2024 Iceland and Auroras 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

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

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)