South Iceland Adventure - Winter

Day 1: Arrival

Day 1: Highlights: Reykjavik, Hallgrimskirkja National Museum, The Blue Lagoon. Upon arrival in Keflavik International Airport, head through passport control, collect your bags and go through customs to the Arrival Hall. Airport transfer is included.Once in Reykjavik, check into your hotel. If you arrive early in the day, you might want to explore Reykjavik’s old town area, location of many museums and galleries. You might also enjoy visiting one of the city’s outdoor geothermal swimming pools where you can shake off your jetlag. In the afternoon you could take one of our day tours, such as whale watching or horseback riding, both bringing you close to Iceland’s nature and landscape. Overnight stay in Reykjavik at Radisson Blu Saga Hotel or Fosshotel Raudara (according to advised accommodation list). Dinner is on your own. Reykjavik offers a multitude of restaurants and coffee-houses, making dinner a great way to get better acquainted with Iceland’s capital. Please note guaranteed early check-in is not included in the price. Most hotels begin check-in between 14:00 and 16:00 (2:00 pm and 4:00 pm).

Day 2 : Reykjavik, South Coast

Day 2: Highlights: Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, Myrdalsjokull, Reynisdrangar Cliffs, Vik, 4×4 Adventure, Back Roads, Beautiful Views, Lava Cave, Black Sand Coast, Waterfalls. Breakfast at your hotel. Meet your driver-guide, who will brief you on the day’s excursion. Today you will be an explorer as well as a traveller! It’s important to know that your guide may adjust the itinerary to snow and weather conditions, to make sure each day is an adventure that shows you the best of the area at the time you are visiting. All the activities planned are fun, but you are not required to take part. So don‘t worry if you don‘t feel up to it. The days will be really great with lots to see, so you‘ll still have a great time. Once you leave the city limits, it won’t take long to reach remote areas. You’ll start the day with an easy caving expedition for those who are interested, into an ancient lava tube. These are created by volcanic eruptions and give a rare glimpse of how a volcano looks from the inside. After emerging from underground, drive along the South Shore using back roads and trails, enjoying the views of rugged coast and isolated farms. Along the way you will stop to view some of the beautiful waterfalls that decorate the South Shore such as the mighty Skogafoss waterfall. If conditions are just right, you might also visit a hidden waterfall, a local gem accessible only to small groups. Then climb aboard the 4×4 vehicle again to explore a part of the region‘s famous black sand beaches. At the end of the day you will visit a secret natural wonder on the black sandy beach. Spend the evening at the Hrifunes guesthouse, located on a cozy farm just on the edge of the highland wilderness. Hrifunes is far away from any light pollution, so if the weather conditions are right, there is a chance you could see northern lights. The hosts of Hrifunes, Haukur and Hadda, will make sure you have a comfortable stay. They serve home-made family-style dinners. Your guide, Ingimundur, will also join you for the meal. Dinner is an especially fun part of the day, with lots of chatting and laughter about the day spent together. Our past visitors have really enjoyed this experience and the opportunity to enjoy good food and get to know the other people on the trip better. (BLD)

Day 3: Vatnajokull National Park

Day 3: Highlights: Eldhraun Lava Field, Skaftafell National Park, Vatnajokull, Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon, Extensive Lava fields, Europe‘s largest glacier, Glacier Hike, Lagoon with Icebergs, Ice Cave Exploration. After a hearty Icelandic breakfast, start the day by driving along the mountain road that crosses Eldhraun, a huge lava field created an eruption in the 18th century. Some historians believe this was a cause of the French Revolution (you’ll hear more about that during the tour)! Pass the huge cliffs at Lomagnupur with their incredible basalt columns, and enjoy some of the hidden gems the area has to offer. Continue to the Skaftafell area of Vatnajokull National Park. The entire national park covers about 14% of Iceland, making it one of the largest parks in Europe. Here you’ll don crampons and, with ice pick in hand, hike on the wonderous Svinafellsjokull glacier. During the hike you‘ll see amazing shapes in the ice and learn how glaciers are formed. Afterwards, enjoy the famous Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon with its colorful icebergs and lazy seals, and the picturesque Diamond Beach close by. Plenty of photo opportunities here! If the period is right and weather and conditions on the ice are safe, you‘ll visit a natural ice cave on the South side of Vatnajokull glaciers. These ice caves appear and disappear according to the movements of the glacier. Some are very stable to visit, others are more difficult to reach and are more unstable. Some are quite unique while others look ordinary at first but become extraordinary in the right light and conditions. Expert glacier guides in the area will assess the conditions and see if there is any suitable ice cave to visit while you’re in the region. After an exciting day of ice, icebergs and volcanic lava, return to your hotel for dinner and overnight at Hrifunes, your home away from home. (BLD)

Day 4: Hekla Volcano, Gullfoss, Geysir, Thingvellir

Day 4: Highlights: Eyjafjallajokull, Hekla, Gullfoss, Geysir, Thingvellir National Park, Reykjavik, Volcanic Views, Golden Waterfall, Erupting Hot Springs, Bathing in a Secret Lagoon. Enjoy another delicious Hrifunes breakfast. Then you‘re off again for another day‘s adventure in your trusty 4×4 SuperJeep. Make your way towards the Golden Circle, passing through regions with views of volcanic mountains such as the famous Eyjafjallajokull (2010 eruption) and Mt. Hekla, Iceland’s most frequently erupting volcano. On the agenda today is a swim in the Secret Lagoon, a peaceful hot-spring fed lake. Created by local residents using the natural landscape and materials in 1891, it is Iceland’s oldest geothermal swimming pool. The water has natural minerals that soothe your skin. Surrounding the pool are tiny bubbling mud pots and a little geyser that erupts regularly. Watching these as you soak in the Secret Lagoon is a special experience. End the day visiting the three natural pearls that create the famous Golden Circle: the big waterfall Gullfoss, the spouting hot spring area of Geysir and the beautiful Thingvellir National Park. Thingvellir is the ancient location of Iceland’s first parliament, as well as the meeting point of two tectonic plates that divide Europe from North America. Your guide will bid you adieu with a taste of Iceland’s famous schnapps, brennivin, and a bit of fermented shark meat to go with it. It‘s a true Viking test and tastier than it sounds! Return to Reykjavik where the evening is at your leisure. Overnight at hotel in Reykjavik at Radisson Blu Saga Hotel or Fosshotel Raudara (according to advised accommodation list). Dinner is on your own. (BL)

Day 5: Departure

Day 5: Breakfast at your hotel. Please note that this might be a light breakfast if you are taking an early morning departure flight. We recommend departing your hotel approximately 3 hours before departure time of the flight from Keflavik. Shared airport transfer is included. (B)