Nature & Adventure
Departure city: Reykjavik, Iceland
End city: Reykjavik, Iceland
Discover Iceland on a four-day adventure that takes you from West Iceland to the South Coast. You will tour through hot springs, waterfalls, beaches, volcanoes, glaciers and icebergs while taking in the scenic views of Iceland. Remember to keep your eyes peeled for if the conditions are right you might get a glimpse of the magical northern lights!
Departure Time: 9:00 am
West Coast Highlights
Pick up is at 9:00 am from the Reykjavík meeting point you have chosen. Please note: picking everyone up can take up to 30 minutes but you do have to be ready and waiting at 9:00 am. We will drive along the scenic west coast and explore West Iceland (Vesturland in Icelandic). The first stop of the day is at Deildartunguhver hot spring, this is the most powerful hot spring in Europe. It pumps out 180 l/sec of 100°C hot water, and the Icelanders certainly make good use of this vast quantity of hot water, using it to heat the homes and buildings in many neighboring towns. Our next stop will be at the historic site of Reykholt, here you will find a hot spring pool dating back to the medieval period, Snorralaug. This is the pool where the very famous Icelandic Saga writer, historian, and Law Speaker is reputed to have bathed, you can see this pool and even feel the temperature of the water.
Our third stop of the day will be at the waterfalls, Hraunfossar (the Lava Falls) and Barnafoss (Children´s Falls). These waterfalls each offer something very different. You will learn why the tumbling Barnafoss waterfall is so named! At Hraunfossar you will see how the water flows out through thousands of little springs in the coal black lava. These falls form a magnificent wide crescent of tumbling cascades, the pure glacial water has flowed through lava for many years. We then leave Borgarfjörður behind and set our course towards Snæfellsnes peninsula. We will stop to view the unique Gerðuberg basalt columns before we arrive at our hotel for the night. If the northern lights and cloud forecasts are favorable an evening northern lights hunt will be on! *Please note that due to weather we might have to change the itinerary and start with the South Coast instead of Snæfellsnes.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
After breakfast at our hotel we will drive to the western part of Snæfellsnes which will take us through some absolutely stunning coastal and mountain scenery. Our first stop of the day is at the small and charming fishing village of Arnarstapi, here we take a short walk to explore the surrounding area. You then have the option to explore beneath the ground at the Vatnshellir Cave, which is located inside Snæfellsnes National Park. This cave is a lava tube tunnel which is around 8000 years old, your specialist caving guide will explain its formation and fascinating features. If you wish to go caving you need to book this as an extra when you arrange your tour. Your next stop will be at Hellnar, a really picturesque village where we stop for lunch. We then continue to the beautiful black pebble beach at Djúpalónssandur. Here we enjoy a short hike, as the shimmering silver-tipped Atlantic waves roll over the glossy black pebbles of this beach, which is framed by incredibly shaped cliffs. You will see the remains of the British trawler, Epine, which met its end here. At the head of the beach, you will also find the famous ‘lifting stones’. Maybe you would like to test your strength as the Icelandic fishermen did in the olden days? From Djúpalónssandur, we continue our journey around the Snæfellsnes peninsula and our next stop will be at the famous and much-photographed, Mount Kirkjufell, a favourite spot for many photographers. On our way back to the Reykjavík area, where you will be spending the night, if the forecast is suitable we will be looking out for the northern lights.
Meals: B
The Grand South Coast
After breakfast at your hotel in the Reykjavík area, you'll be picked you up and whisked away for two days of an amazing sightseeing adventure. On a dark winter morning we drive towards the slowly rising sun on the way to our first stop, Seljalandsfoss, a very unusual waterfall because you can walk behind the gracefully falling cascade. It is well worth getting a little damp for such an exciting experience! Our next highlight is another waterfall, Skógafoss, located at the foot of a very famous volcano, Eyjafjallajökull. On a clear day, you will also get a great view of another volcano mountain glacier, Mýrdalsjokull. As we continue on, we come to Reynisfjara, a black beach where some fantastic sights, such as the picturesque basalt column formations and the famous Reynisdrangar peaks, will greet us. We will drive through the charming small town of Vík on our way to our accommodation. Throughout the entire day, you can expect to see breathtaking landscapes consisting of vast lava fields, waterfalls, black sands and glacier tongues. We will enjoy a relaxing evening, if the conditions are right we will hunt for those northern lights! The countryside close to Vatnajökull glacier, away from the city lights, is perfect for spotting this natural phenomenon. Your hotel will be in the Skaftafell area.
Meals: B
Accommodation check-out
Return to Reykjavik where you'll be dropped off at the city centre. End of the tour. Make your own way to the airport for your departure flight or if you're staying longer in Reykjavik to your hotel.
Meals: B
Suggested Packing List:
Warm outdoor clothing, a waterproof jacket and pants, headwear and gloves, good hiking shoes are recommended.
Minimum age: 10
Maximium participants: 18
Terms and conditions apply. Subject to change and availability. Prices are per person twin share and subject to currency fluctuation. (ba)
