All of our arrangements have been specially designed to incorporate a reason to travel and, for ease of choice, these have been categorised under the titles shown below.
5 nights from
£2125
With 70% of its terrain uninhabitable by humans, Iceland is daunting in its eerily empty interior, and
haunting in its supremely scenic landscapes. On the Arctic Circle edge, with lava fields and steaming
geyser spouts, icicles clinging to waterfall cliffs, and coastal hamlets hunkered down in weather-
beaten bays, its ostensibly inhospitable terrain is both curse and blessing, as the nation adds Man’s
creativity to Nature’s creation to maximise the geothermal assets, heating the homes of its residents
with the gift of the ground beneath them. Focused on the country’s southwestern area, this tour is a
thrilling journey through awe-inspiring landscapes. Bookended by stays in the world’s most northerly
capital, Reykjavik, it takes you to Vik on the south shore; to little villages on the Snaefellsnes
peninsula; the high rim of Grábrók crater, the deep lava-tube of Vatnshellir cave, and the thermal
pools of Hvammsvik Hot Springs. With dark night skies come the bright Northern Lights. Brilliant
along the ocean edge, where light pollution is minimal, the elusive phenomenon cannot be
guaranteed, but Iceland offers the best chance to catch them.
Enjoy a tasting of rúgbrauð, Icelandic rye bread, traditionally baked in a pot by burying it in the geothermal ground for 24 hours. The bread is crustless, dark and very dense, usually rather sweet, and keeps for a long time. It will be served with boiled eggs, pickled herring and a glass of Geysir schnapps.
Success in viewing of the Northern Lights is not guaranteed.
Some walking on snow-covered terrain is involved and visits are subject to local conditions and weather.
Optional tours are not always exclusive for JV groups.
Extra nights are on request, please call to discuss your requirements.
Fosshotel Reykjavik
per night £130 (Feb £130)
Single supplement £100 (Feb £120)
By a scenic route we reach Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park (1930) and UNESCO World Heritage Site (2004). We stroll around the country’s most sacred site, home of the oldest existing national parliament in the world, the Alþingi, and major events in the history of Iceland. Thingvellir is a place of fascinating natural beauty, a spectacular geological vista, set on a vast plain flanked by large fissures, right by Iceland’s largest lake, Thingvallavatn. The Mid-Atlantic rift is clearly visible; a rift that is forming as Iceland is being pulled apart by tectonic forces. Here the North-American and the Eurasian continental plates drift apart by 19mm a year and a rift valley is forming. Next we drive to the mighty waterfall of Gullfoss - the Golden falls - perhaps the most beautiful in the country. Here the glacial river of Hvítá (white river) tumbles 32 meters in a double cascade. On a sunny day a rainbow is very likely in the massive spray. After an optional lunch stop we explore the active geothermal area of Haukadalur which contains the geysers Geysir and Strokkur, and many other hot springs. Most active nowadays is Strokkur, erupting hot water and steam to elevation of 25 metres every 5-7 minutes. Then we drive on to Skálholt, an ancient bishopric, and for centuries the spiritual and educational heart of Iceland. We pass the greenhouse town of Hveragerði and continue over the mountain pass Hellisheiði, an area with large lava fields and steaming valleys.
Air travel and taxes, transfers (Fly Bus), 4 nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, 2 dinners, itinerary as described, services of guides and local representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.
Travel insurance, optional excursions, tipping, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
Where can you see the Northern Lights?
1 May 2020
"To behold the spectacular phenomenon that is the Aurora Borealis, or the Northern Lights, is an unforgettable experience, so it is no surprise that Northern Lights holidays are becoming increasingly popular."
Guide to Iceland
1 Mar 2020
"Iceland is an increasingly popular holiday destination, with huge numbers of tourists flocking to its mountainous beauty and rugged landscapes each year."
Ice & Lights
With dramatic landscapes at your feet and the brilliant Aurora Borealis in the skies above, this is a tour to remote locations and remarkable sights, from Iceland’s glacial lagoon to its largest icecap, steaming geysers, gleaming icebergs, and frozen waterfalls
Journey to the Centre of the Earth
Touring the north of Iceland, from small towns and colourful villages to spectacular landscapes of mountains and waterfalls, fjords and lava fields, lakes and craters; and including a whale-watching cruise and time in the capital, Reykjavik; all Icelandic life is here
Voyage to the Northern Lights
From the maze of myriad inlets forming Bergen’s busy bays, to the top-of-the-world wilds of Nature at the North Cape, this classic Norwegian Hurtigruten cruise visits very varied ports of call as it follows Norway’s spectacular coast in search of the Northern Lights
