Iceland Northern Lights Explorer

Iceland Northern Lights Explorer: This has been one of the most popular Iceland Northern Lights tours for the past two winters!
You experience the best of Iceland’s winter! Our Northern Lights Exploration series are designed to include a lot of Iceland and aim to maximize the chances of seeing the elusive Northern Lights. In addition to 7 nights of accommodations with breakfast, the program includes our special 6 night Northern Lights Academy that is a combination of evening presentations, lectures, a movie, and guided searches of the Aurora Borealis – the Northern Lights. This is a fully escorted bus tour with guaranteed departures from September to April which can help you experience the winter at its most Icelandic. Both during the day and after dark, as you head to the countryside in West and Southeast Iceland, you will explore the regions from the Snæfellsnes peninsula to the Vatnajökull glacier to search for the Aurora Borealis away from the big city lights.

This program includes our special six night Northern Lights Academy – with 6 evenings of presentations, lectures and guided tours at spots likely to offer a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis – the Northern Lights. The Northern Lights Exploration series are designed to spend 6 evenings in the countryside to maximize the chances of seeing the elusive Northern Lights, however 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 is 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). However, it is worth the patience 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 this truly outstanding event. The Northern Lights can be pretty spectacular, and for the best photos we recommend using a tripod.

Iceland Northern Lights Explorer: Trip Highlights
Climb a volcano crater
Visit a traditional shark farmer
Meet the locals in a geothermal swimming pool
See waterfalls, lava fields, fjords, geysers, hot springs, glaciers, icebergs, black lava beaches
Enjoy open spaces and high mountains
Relax in the famous Blue Lagoon
Learn about life next to the even more famous Eyjafjallajökull volcano
Walk between two continental tectonic plates
Explore fishing villages
Visit turf farmsteads and churches
See the highlights of Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavík
Meet Icelandic horses, taste freshly baked hot spring bread and enjoy a fjord cruise
Northern Lights Academy program during 6 evenings with a combination of lectures, presentations, film, guided searches and midnight refreshments.

Iceland Northern Lights Explorer: Day 1:
WELCOME TO ICELAND (50 km/31 mls)
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.

Iceland Northern Lights Explorer: Day 2:
REYKJAVIK CITY TOUR & BORGARFJÖRÐUR SAGA VALLEY (245 km/152 mls)
At 09:00 meet your tour guide who shows the group the highlights of Iceland’s exciting capital. Then we head west. Borgarfjörður is known as the Saga valley because of its many important historical events. We get a chance to climb the Grábrók volcano crater and get warmed at Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring which produces 180 liters per second of water that is nearly boiling – 97° Celsius. Hraunfossar is a series of waterfalls pouring from beneath a wide lava field. Barnafoss – the Children’s falls, is nearby with its own tragic tale. We spend two nights in Borgarnes, West Iceland. The afternoon includes a lecture about Northern Lights. After dinner, we step into the hotel garden in search of the Northern Lights followed by a hot cup of chocolate or tea.

Iceland Northern Lights Explorer: Day 3:
SNÆFELLSNES PENINSULA & FJORD CRUISE (250 km/155 mls)
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula “the peninsula of the snowy mountain“ juts out from Iceland’s west coast, like a long arm with a clenched fist at its tip, and is in many ways a microcosm of the whole island. A rugged mountain chain runs its length. We travel to the charming fishing town of Stykkishólmur for a cruise in the Breiðafjörður fjord. After a light lunch a uniquely Icelandic “treat“ awaits us at Bjarnarhöfn, where they make Hákarl – the fermented shark. Depending on road and weather condtions, we visit the fishing village of Grundarfjörður, a place with an impressive coastline and mountains, lakes and waterfalls behind the village. Jutting out into the bay rises one of the most photographed mountain in Iceland, Mt. Kirkjufell. On the way back to Borgarnes the guide gives you some practical tips of how to photograph the Auroras as part of the Northern Lights Academy program. Naturally, once darkness falls, we are out in the hotel garden to chase the Northern Lights and to soak in the hotel’s outdoor hot tubs.

Iceland Northern Lights Explorer: Day 4:
GOLDEN CIRCLE, GEOTHERMAL TASTE & ICELANDIC HORSES (220 km/136 mls)
Today you will travel along the scenic shores of the Hvalfjörður fjord. The first stop is at an Icelandic wool outlet store, just to see what they do with all those sheep! We continue inland to Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. After a stop at the park, you will continue to Gullfoss “the golden falls,“ a double waterfall that tumbles 34 meters into the Hvítá river, and attracts tourists and travelers in summer and winter. You can see steam from the Geysir geothermal fields as you arrive. There is a variety of hot springs and bubbling pools. The original geyser is now dormant but has been replaced by Strokkur, “the Churn“ which erupts at 5-10 minute intervals. The chef of the Restaurant Geysir invites you to taste freshly baked hot spring bread served with Icelandic butter, geothermally boiled eggs and herring. When you get to Geysir, the chef of the Restaurant Geysir takes you to the geothermal areas were you can taste freshly baked hot spring bread served with Icelandic butter, geothermally boiled eggs, and herring. It is best served with a small glass of Geysir Schnapps, very cold – nearly freezing. In the afternoon, you will learn about the Icelandic horse and its history and special qualities, and also visit a geothermal greenhouse before reaching your accommodation in South Iceland. Tonight, step into the darkness and search for the elusive Northern Lights, while best enjoyed from a comfortable hot tub in the garden of the hotel, amidst the peace and stillness of rural Iceland.

Iceland Northern Lights Explorer: Day 5:
NATURAL WONDERS OF SOUTH ICELAND & EYJAFJALLAJÖKULL VOLCANO (220 km/136 mls)
Today, we wil travel along the South coast. Our first stop is at the Eyjafjallajökull Information Center where you will learn about living next to a glacier and an active volcano. Further east we will visit one of Iceland’s finest folk museums. This museum contains an outstanding collection of farm and domestic artifacts typical of Iceland’s past, as well turf-built houses. Nearby is Skógafoss waterfall which is 60 meters high and one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country. In the afternoon we take a stroll on the black lava beach and along bird cliffs at Reynisfjara beach in South Iceland. We will spend 2 nights near Kirkjubæjarklaustur in the Vatnajökull National Park region, located in complete darkness and ideal for a Northern Lights search.

Iceland Northern Lights Explorer: Day 6:
SKAFTAFELL NATIONAL PARK & VATNAJÖKULL GLACIER (280 km/174 mls)
Today’s program is all about glaciers, ice, and icebergs. We will travel to Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon filled with floating icebergs. We will explore this extraordinary site and perhaps see some seals swimming in the arctic waters. You can walk on the black sandy beach where large icebergs get stranded. In the afternoon we will visit the tiny turf church at Hof. The Vatnajökull National Park is about 12,000 square kilometers, and the largest National Park in Europe. In this area we find Iceland’s highest mountains, an alpine environment, and Europe’s largest glacier. Tonight you can enjoy a movie presentation about Northern Lights as a part of the Northern Lights Academy program. Be careful not to go to bed too soon in this remote and quiet location, or you may just miss out on one more chance of seeing the Northern Lights shimmering and dancing across the night sky.

Iceland Northern Lights Explorer: Day 7:
SOUTH SHORE, REYKJAVÍK & BLUE LAGOON (370 km/230 mls)
From Kirkjubæjarklaustur, we will head across the Laki lava field to the village of Vík, where we will make a photo stop. The black lava beach with high bird cliffs and pounding waves is very impressive. Further west we reach the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall which plunges over the mountain. There‘s a trail that goes behind the fall which is interesting – if you are prepared to get wet! In the afternoon you return to Reykjavik where you get about 2 hours of leisure time to explore Iceland’s capital on your own, visit museums, do some shopping, or simply rest after all this touring. In the evening you get to soak in the famous Blue Lagoon, followed by a traditional Icelandic dinner at the Northern Light Inn Hotel and followed by one last nocturnal tour to seek more Northern Lights. Around midnight we reach Reykjavík for one last night.

Iceland Northern Lights Explorer: Day 8:
DEPARTURE HOME (50 km/31 mls)
Your tour of Iceland ends today. Individual transfers will take place via the Flybus airport shuttle from your accommodation in Reykjavík to Keflavík Airport.

Iceland Winter Tour: Tours depart throughout April to September each year.

Iceland Northern Lights Explorer: Pricing due to currency fluctuations and seasonal changes please inquire for the best possible price.

Iceland Northern Lights Explorer: What’s Included:
Arrival & departure airport transfer by FLYBUS
Fully escorted 6 day coach tour with English & German speaking guide
7 nights accommodation in 3 star hotels including breakfast
Fjord Cruise on Breidafjordur and light lunch in Stykkishólmur
Visit to traditional shark curing farm
Hot spring Tasting with geothermally cooked bread, and eggs
Vist to Icelandic horse stables & geothermal greenhouse
Visit with multi media presentation at Eyjafjallajökull Volcano Information Center
Entrance fee to Skógar Folk Museum and Turf Houses
Entrance with towel at Blue Lagoon
Farewell dinner at Northern Light Inn
Northern Lights Academy program with 6 evenings of lectures, presentations, guided searches and midnight refrehsments.
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.
7 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 farewell dinner

Iceland Northern Lights Explorer: Hotels:
Hotels and Country Guesthouses
Reykjavik: Centerhotel Plaza first and last night
West Iceland: Icelandair Hotel Hamar (2 nights)
South Iceland: Hotel Hekla (1 night)
Vatnajökull Region: Hotel Laki (2 nights)

Daily driving: Total mileage without airport transfer is about 1.585 km / 962 miles which is an average of 265 km (164 miles) per day, about 3,5 hours per day will be spent on the bus. On some days the driving might be longer than on some other days.

Iceland Northern Lights Explorer: What’s NOT included:
International flights
Any extra local transport (subways, taxis, buses) unless covered by the included passes
Any entrance fees unless otherwise specified
Baggage handling & luggage forwarding
Extra costs for dinners to be paid at the hotels: Fixed 2-course dinners with fish, meat or vegetarian main courses are available at the hotels starting at ISK 5.500 (about EUR 37) per person per night. Note, that the country hotels do not offer a la carte meals and there are no other restaurants nearby. Paying for a 2-course dinner directly at the hotel is less expensive than to have it included in the tour package.

NOTE: In rare cases, change of itinerary might be necessary during winter programs in Iceland, should snow, road and weather conditions not allow to follow the scheduled itinerary, and certain outdoor activities might be cancelled. In this case no refund will be given, but the tour operator will try to find reasonable alternatives where and when ever possible.

Iceland Northern Lights Explorer:Accommodation changes and upgrade are available for all our Iceland Tour, make an inquiry now