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Northern Lights & Autumn Colors in Iceland Tour

Nature, Wildlife, History and Northern Lights

7 Days / 9 locations in Iceland

Visit Iceland during the time of Autumn colours and when the first northern lights start their dance across the arctic skies. The focus on this tour is northern lights, nature, history and wild life. Mountains, rivers, fjords, lava fields, hot springs and volcanoes unfold as we take you exploring in Iceland. There are also opportunities for some walking in the beautiful countryside. Explore South-, West- and North Iceland and take a glimpse into the highlands when travelling along the country's second largest glacier. This is truly a classic and comfortable Iceland discovery when the colours of nature and the evening sky are most dramatic. On the best of nights the first northern lights of the season come out to dance as well.

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HIGHLIGHTS and EXPERIENCES:

Must see nature sights such as Golden Circle, Snæfellsnes peninsula and Lake Mývatn

Time of Autumn colours and first northern lights

Bird watching & island cruise in Breiðafjörður fjord

Learn about green energy during a visit to a geothermal power plant and greenhouse

Soak in the Nature Baths at Lake Mývatn

Visit a shark farmer, a bird museum and the Akureyri Christmas house & garden

Climb two volcano craters

Peak into the interior highland desert

Northern lights lecture, movie and guided Aurora Borealis search

Airport transfer and pre& post nights in Reykjavik included''

NORTHERN LIGHTS: During this tour we spend 4 evenings in the countryside to maximize the chances of seeing the elusive Northern Lights, still the tour is dependent on weather and therefore sightings are not guaranteed. The Northern Lights are in the northern sky from September through April but are only visible when the sky is clear and free of clouds. Like many of natures wonders, it’s ephemeral – they may be visible, they may appear for a bit and then be gone (it is not a TV show that you can just turn on and off). But it’s worth the patience required. In early September Northern Lights search begins after 22:00 when it gets dark. Because they’re a winter event, you need to be prepared to wait outside, while looking for them. It’s best to dress very warmly, in layers, with good and warm footwear, gloves, hats and whatever else will make you comfortable while you await this truly outstanding event. We also recommend bringing a torch for your night excursions and operating your photo camera in the darkness. The Northern Lights can be pretty spectacular, and for the best photos we recommend using a tripod.

VIP seating: Supplement for guaranteed window seat on our fully escorted coach tours which includes a window seat and next seat remaining empty (passenger gets actually two seats) as well as a pillow and blanket for upgraded comfort. Seats will be reserved in the front rows of the bus, first comes, first get. Additional fees apply - please inquire.

Itinerary

 
Day 1     Keflavik
Accommodation: Fosshotel Lind

Individual transfer by Flybus shuttle bus from Keflavik airport to your accommodation in Reykjavík where you spend the night. We provide you with some ideas how to explore Iceland's capital on your own.

 
Day 2     Reykjavik - Gullfoss Waterfall - Reykholt - Geysir
Accommodation: Hamar Icelandair Hotel
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Meet your tour guide and start with a short Reykjavík city tour where you see some highlights of Iceland’s capital. Then you head east and join a presentation about geothermal energy at one of the geothermal power stations in South Iceland. Around noon, you learn about the Icelandic horse and its history and special qualities, and also visit a geothermal greenhouse. You see steam from the Geysir geothermal fields as you arrive. Here there are 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. You continue to Gullfoss "the golden falls", a double waterfall that tumbles 34 meters into the Hvítá river, and attracts tourists and travelers in summer and winter. We travel inland to Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We continue over the highland track "Kaldidalur" along Langjökull glacier north to the Saga valley of Borgarfjörður where we spend two nights in Reykholt, West Iceland. After dinner join a lecture about Northern Lights and a guided walk in search of the Northern Lights followed by a hot cup of chocolate or tea.

 
Day 3     Reykholt - Snaefellsnes Peninsula - Borgarnes
Accommodation: Hamar Icelandair Hotel
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula “the peninsula of the snowy mountain“ juts out from Iceland’s west coast, like a long arm with a clenched fist at its tip, and is in many ways a microcosm of the whole island. A rugged mountain chain runs its length. We travel to the charming fishing town of Stykkishólmur for a bird watching and nature tour in the Breiðafjörður fjord where we cruise between uncountable islands. Afterwards we get to stroll around the sheltered harbor which provides a good place for fishing vessels to anchor, and to explore this charming town with its many old wooden houses. A uniquely Icelandic “treat" awaits us at Bjarnarhöfn where they make fermented shark. As you head back to Reykholt you travel through lava fields and along the ocean where you have classic Icelandic photo opportunities. On the way we stop in Borgarnes where you have the opportunity for an optional visit to the Icelandic Settlement Center museum, or to the local geothermal swimming pool. Naturally, once darkness falls, you are out and about chasing the Northern Lights and soaking in the hotel’s outdoor hot tubs.

 
Day 4     Reykholt - Lake Myvatn
Accommodation: Kea Gigur Hotel
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

The Borgarfjörður valley is known as the Saga valley of West Iceland because many important historical events took place there. Hraunfossar is a series of waterfalls pouring from beneath a one kilometer wide lava field. Barnafoss – the Children’s falls, is nearby with it‘s own tragic tale. You get warmed at Deildartunguhver, Europe's most powerful hot spring which produces 180 liters per second of water that is nearly boiling -- 97° Celsius. Next you get a chance to climb the Grábrók volcano crater. In the afternoon we have a long drive from West Iceland to Lake Mývatn in North East Iceland, travelling through the fertile farmlands and fjord landscapes of Northwest Iceland. We stay two nights at Keahotel Gígur at Lake Mývatn, an ideal location to search for the Northern Lights.

 
Day 5     Lake Myvatn
Accommodation: Kea Gigur Hotel
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

We tour the Lake Mývatn area, considered one of the most fertile areas in the world so close to the Arctic Circle. The lake’s unique features are shaped by nature - strange lava formations, pseudo craters, attractive bays filled with thousands of birds. There we stroll through the lava field of Dimmuborgir and we have a walk to the rim of the ash crater Hverfjall. As a reward for all that walking, we take a relaxing soak after dinner at Lake Mývatn Nature Baths that contains a unique blend of minerals, silicates and geothermal micro-organisms and whose warm soothing waters benefit both skin and spirit alike. This will get us revived to be ready to chase the elusive Northern Lights. We also invite you to an educational movie about Aurora Borealis - the Northern Lights.

 
Day 6     Lake Myvatn - Akureyri - Reykjavik
Accommodation: Borgartun Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast

We start the day with a visit at the Lake Mývatn bird museum, where the owner, Mr Sigurgeir has a passionate interest in Icelandic birds and his museum now has over 80 species, all in a well organized exhibit which is interesting to people of all age. Then we travel to Goðafoss, the waterfalls of the Gods, an important spot in Iceland's history. Next stop is the Christmas Garden, a small museum and shop where you will find countless items connected to the festive season from all parts of the world. Of course, Icelandic Christmas traditions are given priority, such as legs of smoked lamb hanging from a beam and the decorative “leaf bread” in many patterns, as well as the Yuletide Lads and their parents, who play such an important role in the Icelandic Christmas celebrations. Quality handwork, crafted by many artists from all parts of the country deck the shelves, making this a place which appeals to all the family. We reach Akureyri around noon time. The afternoon is free at leisure to explore the capital of North Iceland on your own. There are some excellent local museums, a beautiful botanical garden and a great geothermal swimming pool. In the later afternoon we bring the group members who start their Northeast Greenland expedition cruise to the harbour and then we travel back to Reykjavik. We reach Iceland's capital around 22:00 and stay one night at Guesthouse Borgartún or similar.

 
Day 7     Reykjavik - Keflavik
Meals: Breakfast

Individual transfer by Flybus airport shuttle from your accommodation in Reykjavík to Keflavík airport.

 

Notes

This tour has an average of 1-2 hours of walking each day, meaning several short walks of 10-30 minutes to see and explore the different nature and history sites. It is an easy tour for nearly everyone to participate in. This is not a hiking/walking tour. Good walking boots are needed, as well as waterproof and warm clothing.

*maximum 28 Passengers
*nature Fees

There is a possibility that some of the nature attractions around Iceland might charge an entrance fee during the trip. These entrance fees are not included in the tour price and need to be paid by all tour members additionally on the spot, when entering any of these nature sites. Locations, amount of entrance fee, form of payment and other details are not known at the present time and are subject to change.

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Price Includes
Sightseeing and Entrances Per Itinerary
Meals Per Itinerary
Tour Escort
Transportation
Hotel Accommodations 4 Nights
GJT-1269
1.28.15.WP26