Nature’s Wonderland
The “land of fire and ice” is a place of many wonders, including the rare opportunity to see the spectacular aurora borealis – or northern lights. This tour will bring you on a search for that once-in-a-lifetime moment. Take an exhilarating evening northern lights cruise. Travel to the “Golden Circle,” home to many of Iceland’s most renowned natural wonders. Spend time at Thingvellir National Park, the nation’s most historic area. Gaze at the spectacular Gullfoss waterfall – one of the world's most incredible cascades. At Eyjafjallajökull Volcano Visitor Center, learn about life during and after the dramatic 2010 volcanic explosion. Explore Skogar Folk Museum and see traditional turf-built homes. Walk on a black volcanic sand beach. See Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon filled with floating icebergs. Relax in the warm, mineral-rich water of the natural geothermal pool the Blue Lagoon. Spend your evenings gazing at the night sky in search of the elusive and dazzling northern lights.
Day 1 Overnight Flight
Discover Iceland, a land and culture forged by fire and ice. Steaming lava fields and massive glaciers sculpt mountains and valleys, leaving thundering waterfalls and plunging fjords. In this land of many natural wonders, enjoy the rare opportunity to see the aurora borealis — one of nature’s most dazzling light displays, also known as the northern lights.*
Day 2 Reykjavik, Iceland - Tour Begins
Your tour opens in Reykjavik. Get acquainted with old town Reykjavik on a walking tour featuring Hallgrimskirkja church, city hall, the harbor and Reykjavik’s oldest building, now home to the Kraum Icelandic design center. Tonight, gather with your fellow travelers at a popular restaurant for dinner featuring Icelandic cuisine. Then, take an exhilarating northern lights cruise.** Leave behind the bright city lights and sail into the darkness of Faxaflói Bay in search of the aurora borealis – or northern lights – one of nature’s wonders. When revealed you will be dazzled by the flickering display of light bursting with color that unfolds before your eyes.*
Day 3 Reykjavik - Golden Circle - Seljalandsfoss Waterfall - Vik
Travel the incredible Golden Circle, a route that encompasses many of Iceland's most renowned natural wonders. Journey to Thingvellir National Park, the nation’s most historic area. Icelanders gathered here in A.D. 930 and established what is considered one of the world’s first parliaments. Find yourself standing upon one of the globe’s most geologically significant landscapes – Thingvellir’s rugged rift valley – a UNESCO World Heritage site marking the point where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. Experience the eruptive energy of the Icelandic landscape with a stop at the geothermal fields of Geysir and Strokkur. Then, marvel at the beauty of the Gullfoss (Golden Falls) waterfall, a stunning 100-foot double cascade. Next, see the beautiful Seljalandsfoss, one of Iceland’s most famous and picturesque waterfalls with a walkway behind it. Continue southeast to Vik, the southernmost village in Iceland, surrounded by beautiful valleys, beaches, cliffs and mountains. After dinner amidst the peace and stillness of rural Iceland, search for the aurora borealis – the elusive northern lights.*
Day 4 Eyjafjallajökull Volcano Visitor Centre - Skogar Museum - Vik
Drive along the scenic south shore to the Eyjafjallajökull Volcano Visitor Centre. Learn about a family’s struggle to live during and following the dramatic 2010 explosion of the infamous Eyjafjallajökull volcano that brought European flights to a halt. Visit Skogar Folk Museum which contains an outstanding collection covering all aspects of Icelandic life including farm and domestic artifacts, as well as turf-built homes. Nearby is the impressive Skógafoss waterfall, one of the largest in Iceland. Later, view Reynisfjara, a black volcanic sand beach surrounded by basalt formations, cliffs scattered with caves and rich bird life including the Fulmar, Black Guillemot, Razorbill, Gannet and various types of seagulls. See the unique natural rock formations at Dyrhólaey. After dinner, gaze at the sky in search of the northern lights,* a truly spectacular sight.
Day 5 Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon - Skaftafell National Park - Vik
Travel to Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, filled with floating icebergs. Explore this extraordinary landscape and perhaps see some seals swimming in Arctic waters. Travel to Skaftafell, gateway to Vatnajökull National Park. The largest national park in Europe, Vatnajökull is known for having Iceland’s highest mountains; an Alpine environment; and the Vatnajökull glacier, Europe's largest. After dinner, continue searching for the shimmering northern lights dancing across the night sky.*
Day 6 Vik - Blue Lagoon - Reykjavik
Drive to the Reykjanes Peninsula, known for its rugged landscape, lava fields, numerous hot springs, and home of the Blue Lagoon. Take a dip in the pleasantly warm, mineral-rich waters of the geothermal pool, located in the middle of a dramatic lava field. Return to Reykjavik for your farewell dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7 Reykjavik - Tour Ends
Depart for home with many incredible memories.