Iceland’s Magical Northern Lights

February 2019

Your Tour at a Glance

Stay: 7 days, 6 nights

Location: Iceland

The “land of fire and ice” is a place of many wonders, including the rare opportunity to see the spectacular aurora borealis – or northern lights. This tour will bring you on a search for that once-in-a-lifetime moment. Take an exhilarating evening northern lights cruise. Travel to the “Golden Circle,” home to many of Iceland’s most renowned natural wonders. Spend time at Thingvellir National Park, the nation’s most historic area. Gaze at the spectacular Gullfoss waterfall – one of the world’s most incredible cascades. At the Lava Exhibition Center, learn about Iceland’s volcanic history and its impact on daily life. Explore Skógar Museum and see traditional turf-built homes. Walk on a black volcanic sand beach. See Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon filled with floating icebergs. Relax in the warm, mineral-rich water of the natural geothermal pool, the Blue Lagoon. Spend your evenings gazing at the night sky in search of the elusive and dazzling northern lights.

LOCATIONS

A map of Iceland, with the cities and routes for the tour highlighted.

ITINERARY

Optional Bookends

Would you like to begin and end your vacation with an additional Hotel in Reykjavík?

Industrial style hotel backlit against the green northern lights

DAY 1

Busy streets surrounding a large white church in central Reykajvik.

Overnight Flight

You’re on your way to Iceland, a land and culture forged by fire and ice. Where steaming lava fields and massive glaciers sculpt mountains and valleys, leaving thundering waterfalls and plunging fjords. In this land of many natural wonders, enjoy the rare opportunity to see the aurora borealis — one of nature’s most dazzling light displays, also known as the northern lights.*

DAY 2

Quaint famers market with assorted colors of candles, glassware and handbags.

Reykjavík, Iceland – Tour Begins

Your tour opens in Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital city. Get acquainted with old town Reykjavík on a walking tour featuring Hallgrimskirkja church, city hall, the harbor, and Reykjavík’s oldest building, now home to the Kraum Icelandic design center. Tonight, gather with your fellow travelers at a popular restaurant for dinner featuring Icelandic cuisine. Then, take an exhilarating northern lights cruise.** Leave behind the bright city lights and sail into the darkness of Faxaflói Bay in search of the aurora borealis – or northern lights – one of nature’s wonders. When revealed, you’ll be dazzled by the flickering light display of bursting color that unfolds before your eyes.*

DAY 3

Large bronze colored crater filled with crystal blue water.

Reykjavík – Golden Circle

Travel the incredible Golden Circle, a route that encompasses many of Iceland’s most renowned natural wonders. Journey to Thingvellir National Park, the nation’s most historic area, where Icelanders gathered in A.D. 930 and established what is considered one of the world’s first parliaments. Find yourself standing upon one of the globe’s most geologically significant landscapes, Thingvellir’s rugged rift valley. This UNESCO World Heritage site marks the point where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. Experience the eruptive energy of the Icelandic landscape with a stop at the geothermal fields of Geysir and Strokkur. Then, marvel at the beauty of the Gullfoss (Golden Falls) waterfall, a stunning 100-foot double cascade. Continue southeast, stopping at the Lava Exhibition Center to learn about Iceland’s historic eruptions and current lava flows that make the island a showcase of volcanism. Later arrive in Vík, the southernmost village in Iceland, surrounded by beautiful valleys, beaches, cliffs and mountains. After dinner amidst the peace and stillness of rural Iceland, search for the elusive northern lights.*

DAY 4

Modern style angular architecture museum with Icelandic flags in the yard.

Skógar Museum – Vik

Journey to the mesmerizing Seljalandsfoss, one of Iceland’s most famous and picturesque waterfalls with a walkway behind it. Visit Skógar Museum with its turf-built homes and outstanding collection of artifacts covering all aspects of Icelandic life. Nearby, view the impressive Skógafoss waterfall, one of the largest in Iceland. Later, see Reynisfjara, a black volcanic sand beach surrounded by basalt formations, cliffs scattered with caves, and rich bird life including the Fulmar, Black Guillemot, Razorbill, Gannet and various types of seagulls. See the unique natural rock formations at Dyrhólaey. After dinner, gaze at the sky in search of the northern lights,* a truly spectacular sight.

DAY 5

Beautiful waterfall with rocks that look like honeycomb.

Skaftafell National Park – Vik

Travel to Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, filled with floating icebergs. Explore this extraordinary landscape and perhaps see seals swimming in Arctic waters. Travel to Skaftafell, gateway to Vatnajökull National Park, the largest national park in Europe. Vatnajökull is known for having Iceland’s highest mountains, an Alpine environment, and the Vatnajökull glacier, Europe’s largest. After dinner, continue searching for the shimmering northern lights dancing across the night sky.*

DAY 6

Wooden planks set out a cross a steaming bright blue lake.

Blue Lagoon – Reykjavík

Drive along the south shore towards the Reykjanes Peninsula. Known for its rugged landscape, lava fields, and numerous hot springs, the peninsula is home of the Blue Lagoon. Take a dip in the pleasantly warm, mineral-rich waters of the geothermal pool, located in the middle of a dramatic lava field. Return to Reykjavík for your farewell dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 7

Reykjavík – Tour Ends

Depart for home with many incredible memories.

Know Before You Go

Single accommodations are limited and are available on a first come, first served basis. This tour includes moderate physical activity. The itinerary blends some longer days with shorter days and more leisure time. Walking tours, as well as walking slightly longer distances, up stairs or on uneven walking surfaces, should be expected. The days and order of sightseeing may change to best utilize your time on tour. Hotel check-in on your day of arrival is 3:00 p.m. Rooms may not be available prior to that time. Museum visits and shopping may be affected by observance of religious or local holidays. To complete your tour, we include roundtrip airport-to-hotel transfers when purchasing our airfare with your tour. If you have arranged for your own air, we are pleased to provide you the option of purchasing these transfers. Please note that all transfers will leave at pre-scheduled times. Please be advised many airlines do not provide advance seat assignments until check-in at the airport. Advance seating will be subject to the airline’s terms and conditions. Coaches which may not be lavatory equipped may be used on this program. In this case, stops are made during travel periods. *The northern lights are in the Northern Hemisphere from September through April and are only visible when the sky is clear and free of clouds. As this tour is weather dependent, sightings of the northern lights are not guaranteed. **The northern lights cruise is weather dependent and may be cancelled in the event of serious weather. Because the northern lights are a winter event, you will be walking and waiting outdoors while looking for them. It is recommended that you wear sturdy non-slip snow footwear and warm clothing including thermals, hat, scarf and gloves. Due to flight schedules, a post night may be required in some Icelandair gateway cities (at an additional cost). Please inquire at time of reservation. Due to tour scheduling, flights should arrive prior to 10:00 a.m. Included activities are subject to change due to inclement weather. Icelandic breakfasts are continental; included dinners are of a simpler nature due to the remote locations of the restaurants.

Budget: $2699 – $3449