Skagafjörður district
  • Visit Glaumbær, well-preserved 18th C manor home-made of turf
  • Icelandic horse farm visit
  • Siglufjörður town orientation and Herring-Era Maritime Museum visit
  • Hauganes whale watching boat cruise
  • Lake Mývatn – ring wall crater of Hverfjall, Krafla volcano, Námaskarð geothermal field visits
  • Visit majestic waterfalls Dettifoss, Gullfoss, Seljandlsfoss and Skogafoss
  • East fjords drive incl Hōfn and Vatnajōkull glacier views, Icelandic rocks and minerals at Petra‘s stone collection visit and Breiðdalsvík microbrewery visit
  • Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon one-hour amphibian boat ride and Diamond Beach visit 
  • Spectacular drive across the vast Skeiðarársandur “desert” and the magnificent lava field “Eldhraun“

  • Vik-i-Myrdal church visit plus black sand beach and Reynisfara monoliths visit
  • Geysir thermal area visit
  • Friðheimar family-owned greenhouse visit incl. lunch
  • Laugarvatn Hot Baths visit
  • Thingvellir National Park visit
  • Hellisheidi Geothermal Plant Exhibition visit
  • Highlight final dinner in Reykjavik

Other Inclusions 2023 Iceland Tour

  • Welcome Drink and Welcome Dinner in Reykjavik
  • 4-star hand-picked central and/or unique hotels with upgraded rooms at each stay
  • Professional Tour Director and local experienced coach driver, local guide Reykjavik for city tour
  • Premium door-to-door Airport arrival and departure transfers
  • Six included hotel dinners (days 3, 4, 7, 9, 10, 11)
  • Scenic drives around Iceland including the Ring Road, Golden Circle and Snaefellsnes National Park
  • Northern Lights photography instruction and assistance
  • Group photo (one per couple/single)
  • All tips to Local Guides, Tour Director, Tour Driver and at hotels
  • Full-size, modern 40-51 seat-coach days 3-13

Total Included Meals

  • 2 Highlight Dinners
  • 6 Hotel Dinners
  • 1 Lunch
  • 13 Buffet Breakfasts

Tour Pace

Our exciting 2024 Iceland tour is designed to leave no stone left unturned! Whilst tours of Iceland are typically 7-11 days in length, we’ve designed ours with four 2-night stays to slow the pace right down.  We’ve filled our 4-star trip with all the must-see iconic sights of Iceland plus we’ve included plenty of exciting local activities and give you free-time to relax.  We’ve timed our trip to coincide with the start of the aurora season (late August through to late April) to give ourselves a chance to see this mesmerising wonder of nature. Plenty of free-time later in our evenings to maximise our chances of seeing the captivating and enchanting northern lights!

Date:

  Starts Reykjavik:   Saturday 7th September 2024

  End Reykjavik:      Friday 20th September 2024

Weather/Sunlight/Darkness/Northern Lights:

Even though the summer is over, September is definitely not a bad month to visit Iceland. September is the transitional month in Iceland from summer to winter with the advantages of both seasons!

With far fewer tourists and the kids back at school, the weather is usually calm and dry (average rainfall is 67mm). The average high temperature in September is 11° C (~50° F), and the average low is 6°C (42° F), making snowfall unlikely. That’s pretty much what summer in Iceland looks like anyway! The temperature doesn’t go above 15°C (59° F). But this is Iceland, so you should always expect the unexpected!

Travelling in May through to August rarely sees any darkness even at midnight which can make it that much harder to get a good night’s sleep! By September, proper darkness has once again started up which allows for better sleep but more importantly, the chance to witness one of Mother Nature’s great spectacles, the northern lights! With nights still staying typically well above freezing, it makes the ability to stay up and wait for the auroras to appear that much more comfortable than in winter when it drops to well below freezing! Sunsets for our trip are around 8:30pm to 7:45pm with the sun setting 3-5 minutes earlier each day! This is great for plenty of daylight hours, stunning sunsets and then the chance for auroras once dark if the sky is clear!

2024 ICELAND TOUR QUICK FACTS

DURATION

14 Days

COUNTRIES

Iceland

DEPARTURES

Starts: Reykjavik Saturday 7th September, 2024

Ends:  Reykjavik Friday 20th September, 2024

PRICING AU$11,590 per person twin share

(Please contact us directly for Single Supplement)

AVAILABILITY

As at December 2023:  Just SIX places left! Contact us TODAY to secure a place/s on board for 2024 before fully booked!!

ICELAND TOUR MAP

Iceland and Auroras 2023 Map

Tour Itinerary 2024 Iceland Tour

Day 1 / Sat 7th Sept 2024 – START REYKJAVIK

Welcome to Reykjavik and the start of our exciting 2024 Iceland tour, our “Iceland and Auroras” adventure! After our Welcome Drink and Welcome Meeting to meet our fellow travellers, we head out for a walking tour of the pretty Icelandic capitol with a local guide. We’ll visit to the city’s main landmark, the Hallgrímskirkja Church and it’s lovely pedestrian streets. A stop at the Ingólfr Arnaron statue, the first settler of Iceland before we continue down to the lower part of town and to see the Parliament and old church.  Later, we enjoy an included dinner by the old harbour to kick-off our holiday.              (HD)

ACCOMMODATION: Reykjavik 2 Nights – Canopy by Hilton (Premium rooms)

Day 2 / Sun 8th Sept 2024- REYKJAVIK SIGHTSEEING

This morning we explore the small Icelandic capitol and surrounds by coach. We’ll make stops at the Sun Voyager monument and Harpa Concert Hall before taking an exhilarating ride on the new FlyIceland cinema! Afterwards we journey out of town to the iconic Blue Lagoon for a relaxing afternoon soaking in the rejunvenative warm waters of Iceland’s most famous thermal pools. Upon return to the city the rest of your afternoon and evening is at leisure for you to explore the Icelandic capitol for all its varied culinary delights.  (BB)

Day 3 / Mon 9th Sept 2024 – REYKJAVIK to SNAEFELLSNES PENINSULA

We leave the city behind travelling northwards through the undersea tunnel Hvalfjörðr to Akranes. Here we visit the local Museum Center before enjoying views of the rugged coastline from the town’s remote lighthouse.

Known as “Iceland in a Nutshell”, Snæfellsnes Peninsula’s ever-changing landscape contains examples of most unique land features that can be found in Iceland. Snæfellsnes also was the setting for some of Iceland’s greatest Sagas. The main attraction is, with no doubt, Snæfellsjökull glacier, a beautifully-shaped  strato-volcano at the very tip of the peninsula. The glacier, along with its surrounding unspoiled natural wonders, is the setting of Jules Verne’s novel Journey to the Centre of the Earth.  Stroll in a unique landscape with a mixture of sandy hills, black lava and yellow beaches in Búðir. Arnarstapi is perfect for a walk along the sea cliffs, where we’ll see spectacular columnar rock formations that are home to seabirds. We then explore Djúpalónssandur’s fascinating black-pebbled beach before winding around the scenic peninsula to the quaint 17th C local wooden church of Budir. Dinner included in our spectacularly located Budir hotel perched overlooking the peninsula.  (BB, D)

ACCOMMODATION: 1 night Budir – Hotel Budir

Day 4 / Tues 10th Sept 2024 – SNAEFELLSNES PENINSULA to LANGJOKULL GLACIER AREA

This morning we head to the northern side Snaefellsnes Peninsula and make a photo stop by spectacular and iconic Kirkjufell “Church Mountain“. With its distinctly shaped pyramid peak its considered to be the most photographed mountain in Iceland!

Next stop is at nearby rustic Bjarnarhöfn farm where we learn all about how sharks have always been caught, buried, hung and prepared, a traditional Icelandic operation that takes months of work and results in something that seems just revolting. Here, we’re more than welcome to try this foul-smelling delicacy, and then wash it down with a shot of Icelandic Brevinin! Bjarnarhofn’s church and shark museum are listed as the number 1 Snaefellsnes attractions by Lonely Planet travellers.

On to the eco-friendly town of Stykkisholmur where we board a boat in search of Viking sushi.  We sail into Breiðafjörður Bay with its 1.000 islands, passing by unusual rock formations,  islands and skerries. We hear the sounds and enjoy close-up views of birds in the cliffs – puffins, shags, and kittiwakes and more. The high-point of the trip is the chance to sample unique Viking Sushi!  The crew casts a net-plough overboard, bringing up fresh shellfish delicacies. We’ll have the chance to taste the delicious scallops and sea urchin roe. This must be the freshest sushi in the world! After the boat trip some time for a light lunch at a local restaurant.

Continuing eastward out of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula we head toward the mountains to arrive finally into the tiny hamlet of Husafell for a relaxing two-nights stay.  (BB, D)

ACCOMMODATION: 2 nights Húsafell – Hotel Húsafell (Deluxe rooms)

Day 5 / Wed 11th Sep 2024 – LANGJOKULL GLACIER AREA

A big day on our 2024 Iceland tour!

Today’s exciting Into the Glacier experience was developed in 2015 as a way to educate people about how glaciers are formed.  The focus is on education, environmental protection and safety and one of the highlights of our journey.

We transfer into jeeps to the edge of Langjökull Glacier where we board an 8-wheel glacier truck that takes us on an exhilarating journey to the entrance of the ice cave. During the guided excursion within the glacier itself, we see colours of blue that you would never have known existed! During our 50-minute visit we also learn how glaciers hide the secrets of history and how they are formed.

Afterwards we head back to our hotel for a lunch break before preparing for our next adventure – a visit to explore the fascinating Víðgelmir cave. Viðgelmir is Iceland’s largest natural lava cave and features amazing colours and lava formations. A new access walkway and state-of-the-art lighting system make this cave easily accessible.  We learn about the cave’s geological uniqueness and its history, including the discovery of Viking-age artifacts here.

An afternoon arrival back at our hotel to relax and an evening at leisure around our hotel in remote Husafell .  (BB)

Day 6 / Thurs 12th Sep 2024 – HÚSAFELL to SIGLUJFÖRDUR

This morning plenty of photo-stops as we begin our journey north around the island.  First stop is to view Deildartunguhver, Europe’s highest-flowing hot spring. Then a quick stop at Reykholt, famously the former 13th-century home of one of Iceland’s most loved authors, Snorri Sturluson and one of Iceland’s oldest thermal pools! We continue on with nature taking center stage as we view Hraunfoss and nearby Barnafoss, both beautiful waterfalls in their own right in a soul-stirring way.

Continuing our journey to North Iceland we drive through peaceful and remote farmlands with coastal views as we head to the beautiful Skagafjörður district. This is a place where many important historical events have occurred since Viking times. One of the best places to experience Icelandic daily life in olden times is at our next stop of Glaumbær, a well-preserved manor home-made of turf. The home was built in the 18th century using techniques from Viking times, and people lived there until the 1940s. This building was an inspiration for Hannah Kent‘s famous novel Burial Rites, which took place in 19th-century North Iceland. Burial Rites is now in production as a movie. The nearby Ásakaffi café serves a lovely traditional cake buffet in a 19th century farmhouse which will complete the visit!

Next we get up-close-and-personal with some locals – Icelandic Horses! We visit a local horse stud and farm to learn about and meet the beautiful and majestic Icelandic horse.

Afterwards we continue to the historic and idyllic herring fishing town of Siglufjörður. The town of Siglufjörður is nestled in a dramatic fjord on the very edge of Iceland’s steep northern mountains.  With lovingly restored, colourful, old buildings, many Icelanders believe Siglufjörður to be the country’s prettiest town.  Upon arrival we visit the Herring Era Museum for an insight into this important part of the town’s past. Checking into lovely, waterside Siglo Hotel, we have an evening at leisure to enjoy one of the quaint local restaurants just a stone’s throw from our hotel. (BB)

ACCOMMODATION: 1 Night Siglufjordur – Hotel Siglo (Superior rooms)

Day 7 / Fri 13th Sep 2024 – SIGLUFJORDUR to LAKE MYVATN

Our journey continues south through the 7km Héðinsfjörður tunnel and to the village of Hauganes where we set off on a whale-watching boat tour in the beautiful surroundings of Eyjafjörður. The likelihood of seeing the great humpback whale, white-beaked dolphins, minke whales, and small harbour porpoises are exceptionally good (though not guaranteed). If lucky, we might even view a blue whale, the largest mammal on Earth. (This is a scheduled whale watching tour shared with other passengers. )

After our tour we take a short drive to arrive in pretty Akureyri. This town is the north’s cultural and social center where we have time at leisure to explore, shop and have a local  lunch in this beautiful north Iceland town.

From Akureyri another short journey to reach the truly stunning Lake Mývatn area where we overnight lakeside (with views!) for the next two nights in preparation for all of the area’s sights.   (BB, D)

ACCOMMODATION: 2 Nights Lake Myvatn – Laxa Hotel (Lake View rooms)

Day 8 / Sat 14th Sep 2024 – LAKE MYVATN AREA

Lake Mývatn is an absolute paradise for birdwatchers and geologists alike! The day ‘s many and varied discoveries include the spectacular pseudo-craters at Skútustaðir, the curious lava formations at Dimmuborgir, the magnificent ring wall crater of Hverfjall and the central volcano Krafla, site of a series of volcanic eruptions in the 1970s and 1980s. Finally, we take a walk in the surreal Námaskarð geothermal field with its bubbling mud pools, hissing steam vents and multi-colored solfataras. If the landscape seems familiar, it was used as a filming location for productions such as HBO’s Game of Thrones and Star Wars!  Time later this afternoon to visit Myvatn Nature Baths for those wanting to visit the local hot springs. (BB)

Day 9 / Sun 15th Sep 2024 – LAKE MYVATN to EAST FJORDS

Continuing eastwards on our 2023 Iceland tour, our first stop today is at the powerful and magnificent Dettifoss waterfall, the largest in all Europe!  Standing near the falls and feeling the thundering power of the water is truly a special experience. We then continue eastward over the vast and now unpopulated Jökuldalsheiði plateau and into the fertile Fljótsdalur district. The district‘s excellent farm produce, game and wild berries have made it a great destination for culinary travel. This area is also mentioned in the intriguing Viking tale, Hrafnkell‘s Saga, as well as legends about a local lake monster. East Iceland is also home to Iceland’s only reindeer herd.

A relaxed afternoon arrival into one of the lovely fjords with an included dinner at our hotel in Egilsstaðir. (BB,D)

ACCOMMODATION: 1 night Egilsstaðir –  Hotel Valakjálf

Day 10 / Mon 16th Sep 2024 – EASTFJORDS to GLACIER LAGOON

Another exciting day on our 2024 Iceland Tour!

Departingthe Eastfjords region we head south-eastwards along the rugged and varied coastline of the East Fjords, some fjords now deserted and some with small farms and fishing villages. Each fjord has its own unique landscape and history.

The ancient Eastfjords have Iceland’s most diverse variety of minerals. Amateur geologists will enjoy our visit to see the spectacular collection of Icelandic rocks and minerals at Petra‘s stone collection in Stöðvörðufjörður town. At Álftafjörður we might see thousands of whooper swans which have given the fjord its name.

After winding around the Eastfjords, we arrive into South-east Iceland and the town of Höfn from where we have views of magnificent Vatnajökull glacier.

Last stop of the day at the the world-famous Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, where huge icebergs float and grind together in the still, deep waters of the lagoon. We take a 1hr exciting zodiac boat ride out onto the serene waters with giant blue glaciers slowly drifting just meters away. We also visit the nearby famous Diamond Beach with glittering pieces of ice from the glacier lagoon drifting to rest on the black beach before they eventually float to sea.

Dinner and overnight stay in our lovely and impressive Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon. Perhaps a chance for some aurora viewing later this evening?  (BB,D)

ACCOMMODATION: 1 night Glacier Lagoon area – Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon (Ocean View Rooms)

Day 11 / Tues 17th Sep 2024 – GLACIER LAGOON to VIK to GEYSIR

Today we head south-westward along the Ring Road to the Vatnajökull National Park‘s Skaftafell area, a beautiful green oasis before our journey then takes you across the vast Skeiðarársandur “desert” with its vast remote stretches of black sand formed by mighty glacial rivers. Our destination is Kirkjubæjarklaustur town, named after a 12th century convent that once stood in the area.

Across the vast lava field “Eldhraun“ to reach pretty Vik-i-Myrdal for stunning views of its coastal monoliths and Black Sand Beach from its quaint wooden church. Then to striking Reynisfara for a walk along the black sand and views of their spectacular monoliths. Photostops at the two magnificent waterfalls of Skogafoss and Seljanlandsfoss.

Finally, we arrive at the modern Hotel Geysir in Geysir for a two-night stay.  (BB,D)

ACCOMMODATION: 2 nights Geysir – Hotel Geysir

Day 12 / Wed 18th Sep 2024  – GOLDEN CIRCLE SIGHTSEEING

First up today in the “Golden Circle” we discover the lively hot spring area of Geysir from where geysers get their name. We view the very lively Strokkur geyser which spouts a column of water up to 30 meters (98 feet) every few minutes, as well as many more other-worldly bubbling and boiling hot springs. Next up we head to the famous Gullfoss “Golden” Waterfall, which many Icelanders consider to be the country‘s most beautiful of all. Afterwards,

Today is also a perfect day to discover how Icelanders harness volcanic energy in a creative – and delicious – way. We visit Friðheimar, a family-owned greenhouse where organic vegetables and flowers grow year-round.  We learn about this important and organic way unique to Iceland.  We’ll also have a chance to sample some of the sweet tomatoes from the greenhouse. Perhaps try one of Fríðheimar’s refreshing tomato-based cocktails with or without alcohol (easy choice!).

Afterwards indulge yourself with an included visit to the relaxing and inviting thermal baths of nearby Laugarvatn Fontana Baths before returning to our hotel in Geysir.  (BB,L)

Day 13 / Thurs 19th Sep 2024  – GEYSIR to REYKJAVIK

We start the day with a visit to striking and historical Thingvellir National Park. Here we experience the stunning scenery of the continental rift that separates Europe and north America. We even get to walk the path that separates the two continents! Thingvellir is also the most important cultural and historical site in Iceland being the location for the “Althing” Viking General Assembly established back in AD930.

Today is also a perfect day to discover how Icelanders harness power with a visit to the world’s third largest geothermal power station, Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Station. A visit to the geothermal power exhibition tolerant how Iceland harnesses the thermal waters to generate their power before some free time for lunch.

We continue back to Reykjavík in the afternoon for some free time for last minute shopping or relax at our central Canopy by Hilton hotel. For our last evening together, a highlight farewell dinner in the city to recount all the tales of our fun adventures of the last two weeks on your 2024 Iceland tour! (BB,HD)

ACCOMMODATION: 1 Night Reykjavik – Canopy by Hilton (Premium rooms)

Day 14 / Fri 20th Sep 2024   END REYKJAVIK

Sadly, our 2024 Iceland tour finishes after breakfast. Take the time to stay longer and further explore Reykjavik or continue your exciting journey on to your next destination. Bon voyage! (BB)

2024 ICELAND TOUR DEPARTURE

“Iceland and Auroras”

Saturday 7th – Friday 20th Sept, 2024 (14 days)

PRICING

AU$11,590 per person twin share

(Please contact us directly for Single Supplement and any extra pre or post tour hotel pricing)