Compare Aurora Exploration (7 nights/8 days) by GJ Travel Iceland vs Natural Wonders of Iceland - Classic Group by Insight Vacations
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 3,755 | $ 5,404 |
| Price Per Day | $ 469 | $ 540 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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N/A |
| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
7 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch and 6 Dinners |
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| Description |
Keep in mind that due to narrow streets in Reykjavík City Center many hotels do not have enough space for a coach to stop outside. Walking distance for passengers can be up to 10 minutes, depending on location. GJ Travel will use a shuttle to transfer the luggage that passengers need to pick up outside their hotel without any extra charge. |
Breathe in the fresh air of Iceland as you tour the scenic bay of Reykjavik, uncover volcanoes on the way to Vik and explore the geothermal hubbub of Lake Mývatn—near Akureyri. From the thunder of the two-tiered Gullfoss Waterfall and the geothermal floating pools of Egilsstaðir to the black lava fields of Búðir and the sea cliffs of Arnastapi, experience every imaginable landscape on this one week guided tour. Take an Insight Choice in Reykjavik between a dip in the mineral rich waters of the Blue Lagoon or a walking tour of the city’s premier sights—led by a Local Expert. In Hellisheidi, visit Iceland’s flagship geothermal heat and power station, and learn how this scientific wonder helped the country generate 70% of its power—from renewable energy sources. |
Day 1: Welcome to Iceland (50 Km/31 Mls)
Private airport transfer by coach & guide from Keflavík International airport to Reykjavík where you
spend the night.
Overnight: Icelandair Hotel Natura
Day 2: Reykjavik City Tour & Borgarfjörður Saga Valley (245 Km/152 Mls)
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Icelandair Hotel Hamar
Meet your tour guide who shows the group the highlights of Iceland's exciting capital. Then we head west. Borgarfjörður is known as the Saga valley because of its many important historical events. We get a chance to climb the Grábrók volcano crater and get warmed at Deildartunguhver, Europe's most powerful hot spring which produces 180 liters per second of water that is nearly boiling - 97° Celsius. Hraunfossar is a series of waterfalls pouring from beneath a wide lava field. Barnafoss – the Children’s falls, is nearby with its own tragic tale. We spend two nights in Borgarnes, West Iceland. The afternoon includes a lecture about Northern Lights. After dinner, we step into the hotel garden in search of the Northern Lights followed by a hot cup of chocolate or tea.
Day 3: Snæfellsnes Peninsula & Fjord Cruise (250 Km/155 Mls)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula “the peninsula of the snowy mountain“ just out from Iceland’s west coast, like a long arm with a clenched fist at its tip, and is in many ways a microcosm of the whole island. A rugged mountain chain runs its length. We travel to the charming fishing town of Stykkishólmur for a cruise in the Breiðafjörður fjord. After a light lunch a uniquely Icelandic “treat“ awaits us at Bjarnarhöfn, where they make Hákarl - the fermented shark. Depending on road and weather conditions, we visit the fishing village of Grundarfjörður, a place with an impressive coastline and mountains, lakes and waterfalls behind the village. Jutting out into the bay rises one of the most photographed mountain in Iceland, Mt. Kirkjufell. On the way back to Borgarnes the guide gives you some practical tips of how to photograph the Auroras as part of the Northern Lights Academy program. Naturally, once darkness falls, we are out in the hotel garden to chase the Northern Lights and to soak in the hotel’s outdoor hot tubs.
Overnight: Icelandair Hotel Hamar
Day 4: Golden Circle, Geothermal Taste & Icelandic Horses (220 Km/136 Mls)
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Fosshótel Hekla
Today we travel along the Hvalfjörður fjord. The first stop is at an Icelandic wool outlet store, just to see what they do with all those sheep! We continue inland to Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We travel the Golden Circle route and see steam rising from the Geysir geothermal fields as we arrive. There is a variety of hot springs and bubbling pools. The original geyser is now dormant but has been replaced by Strokkur "the Churn" which erupts at 5-10 minute intervals. The chef of the Restaurant Geysir invites you to taste freshly baked hot spring bread served with Icelandic butter, geothermally boiled eggs and herring. It is best served with a small glass of Geysir Schnapps, very cold – nearly freezing. On we travel to Gullfoss, a double waterfall that tumbles 34 meters into the Hvítá River and attracts tourists and travelers in summer and winter. In the afternoon, you learn about the Icelandic horse, its special qualities and history and visit a geothermal greenhouse, before we reach the accommodation in South Iceland. Tonight, step into the darkness and search for the elusive Northern Lights, while best enjoyed from a comfortable hot tub in the garden of the hotel, amidst the peace and stillness of rural Iceland.
Day 5: Natural Wonders Of South Iceland (220 Km/136 Mls)
Today we travel along the South coast. We will visit one of Iceland's finest folk museums. This museum contains an outstanding collection of farm and domestic artifacts from Iceland's past and several turf-built houses. Nearby is Skógafoss waterfall which is 60 meters high and one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country. In the afternoon we take a stroll on the black lava beach and along bird cliffs at Reynisfjara in South Iceland. We spend 2 nights near Kirkjubæjarklaustur in the Vatnajökull National Park region, located in complete darkness and ideal for Northern Lights search.
Accommodation: Hótel Geirland
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: Skaftafell National Park & Vatnajökull Glacier (280 Km/174 Mls)
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Hótel Geirland
Today’s program is all about glaciers, ice and icebergs. We travel to Jökulsárlón, a glacial lagoon filled with floating icebergs, and we explore the extraordinary site and might see seals swimming in arctic waters. You can walk on the black sandy beach where large icebergs get stranded. In the afternoon we visit the tiny turf church at Hof and spend time at Europe’s largest national park, which has Iceland’s highest mountains, an alpine environment, and Europe's largest glacier. In the evening enjoy a film presentation about the Northern Lights as part of the Northern Lights Academy program. Be careful not to go to bed too soon in this remote and quiet location or you may just miss out one more chance of seeing the Northern Lights shimmering and dancing across the night sky.
Day 7: South Shore, Reykjavík & Blue Lagoon (370 Km/230 Mls)
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Icelandair Hotel Natura
From Kirkjubæjarklaustur we head across the Eldhraun lava field to the village of Vík, where we make a photo stop. The black lava beach with high bird cliffs and pounding waves is very impressive. Further west we reach the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall which plunges from the mountain. There is a trail that goes behind the falling water and offers interesting views, if you are prepared to get wet! In the afternoon we return to Reykjavik and have about 2 hour leisure time to explore Iceland's capital on our own, visit museums, do some shopping or simply rest after all this touring. In the evening we get to soak in the famous Blue Lagoon, followed by an Icelandic dinner at the Northern Light Inn Hotel and followed by one last nocturnal tour to seek more Northern Lights. Around midnight we reach Reykjavík for one last night.
Day 8: DEPARTURE HOME (50 km/31 mls)
Meals: Breakfast
Private transfer by bus (no guide) from your accommodation in Reykjavík to Keflavík airport.
Day 1: The Smoky Bay of Reykjavík
Welcome to Iceland. On arrival at Reykjavik’s Keflavik Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel on your complimentary Insight shuttle operated by Gray Line. Join your Travel Director and travel companions at 18:15 for a Welcome Drink served with canapés.
Fosshotel Reykjavík.
Day 2: Hot Springs, Waterfalls and Vík
Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, heading east to visit Iceland’s newest geothermal and electric power station at Hellisheiðavirkjun. Later, travel on to the ancient bishopric of Skalholt and see the historic church, set in a remote location amid magnificent natural scenery. Continue to the hot springs at Geysir and the mighty Gullfosswaterfalls, the Icelandic equivalent of Niagara Falls. In the afternoon, visit the majestic south coast waterfalls ofSeljalandsfoss and Skógafoss before continuing to your hotel in Vik.
Hótel Kría, Vik.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: By Glaciers and Icebergs to Höfn
Travel along the southern coast of Iceland, beside the black sand beaches and basalt rock formations.Continue through the National Park at Skaftafell and see the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajökull.Travel on to the luminous blue icebergs of Lake Jökulsárlón, the highlight of the day. This dramatic setting was featured in two James Bond films.Arrive in the small harbour town of Höfn, an active lobster fishing hub. From here, your Travel Director will lead a short orientation.Dine at your hotel's restaurant tonight and experience what the local produce has to offer.
Hótel Höfn.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Eastern Fjords to Egilsstaðir Relaxed Start
Explore yet another face of Iceland, as you drive through narrow fjords surrounded by steep cliffs and past small fishing villages. Catch a glimpse of Friar Island, once the home of Gaelic monks who settled here before the arrival of the Vikings. Continue to the lakeside town of Egilsstaðir.
Icelandair Hotel Herad, Egilsstadir.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: By Desert, Lakes and Divine Waterfalls to Akureyri
Continue on to the beautiful Lake Mývatn and explore a wide spectrum of geological formations and the concentrated geothermal activity produces mud pools and spectacular coloured deposits. This afternoon is a taste of the local rúgbrauð, a sweet and dense rye bread which is buried underground and baked by the heat from nearby hot springs.After an introduction how they use the Dimmuborgir lava fields for the cooking process enjoy a sample of the delicious bread served with butter. Continue to Akureyri where you have the evening to relax or explore at your leisure. Perhaps embark on an optional whale watching experience? (available during whale season)
Icelandair Hotel Akureyri.
Breakfast
Day 6: From the Capital of the North to Borgarnes Relaxed Start
Enjoy an orientation of Akureyri, the capital of northern Iceland, first established as a trading centre in 1602. Travel past mountains, waterfalls and green coastal regions. Later, continue on to the southwest coast of Borgarnes.
Icelandair Hotel Hamar, Borganes.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: Exploring Snæfellsjökull National Park
Travel along the Snæfellsnes Peninsula to Snæfellsjökull National Park, known as the Jewel of West Iceland and home to the country’s most famous volcano. See the magnificent Snæfellsjökull glacier surrounded by unspoiled natural beauty. En route, admire the impressive landscapes of Búðir, offering a mixture of sandy hills, black lava fields and a yellow beach. Next, take a stroll along the sea cliffs of Arnastapi with its unique column rock formations and take in the beautiful scenery.
Icelandair Hotel Hamar, Borganes.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: Thingvellir, Blue Lagoon and on to Reykjavík
Journey south to Thingvellir. This remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet.Explore Reykjavik with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the mineral-rich waters of the Blue Lagoon. Alternatively, discover Reykjavik's top sights on a walking tour with your Local Expert and stop along the way to sample local specialties.This evening, delight in a delicious Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant where you round off your journey through one of the world's most naturally beautiful places.
Fosshotel Reykjavík.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 9: Farewell Reykjavík
Your Icelandic adventure comes to an end, with a transfer to Reykjavík's Keflavík Airport.
Breakfast
