Iceland Northern Lights and Outlandish Landscapes

Upon your arrival at Keflavik Airport, you will be welcomed by a Rahhalah representative and, once the whole group assembles, you will be transferred to your hotel in Reykjavik. In the evening transfer to Blue Lagoon. You will enjoy bathing and relaxing in geothermal mineralized water; known for its positive effects on the skin. A visit to the Blue Lagoon promotes harmony between body, mind and spirit, and enables you to soak away the stresses of modern life. Note: There will be only one airport transfer for the group. Timing will be advised in due course. Additional airport transfers can be arranged at an extra cost. Accommodation: Fosshotel Reykjavik 4* or similar

Despite being a capital city, you will find Reykjavik very peaceful in the morning. After enjoying a genuine Icelandic breakfast at your hotel, you will check out and embark on the best known route in the country: the Golden Circle Route. Your adventure will start at Þingvellir National Park: a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its breathtaking landscape, unique geological formations and colorful history. Þingvellir is a site of historical, cultural, and geological significance, and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Iceland. The park lies in a rift valley that marks the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, so, for a while you will be walking between two continents. To its south lies Thingvallavatn (“Þingvallavatn” in Icelandic): a rift valley lake (the largest natural lake in Iceland), where the volcanic origins of the island are clearly visible. One of the noted features of the lake is the presence of four morphs of the Arctic charr. Your next stop will be the town of Geysir, where you may also choose to have lunch. After lunch, you will visit Geysir—the original “geyser”—and its more active neighbor, Strokkur, which erupts every few minutes. The geysers are a rare type of hot spring, existing nowhere else in Europe but Iceland. When Geysir was most active, its eruptions spouted scalding geothermal water streams some 60-80 m (even 100 meters at its best) into the air. Strokkur, the other famous geyser, gives a performance every few minutes, shooting a tower of water and steam 30 meters into the air. There are also numerous smaller springs that boil and bubble nearby. Next stop: the magnificent Gullfoss Waterfall (the Golden Falls), one of Iceland’s – and the world’s – most beautiful waterfalls. Its golden-hued cascade originates at Langjokull Glacier and flows down the Hvítá River all the way to Gullfoss. After visiting Gullfoss, you will be transferred to your hotel in Hella. Rest time. In the evening we will enjoy a traditional dinner at Ingólfsskáli Viking Restaurant. (3 course dinner) By evening, If weather permits, Northern light hunting with your guide. Please note that the viewing of the Aurora Lights is unpredictable and always depends on weather conditions. Overnight in Hella. Accommodation: Stracta Hotel Hella 3* or similar

Today, you will continue your exploration of the Seljalandsfoss south coast. Your first stop will be the Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, famed for its breathtaking cylindrical cascade and the hidden cave behind the water that allows you to enjoy the view from a totally different angle. You will then continue at the spectacular Skogafoss Waterfall( (around 30 minutes away from Seljalandsfoss): a 60-meter-high waterfall, larger than Seljalandsfoss. Legend has it that, behind it, you can find a chest filled with gold hid at around 900, by Þrasi Þórólfsson, the Viking Settler at Skógar (Eystriskógar). The first man who goes there will find the treasure. You may be the lucky one! Some kilometers far away from Skógar and taking a narrow road you will arrive at Reynisfjara Black Beach (one of the top ten most beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world) and the rock formations of Reynisdrangar (basalt sea stacks situated under the mountain Reynisfjall, framed by the beach). Legend has it that the stacks originated when two trolls tried to drag a 3-masted ship to the land but, when daylight broke, they turned into needles of rock. Later drive back to hotel & Overnight in Hella. Accommodation: Stracta Hotel Hella 3* or similar

Today, you will explore further the outlandish landscapes of Iceland. You will go for a Glacier walk (approx. 3hours) at Sólheimajökull glacier, the majestic landscapes which include water cauldrons, ridges, and deep crevasses. The glacial landscape is amazing and dynamic, including crevices, sinkholes and small black volcanic sand hills. Sometimes it may even be possible to take a look at the small holes or enter the caves. Finally, you will enjoy great views of the glacier lagoon. Glacier Experience is a small group experience that offers an easy glacier hike on the Sólheimajökull glacier with an experienced glacier guide. Afterwards, you will head back to Reykjavik (approx. a 2-3hour drive), ready for the New Year Eve celebrations. Upon arrival Reykjavikm, Time to relax, rest or program a walking tour with our guide to explore Reykjavik city center. New Year’s Eve in Reykjavík is celebrated with fireworks and bonfires and the locals gather around the several bonfires dispersed all over the city, celebrating and singing. A spectacular sight not to be missed when in Iceland! Your guide will show take you to the places where bonfires are set up, and their you can enjoy a time near the fire. After the tour your private driver guide takes you around city to make sure to be awake around midnight as that's when Icelanders go out to the streets with their fireworks. You might experience a great display of lights and sparkles high up in the sky After enjoying New-year celebrations, transfer to your hotel. Accommodation: 201 Hotel Kopavogur 3* hotel or similar

First morning of the New year, you can either spend at ease. Spend some free time in the city. or we go to explore The westernmost point of southwest Iceland includes one of the most spectacular volcanic landscapes in all Iceland. Here we will find the margin where the continental plates of America and Eurasia are slowly spreading apart, producing strong volcanic features and intense geothermal activity. You will start visiting the Lava Cave (guided visit 1 hour), after that we will move to the "Bridge between two continents" when we will walk along the canyon that separates the two tectonic plates (Eurasia and America). A short drive will take us to Reykjanesviti lighthouse and the spectacular cliffs and rock spires growing from the sea surface. 2 km from here we will arrive at Gunnuhver where we can observe some geysers and fumaroles. The hot spring got its name from a ghost of a woman called Guðrún, who haunted the place. Moving some kilometers to the east we will find Krysuvik. Geothermal field southwest of Kleifarvatn, where blowing steam holes and bubbling mud pools can be inspected at close range. Short hike in the area. Finishing our Reykjanes circuit we will move to Reykjavik to spend some time relaxing in Sky Lagoon, a new thermal spa inspired by nature and culture - getting a bath and enjoying relaxing time to leave all your fatigue from the last few days. By evening drive towards to Borgarnes. (approx 1hour drive) If weather permits, Northern light hunting with your guide. Please note that the viewing of the Aurora Lights is unpredictable and always depends on weather conditions. Overnight in Borgarnes. Accommodation: Hotel Hamar Borgarnes 3* or similar

Early departure from Borgarnes to drive north for 1 hour until arriving at the beginning of Snaefellsnes peninsula, sometimes called “Iceland in miniature,” because many national sights can be found in this area. This includes glacier, great ocean views, black sand beaches, lava fields and charming fishing villages. During tour you will visit the next spots: Gerduberg: columns and cliff formations, Ytri Tunga, seal colony; Arnarstapi, magic coastal scenery with views over Snaefellsjökul volcano, Grundarfjörður: fishing village and Mt. Kirkjufell, one of the photographed mountains in Iceland. In the afternoon you will drive to Reykjavik. (approx drive 2hours/135 kms). Check-in at hotel and overnight. Accommodation: Center Hotels Arnarhvoll Reykjavik 4* or similar

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Keflavik Airport for your flight back home. Note: There will be only one private transfer arranged for the group. Timing will be advised in due course.