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Best of the South

Depart:
Escorted Tour-Land Only

6 Days/ 5 Nights

2022 Departures:

June 22
July 6 and 20
August 3 and 17

Explore some of the most famous sights and stunningly beautiful places in South Iceland. You visit Reykjavik, the Westman Islands, the South Coast and explore the interior highlands of Landmannalaugar. The tour includes short walks here and there, bathing in the unique Sky Lagoon, whale watching, a lava show and a visit to a local brewery. If you like to see and experience treasure troves of natural wonders, this tour will spoil you with ever changing scenery and unique outdoor activities. See an extraordinary, marvelous and unusual land, called South Iceland.
Price per Person:

In a double room $1869 per person
Single supplement $579

Package Includes:

5 nights tourist class accommodation with private facilities
Round trip Flybus airport transfers (no guide)
Breakfast daily
1 lunch-drinks not included
Sightseeing as per itinerary
Entrance to the Sky Lagoon Geothermal Spa
Return ferry trip to Westman Islands
Entrance to the Eldheimar Exhibition
Entrance to the Lava Show
Entrance to the Skogasafn Folk Museum
Return transport in a highland vehicle to Landmannalaugar
Olvisholt microbrewery tour and beer tasting
English speaking tour escort
Transportation between cities
Hotel taxes and service charges

Itinerary

Day 1 Reykjavik
Upon arrival Flybus to your hotel. For an additional fee you can make a stop at the Blue Lagoon before heading to your hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure in Iceland’s bustling capital. Overnight Hotel Baron or similar.

Day 2 Reykjavik
Meet your tour guide who shows the you the highlights of Iceland’s exciting capital. Learn about life in the city from the very beginning of settlement in Iceland to the present day. Stop by the church of Hallgrimskirkja and drive through the university district, past the Nordic House and the National Museum. In the very city center, stop by the City Hall, which juts into the small lake of Tjornin. Nearby are the Lutheran Cathedral and the House of Parliament. Drive by the harbor to observe fishing vessels of different sizes, whale hunters and whale watchers. In Reykjavik are many public works of art, mainly sculptures. The latest addition to Reykjavik is the concert/conference hall of Harpan (the Harp) built on the northern waterfront of the town center whose dramatic design captures and reflects the light of the city, ocean and sky with a thrilling effect. In the afternoon enjoy the spirit of whale watching getting as close as possible without disturbing the animals. You might see dolphins, humpback, orca, blue, and minke whales during this 3 hour cruise. Let a guide direct your attention as you travel across the Faxafloi Bay, where a blend of warm and cold ocean currents create spectacular whale watching opportunities. Afterwards visit the Whales of Iceland exhibition with life sized whale models and a virtual reality experience. The Sky Lagoon is Iceland’s latest geothermal lagoon spa experience, where the ocean meets the sky. Immerse yourself in the warm and rejuvenating waters of an oasis near the city center of Reykjavik. Enjoy this authentic and remarkable place through an unforgettable and inspiring spa experience.Overnight Hotel Baron or similar.

Day 3 Reykjavik-Westman Islands-South Iceland
Take a short ferry ride to the Westman Islands. There is a bus and walking tour of the village of Heimaey and this extraordinary island. The volcanic eruption in 1973 is, without doubt, considered the largest natural disaster in Iceland in recent history. The eruption began on January 23rd on the island of Heimaey, the only populated island of the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago. After the evacuation of the inhabitants, and during the 5 months while the eruption lasted, there was much uncertainty as to whether or not the island could ever be repopulated. During your tour of the Westman Islands, explore bird cliffs, walk up the volcano crater and visit the “Pompei of the North”, a volcanic excavation project. You have the afternoon free to wander around the town of Heimaey, with its birds and sign of recent volcanic eruptions. Return to the mainland and stay for 2 nights in South Iceland. Overnight Hotel Stracta in Hella or similar.

Day 4 South Iceland
Your first stop of the day will be at the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss Waterfall which plunges over the mountains and where you can follow a slick and wet trail right behind the falls. Visit the thundering Skogafoss Waterfall which is 62 meters high and belongs to the most impressive waterfalls in the country. Nearby is the beautiful Skogar folk museum with its turf houses. Pass the glaciers Myrdalsjokull and the infamous volcano Eyjafjallajokull. In the village of Vik, attend the stunning Iceland lava show; the only exhibition in the world where you can experience actual flowing lava. By melting lava and pouring it on ice in a room full of people, you will be able to see the lava flowing, hear it sizzling, and feel the heat that radiates from it. Walk along the black lava beach and bird cliffs at Reynisfjara, see interesting basalt columns and rock formations. In the afternoon stop at Solheimajokull glacier tongue where you can join an optional glacier hike. It’s an informative and easy glacier walk through a frozen wonderland of different shades of glacier ice. Price per person ISK 23.000. Overnight Hotel Stracta in Hella or similar.

Day 5 South Iceland-Reykjavik
Today drive the rough unpaved road to Landmannalaugar, an oasis in the barren highlands, surrounded by vivid rhyolite mountains. The highlight is a 90 minute round trip hike up toward Brenninsteinsalda, the rainbow mountain of Iceland, which is still “hot” and where you can see sizzling sulfur springs and vapor at its sides. It could very well be the most colorful and spectacular volcanic mountain of Iceland, and so its picture is often found in books and calendars. After a picnic lunch, you have free time to enjoy a relaxing bath in the natural geothermal stream. Take a short stop at the beautiful waterfall Hjalparfoss surrounded by unusual basalt rock formations. Before reaching your last overnight location in Reykjavik, visit Olvisholt, a microbrewery located at an old dairy farm in South Iceland. You will get an introduction to the brewery’s history, the brewing process, and of course, try a selection of Icelandic beer. Overnight Hotel Baron or similar.

Day 6 Reykjavik-End of Tour
After breakfast Flybus to the airport. For an additional fee you can make a stop at the Blue Lagoon before heading to the airport. You can extend your stay in Reykjavik or continue to Greenland, Scandinavia or the Faroe Islands.

Additional nights in Reykjavik available.

There is a possibility that some of the nature attractions around Iceland might charge an entrance fee during the trip. These entrance fees are not included in the tour price and need to be paid by all tour members additionally on the spot, when entering any of these nature sites. Locations, amount of entrance fee, form of payment and other details are not known at the present time and are subject to change.

Maximum group size is 30 passengers.

This tour includes some walking on uneven terrain and natural trails.




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