Iceland
To get our mini brochure for this holiday please click here, and we will email you a PDF copy.
Day One: Arrive in Iceland
Arrive in Iceland by lunchtime, ready to explore the colourful, quirky city of Reykjavik with your private guide (an English-speaking Icelandic local). Find out about the history of Iceland and the evolution of Reykjavik and the Vikings, as well as some folklore about Iceland’s most well-loved creatures: elves. If there’s anything you specifically want to see, your guide will be happy to adapt the tour to your interests. This evening is free to explore and have dinner at one of Reykjavik’s outstanding restaurants.
If you'd like to see the Northern Lights, you have the chance to go on a private optional Northern Lights Excursion (see Extras for more details). Grab an early dinner in town, because you’ll be picked up at 8pm. Your guide will drive you to an isolated area outside Reykjavik, free from light pollution and tour buses. You’ll make a few different stops for the best possible chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis dance through the sky, before returning to your hotel around 1am.
Overnight in Reykjavik
Classic - Fosshotel Buron
Premium - Hotel Borg
Meals included: None
Day Two: Floating Icebergs
After breakfast, your guide will pick you up in your Arctic Truck for a full day of adventuring through Iceland’s most famous sights. You’ll get to be behind the wheel of this powerful truck on this privately-guided tour (but if you don’t fancy driving or want to take a look at the scenery, your guide will be happy to drive for you). Heading east out of the city, you’ll make for Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, where shimmering icebergs float on the water like outsized, jagged diamonds. On route, you’ll stop for lunch and experience the off-roading abilities of the Arctic Truck as you make for an isolated glacier lagoon. You’ll arrive at Jökulsárlón in the early afternoon, with plenty of time to explore before you head to your hotel for the night.
Overnight in South East Iceland
Classic - Hali Country Hotel
Premium - Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon
Meals included: Breakfast; lunch
Day Three: Golden Circle, Gullfoss and Geysers
This morning you’ll head back westwards with your guide, visiting all the highlights of the South Coast on the way – the black volcanic beach at Reynisfjara, uniquely shaped Dyrhólaey Peninsula and the dazzling 60-metre Skógafoss waterfall. Your afternoon will continue with the journey to Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where you can walk behind the cascading waters and experience the crashing falls from behind. After this, watch the Strokkur Geyser magnificently spout boiling water to a height of 35 metres and head up to the majestic Gullfoss waterfall with its multi-step cascade.
Overnight in South Iceland
Classic - Hotel Borealis
Premium - Hotel Grimsborgir
Meals included: Breakfast
Day Four: On top of the Glacier
After breakfast you’ll head out to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was home of the Icelandic Viking Government from 930 AD to 1798. Following a mountain road, you’ll arrive at Iceland’s second biggest glacier, Langjökull, for a one-of-a-kind experience. Driving directly on top of the glacier, your guide will deflate the truck tyres so you can feel yourself floating – this otherworldly experience is possible due to the special modifications of the Arctic Truck, allowing it to drive in extremely challenging conditions. Afterwards, you’ll have the chance to explore the Ice Tunnels inside the glacier (see Extras tab for details), followed by an optional snowmobiling experience (see Extras tab for details). Finish your day with a drive to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, your home for the night.
Overnight in Stykkishólmur area
Classic - Fosshotel Stykkishólmur
Premium - Hotel Egilsen
Meals included: Breakfast; lunch
Day Five: Snæfellsnes sightings
Today you’ll be exploring the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, starting with a short tour of Stykkishólmur – a fishing village full of quaint old houses. Next, you’ll journey on to the majestic Mount Kirkjufell, the dramatically formed coastal mountain in the nearby village of Grundarförður. Continue driving along the peninsula, scanning the bay for elusive Orcas. Depending on weather conditions, you might get to drive around the peninsula across a mountain road which has dramatic views of Snæfellsjökull – a glacier-topped stratovolcano. Before heading on to west Iceland, you’ll also visit the Arnarstapi cliffs and Djúpalón beach, a beautiful black sand beach which is often dusted with snow in winter. The unusual cliff formations and shipwrecks dotted along the sand make this beach a must-visit!
Overnight in Reykholt area
Classic - Fosshotel Reykholt
Premium - Hotel Husafell
Meals included: Breakfast; lunch
Day Six: Whale watching
Today you’ll make your way back to Reykjavik, stopping for lunch on the way before heading to the old marina (location weather dependent) for some winter whale watching. This is a unique experience under a low-lying sun which casts a warm glow over the water and snow-capped mountains, and often paints the sky bright orange or pink. Iceland’s waters harbour tasty prey for Humpback Whales, Orcas, White-Beaked Dolphins and Harbour Porpoises, all of which you might spot on this adventure. Afterwards, you’ll be transferred to the Blue Lagoon for an afternoon relaxing in its famous neon waters. We’ve secured Premium admission, which includes two treatment masks of your choice, robe, slippers and sparkling wine.
Overnight in Blue Lagoon area
Classic - Northern Light Inn
Premium - The Retreat at Blue Lagoon
Meals included: Breakfast; lunch
Day Seven: Home time
After a final breakfast, it’s time to transfer to Keflavik Airport for your flight back to the UK.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overall meals included: 6 breakfasts; 4 lunch
What's included:
- Private bilingual or English-speaking guides unless stated otherwise
- Private transfers unless stated otherwise
- Meals as listed
- Mandatory taxes and service fees
- Entrance tickets and permits unless stated otherwise
What's not included:
- International flights to/from experience: call 0208 432 0885 for AX specially negotiated flight rates
- Tips for guides, drivers, porters, hotel and restaurant staff
- Any visa, customs, airport taxes or similar charges before or after the tour
- We cannot guarantee the included hotel breakfast for early departures
- Drinks during meals unless stated otherwise
- Personal expenses, such as laundry
SUITABILITY FOR FAMILIES : Suitable for families with kids over the age of 2 years.
If you intend to travel solo, contact us on 0208 432 0885
To check other related Iceland trips, click here!
GETTING THERE
Typical return Economy flights from London to Reykjavik cost around £100 per person and take approximately three hours.
Experience start point: Reykjavik (KEF).
End point: Reykjavik (KEF).
Prices for departures to 30th October include a 20% Pioneers Club discount and are subject to Pioneers Club terms & conditions. Click here for more information.
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