Icebergs, hot springs and volcanoes reign over Iceland's beautiful landscapes.
On this tour discover Iceland's raw, magnificent nature including the notorious Eyjafjallajokull volcano, and the power concealed within the earth. This power can sometimes be harnessed for useful purposes, including your personal enjoyment!
PRICES & DATES
Price is based on 2 people sharing a room and including return economy class flights with Icelandair, all airport taxes, return airport transfers by bus, 2 nights at Reykjavik Natura Icelandair Hotel, including breakfast, 3 nights at countryside hotels, including breakfast. guided coach tour from day 2 to the end of day 5, dinners on day 2, 3 & 4, a "hot spring taste", entrance fee to The Volcano visitor centre, entrance fee to the exhibition Quake 2008, Blue Lagoon bathing fee & towel.
Departures from London: 13 Nov 2012, 12 February and 12 March 2013.
Minimum of 8 passengers is required for each departure to operate. Please contact us for up-to-date information.
ITINERARY
Day 1
Depart with Icelandair on a direct flight to Keflavik, Reykjavik's international airport. Transfer to your hotel in central Reykjavik. Journey time about 50 minutes. If you fly out on the morning flight you can, on the journey into Reykjavik, make a stop at the famous Blue Lagoon (optional extra) before continuing to your hotel.
Day 2: National Park with Geological Wonders (UNESCO) – Exploding Geysers – The Famous Golden Falls
Start the day by driving to Þingvellir National Park, where the ancient parliament met for centuries on the shores of Iceland's largest lake. Continue through the farmlands to the thermal area of the great Geysir and Strokkur spouting hot springs. Close to Strokkur the group will get to dig up newly baked hot spring bread and taste it with hot spring cooked eggs, Icelandic Butter, herring and taste snaps from Geysir. Last but not least visit Gullfoss, known as the Golden Waterfall. Dinner and overnight stay in Fludir area.
Day 3: Waterfalls – Eyjafjallajokull Volcano Visitor Centre – Volcanic Aftermath – Black Sand Beaches
We will spend this day exploring the areas close to the towering, strato volcano Eyjafjallajokull, which is probably the most famous volcano in the world today. At the Volcano Visitor Centre at Thorvaldseyri Farm located beneath Eyjafjallajökull Volcano, you will be able to see both in pictures and on movie the eruption and its impact on the countryside, country and the whole world. Driving along the south shore we will make a stop at the spectacular waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógarfoss. Onwards to Reynisfjara beach, viewing the extraordinary rock formations and thundering waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Dinner and an overnight stay in the Kirkjubæjarklaustur area.
Day 4: Europe's largest National Park – Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs – Europe’s Largest Glacier
Skaftafell National Park is one of Iceland’s most outstanding areas of natural beauty dominated by the glacier Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest ice cap. Continue to Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon where you can enjoy a breathtaking sight of floating icebergs on the fantastic 180m deep glacial lagoon. Back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Sustainable Geothermal Power Plant – Geothermal Spa
We head West towards the village of Hveragerði, which is one of the few sites in the world located directly on top of a geothermal area. Hveragerði is often called the flower village because of its many greenhouses heated by hot water from nearby springs. Iceland is the only Western country that produces all its electricity from emission-free and sustainable natural resources in the form of geothermal and hydro-electric power. We get a glimpse on how geothermal energy is processed from hot water at the Hellisheiði Power Station, located on an active volcanic ridge. Our tour through the plant also includes various multimedia pres- entations. The tour continues to the Reykjanes peninsula and the Blue Lagoon which is 100% powered by Iceland's clean geothermal energy. Enjoy bathing and relaxing in Blue Lagoon geothermal seawater, known for its positive effects on the skin. Return to Reykjavik, where the evening is at your own leisure.
Day 6
After breakfast transfer back to the airport for your flight home.
Hotel, Activity and Local Information
Your accommodation in the countryside is booked in guesthouses or small hotels.
The hotel is located near the domestic airport and is only a 15–20 minute walk to the city centre and has good bus connections to the center of town. Located next to Oskjuhlid area, a popular outdoor area with walking paths and the Pearl, a modern edifice and the best viewing spot in Reykjavik, housing the Historical Museum. The hotel features 220 rooms all equipped with phone, TV and refrigerator (stock-up service available). The restaurant "Lon Restaurant", located on the ground floor. Indoor swimming pool, hair salon, gift shop.