Northern Lights & Waterfalls
Northern Lights & Waterfalls
All roads from Reykjavik lead to stunning scenic views and fascinating geology. Highlights include the Geysir geothermal area the majestic Gullfoss waterfall, and the famous Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls. See bubbling hot springs, chase the Northern Lights, and explore South Iceland’s coastline! Visit the most iconic waterfalls and see some of the World’s most diverse landscapes. Ice caps, glaciers, active volcanoes and black beaches of basalt rock formations.
This holiday includes flights, airport transfers and a 3-star hotel (option to upgrade to a 4-star hotel) with breakfast.
Daily London flight departures
Departures from Manchester / Edinburgh are also available on most days
| INCLUDED |
|---|
| Return flights from London airports (other UK airports available) + airport transfer to/from hotel |
| 3 overnight stays in a 3-star or 4-star hotel in Reykjavik |
| Breakfast included at hotel |
| Specified activities (Blue Lagoon airport transfer is extra) |
| Required gear and transfers for activities |
Packages with flights include departures from most UK airports. Only holidays booked in conjunction with flights are covered under our ATOL licence. Through our membership with The Travel Vault, other packages are also financially protected in accordance with the EU Package Travel Regulations at no extra cost to customers.
Available dates: October 2019 – March 2020.
Suitable for all ages.
Tour Programme
NORTHERN LIGHTS & Waterfalls
Day 1: Arrive in Reykjavik
Arrival Reykjavik, Iceland
Your Flysbus airport transfer is included and will drop you off at your 3-star hotel in Reykjavik (or upgrade to 4-star hotel!). Check-in and settle into your hotel before your evening activity. We recommend a light meal before setting off on your Northern Lights adventure.
21:00 Northern Lights Tour
With your guide, drive out into the countryside and escape the city light pollution. With an emphasis on small groups and personalised tours, you will share your guide and minivan with max. 18 other guests.
Your guide will decide the route on the day of travel, based on the day’s aurora forecast and cloud cover to maximise your chances of spotting the Northern Lights. Potential destinations include Lake Thingvallavatn at Thingvellir National Park, Reykjanes peninsula’s lava fields, or the Borgarfjordur area.
Recommended: Warm clothes and sturdy shoes! Don’t forget your camera and tripod for Northern Lights photography.
NORTHERN LIGHTS GUARANTEE: If you don’t see the Northern Lights during this tour, you can join a tour for free the next day!
Overnight stay in a standard double/twin room at 3-star or 4-star hotel
Day 2: The Golden Circle
Day 2: The Golden Circle
Breakfast 07:00 – 10:00
08:30 Golden Circle Day Tour
The Golden Circle is a must-do day tour out of Reykjavik, offering the opportunity to explore all of South Iceland’s highlights. Learn about Iceland’s geology, history, its people and rich cultural heritage. With a focus on small groups and a personalised experience, you will be sharing your guide and minivan with max. 18 people.
Thingvellir National Park
After getting picked up from your hotel, the first stop along the route will be Thingvellir National Park. This was one of the main filming locations for Game of Thrones in Iceland! Here, you can experience the site as a White Walker or Wildling following the trails North of the Wall.
Also known as the birthplace of the nation, the park’s ties to the first Icelandic democracy date back to 930 AD when the Viking chieftains decided to establish their first parliament. Events that followed include the introduction of Christianity in 1000 AD and the declaration of Independence from the Danish King on June 17, 1944.
Besides the historical and cultural importance, the national park attracts visitors from all over the world for its unique geology and scenic landscapes. Thingvellir National Park is one of the only sites on each where the effects of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates can be observed drifting apart.
Haukadalur – The Geysir Geothermal Area
Continue on to Geysir Hot Springs, known to have been active for at least the last 10,000 years! There are more than a dozen hot water blowholes with Strokkur being of the most active geysers in the world! It spouts hot water and steam at a height of 20 – 25 metres every 5 – 8 minutes. The geothermal field is thought to have a surface area of around 3 km². Most springs are aligned along a 500m long strip of land, culminating near what was once the seat of the lords of Haukadalur.
Gullfoss Waterfall
After a lunch break in the area, you will head towards Gullfoss or the “Golden Waterfall”, Europe’s second most powerful waterfall. It is located on one of Iceland’s major glacier rivers, Hvita. The river flows into a wide-curved “staircase” and then plunges down on two levels, at 11 metres and 21 metres, into a 32-metre deep crevice. This is the final natural wonder of your tour before returning to your hotel in Reykjavik.
If no Northern Lights were spotted the night before:
21:00 Complementary Northern Lights Tour
With your guide, drive out into the countryside and escape the city light pollution. With an emphasis on small groups and personalised tours, you will share your guide and minivan with max. 18 other guests.
Your guide will decide the route on the day of travel, based on the day’s aurora forecast and cloud cover to maximise your chances of spotting the Northern Lights. Potential destinations include Lake Thingvallavatn at Thingvellir National Park, Rekjanes peninsula’s lava fields, or the Borgarfjordur area.
Recommended: Warm clothes and sturdy shoes! Don’t forget your camera and tripod for Northern Lights photography.
Overnight stay in a standard double/twin room at 3-star or 4-star hotel
Day 3: South Shore Scenery
Day 3: South Shore Scenery
Breakfast 07:00 – 10:00
09:00 South Shore Day Tour
The South Coast of Iceland has so much to offer and to see. This part of the country is rich in magnificent and diverse landscapes. Discover active volcanoes, numerous ice caps, glacier outlets and rivers, amazing waterfalls, farmlands, and black sand beaches made of basalt rock formations. The area is also renowned for its abundant birdlife.
On the tour, you’ll learn about Iceland’s geology, rich landscapes and culture. After getting picked up, your route will start at Highway #1. On the way, stop to visit some of the main highlights of the southern coast. Favourites include Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, two of the most stunning waterfalls that flow directly from Eyjafjallajokull glacier. The glacier sits on top of the volcano that erupted in 2010, affecting air traffic in Europe at that time.
Continue to the Village of Vik
Your next stop will be to Reynisfjara black sand beach. Explore fascinating basalt rock formations and black volcanic sand, a beach experience unlike any other. Close by, the lunch break will be held at Vik village. Visit the local wool factory before the journey back to Reykjavik.
On the way back, you’ll have the chance to get up close to Solheimajokull on Myrdalsjokull, Iceland’s fourth largest glacier. This glacier is a prime example of just how fast glaciers melt due to climate change.
Overnight stay in a standard double/twin room at a 3-star or 4-star hotel
Day 4: Last Goodbyes to Iceland
Last Goodbyes to Iceland
Get your last scenic photos and breaths of fresh Arctic air before your return. If your flight is in the late afternoon, you can add a visit to the Blue Lagoon as part of your airport transfer (needs to be pre-ordered when booking).
Get the Flybus airport transfer back to the airport.
Flight departs from Reykjavik
NB: For additional nights and different options, please contact us. For bookings of more than 8 people please contact us via email here.
