Iceland Natural Wonders Tour

Transcription

1 Iceland Natural Wonders Tour Iceland: Natural Wonders & Hunt for the Northern Lights 6 DAYS /5 NIGHTS /DAILY BREAKFASTS Come join us on this Guided Tour through the South Coast during winter time and explore the most popular sights of Iceland. The South Coast, and the famous Golden Circle. An unforgettable experience during a clear winter night is when the magnificent Northern Lights illuminate the dark sky creating a truly spectacular phenomenon. ITINERARY Day 1: Welcome to Iceland Transfer from Keflavik airport to hotel in Reykjavik with the Airport Shuttle Bus (included in the price). Driving distance approx. 50 km 1

2 Day 2: The Golden Circle Highlights : Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss and Greenhouse farm in Friðheimar and The Northern Lights Your tour guide will pick you up at the hotel and we start our trip by driving to Thingvellir National Park. Thingvellir is a place highly interesting from both geological and historical point of view. Here you can see the effects of the tectonic plate movements which has opened various cracks and fissures in the earth crust, and it was here that the Icelandic Parliament was founded in the 10th century. Afterwards we keep on drivng along the route of the Golden Circle with a visit at the famous geothermal site of Geysir where the Strokkur hot spring ejects its water column high into the air every 5 10 minutes. Numerous other small springs are boiling and bubbling all around. Then we only have a short drive to reach Gullfoss, a spectacular waterfall which Icelanders refer to as the golden waterfall. Our next stop will be an interesting visit to the greenhouse-farm in Fridheimar, where we can see how the icelandic farmers use the natural geothermal power to grow vegatables the whole year round (entrance included). Before we check-in our hotel for this night you get the possibility to try out the geothermal hot water yourself by bathing in one of the many natural hot springs in this area (entrance included). In the evening - like on every other evening of the trip - we keep our eyes open in search for the Northern Lights, that appear on the winter sky when conditions are right (our hotels on this tour are among other reasons chosen because of their location away from the light pollution of villages and cities. Overnight in Fosshotel Hekla. Driving distance approx. 180 km Day 3: The South Coast Highlights: South Coast of Iceland, Skógarfoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, Skógar folk museum Today we head towards Iceland s South Region and the day will take us all the way to the small village Kirkjubaejarklaustur. Along the way we stop at different places like Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, a small but a picturesque waterfall, and Skogar, where we will have a look at the Skogar Waterfall, one of the highest in Iceland. Afterwards a visit in Skogar folk museum gives us an excellent insight in the history of Iceland and the farmers way of life (entrance included). Vík village is worth visiting, located in an idyllic setting famou s for the Reynisdrangar pillars that rise from the sea just off the shore. You can take a refreshing walk on the magnificent black sand of 2

3 Reynisfjara beach with it s basalt columns of all sizes and shapes, before we keep on driving to Kirkjubaejarklaustur. Overnight for 2 nights in the area of Kirkjubaejarklaustur. Driving distance approx. 200 km Day 4: Vatnajökull Glacier and Skaftafell National Park Highlights : Vatnajokull glacier, Glacial Lagoon Jokulsarlon, Skaftafell National Park, Kirkjubaejarklaustur and Vik, Eldhraun lava field This day is dedicated to explore the southeast of Iceland. We cross the Skeidarársandur outwash plains with lovely views of the largest glacier in Europe, the Vatnajökull Glacier. Once we have crossed this vast black desert, we reach Skaftafell National Park, a beautiful area right at the foot of Vatnajökull Glacier which is known for its unique nature and abundant vegetation, like an oasis between the black desert and the glaciers. If conditions allow, you have the possibility to take a short hike and visit the beautiful Svartifoss waterfall. Further east, we then arrive at one of the probably most famous attractions of South Iceland, the spectacular Jökulsarlon glacial lagoon, where icebergs break down from the Vatnajökull glacier and float on the lake. Drive back to hotel for overnight. Driving distance approx. 250 km Day 5: The South Shore and Eyjafjallajökull Volcano centre Highlights : Eyjafjallajökull Volcano centre, Reykjavik Today we make our way back to Reykjavik along the South Shore and visit en route the Eyjafjallajökull volcano centre at Thorvalsdeyri. Here we get an impression what impact the big eruption 2010 had on the local farmers and the area around (entrance included). Once we arrive in Reykjavik we finish our trip with a city sightseeing tour through the capital of Iceland. Many of the city s monuments like the Perlan Building, a dome built on warm water tanks, the Höfdi 3

4 house, where the Reykjavik summit took place in 1986, the Town Hall and the Parliament in the oldest part of the city are on our list, as well as the Hallgrimskirkja Church and the old harbour. Overnight in Reykjavik. Driving distance approx. 270 km Day 6: Departure Transfer to Keflavik airport with the Fly Bus (included in the price). Depending on departure time you have the possibility to visit the Blue Lagoon on your way to Keflavik airport (optional). Driving distance approx. 50 km or Possibility to book extra nights in Reykjavik and excursions for extended stay. January 14, 21, 28 Feb 4,11,18,25 March 3,10,17,24 DEPARTURES 2016 Arrival dates in Reykjavik Price in $ CAD per person ; valid October 2015 March 2016 Group size: min 2 pax max 40 pax In double room: $835 / person In single room: $1085 / person RATES INCLUSIONS Included: 5 nights in 3* hotels in rooms with private facilities; incl. breakfast Reykjavik: Fosshotel Baron / Lind (or similar) Arnes: Fosshotel Hekla (or similar) Kirkjubæjarklaustur area: Fosshotel Nupar (or similar) Roundtrip for 4 days according to the itinerary in private bus Local English / or French speaking guide for 4 days on roundtrip (guiding language see dates below) Entrance to Fridheimar farm visit Entrance to Secret Lagoon natural bath, Fludir Entrance to Skogar folk museum Entrance to Eyjafjallajökull Volcano Centre 4

5 Not included Flights to / from Iceland Airport transfers Meals except breakfast (e.g. lunches, dinners and drinks) Optional excursions and visits Travel insurances All other item not mentionned OTHER information 0-8 years: not recommended 8-11 years get 50% discount of the double room rate when sharing a room with 2 adults. Please note that in some cases this can be a mattress on the floor years get 20% discount of the double room rate when sharing a room with 2 adults. Please note that in some cases this can be a mattress on the floor. Optional Supplements: Airport transfer in airport shuttle bus: $30 / pers. / one way Airport transfer via Blue Lagoon in airport shuttle bus; including entrance to the Blue Lagoon: $ 110 pers. / one way 3 x 3-course dinner in hotels in the countryside: $240 / pers. Bon voyage! 5