Fire, Ice and Northern Lights
- Winter
- Trekking & Hiking
- Multi-activity
Contact
our UK team
Arrive at Keflavik international airport where a member of our local team will be waiting to greet you. Transfer to the city and settle at your accommodation.
On our first full day in Iceland we set off early for the Reykjanes Peninsula and get our first glimpse of the incredible volcanic activity here. We visit the Fagradalsfjall crater, Iceland's newest volcano, where lava can be seen rising and flowing from the earth. We then take the road northwards towards the golden circle and Thingvellir, the valley of the parliament, high place of Icelandic history. This is where the summer sessions of the Alþing were held, the ancient parliament of Iceland established in 930. Our journey continues with a discovery of the Strokkur geyser which explodes every 5 to 10 minutes. After lunch we visit Gullfoss, "the Fall of Gold", a gigantic two-level waterfall flowing into a ravine of basalt rock. To end the day we visit the stunning Secret Lagoon and enjoy a swim in the natural pools of warm water.
This morning we leave our guesthouse in Reykjavik and set off for the south Icelandic coast. Our first discovery is Raufarhólshellir, one of the longest lava tunnels in Iceland. We walk through the tunnels, following the route of the lava that flowed here over 5,200 years ago. We continue to the magical waterfalls of Seljalandfoss and Skogafoss before reaching Vik and its black sand beaches. Here we can see the Reynisdranga, 3 basalt rock columns that rise from the ocean, carved by the wind and waves over hundreds of years. Legend says that the columns were once trolls, caught out by the early morning light and frozen where they stood. In the afternoon, if the weather allows it, we have the chance to swim in the oldest natural water pool in Iceland.
Today we head east to Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe. We hike to Skaftafell, where the glacial tongues descend to just meters above sea level and the alpine landscape is simply astonishing. Depending on the conditions when we arrive, Snowshoes and poles are provided for the hike. A few kilometers further east, we reach the glacial lagoon of Jokulsarlon, where the Breidarmerkur glacier gives rise to icebergs which drift off towards the ocean. In the evening, the seals come to hunt in the lagoon and provide our evening entertainment.
Today we are off on a hiking trip on the Vatnajökull Glacier! Our crampons on our feet, we set off to explore a glacier roughly the size of the island of Cyprus. We discover an ice cave where the frozen walls in different shades of blue create a magical and ephemeral environment that will disappear at the end of winter. We take time to admire the bluish reflections and the play of light on the ice (awesome for photographers) before heading back down the glacier to our accommodation.
After breakfast, a few hours of driving take us to the geothermal area of Hveragerdi. On the way there we make a stop at Hvolsvollur to visit the lava museum. This interactive museum provides a brilliant insight into the volcanic nature of Iceland and the forces that have created the island we know today. In Hveragerdi, depending on weather conditions, we put on snowshoes for a walk in the middle of fumaroles and bubbling mud pools. We relax in the hot water river, fed by the Hengill volcano, before heading back to Reykjavik and settling in at our accommodation.
There are lots of options available for you this morning, wander the streets of Reykjavík, go on a whale watching excursion, tour the museums, take a horse ridding trip - its up to you. We all meet up for lunch in the afternoon and head off once again to the Reykjanes peninsula. This time our destination is the most famous spa in Iceland, the Blue Lagoon, located in the middle of a lava field. It is a unique experience, bathing in milky water at 39 ° C and certainly has a revitalizing effect! We will return to Reykjavík in the evening.
Transfer to the airport for your return flight.
In Iceland, alcoholic drinks are sold only in state stores and alcohol is very expensive due to high levels of taxation. If you would like a drink in the evenings, it is a good idea to purchase something at duty free as you exit the airport.
Iceland isn't a cheap place to visit. Restaurants often have lunchtime special menus which are great value (around £20-30pp for a soup and fish of the day). A meal out for 2 will cost around £60-100 (fish) or £80-120 (meat). When getting around in Reykjavik an exciting and cheap option is to use the electric scooters parked up around town. Simply download the app and scoot away. If this feels too techy, a taxi starting price will cost roughly £4.30 or going on foot is more than appropriate as Reykjavik has a small city centre. Souvenirs can cost anything from ~£5 to £500. It is also worth knowing that as a tourist, you can claim back the value-added tax (VAT) on certain goods over the value of ISK 6,000 (£36) at Keflavik airport before your flight home. As long as this is all on one tax receipt, you can claim back the tax.
From | To | Price | Availability | Book | Enquire |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
09/12/2023 | 16/12/2023 | $4,795 £3,699 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
06/01/2024 | 13/01/2024 | $5,065 £3,899 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
10/02/2024 | 17/02/2024 | $5,065 £3,899 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
09/03/2024 | 16/03/2024 | $5,065 £3,899 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
06/04/2024 | 13/04/2024 | $5,065 £3,899 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
Want to ask us a question or book a private trip? Don't hesitate to contact us!
Contact us