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The Northern Lights

Depart:
Escorted Tour-Land Only

5 Days/ 4 Nights

2021/2022 Departures:

December 9 and 14
January 4, 13 and 27
February: 1, 10, 15 and 24
March: 1, 10, 15, 24 and 29
April:7 and 12

Winter is a magical time of the year and everything is in a different kind of bloom. The air is crisp, the trees are naked and the green grass and soil forcibly frozen together. The red berries that fall on the ground at the end of summer are glued to the frozen ground covered in a thin layer of snow and the little that is left of the patches of green grass is mother nature’s own Christmas decoration. Magic is in the air. During the day you explore Southwest Iceland, known for its natural wonders and cultural sites. See glittering glaciers, snow-clad mountains, giant lava fields and steaming hot springs. Bathe in the mineral rich geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon, walk on a black lava beach, visit an Icelandic horse farm and travel close to the famous Eyjafjallajokull volcano. If you like, you can make a snowman, soak in an outdoor hot tub and stay awake all night to search for the northern lights. Overnight in a small hotel in the countryside. It’s truly a magnificent place to be on a dark clear night when the stars are out and a full moon lights up the surroundings. On the best of nights, the northern lights come out to dance as well. This program includes 2 evenings of presentations, lectures, film and guided evening walks or excursions at spots likely to offer a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights. The tour is dependent on weather and therefore sightings are not guaranteed. The Northern Lights are in the northern sky from September through April but are only visible when the sky is clear and free of clouds. Like many of natures wonders, it’s ephemeral, they may be visible, they may appear for a bit and then be gone (it is not a TV show that you can just turn on and off). But it’s worth the patience required. Because they’re a winter event, you need to be prepared to wait outside, while looking for them. It’s best to dress very warmly, in layers, with good footwear, gloves, hats and whatever else will make you comfortable while you await this truly outstanding event. For the best photos we recommend using a tripod.
Price per Person:

Per person in a double room using Hotel Cabin in Reykjavik and Arhus Cottages Hella $799
Single supplement $199

Price per person using Hotel Klettur in Reykjavik and Hotel Stracta in Hella $1099
Single supplement $459

*Special New Years departure on December 29

Per person in a double room using Hotel Cabin in Reykjavik and Arhus Cottages Hella $1199
Single supplement $199

Price per person using Hotel Klettur in Reykjavik and Hotel Stracta in Hella $1599
Single supplement $499

Special Christmas Departure-December 23
Price per person using Hotel Cabin in Reykjavik and Arhus Cottages $1199
Single supplement $279

Price per person using Hotel Klettur in Reykjavik and Hotel Stracta in Hella $1299

Single Supplement $299

Package Includes:

2 nights in Reykjavik at chosen package with private facilities
2 nights in Hella at the Arhus Cottages or Stracta Hotel both with private facilities
Transfer Keflavik airport-accommodation in Reykjavik-Keflavik airport (no guide) by Flybus Shuttle
Breakfast each morning
Sightseeing as per itinerary
Transportation between cities
English speaking tour escort
Entrance to the Skogar Folk Museum with turf houses
Visit to Icelandic horse stables & geothermal greenhouse
Entrance with towel at Blue Lagoon
Northern Lights program with 2 evenings of lectures, presentations, film and guided searches for northern lights and midnight refreshments.
Use of winter & Northern Lights explorer equipment: simple non slip snow & ice grippers spikes for shoes and a flash light that is helpful when walking in the dark and operating your photo camera at night.
Hotel taxes and service charges

Itinerary

Day 1 Reykjavik
Upon arrival Flybus transfer to your hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure to explore the charming capital of Iceland. Overnight in Reykjavik.

Day 2 Reykjavik-The Blue Lagoon-Reykjanes Peninsula
9am meet your tour guide who shows the group some of the highlights of Iceland’s capital. Then you will head out to the Reykjanes peninsula with its hot springs, mountains, bird cliffs, light houses and fishing villages. At the end of the day, get to soak off your travels in the warm blue waters of the famous Blue Lagoon. Stay for two nights in simple but cozy cottages or at the Hotel Stracta in Hella South Iceland. In the evening, you will hear about the Northern Lights from your tour guide. Naturally, once darkness falls, you’ll be out and about chasing the Northern Lights.

Day 3 South Iceland
Today you head along the south coast and reach the area near the active volcano that is beneath the Eyjafjallajokull Glacier. Stop at the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which plunges from the mountain. Next, visit the Skogar folk museum, which contains an outstanding collection of farm and domestic artifacts from Iceland’s past and several turf-built houses. Nearby is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country; the 60-meter high Skogafoss waterfall. In the afternoon an optional glacier walk is offered. The Solheimajokull Glacier tongue extends from the large Myrdalsjokull GIacier. down to the sandy plains of the Icelandic south coast. The spectacular surroundings are marked by rugged and majestic rock formations thoroughly shaped by the glacier. On this fun, safe and easy to moderate glacier walk you get to explore the wonderland of ice sculptures, water cauldrons, ridges and deep crevasses on the breath-taking Solheimajokull Glacier. While enjoying all the features of the glacier and its spectacular surroundings, you will learn more about the behavior of glaciers and their impact on nature. No technical requirements are needed for the tour as an experienced glacier guide will teach you how to use basic glacier equipment, such as crampons and an ice axe which is provided for glacier walks. The unique experience of a glacier walk on one of the many retreating glaciers of the world is sure to leave lasting memories. Duration of this activity is about 3 hours in total, about 90 minutes on the ice and about 30-40 min walk (one-way) from the parking lot to the glacier edge itself. The minimum age for the glacier hike is ten years. You need to bring warm clothing, rain gear and hiking boots. The glacier hike can only be booked with the guide on day 2. The special price for your group is about ISK 14,000 (about USD 130 per person) instead of ISK 14,900 official rate; prices are subject to change. Payment is due with the glacier hike company on day 3 in Icelandic Krona cash only. If you do not take the glacier hike, then the tour continues further south where you can stroll on the black lava beach to see the amazing bird cliffs at Reynisfjara near Vik. In the evening there is another presentation about the Northern Lights. If the night is clear, you might see the Northern Lights swirling in a wild and carefree dance across the heavens in dramatic shapes, colors, patterns and sizes. The grounds of Arhus Cabins and the Stracta Hotel in Hella are extensive and dark, offering you an excellent location for Northern Lights search if the weather conditions are right. It requires patience, warm clothing and the excitement of “maybe there could be Northern Lights”.

Day 4 Horses-Golden Circle-Reykjavik
In the morning, you’ll learn about the Icelandic horse and its history and special qualities, and also visit a geothermal greenhouse. You’ll see steam from the Geysir geothermal fields as you arrive. Here there are a variety of hot springs and bubbling pools including the original geyser, which is now dormant, but which has been replaced by Strokkur “the Churn”, which erupts at 5-10 minute intervals. You’ll continue to Gullfoss “the golden falls”, a double waterfall that tumbles 34 meters into the Hvvta river, and attracts tourists and travelers in summer and winter. Travel inland to Pingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site before returning to Reykjavik for one night. An optional Northern Lights evening cruise can be booked on the spot, if the weather conditions are ideal.

Day 5 Reykjavik-End of Tour
After breakfast Flybus transfer to the airport. You can extend your stay in Iceland or continue to Greenland, Faroe Islands or Scandinavia.

Additional nights in Reykjavik available.

Maximum group size is 40 persons.

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.

NORTHERN LIGHTS: This program includes during 2 evenings a combination of presentations, lectures, film and guided Northern Lights searches in the garden of Arhus Cottage in Hella, South Iceland, about 10 minute walk from the Stracta Hotel. Arhus Cottages and Stracta Hotel in South Iceland offer a Northern Lights wake up call for guests that register for that special service at the reception. The tour is dependent on weather and therefore sightings are not guaranteed. The Northern Lights are in the northern hemisphere from September through April but are only visible when the sky is clear and free of clouds. Like many of natural wonders, the Northern Lights are ephemeral, they may be visible, they may appear for a bit and then be gone (it is not a TV show that you can just turn on and off). But it is worth the patience which is much required. Because they are a winter event, you need to be prepared to wait outside while looking for them. It is best to dress very warmly, in layers, with good footwear, gloves, hats and whatever else will make you comfortable while you await patiently this truly outstanding event. For the best photos we recommend using a tripod.




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