Iceland Northern Lights Adventure

Day 2: This morning, we'll meet our tour leader and spend the morning exploring Reykjavik. The city is a wonderful mix of traditional houses clad in corrugated iron and modern architecture. There are plenty of green spaces here but the highlight is walking along the waterfront. Fishing has long been Iceland's main industry and watching the ships coming in and out of the harbour shows us the lifeblood of this small island nation. A must-see for any visit to Reykjavik is Hallgrimskirkja, the Lutheran church that can be seen throughout the city. The dramatic design resembles the basalt columns we'll see later at Vik I Myrdal Beach. After exploring the city, we'll visit Thingvellir National Park, a rare site of both historical and geological importance. Meaning 'Parliament Plains', this was the location of Iceland's first National Assembly for 800 years from 930AD and as such, is hugely significant in the country's cultural heritage. The impressive landscape sits on a unique spot where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge can be seen on dry land before disappearing to the ocean floor. From here yon can clearly see the North American tectonic plate alongside the Eurasian plate. We'll then drive to our hotel, far away from any light pollution which will maximise the chance of a good sighting of the aurora.

Day 3: We have a packed day ahead of us today as we explore the best of southern Iceland. This morning, we'll drive through the Eyjafjallajokull region, where in 2010 a volcanic eruption caused the now infamous ash cloud, disrupting European air travel for several days. The volcano is now quiet again and your local Leader will be able to talk about the impact the eruption had on the local community. We'll spend time at Reynisfjara, a rocky beach with its incredible basalt cliffs which are said to have inspired the church we visited yesterday. The beach is often incredibly windy and there are great photo opportunities of the waves crashing against the cliffs. After some lunch, we'll see one of Iceland's tallest waterfalls, Skogafoss. Standing at 62 metres/204 feet tall it's an impressive sight, and if we are lucky with the light we should spot rainbows in the spray. We'll also stop at the Lava Museum to learn about the geology that formed the country's dramatic landscapes. Seljalandsfoss waterfall is almost as tall as Skogafoss but, weather permitting, we'll have the chance to walk behind the curtain of water! The pathway shows off the falls from the front, circling around the back and emerging on the other side. Because of the constant spray, the path is always slippy and can be closed in winter when the path freezes over. We'll make our way back to our hotel for the evening to relax and look out for the Northern Lights.

Day 4: Today, we'll explore the famous Golden Circle, which includes some of Iceland's most iconic sights. Our hotel is the ideal base from which to visit the magnificent Gullfoss waterfalls which is known locally as the 'Golden Waterfall', due to the way it cascades into a deep gorge with tremendous force. They may be biased but locals regard it as one of the most beautiful falls in the world! Close by is Haukadalur, home of the Great Geysir. With the claim to fame of being the first spouting spring known to Europeans, Geysir has given all such springs their name. However, it is the Strokkur, meaning 'The Butter Churn', which is the main attraction, due to its impressive 30 metre/98 foot eruptions every few minutes. There might be time for an optional visit to the Secret Lagoon to enjoy the thermal waters, alternaatively rest in thier cafe. We'll return to Reykjavik this afternoon. The food scene in Reykjavik is impressive and this evening is free for a final dinner in one of the capital's many restaurants.

Day 5: Our trip ends after breakfast this morning. The transfer back to Keflavik Airport (KEF) will be by the public FlyBus shuttle bus service and your tour leader will provide you with details of your pick-up time and your voucher for the service. Please note, the itinerary for this tour is subject to amendment due to weather or road conditions. Winter is a beautiful time to visit Iceland, but the weather can be unpredictable, and snow can have a big impact on travel times. Consequently, it may be necessary to alter the order of the itinerary or to change inclusions whilst on tour.