ITINERARY
Day 1: Departure Day
- Fly from departure city to Reykjavik
Day 2: Arrive - Reykjavik
- On arrival you will be met by an Educational World Tours representative.
- Morning visit enjoying the comfort package at the Blue Lagoon pool that is geothermal heated which is one of the primary sources of energy in Iceland. Reykjavik itself translates to mean Bay of Steam.
- Guided tour of the National Museum of Iceland (Þjóðminjasafn Íslands)
- Center of History and Heritage of Iceland. Exhibits include the settlement of Iceland and the time of Vikings through the Conversion to Christianity up until the modern era including the volcanic eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in 2010.
- Lunch at your own expense.
- Transfer to the Culture House (Safnahúsið)
- Home of many exhibits that tell the story of life in Iceland. Ex Photography, local art and Medieval Manuscripts
- Check in time at your hotel.
- Dinner buffet at your hotel.
- Northern Lights evening tour to see the spectacular natural phenomenon, usually only visible over the polar regions of the earth. A truly unforgettable sight to behold. Please remember to wear warm clothing during the tour.
Accommodation: Moderate hotel in Reykjavik
Day 3: Reykjavik
- Breakfast at your hotel.
- Activity specific to your group
- Lunch at your hotel.
- Guided Tour of Harpa Concert Hall.
- One of Reykjavik's most distinguishing landmarks. It's a cultural and social centre in the heart of the city.
- Dinner at your hotel or local restaurant
- Evening Symphony at the Harpa Concert Hall (schedule dependent and ticket price not included).
Accommodation: Moderate hotel in Reykjavik
Day 4: Reykjavik
- Breakfast at your hotel.
- Departure for the Golden Circle Tour.
- Today's journey takes you up close to some of Iceland's most popular attractions on the classic “Golden Circle” route. The Golden Circle is famous for a reason. The region shows the geological diversity of the island and you can view some of the best-known natural sites in Iceland.
- Start with the remarkable Þingvellir National Park, which appears on UNESCO's World Heritage Site list for being historically significant to the founding of Icelandic democracy and a place of immense natural beauty. At Þingvellir, you can see the rift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, as well as learn about the birthplace of Icelandic democracy. Iceland's first parliament formed at Þingvellir centuries ago, making it one of the first democracies in the world. Next up is the Geysir geothermal area where the Strokkur geyser erupts every few minutes.
- Finally, complete the Golden Circle with a visit to the beautiful two-tiered Gullfoss waterfall where you can see white water tumbling over jagged lava rocks into a deep gorge. In a land dotted with countless waterfalls, Gullfoss remains the most revered, visited, and photographed. Today you will also get to visit the geothermally-heated greenhouse at the Friðheimar tomato farm.
- There will be a lunch stop during the tour where you can enjoy your packaged lunch.
- Dinner at your hotel or local restaurant.
Accommodation: Moderate hotel in Reykjavik
Day 5: Waterfalls, Volcanic Beaches and Northern Lights
- Continental breakfast at your hotel.
- Today is another day of winter wonder! First, we will start the day with a visit to the Lava Centre. The tour will continue to the fairy tale-like Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where you can walk behind the icy cascade on a footpath. There will be time to explore the surroundings, take photos and marvel at the elegant falls.
- After spending some time at the majestic waterfall, you will go to nearby Skógafoss waterfall, which is equally impressive, yet quite different. The rushing white water tumbling down metres below is thrilling, and if you get close enough, you can enjoy the mist of the mighty waterfall. The last sightseeing stop of the day is at the black volcanic beach near the village of Vík in Mýrdalur. Here you will be able to see the spectacular rock arch and steep cliffs of Dyrhólaey along with the Reynisdrangar basalt columns off shore. The black sand beach is hauntingly beautiful.
Accommodation: Fosshótel Núpar or similar
Day 6: The Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach
- Continental breakfast at your hotel.
- Start the day bright and early as you have a full day of exciting icy highlights ahead of you. After breakfast, the tour will head to the spectacular Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, famous for its massive floating icebergs. You can observe the different colours and shapes of the enormous icebergs and enjoy the surroundings on a clear day, you may even get a good view of Breiðamerkurjökull glacier behind the lake. Next to the glacier lagoon, we will stop at the Diamond Beach where you will see large chunks of ice that have washed up on shore after being shaped and polished in the surf of the glacier lagoon. You will quickly understand where the name Diamond Beach comes from as the ice sparkles in the light. It´s truly a beautiful sight and a great photo opportunity!
- After some time at the Diamond Beach, you will be driven to your accommodation for the night.
- You can end the evening by putting on some warm clothes to gaze at the sky waiting for the northern lights to appear.
Accommodation: Gueshouse Seljavellir or similar
Day 7: The Mystical East Fjords and Myva Tn Na Tureba Ths
- Continental breakfast at your hotel.
- Today we get to experience a lesser-explored part of the island. Our drive takes us along majestic East Iceland, with gorgeous scenery that includes tranquil fishing villages, narrow fjords, rugged tundra and sweeping landscapes.
- Among other highlights, you will stop in the small villages of Stöðvarfjörður and Fáskrúðsfjörður. A truly unique village in Iceland, Fáskrúðsfjörður was founded in 1880 and, until 1935, was the main hub for French fishermen off the East of Iceland. The French developed the town as a trading post and fishing village, building a French hospital and chapel. The French flavour has endured and the village remains charming. You will also have the chance to view a charming northern lights photo exhibition called Auroras Iceland, which is held in an old house. The location of the village, with such little light pollution, is an ideal location to spot the northern lights and the photo exhibition demonstrates that perfectly.
- Meanwhile, Stöðvarfjörður is small, friendly, classically Icelandic village known for its beautiful mountainous surroundings. There is a lot of life in this small town as you can find a few small cafes, artist workshops, stores and a popular swimming pool.
- The final destination of the day is the otherworldly Lake Mývatn region. Here you have the option of relaxing in the warm geothermal pools and saunas at the Mývatn Nature Baths (must be pre-booked), with a view to mountains and lava fields. The milky blue water is known for its healing effect and soothes the skin. It's the perfect way to end a busy day of sightseeing.
- The Lake Mývatn area is known for being one of the best places in Iceland to view the northern lights due to the altitude and the lay of the land. We therefore highly recommend that you are on the lookout for the Aurora Borealis tonight!
Accommodation: Vogafjós or similar
Day 8: Lake Myva and Akureyri
- Continental breakfast at your hotel.
- The tour begins the day by exploring the unusual, moon-like landscapes of the Lake Mývatn area, including the Námaskarð pass and the Skútustaðagígar pseudo craters.
- Next, you will have a chance to see Goðafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods, which is among the most beautiful falls in the country. While the waterfall is not very tall, the cascade is divided into two horseshoe-shaped falls, making it unique among Icelandic waterfalls.
- It's incredible to watch the roaring water thunder and tumble metres below.
- The tour will continue to Akureyri, the largest town outside Reykjavík, where you can enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Akureyri offers a variety of cosy cafés, small shops and interesting places to go for a walk such as the historical town center. One suggestion here is to walk along the streets of Hafnarstræti and Aðalstræti to view the old houses.
- Dinner at your hotel or local restaurant
Accommodation: Akureyri Backpackers or similar
Day 9: West Iceland
- Continental breakfast at your hotel.
- Today you will get the chance to explore the incredible western part of Iceland along beautiful Borgarfjörður. Your guide will stop at Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in Europe. Here, you get to see the power of geothermal energy.
- Next, you will stop by the beautiful and the spectacular twin waterfalls of Hraunfossar and Barnafoss. Hraunfossar is a thrilling series of waterfalls that seemingly originating in a field without a river or lake. The water is actually streaming through rivulets in a lava field. It looks as if the water is rushing from the lava. Meanwhile, Barnafoss is more like a series of rapids caused by the water of Hvitá entering a narrow passage.
- For a taste of west Iceland culture, you will be driven to the historical sites at Reykholt, which is rich in Saga history. Reykholt is the home of 13th century writer, poet and scholar Snorri Sturluson.
Accommodation: Hótel Bifröst or similar
Day 10: West Iceland
- Continental breakfast at your hotel.
- Today will explore the Snæfellsnes peninsula, where you will find Snæfellsjökull glacier. The glacier is believed by many to be one of Earth's seven major energy centers and was the backdrop to Jules Verne's famous novel Journey to the Centre of the Earth.
- Experience the magical national park at the end of the peninsula, with amazing birdlife, lush valleys, lava fields and towering glacier. You will visit Arnarstapi, Hellnar, Lóndrangar cliffs. And you might wish to test your strength at the stones of the black volcanic beach of Djúpalónssandur like the fishermen in past times.
Accommodation: Hótel Fransiskus or similar
Day 11: Departure from Reykjavik
- Continental breakfast at your hotel.
- You will be transferred to the airport and flight from Reykjavik to Home city.
