In Glacial Exploration and Auroras you experience the majesty of the great glaciers in Iceland. You also get the chance to go hunt for the Northern Lights.
- Winter in Iceland is a fantastic season to experience the majestic of glaciers. These forces of nature have carved Iceland‘s landscape on their ponderous march to the sea. Icelandic glaciers have been the focus of international news programs and movies; they are worth a closer look, and this new driving vacation gives more time in prime glacial areas.
- Discover glaciers ever-changing beauty and their importance to both Iceland and the world. Drive on roads paralleling Europe‘s largest glacier, experiencing its ever-changing angles and fantastic photo opportunities. Visit a glacial wonderland in Vatnajokull National Park. Indulge your inner explorer and join tours bringing you onto — and even inside — the heart of a glacier. You’ll also experience the Golden Circle as well as Viking Sagalocales and the impressive glacier-fuelled natural wonders of the Borgarfjordur region. Overnight in stunning locations that make a fabulous backdrop for elusive Northern Lights.
What’s in it for you?
- Digital itinerary with the travel companion app.
- Electronic version of booklet. Prior to your arrival we will send you an electronic version of our travel booklet. You can start preparing yourself for your upcoming Iceland trip and be prepared for your Iceland adventure!
- Flexibility. With comprehensive maps and your own vehicle, drive at your own pace. Choose your preferred stops during the day and hunt for northern lights in the evening.
Highlights:
- Traveling at a leisurely pace, with more time to enjoy glacial wonders
- Exploring the hidden treasures of beautiful Borgarfjordur in West Iceland, including views of Langjokull Glacier
- Visiting the world-famous Golden Circle natural wonders
- Walking on the black sand beaches of Iceland’s south shore.
- Viewing famous glaciers in Vatnajokull National Park
- Taking in the majesty of the Glacier Lagoon
Day 1: Arrival
Arrival in Iceland – The world’s northernmost capital city
- Once you have landed at Keflavik Airport in Iceland, please pick up your luggage and head through customs. Collect your rental car at the airport and proceed to your hotel in Reykjavik. The rest of the day is yours to use at your own leisure.
- The Blue Lagoon Geothermal spa is an ideal stop on the way to Reykjavik. Enjoy peaceful relaxation at a unique natural pool of mineral rich geothermal water located in the middle of a lava field in the pure, beautiful Icelandic wilderness. The Blue Lagoon is known for its healing properties and its beneficial effect on the skin, and attracts visitors from all over the world in search of health, relaxation and an exotic experience. In addition to bathing in the lagoon, guests have access to a sauna with a view of the lagoon, a steam-bath with white walls that resemble silica-mud and a cosy steam-bath carved into a lava cave. Guests can also stand beneath a small waterfall for an energizing massage.
- Overnight in Reykjavik.
Day 2: Reykjavik – Reykholt – Husafell
- Highlights: Borgarnes Settlement Center of Iceland, Deildartunguhver, Hraunfossar and Barnafoss
- 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)
Day 3: Borgarfjordur – Langjokull Glacier
- Highlights: Snorrastofa – Reykholt
- 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)’
Day 4: Thingvellir – Gullfoss – Geysir
- Highlights: Gullfoss Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Laugarvatn, Fontana Nature Baths
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.
Day 5: Waterfalls and Glacial Horizons
- Highlights: Skogafoss Skogar Museum, Seljalandsfoss, Vík and Myrdalsjokull
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.
Day 6: Glacial Wonders
- Highlights: Skaftafell National Park, Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon and Vatnajokull
- 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.
Day 7: South Coast – Reykjavik
- Highlights: Seljalandsfoss, Eyjafjallajokull and Hveragerdi
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.
Day 8: Whale Watching Tour & Departure
- Start the morning with a half day whale watching tour! You’ll explore some of the most breathtaking views as you searc for whales in Iceland.
- 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: The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and sightings can not be guaranteed
What Did Our Travelers Think of the Trip?
- Overall everything was great. Think I mentioned this before, but thought the distance between our different hotel destinations was about perfect. The only hotel we wouldn’t stay at again/recommend would be the Fosshotel in Hofn, and that’s only because the bed was pretty hard and uncomfortable- the rest of the room, hotel, and breakfast was very good. Weird because the Baron Fosshotel in Reykjavik had comfortable beds
- We enjoyed the snowmobiling and whale watching tours, and the tablet worked really well for us for navigation.
- We also went to the Fontana Thermal Bath along the Golden Circle route and Krauma Baths in West Iceland and they were both amazing. We actually went to Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach just outside Reykjavik on our way to the airport and liked that too- it’s smaller and not as spa like but felt the most like a hot spring that locals go to