Glacial Exploration And Auroras

Approximate distance: ca101km / 63miles

Whale Fjord- Europe’s Most Powerful Hot Spring – Magical waterfalls
Today head to Borgarfjordur via the Hvalfjordur tunnel (tunnel toll not included in price). If you don´t want to take the tunnel, you can take the scenic coastal road instead (adds additional 17 km/10 miles to trip). Drive through Borgarnes town where you can learn about the first Viking settlers in the area at the popular Settlement Museum. Visit Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring, as well as two beautiful waterfalls, Hraunfossar (the Lava Falls) and Barnafoss (Children’s Falls). Near Deildartunguhver you can indulge in hot spring relaxation at the new Krauma natural geothermal spa.

Tonight you are well situated to catch a glimpse of the famous Northern Lights, if Mother Nature decides to cooperate.

Overnight: Borgarfjordur (West Iceland) (2 nights)

Approximate distance: ca50km / 31miles

Langjokull Glacier and Icelandic Sagas
Today explore the Borgarfjordur valley region and nearby areas. Langjokull Glacier offers exciting adventures such as exploring a man-made tunnel built into the icy-blue heart of the glacier. You can reach the tunnel by taking an adventurous ride up the glacier in a monstrous 18-wheeled vehicle. Once at the tunnel, you‘ll see glacier the from the inside and learn how these icy wonders are formed.

Another interesting area activity is a guided cave visit at the colourful Vidgelmir lava cave. If you’re interested in culture, visit nearby Reykholt, home of a medieval chieftain who penned some of Iceland‘s greatest Sagas. Visit scenic Husafell and stroll on paths with colorful stone paintings created by a local artist.

Overnight in West Iceland (Borgarfjordur area)

Approximate distance: ca290km / 180miles

National Park with Geological Wonders – The Golden Falls – Spouting Geysers
Today, visit the must-see sites in Iceland! Start with Thingvellir National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site), famous for its history and geological wonders. Onwards to the majestic Gullfoss waterfall, formed by the waters of a glacial river. Continue to Geysir hot spring area with its lively bubbling pools and spouting geyser.

Optional activity: Laugarvatn Fontana Spa offers a relaxing environment of hot springs and steam baths. Hot, healing steam simmers directly from the ground through grids in the cabin floors of this wellness center, where nature meets tradition. An afternoon or evening visit to the open air baths at Laugarvatn Fontana will also give you the opportunity to experience the ever changing Icelandic weather, as the thermal baths can be enjoyed all year round.

Overnight in Hella/Hvolsvollur area.

Approximate distance: ca435km / 270miles

Thundering Waterfalls – Black sand beaches – Sea Cliffs & Stone Arches
Travel along the south coast, one of Iceland’s main farming areas. You’ll see many farms and shaggy herds of Icelandic horses as you head along the Ring Road. See the magnificent waterfall Skogarfoss, a site of hidden treasure. Nearby is the Skogar Folk Museum, well known throughout Iceland for being the best of its kind, with a collection of mementos from this region’s past housed in beautifully preserved old turf-roofed buildings. Make a stop in Vik village where you can admire stunning views of a black sand beach and the black basalt columns of Reynisdrangar. You‘ll also see glaciers from the road, including Myrdalsjokull and Europe‘s largest glacier, Vatnajokull.

Overnight in Hofn area.

Approximate distance: ca200km / 125miles

Vatnajokull Glacier – Western Europe’s Largest National Park – Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs
Your hotel is perfectly situated to make a full day of exploring glacial wonders in Vatnajokull National Park, Western Europe’s largest national park. Visit the park’s majestic Skaftafell area, which is located between two glaciers and offers several winter hiking possibilities. Continue to Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon, where blue, white, turquoise and black-streaked icebergs shift and dance. The mystical lagoon is enormous and has been the backdrop for many major feature films and programs, including Game of Thrones. It is a special place for photographers who enjoy the challenge of catching the icebergs in just the right light conditions. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for seals resting amid the glaciers.

Tonight, if the weather conditions are optimal, you might catch northern lights playing across the sky.

Overnight at Kirkjubaejarklaustur area.

Optional Tour: If you enjoy a taste of adventure you can experience glaciers close-up with a guided hike on one of the glaciers in the Skaftafell area. Your expert glacier guide will point out many unique features about glaciers during the hike.

Approximate distance: ca344km / 214miles

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall – Volcano Center – Geothermal Village
Drive along the scenic south coast back to the west. En route, visit Seljalandsfoss, a waterfall that you can walk behind. You´ll also be passing through the landscape of Eyjafjallajokull volcano, famous for its 2010 eruption. Perhaps you´ll visit the new Lava Centre, an interactive exhibit where you can learn about how powerful volcanoes and earthquakes have formed Iceland.

The Bobby Fischer Center in Selfoss is dedicated to the world-famous American chess master who defeated Russian Boris Spatsky in the 1972 Match of All Time in Iceland. Bobby Fischer lived his last years in Iceland and is buried in a nearby cemetery. During the winter, you can call in advance to make an appointment to visit the museum.

Visit Hveragerdi, a hot spring village famous for its geothermal greenhouses where flowers and vegetables are grown year-round. You might visit the historical Skyrgerdin (Skyr Factory), where you can see the original way that skyr (a delicious dairy product unique to Iceland) was made—and sample some of the products. Return to Reykjavik in the late afternoon/early evening.

Overnight in Reykjavík.

Approximate distance: ca50km / 30miles

Breakfast at your hotel. Drop off your car at the airport before your flight home. ** Please be prepared to leave the hotel about 3 hours before the departure of your flight.

**Please note that the package price is based on 7 x 24-hour rental days starting at the time of rental. If your flight arrives early on day 1 and departs late on day 8 an additional supplement will be necessary unless you choose to return the car in Reykjavik when the 7- day rental is up and use our flybus departure transfer.

Please note: The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and sightings can not be guaranteed.