Vacation Overview
Tour Details
Winter in Iceland: Waterfalls & Aurora Nights
Welcome to Iceland — where glaciers and volcanoes collide in the most jaw-dropping ways. On this five-day escape, you’ll soak in natural hot springs, chase waterfalls (yes, really), and walk between continents at the edge of tectonic plates. With a local CEO guiding the way, you’ll learn the stories behind the landscapes, meet charming Icelandic horses, and stay up late hoping to catch the Northern Lights dancing overhead. It’s a short trip that makes a big impression — one that will leave you awed, refreshed, and ready for more.
Highlights
Walk behind the misty curtain of Seljalandsfoss and feel the full force of Iceland’s wild waterfalls, Unwind in the geothermal bliss of the Secret Lagoon surrounded by steamy natural beauty, Join your CEO for evening walks in search of the Northern Lights, Visit a local farm to meet Iceland’s famously small horses
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
4 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 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.
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. 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: Waterfalls & Aurora Nights
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 adventure finishes today, and you can depart at any time.