Northern Lights Exploration (Small Group) - 8 days
Northern Lights Exploration (Small Group) - 8 days
Northern Lights Exploration (Small Group) - 8 days
8 Days Starting and ending in Reykjavik, Iceland
Visiting: Reykjavik, Borgarnes, Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Thingvellir National Park, Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Vatnajökull National Park, Reykjavík
Tour operator:
Specialist Group:
Family/Kids
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
10 - 16
Age range:
8-
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable 8-day Northern Lights Exploration tour in Iceland, designed for small groups seeking a cultural adventure. Begin your journey in Reykjavik, exploring the vibrant capital before venturing into the breathtaking landscapes of Borgarfjordur Valley, Snaefellsnes Peninsula, and the Golden Circle. Experience the thrill of climbing volcanoes, witnessing powerful geysers, and exploring the Vatnshellir Cave. Discover the rich history at the Icelandic Settlement Centre and marvel at the stunning waterfalls and black lava beaches along the South Coast. Relax in the geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon and stay up for the mesmerizing Northern Lights. With comfortable accommodations, guided tours, and a Northern Lights program, this tour offers an immersive Icelandic experience. Enjoy the convenience of airport transfers, daily breakfasts, and the expertise of an English-speaking guide as you explore the wonders of Iceland.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Reykjavik
Location: Reykjavik
Accommodation Name: Reykjavik
Meals Included: Breakfast
Reykjavik. Welcome to Iceland and the start of your Northern Lights adventure! Your transfer to our accommodation is by Flybus shuttle. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Day 2: Borgarnes
Location: Borgarnes
Accommodation Name: Borganes
Meals Included: Breakfast
Reykjavik - Borgarnes -Borgarfjorour Valley - This morning we meet our tour guide and depart on a Reykjavik city tour exploring some of the highlights of Iceland’s capital before heading west to Borgarfjorour.
Along the way we stop in Borgarnes and learn about Iceland’s earliest days at the Settlement Center.
Borgarfjorour valley is known as the Saga valley of West Iceland because many important historical events took place there. You will have the opportunity to climb the Grabrok volcano crater and warm up at Deildartunguhver, Europe's most powerful hot spring, producing 180 litres of nearly boiling water (97°c) per second.
We continue to Hraunfossar, a series of waterfalls pouring from beneath a wide lava field. Barnafoss - the Children’s falls, is nearby with its own tragic tale. We spend the next two nights at Borgarnes in West Iceland. This afternoon includes a lecture about the Northern Lights and after dinner we head into the garden to search for the Northern Lights, followed by a hot cup of chocolate or tea.
Day 3: Borgarnes
Location: Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Accommodation Name: Borganes
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Borgarnes - Snaefellsnes Peninsula - Borgarnes. Today we explore the Snaellsnes Peninsula or the Peninsula of the snowy mountain. A rugged mountain chain runs its length.
Depending on the conditions, we may also visit the fishing village of Grundarfjorour. One of the most photographed and famous mountain in Iceland, Kirkjufell, can be seen jutting out into the bay. Visit Arnarstapi and Hellnar before experiencing the area from below, inside Vatnshellir cave. We take you 35 meters underground and about 200 meters into the lava tube under the glacier Saefellsjokull
Today our guide gives us some practical tips of how to photograph the Auroras as part of the Northern Lights Academy program. Once darkness falls, we venture into the hotel garden and relax in the outdoor hot tubs to hopefully await an appearance from the breathtaking Northern Lights.
Day 4: Hella
Location: Thingvellir National Park
Accommodation Name: Hella
Meals Included: Breakfast
Borgarnes - Golden Circle - Hella. This morning we travel along the scenic shores of the Hvalfjörour fjord, stopping at an Icelandic wool outlet store before continuing inland to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. After a stop at the park, we continue to the Geysir geothermal fields, where there's a variety of hot springs and bubbling pools. The original geyser is now dormant but Strokkur, "the Churn“ is very much still active and erupts every 5-10 minutes. When we get to Geysir, we visit the restaurant and taste freshly baked hot spring bread served with delicious Icelandic butter, geothermally boiled eggs and local herring. This is best served with a small glass of ice cold (nearly frozen) Geysir Schnapps. Leaving the geyser fields, we stop at the last site on Iceland's Golden Circle - Gullfoss “the golden falls“. This double waterfall tumbles 34 meters into the Hvítá River.
This afternoon, we learn about the history of the hardy Icelandic horse and the special qualities they possess. We also visit a geothermal greenhouse, before reaching our accommodation in South Iceland.
Day 5: Hella
Location: Kirkjubæjarklaustur
Meals Included: Breakfast
Hella - Eyjafjallajökull - Kirkjubaejarklaustur. Today we travel along the South coast. At our first stop of the day we will learn about the geology and the active volcano's in Iceland at the Lava & Volcano Exhibition centre.
Further east we visit one of Iceland's finest folk museums. This museum contains an outstanding collection of farm and domestic artefacts typical of Iceland’s past as well as several turf-built houses. Nearby is the waterfall of Skógafoss which stands 60 meters tall and is one of the most impressive waterfalls in Iceland.
This afternoon we take a stroll along black lava beach and the bird cliffs at Reynisfjara beach in South Iceland. We spend the next 2 nights near Kirkjubæjarklaustur in the Vatnajökull National Park region, located in complete darkness and ideal for Northern Lights search.
Day 6: Seljalandsfoss
Location: Vatnajökull National Park
Accommodation Name: Kirkjubaejarklaustur
Meals Included: Breakfast
Kirkjubaejarklaustur - Jökulsárlón - Kirkjubaejarklaustur. Today is all about glaciers, ice and icebergs. This morning we travel to Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon which is filled with floating icebergs. Exploring this extraordinary site we keep an eye out for seals swimming in the freezing Arctic waters. We then can walk along the black sandy beach where some large icebergs have gotten stranded.
This afternoon we visit the tiny turf church in the town of Hof before heading to the National Park. The Vatnajökull National Park covers about 12,000 square kilometres and is the largest National Park in Europe. Here we find Iceland’s highest mountains, an alpine environment, and Europe's largest glacier which the park is named after. Alternatively we can take an optional Ice Cave tour (between Nov 15th and March 15th only) - see Trip Notes for more details.
Tonight we enjoy a movie presentation about the Northern Lights as a part of the Northern Lights Academy program before hopefully seeing the Northern Lights shimmering and dancing across the night sky.
Day 7: The Blue Lagoon
Location: Reykjavík
Accommodation Name: Reykjavik
Meals Included: Breakfast
Kirkjubaejarklaustur - Vik - Reykjavík. This morning we depart Kirkjubæjarklaustur and head across the Eldhraun lava field to the village of Vik where we make a photo stop. We take a stroll on the black lava beach and along the bird cliffs at Reynisfjara beach in South Iceland. Further west we reach the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall which plunges over the mountain. Those wishing to get a bit closer can take a trail that goes behind the falling water but be prepared to get wet!
This afternoon we head to the famous Blue Lagoon for a relaxing soak.
Day 8: Reykjavik
Location: Reykjavik
Today our Northern Lights Icelandic experience comes to an end with included FlyBus transfer to Keflavik Airport.
What's Included
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Accommodation
3 star -
7 breakfasts
Enjoy 7 breakfasts during your stay.
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7 nights standard hotels and cottage accommodation
Stay in standard hotels and cottage accommodation for 7 nights.
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Keflavik Airport arrival and departure transfer (FlyBus shuttle)
Transfers to and from Keflavik Airport are included via FlyBus shuttle.
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Guided underground tour into Vatnshellir cave situated under Saefellsnesjokull glacier
Participate in a guided underground tour into Vatnshellir cave.
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Visit to Icelandic horse stables & geothermal greenhouse
Visit Icelandic horse stables and a geothermal greenhouse.
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Visit to multimedia presentation at Eyjafjallajökull Volcano Information Center
Attend a multimedia presentation at the Eyjafjallajokull Volcano Information Center.
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Entrance into Skogar folk museum and turf houses
Gain entrance to the Skogar folk museum and turf houses.
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Entrance with towel into the Blue Lagoon
Enjoy entrance to the Blue Lagoon with a towel provided.
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Services of an English Speaking Icelandic Guide
Benefit from the services of an English-speaking Icelandic guide.
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Transportation in heated coaches with free Wi-Fi on board
Travel in heated coaches with free Wi-Fi available on board.
What's Not Included
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International Flights and Visas
International flights and visas are not included.
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Gratuity for your tour guide
Gratuity for your tour guide is not included and is an entirely personal gesture.
Age Policy
Child: 8 - 11.99yrs. Adult: 12 yrs+
Mode of Transport
Travel in heated coaches equipped with free Wi-Fi, ensuring a comfortable journey across Iceland's breathtaking landscapes. The tour includes Keflavik Airport arrival and departure transfers via FlyBus shuttle, providing seamless connectivity throughout your adventure.
Accommodation
Enjoy 7 nights in standard hotels and cottage accommodations, offering a comfortable stay amidst Iceland's stunning landscapes. Experience the charm of Reykjavik, Borgarnes, Hella, and Kirkjubæjarklaustur, with opportunities to witness the Northern Lights from your cozy lodgings.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes 7 nights of standard hotel and cottage accommodation.
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Is there a guide provided during the tour?
Yes, the services of an English-speaking Icelandic guide are included in the tour.
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What is included in the Northern Lights program?
The Northern Lights program includes a combination of lectures, presentations, film, and guided searches for the Northern Lights during 6 evenings, along with midnight refreshments.
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Are there any special equipment provided for the Northern Lights exploration?
Yes, the tour provides winter and Northern Lights explorer equipment, including simple non-slip snow and ice grippers for shoes and a flashlight that is helpful when walking in the dark and operating a photo camera at night.
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What meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 7 breakfasts.
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Is transportation provided during the tour?
Yes, transportation is provided in heated coaches with free Wi-Fi on board.
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Are airport transfers included in the tour package?
Yes, Keflavik Airport arrival and departure transfers are included via FlyBus shuttle.
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What activities are included in the tour related to Icelandic culture?
The tour includes a visit to Icelandic horse stables and a geothermal greenhouse, entrance to the Skogar folk museum and turf houses, and a visit to a multimedia presentation at the Eyjafjallajökull Volcano Information Center.
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Is there an opportunity to relax in a geothermal spa during the tour?
Yes, the tour includes entrance with a towel into the Blue Lagoon, a natural geothermal spa.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.