Christmas Land Of The Northern Lights

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.

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 celebrate Christmas the Icelandic way, we start the evening by heading to the villages of Hvolsvöllur and Hella to witness their traditional Christmas lights. In Iceland this is a tradition that dates back to the middle ages when people would would keep fires burning inside the central pit of the Viking longhouses in order to keep the darkness of the Winter Solstice out. We then enjoy a sumptuous 4 course dinner and a glass of sparkling wine, this evening with any luck you might also see the northern lights.

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 Skógar folk museum of early Modern Iceland with its turf houses. Nearby is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country; the 60-meter high Skógafoss waterfall, which we visit after lunch.

This afternoon we offer an optional glacier hike. The hike is on the Sólheimajökull glacier tongue which extends from the great Mýrdalsjökull glacier. If you don’t book the glacier hike, then the tour continues further south where you walk on the famous Black Lava Beach at Reynisfjara, observe the Cap of Dyrhólaey and the Reynisdrangar Sea Cliffs before visiting the charming village of Vík.

In the evening, if the night is clear, step into the garden to see if they're visible. These stunning light displays are common in Iceland from September to April on clear nights and often appearing in white and green hues. However, sightings aren't always guaranteed. The expansive, dark grounds at Stracta Hotel in Hella provide an ideal spot for Northern Lights viewing, but it demands patience, warm clothing, and the anticipation of a possible sighting.

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.Then we travel the famous Golden Circle route, seeing steam rising from the Geysir geothermal fields as we 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 return to Reykjavik for a dining experience which includes some local Icelandic cuisine.

Today our Northern Lights Icelandic experience comes to an end with included FlyBus transfer to Keflavik Airport.