NEW YEAR TOUR: Celebrate New Years eve the Icelandic way whilst searching for the Northern Lights. Exploring southern Iceland, you'll visit the Reykjanes peninsula, relax in the Blue Lagoon and see the geothermal activity in the Golden Circle. Enjoy a delicious 4-course meal on New Years eve before heading outside to see the sky lit up by fireworks.
Trip Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Reykjavik
Reykjavik. Welcome to Iceland and the start of your Northern Lights adventure! Your transfer to your accommodation is by Flybus shuttle. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Overnight: Reykjavik
Blue Lagoon
Reykjavik - Reykjanes Peninsula - Blue Lagoon - Hella. This morning 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 famous for hot springs, picturesque mountains, bird cliffs, light houses and quaint fishing villages. Later on we get to relax in the warm blue waters of the famous Blue Lagoon
This evening, we hear all about the Northern Lights and once darkness falls we head out in the garden and wait for this beautiful natural phenomena to appear.
Overnight: Hella | Breakfast
Glaciers, Waterfalls & NYE!
Hella - Eyjafjallajokull - Skogafoss - Black Lava Beach - Hella. Today we travel along the South coast and visit the active volcano that is beneath the Eyjafjallajökull glacier. We travel on to the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which plunges down from the mountain, and then visit the Skógar folk museum, which contains an outstanding collection of farm and domestic artefacts. Nearby is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country; the 60-meter high Skógafoss waterfall.
This afternoon the tour continues further south where you can stroll on the black lava beach to see the amazing bird cliffs at Reynisfjara near Vík.
This evening we celebrate New Year the Icelandic way. Before dinner, we visit the bonfires in the villages of Hvolsvöllur and Hella. The traditional Brenna bonfires of New Year's Eve have their origins in the Middle Ages when people built bonfires to burn the old things they no longer needed. In Iceland, there are bonfires all around the country where inhabitants gather, shoot off fireworks, sing and dance as they wait for the New Year to come in.
Returning to our hotel we enjoy a delicious 4-course dinner on the river banks in Hella. Later this evening we enjoy the myriad of fireworks exploding across the sky to ring in the new year. If you're truly lucky you may also see the northern lights appear in the background.
Overnight: Hella | Breakfast, Dinner
Golden Circle
Hella - Golden Circle - Reykjavik. This morning we learn about the indigenous Icelandic horse and its history and special qualities. We also visit a geothermal greenhouse seeing 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. Continuing on to Gullfoss "the golden falls", a double waterfall that tumbles 34 meters into the Hvita River. Next we travel inland to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site before returning to Reykjavik for one night. This evening we enjoy a culinary dining experience which includes some local Icelandic cuisine.
Overnight: Reykjavik | Breakfast, Dinner
Reykjavik
Today our Northern Lights Icelandic experience comes to an end with included FlyBus transfer to Keflavik Airport.
Breakfast
Comfort Accommodation Upgrade
Please note that the Comfort Accommodation Upgrade is not available on the New Year's departures of Land of the Northern Lights.
Prices & Dates
Departure dates are guaranteed with a minimum of 4 persons. 'Twin Share' prices are per person when there are 2 people sharing a room. 'Single Room' prices are applicable to those who don’t have anyone to share a room with or anyone wanting the privacy of a single room.
Extra Prices
Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Cabin Hotel, Reykjavik
Just a short walk from the waterfront, Hotel Cabin offers comfortable accommodation, rooms are modern and cosy with en suite facilities. The hotel also boasts a buffet restaurant and lobby bar as well as complimentary Wi-Fi for all guests. The city centre is an interesting 15 - 20 minute walk away and the local geothermal Laugardalslaug swimming pool is a 5 minute walk away.
Arhus Cottages, Hella
Located in the heart of Hella, Arhus Cottages offer comfortable and homely accommodation just a stones throw from the famous Ranga River. Guest cottages have an alpine style to them and are complete with en suite facilities, fridge and kitchenette. Arhus also has a restaurant and bar that serve up a delicious array of local and international dishes as well as refreshing Icelandic beer. Why not grab a warm tipple and sit outside on the decking whilst waiting for the Northern Lights to appear? Located in the middle of the small countryside town of Hella in Southern Iceland.
Prices & Dates
Departure dates are guaranteed with a minimum of 4 persons. 'Twin Share' prices are per person when there are 2 people sharing a room. 'Single Room' prices are applicable to those who don’t have anyone to share a room with or anyone wanting the privacy of a single room.