Take part in a great trip that will take you to Iceland's most remarkable sights. For five days, visit the famed Golden Circle's features, an ice cave, Diamond Beach, and beautiful waterfalls. Then, join thrilling searches for the Northern Lights after sightseeing, and view the natural light display in the most unexpected places. Finally, admire the auroras while sailing across the North Atlantic Ocean.
Highlights
Explore the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon with strewn icebergs of diverse sizes and forms
Enjoy the Skogafoss Waterfall, where the water descends from 60 meters
Witness the Strokkur Geyser's natural spectacle bursts
Visit the Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Get situated before the excursion by checking in to your hotel around 2:00 PM. Then, go to the ticket office at the Old Harbor in Reykjavik in the evening and get ready to board the boat. Expert guides closely monitor the aurora forecast and are adept at finding prime viewing spots in the bay.
The boat will navigate away from city lights to ensure an optimal, unobstructed view of the Northern Lights. Enjoy the tranquil sail across the North Atlantic while witnessing the mesmerizing Aurora Borealis overhead. Watch video presentations featuring Icelandic folklore, photos, and interesting facts about the Northern Lights.
For added comfort, the boat has a cozy café and bar, where you can stay warm and entertained while awaiting the light show. Overalls are also available for those wishing to remain comfortable on the deck. After the spectacle, transfer back to the harbor to return to your hotel for the night.
Today's tour takes you to Iceland's renowned Golden Circle, featuring three main attractions: Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss.
Your journey begins at Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and historic site of Iceland's first Parliament, founded in 930 CE. Thingvellir's unique geological features include a rift valley between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, continuously expanding as the plates drift apart.
Next, visit the Geysir Geothermal Area, where the dormant Geysir is overshadowed by the active Strokkur geyser, erupting spectacularly every 10 minutes with jets of water reaching up to 25 meters high.
The final stop on the Golden Circle tour is Gullfoss, Iceland's most famous waterfall, where the Hvita River cascades in two stages, creating a golden mist and often accompanied by vibrant rainbows.
After exploring the Golden Circle, continue towards the South Coast, offering picturesque views of Mount Hekla en route to Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which you can walk behind for a unique perspective.
Spend the night near Kirkjubæjarklaustur, providing an ideal opportunity to witness the Northern Lights away from city lights. You may be treated to a dazzling display of auroras dancing across the night sky with favorable weather conditions.
After breakfast, your journey heads eastward, passing through diverse landscapes, including lava fields, deserts, and glimpses of distant glaciers, notably Vatnajökull, Iceland's largest. This 5-day tour continues with visits to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach, where icebergs float serenely and resemble sparkling diamonds on the black sand. Afterward, head to Skaftafell for a winter glacier hike or a summer visit to Katla Ice Cave near Vik. The night's accommodation is in the Kirkjubæjarklaustur area, followed by an adventurous Northern Lights hunt against snowy peaks and glaciers.
Hótel Geirland or similar
The minimum age requirement for a Glacier Hike is eight years old.
Day 4 of the itinerary focuses on exploring the South Coast and its highlights. Weather permitting, a brief detour may lead to Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, famously known as "Bieber's Canyon."
Following this, you can discover the iconic Eldhraun lava field with insights from a knowledgeable guide. The journey continues to Reynisfjara black sand beach, renowned as one of the world's most beautiful non-tropical beaches. It features towering Reynisdrangar basalt sea stacks and dramatic views of the Atlantic Ocean.
The next stop is Skógafoss waterfall, where water plunges 60 meters. For the adventurous, 527 steps offer access to the top of the waterfall, where, weather permitting, you can view the prominent Eyjafjallajökull volcano.
In the evening, travelers return to Reykjavik for accommodation in a city hotel. En route, you may stop to chase the Northern Lights, weather and conditions permitting.
Reykjavik Lights Hotel or similar
Day 5: Free Day in Reykjavik
1 Breakfast
Today's agenda is dedicated to exploring Reykjavik! With the entire day at your disposal, you can immerse yourself in the city's culture.
Reykjavik offers a plethora of activities. You can start by exploring local boutiques, quaint coffee shops, and museums, some of which offer immersive Northern Lights experiences.
For those preferring outdoor activities, a stroll along the old harbor or the Atlantic Ocean shoreline awaits.
Guests seeking the quintessential Icelandic experience should remember to pack their swimsuits! Relaxation awaits at the numerous spas and swimming pools scattered across the city.
Finally, indulging in traditional Icelandic cuisine and local beverages is a must-do to complete the day's exploration.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure by Bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
1 day ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
3 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
4 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
