Vacation Overview
Tour Details
Winter in Iceland: Otherworldly Landscapes & Northern Lights
Iceland feels like another planet — and that’s exactly why you’ll fall in love with it. Picture soaking in steamy hot springs surrounded by lava fields, walking between continental plates at Thingvellir National Park, and chasing waterfalls so powerful they send rainbows into the sky. You’ll meet Icelandic horses with more personality than you’d expect, dine on local flavours in cozy settings, and, with luck, catch the Northern Lights dancing overhead. This is adventure dialled up — with just the right amount of comfort, charm, and connection.
Highlights
Stand between two continental plates at Thingvellir National Park, Watch geothermal energy come to life at the erupting Geysir and bubbling springs, Unwind in the Secret Lagoon Geothermal Pools surrounded by steam vents and serene natural beauty, Marvel at the spectacular natural beauty of the Snafellsnes Peninsula on a full-day of exploration
Accomodation
On this trip you can expect to stay in small family-run hotels or pensions (with the exception of the start and finish hotels, which are often larger city hotels), which will vary a little in standard and facilities: some may not have elevators, air-conditioning or English-speaking staff, but most importantly all are locally-run, with some traditional character, and in excellent central locations to give you maximum time for exploring the sights. You can expect to find clean, safe, simple accommodation in convenient locations.
Note that most accommodation in Europe does not have air conditioning units in rooms. Air conditioning is not routinely installed in European homes and workplaces. However, nearly all hotels will provide a standing or desk fan for your room on hot nights. If you do not already have one in your room, please ask your CEO to organize one for you with reception.
Please be aware that single room accommodations in European hotels are often smaller, and may not be to the
Group Leader
This G Adventures group trip is accompanied by one of our Chief Experience Officers (CEOs). The aim of the CEO is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting - we think it's the best of both worlds.
It is important to note that in Europe, all guiding is based around local guides all of whom are licensed to work only in a particular city. As such, our leaders are able to provide orientation walks which will show you the layout of each town and city as well as the location of local services such as post offices and laundromats, but are unable to legally share historical facts and figures in public places. If you wish to take a guided city tour in any location where this is not already included in the itinerary, your CEO will do their best to help you arrange this and pay locally.
Group Size Notes
Max 16, avg 12.
Meals Included
6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners
What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
Your OMG Day: Glacier Hiking or Skógar Museum, Sólheimajökull
Your Wellness Moment: Secret Lagoon, Fludir
Your Foodie Moment: Ölafsvík Seafood Lunch, Olafsvik
Your Wellness Moment: Sky Lagoon Geothermal Hot Springs, Reykjavik.
Complimentary arrival transfer. Welcome Dinner. Visit Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Skógafoss waterfall visit. Two CEO-led walks in search of the Northern Lights. Þingvellir National Park visit. Geysir Geothermal Area. Visit Gulfoss waterfall. Local Icelandic horse farm visit. Free time in Reykjavik. Full-day excursion to the Snafellsnes Peninsula with stops at Borgarnes, Kirkjufell, Ölafsvík, Djúpalónssandur, Arnarstapi and Vatnshellir lava tube. Farewell Dinner. All tips included for activities and meals, except for CEO and porterage. Transport to/from all included activities and between all destinations.
Daily Itinerary
G Adventures: Winter in Iceland: Otherworldly Landscapes & Northern Lights
Day 1: Reykjavik: A Northern Metropolis
Nestled in the middle of the wild North Atlantic, Iceland's dramatic natural features stand in contrast to Reykjavik's colourful, modern buildings and vibrant culture. We welcome you to Iceland, and invite you to prepare for a winter adventure like no other, with stunning natural landscapes, elven folklore and shimmering northern lights in the overhead sky.
Arrive in Reykjavik at any time and transfer to your hotel. Meet your CEO and fellow group members at the evening welcome meeting to gather information about your upcoming adventure. Afterwards, walk to a nearby restaurant for a welcome dinner.
Day 2: Hella: Your OMG Day
Head away from the city today as you immerse yourself headfirst into Iceland's dramatic natural landscapes. Visit majestic waterfalls and and even get the opportunity to walk behind one of them, feeling the power of the thundering water cascade from the heights. Witness the mighty Sólheimajökull Glacier and have the opportunity to hike on it or delve deeper into the Iceland's heritage at the Skógar Museum. In the evening set off on the first of hopefully many opportunities to see the Northern Lights dancing in the sky.
Travel from Reykjavik and stop at Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss Waterfalls, some of Iceland's most iconic natural features. Continue to Sólheimajökull Glacier for a choice of guided tour before arriving to the hotel in the evening. Later, set out on foot with your CEO for a short walk in search of the Northern Lights.
Day 3: Hella: The Golden Circle
Keep your camera handy today as you visit the highlights along the famed Golden Circle route where you'll visit Thingvellir National Park and a geyser that spouts water high up into the sky. Savour scrumptious lunch at a local greenhouse surrounded by tomato vines then stand in awe at the power of Gulfoss Waterfall, where the water cascades down two tiers before falling into the churning waters below. Next, slip into the thermal waters at the Secret Lagoon to cap off the day of exploration. With the stars as your companion, set off again in the evening in search of the glorious Northern Lights in the sky.
Transfer from Hella to the Golden Circle route, with stops at Thingvellir, Geysir and Gulfoss Waterfall with a lunch stop at a local greenhouse. Visit the Secret Lagoon geothermal hot springs for a swim before returning to the hotel for a free evening and another opportunity for a walk to see the Northern Lights with your CEO.
Day 4: Reykjavik: Traditional and Cosmopolitan
Icelandic horses are completely unique; forged by centuries of isolation and the dramatic local climate. They're resilient, independent, and are known to possess a gentle spirit, and you'll have the opportunity to meet them today at a working farm. Then, back in Reykjavik choose to pass the afternoon as you like; perhaps visit the iconic Hallgrímskirkja Church or explore the National Museum of Iceland where you can better connect with the culture and understand how Iceland became the haven it is today. Regroup in the evening for a dinner out on the town.
Day 5: Reykjavik: The Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Made famous by Jules Verne's 'Journey to the center of the Earth', this peninsula is known for its spectacular landscapes. Set off for a full day of exploration, where You'll visit small fishing towns and make various stops throughout the day at different natural features and photo stops. Experience some truly incredible scenery in a way that seemingly only Iceland can provide.
Enjoy breakfast before heading toward the peninsula in a private vehicle. Make stops in Kirkjufell, Ölafsvik, Djúpalónssandur, Arnarstapi, and Vatnshellir before travelling back to Reykjavik for the evening.
Day 6: Reykjavik: On Your Terms
The day beckons with opportunity as you have an entire free day to take advantage of everything that Reykjavik has to offer. Perhaps slip into the crystal clear waters of the Silfra Fissure and drift along between the tectonic plates, go whale-watching or continue exploring the city. Later, cap off your Icelandic adventure at the oceanfront Sky Lagoon for a light dinner and to soak your worries away against a backdrop of the North Atlantic and distant mountains. Rest this evening feeling recharged, both body and soul.
Day 7: Reykjavik
The adventure finishes today, and you can depart at any time.