Northern Lights Luxury Experience
7 days, 6 nights: Winter
Our Northern Lights adventures always include nights in the countryside, where conditions for viewing the Aurora Borealis are optimal. The best time to see the Northern Lights is from October through March. They can be seen anywhere in Iceland and are most likely to appear on cold, clear evenings.
Day 1, Welcome to Iceland, Blue Lagoon and Reykjavik!
Our car service will pick you up at the airport and take you directly to the nearby Blue Lagoon. Soak in the warm healing waters before continuing to your boutique hotel in Reykjavik. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and exploring on your own with recommendations from us.
Day 2, Highlights of the Golden Circle and Viking Horses
Today, your private expert guide and vehicle will pick you up at 9AM. You will be driving in a modified 4×4 vehicle perfect for Icelandic conditions and allowing you to get off the beaten track. Start the day with a drive to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the location of Iceland´s Parliament between the years 930 and 1798. Thingvellir is also one of the few places in the world where you can see the effects of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates pulling apart, clearly visible in Almannagja or Everyman’s Gorge. After lunch, we explore the erupting hot springs area Geysir, the place giving its name to the phenomenon worldwide. From here, a short drive takes us to Gullfoss, or Golden Falls, Iceland’s most famous waterfall. In the afternoon visit a family-run ranch for an introduction to the unique Icelandic horse. It is famous for its beautiful coloring, friendliness, and fifth gait, the smooth tolt. Go on an easy riding tour with views of surrounding volcanoes.
In the late afternoon check into your countryside hotel, perfectly located for viewing the Northern Lights when they are out.
Day 3, Wilderness ATV and Secret BBQ
After fueling up on breakfast, we go on a fun-filled, exclusive ATV tour into a beautiful hidden valley. It´s an area that was inhabited by outlaws in the old days and offers a variety of scenery and terrain including rivers, waterfalls, caves, forest and magnificent views. We will stop for a surprise BBQ lunch is a secret spot. After lunch, travel to the north side of Eyjafjallajokull volcano, an otherwordly area of snow-white glaciers, steely-blue glacial rivers, dramatic canyons and hidden waterfalls.
Day 4, Top of the World Snowmobiling
Today, we continue our adventure along the South Coast of Iceland. Enjoy the dramatic landscape with glacier-tipped volcanoes and cascading waterfalls on one side and the black-sanded beaches on the other. Stops include Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where you can walk behind the waterfall. Then it’s on to Myrdalsjokull glacier, where we will go on a thrilling snowmobile tour on top of the glacier. You will be provided with snowsuits and other warm gear. The views on a clear day are spectacular. In the afternoon continue across the vast Eldhraun lavafields from one of the world´s largest volcanic eruptions dating back to the 18th century. In late afternoon, check into your hotel located in the remote south east. Stay here for two nights and in the evenings you will have another chance to look for the Northern Lights.
Day 5, Alpine Hiking and Calving Glacier Lagoon
Today we´ll explore the area beneath Vatnajökull glacier, Europe´s largest ice-cap. We´ll begin by heading to Skaftafell National Park, where we hike and enjoy the amazing alpine surroundings of waterfalls, glacier tongues, mountain peaks and the black desert sands stretching out to sea. After one or two other stops, we´ll head to the spectacular Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, where icebergs drift out to sea. Two James Bond movies were filmed in this fantastic location and floating among the ice you may spot seals, eider ducks, and, even witness the glacier calving into the crystal turquoise waters. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.
Day 6, Chasing Waterfalls, Black Sand Beaches and Blue Glacier Hiking
Today, we go on an easy hike on the beautiful Solheimajokull glacier tongue. Don crampons and other gear and explore the amazing world of the blue ice with a professional glacier guide. Other explorations today include the varied waterfalls of the south coast and the dramatic black sand beaches. Arrive in Reykjavik by dinner time.
Day 7, Farewell
Our car service will pick you up 3 hours before the departure of your flight.