Land of Northern Lights

Land of Northern Lights: Winter is an amazing time of the year adorned with 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 your Iceland trip we explore Southwest Iceland, known for its natural wonders and cultural sites. We see glittering glaciers, snow-clad mountains, giant lava fields and steaming hot springs. We bathe in the mineral rich geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon, we walk on a black lava beach, we visit an Icelandic horse farm and we travel close to the famous Eyjafjallajökull volcano. We 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.
Iceland is rapidly becoming one of Europe’s most popular summer destinations and could easily become one of the most popular winter destinations to visit with the right promotion. In spite of image of cold, winter is the season during which mother nature blows you away in Iceland. This short getaway tour to Iceland gives you an insight to Iceland’s nature and cultural life, staying 2 nights in Iceland’s capital and 2 nights in a country hotel in South Iceland that is ideal for the search of northern lights.

Land of Northern Lights: Trip Highlights:
Land of Northern Lights: This program includes during 2 evenings a combination of presentations, lectures, film and guided Northern Lights searches in the garden of Árhús Cottage in Hella, South Iceland, about 10 minute walk from Stracta Hotel. Árhús 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.

Land of Northern Lights: Day 1, Tuesday or Thursday:
WELCOME TO ICELAND (50 km/31 mls)
Welcome! Begin your trip to Iceland today arriving in Reykjavik airport. The Flybus shuttle brings travelers from Keflavík International Airpor to Guesthouse Borgartún and Hotel Plaza in Reykjavík where you spend one night. We provide you with ideas how to explore Iceland’s capital on your own. Free shuttle bus from Guesthouse Borgartún to downtown Reykjavík at 19:00 and back at 22:00.

Land of Northern Lights: Day 2, Wednesday or Friday:
REYKJAVIK CITY TOUR, THE BLUE LAGOON & REYKJANES PENINSULA (220 km/137 mls)
At 09:00 you meet your tour guide who shows the group some of the highlights of Iceland’s capital. Then we head out to the Reykjanes peninsula with its hot springs, mountains, bird cliffs, light houses and fishing villages. At the end of the day, we get to soak off our travels in the warm blue waters of the famous Blue Lagoon. We stay for two nights in simple cottages in South Iceland. There is an option to upgrade to studio rooms at the Stracta Hotel in Hella. In the evening, you hear about the Northern Lights from your tour guide at Árhús Cottages. Naturally, once darkness falls, you are out in the garden waiting for the Northern Lights.

Land of Northern Lights: Day 3, Thursday or Saturday:
SOUTH ICELAND (200 km/124 mls)
Today we head along the South coast and get out near the active volcano that is beneath the Eyjafjallajökull glacier. We stop at the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which plunges over the mountain. There’s a trail that goes behind the falling water and offers interesting views, if you are prepared to get wet! At the seaside, you stroll on the black lava beach to see the amazing bird cliffs at Reynisfjara near Vík. In the afternoon we visit Skógafoss waterfall which is 60 meters high and one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country. It’s near 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 as turf-built houses. In the evening you have another presentation about the Northern Lights. If the night is clear, you might be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights swirling in a wild and carefree dance across the heavens in dramatic shapes, colors, patterns and sizes. The grounds of Arhús cottages and the Stracta Hotel in Hella are very large and dark that offers you a good location for Northern Lights search if the weather conditions are right. It requires patience, warm clothing and the excitement of “maybe there is Northern Lights”.

Land of Northern Lights: Day 4, Friday or Sunday:
HORSES & GOLDEN CIRCLE (210 km/130 mls)
In the morning, you learn about the Icelandic horse and its history and special qualities, and also visit a geothermal greenhouse. You 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. You 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. We travel inland to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site before returning to Reykjavík for one night. An optional Northern Lights evening cruise can be booked on the spot, if the weather conditions are ideal. Guests staying at Guesthouse Borgartún are offered a free shuttle bus from the guesthouse to downtown Reykjavík at 19:00 and back at 22:00.

Land of Northern Lights: Day 5, Saturday or Monday:
DEPARTURE HOME (50 km/31 mls)
We hope you’ve enjoyed your stay! Your Iceland tour ends today. Individual transfer by Flybus airport shuttle from your guesthouse accommodation in Reykjavík to Keflavík Airport.

Land of Northern Lights: Tours depart throughout April to September each year.

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

Land of Northern Lights What’s Included:
Arrival & departure airport transfer by FLYBUS Plus shuttle (no guide)
Fully escorted 3-day bus tour with an English-speaking guide
4-night budget accommodation, in rooms with private shower/wc (see information above) or hotel upgrade option
Daily breakfast
Entrance with towel at Blue Lagoon
Entrance fee to Skógar folk museum and turf houses
Visit to Icelandic horse stables & geothermal greenhouse
Shuttle bus from Guesthouse Borgartún to downtown Reykjavik at 19:00 and back at 22:00 on day 1 & 4 (not available for extension nights)
Northern Lights program during 2 evenings with a combination of lectures, presentations, film and guided searches for the Northern Lights and midnight refreshments only offered at Árhús Cottages (it is a 10 minute walk from Stracta Hotel)
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.

Land of Northern Lights: Hotels
Reykjavik: Guesthouse Borgartún (budget) or Centerhotel Plaza (comfort)
Hella: Árhús Cottages* (budget) or studio rooms at the Stracta Hotel (comfort)

* 23 rooms with shower/wc located in simple cottages in the large garden right on the river banks.HOTELS
Reykjavik: Guesthouse Borgartún (budget) or Centerhotel Plaza (comfort)
Hella: Árhús Cottages* (budget) or studio rooms at the Stracta Hotel (comfort)

* 23 rooms with shower/wc located in simple cottages in the large garden right on the river banks.

Land of Northern Lights: 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

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