Northern Lights Exploration - Small Group
Explore the best of Western, Southern & Southeast Iceland in the wintertime: discover the Golden Circle, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, the Blue Lagoon, the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and the Black lava beach. Climb a volcano, embark on a fjord cruise, stop at a shark farmer, meet Icelandic horses on a farm, see turf farmsteads and churches. Optional ice cave tour at Vatnajökull glacier from mid-November to mid-March & optional Northern Lights by boat cruise from Reykjavík. A bestseller with up to 98% chances of seeing the Northern Lights.
Tour Itinerary
Your exciting tour of Iceland begins today! Individual transfers will take place by the Flybus shuttle from Keflavik Airport to your accommodation in Reykjavík where you will spend the night. We can provide you with some ideas on how to explore Iceland's capital on your own. Overnight in Reykjavik.
Overnight in Reykjavik
At 9:00 am, meet your guide in the hotel lobby and start the Reykjavik sightseeing tour. Then head west towards Borgarnes. Learn about Iceland’s past at the Settlement Center. Then continue to Borgarfjörur, known as the Saga Valley due to the many historical events. Explore the Grábrók volcano crater and visit Europe’s most powerful hot spring, Deildartunguhver. Our next stop is Hraunfossar, which represents a series of waterfalls dropping from beneath a lava field; the most famous is Barnafoss, with its own sad history. In the afternoon, you will hear a lecture about the Northern Lights. After the dinner, step outside the hotel garden, and you might get lucky and see the Northern Lights.
Overnight in Borgarnes (breakfast)
Borgarnes breakfast- Overnight in Borgarnes
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is often called "the peninsula of the snowy mountains." It stretches out from the west coast like an extended arm with a clenched fist. The island is a microcosm with a unique climate, nature, and landscape. A rugged mountain ridge runs its length. We will visit the fishing town of Grundarfjörður, with a stunning coastline and mountains, lakes, and waterfalls behind it. Kirkjufell, one of Iceland's most photographed and famous mountains, sticks out into the bay. We will visit Arnarstapi and Hellnar before exploring the area from below, inside Vatnsellir cave. We will descend 35 meters below the ground's surface and about 200 meters into the lava tube under the Snæfellsjokull glacier.
On our way back to Borgarnes, the guide will offer some advice on photographing the Northern Lights, which is part of the Northern Lights Academy program. Then, once the darkness falls, we will step outside the hotel to chase the Northern Lights and soak in the hotel's outdoor hot tubs.
Overnight in Borgarnes (breakfast, lunch).
- Borgarnes breakfast, lunch
- Overnight in Borgarnes
Today we will travel along the Hvalfjörður fjord. We will stop briefly at the Icelandic wool outlet store and check out all the wonderful Icelandic wool products! Then we keep going inland to Thingvellir National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and important for its geology and history.
Later, we will explore the famous Golden Circle area and see the steam rising from the geothermal fields at Geysir. The chef at Restaurant Geysir invites you to try local bread that is freshly baked in hot springs and served with Icelandic butter, hard-boiled eggs, and herring. Our next stop is at Gullfoss, a double waterfall.
In the afternoon, we get to know the Icelandic horses, the history of this unique breed, and its distinctive features. We will visit a geothermal greenhouse to learn about growing tomatoes in Iceland. In the evening, we will step into the darkness to search for the elusive Northern Lights.
Overnight in Hella (breakfast)
- Hella breakfast
- Overnight in Hella
Today we travel along the south coast. Learn about geology and active volcanoes at the Lava and Volcano Exhibition Center. Further east, we visit one of Iceland's most exciting folk museums. This museum has a great collection of farm and home items from Iceland's past and a few houses made of turf. Nearby is one of the most impressive in the country, a 60-meter-high Skógafoss waterfall. Stroll on the black lava beach and along the bird cliffs in the afternoon at Reynisfjara in south Iceland.
We will spend the next two nights near Kirkjubæjarklaustur in the Vatnajökull National Park region, located in darkness and ideal for a Northern Lights search.
Overnight in Kirkjubæjarklaustur area (breakfast)
- Kirkjubæjarklaustur area breakfast
- Overnight in Kirkjubæjarklaustur area
Today is dedicated to Iceland's magnificent icebergs and glaciers. We travel to the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon in the morning, where there are icebergs floating nearby and seals enjoying the frigid waters. Stroll along Diamond Beach, which is surrounded by stranded icebergs and has black sand.
We spend the afternoon in Europe's biggest national park, home to Iceland's highest mountains, an alpine setting, Europe's biggest glacier, and the tiny turf church at Hof.
In this isolated and tranquil setting, take care not to fall asleep too early or you might miss the Northern Lights shimmering and dancing over the night sky.
Overnight in Kirkjubæjarklaustur (breakfast)
- Kirkjubæjarklaustur breakfast
- Overnight in Kirkjubæjarklaustur
The Eldhraun lava field separates Kirkjubaejarklaustur from the settlement of Vik, where we head after breakfast. Enjoy the breathtaking views of lava fields and black sand beach with its towering bird cliffs and crashing surf.
We reach the tall and narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which descends from the mountain further to the west. We get to relax in the renowned Blue Lagoon in the afternoon.
We arrive in Reykjavik for our final night in the evening.
Overnight in Reykjavik (breakfast)
- Reykjavik breakfast
- Overnight in Reykjavik
Your tour of Iceland ends today. Individual transfers will take place via the Flybus airport shuttle from your accommodation in Reykjavík to Keflavík Airport.
