Compare Iceland North East Triangle by Nordika Travel vs Iceland In-Depth featuring the Northern Lights by Tours of Distinction
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 7 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 2,610 | $ 3,699 |
| Price Per Day | $ 373 | $ 462 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Luxury |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
6 Breakfasts | 3 Lunches | 5 Dinners |
| Description |
Take a triangular route capturing the sparkling colours and historical gems of Iceland´s wondrous East and North. Discover dramatic hues found in the reindeer-filled eastern wilderness highlands, the majestic glacial and volcanic creations of the Diamond Circle, steep fjords plunging sharply into the seas …and more. Tucked away in these amazing areas you´ll also discover cultural treasures bringing you closer to the fascinating heritage of this intriguing part of Iceland. Add in some tasty local treats and a few beloved West Iceland wonders, and you will experience a complete Icelandic spectrum. |
Iceland is one of the world’s ultimate islands of contrasts… fire and ice; long nights with colorful northern lights and daylight for 20 hours; glaciers and steaming hot geysers, waterfalls galore, pretty puffins, and magical elves. It is a fierce landscape of volcanoes, plains of mossy, craggy cliffs, and black sand beaches. It is an island still being formed by water, ice, and fire and closer than you believe. |
Day 1: Welcome to Iceland
On your own transfer to Reykjavik, which we can make arrangements and book for you. Depending on your arrival time you may want to visit The Blue Lagoon, which is on your way to your hotel (reservation is required/admission not included). Ask us to add this amazing stop to your trip.
Once you check into your hotel (most hotels begin check-in at 2pm), you are free to enjoy Reykjavik and dine on your own.
Day 2: Egilsstadir - East Iceland Mountains and Moors - Wilderness Center of Iceland
Legendary Lake - Secret Waterfall - Turf roofed mansion - Highland Wilderness Gateway
Breakfast at your hotel. In the early morning, your guide will pick you up at your hotel to check in at the domestic airport in Reykjavik. Catch a one-hour flight to Egilsstadir, the capital of the East. If the skies are clear, then you will have amazing views during your flight of the dramatic mountains and glaciers of the highland interior.
Upon arrival at Egilsstadir, you will drive to Fljotsdalur Valley, which rich green forest boardering the legendary Lagarfljót lake. According to local folklore, the lake is home to a sea monster similar to the one in Loch Ness, Scotland, but with its own unique story.
Visit Hengifoss, a little-glimpsed silvery waterfall dropping down a multicolored cliff. then discover local heritage at skriduklaustur, the turf roofed black and brown stone mansion of renowned Icelandic poet gunnar Gunnarsson. This are was also the site of a medieval monastery that helped perserve Old Norse history and lore, and you can discover a few written treasures here.
Then it is time to head to the edge of the eastern highland wilderness a stunning area of vast green heaths, black mountains and rushing glacial rivers. The Icelandic highlands are Northern Europe's largest wilderness area. the new Wilderness Center is the gateway to the highlands, and it is also am experience of history. Walk over a wooden bridge and into the past as you discover beautifully restored farm buildings from various periods in Iceland's highland history, including a turf roofed smoke house. An interactive exhibit tells you the story of the highlands nature and the independent people who settled here.
As part of your experience, you will also enjoy coffee and home baked Icelandic refreshments in an old farmhouse kitchen along with a chance to chat with the area locals. With luck, you may also catch a glimpse of reindeer, the symbol of East Iceland, as they wander in the mountains surrounding the Wilderness Center.
Dinner and Overnight in Egilsstadir
Day 3: Lake Myvatn Area
Highland desert - Lava Formations - Pseudo Craters - Colorful Geothermal Area
Breakfast at your hotel. Cross the vast black sand deserts of the Modrudalsoraefi highland wilderness, before heading to the Lake Myvatn area. Today we explore the natural beauty of this world renowned volcanic area, including the mysterious black lava formations at Dimmuborgir, the Jade green and umber pseudo craters at skutustadir and the intense colors of Namaskard pass with its boiling mud pools and fumaroles. One of the Myvatn area's claims to fame is that it is home to more species of ducks than any other place on earth, with a very diverse birdlife in general.
Dinner and overnight stay in the Myvatn area for the next 2 nights
Day 4: The Diamond Circle, Dettifoss - Asbyrgi - Husavik
Europe's Mightiest Waterfall - Horseshoe Shaped Canyon - Charming Fishing Village
Breakfast at your hotel, Myvatn makes up part of the magnigicent Diamond Circle route. Today you will see other nature wonders on this route. Cross a bridge over a powerful glacial river that flows through Jokulsargljufur, Iceland's longest river canyon the Viking settlers believed to be created be the legendary 8 legged horse Sleipnie. The next stop will be in Husavik, Iceland's main whale watching town. Enjoy a walk through the busy harbor area in town and admire the bright hued and charming buildings
Dinner and overnight stay in the Myvatn area
Day 5: The Troll Peninsula - Akureyri - Siglufjordur
Waterfall of the Gods - Capital of the North - Fishing Villages
Breakfast at your hotel. Travel west towards the bustling northern port of Akureyri, making a stop at the magnificent Godafoss, the waterfall of the Gods. Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland, which was voted #1 in the Lonely Planet's Best Destinations 2015. The town has some of the finest timber buildings in the country, beautifully restored to their original glory. it sits in an amazing setting of glacier capped mountains and the blue waters of Eyafjordur.
Continue along Eyjafjordur with its magnificent views. Take a tour of Ektafiskur, a family owned fish processing company that makes gourmet quality bacalao. Continue through the fjords where black steep mountains drop into the vast blue seas. Pass through the small fishing villages Dalvik and Olafsfjordur and onwards to Siglufjprdur, a very pretty town in a haunting fjord setting. Visit Segull 67, a family owned microbrewery.
Overnight stay at the new Hotel Siglo in Siglufjordur. Dinner is on your own and there are several delightful restaurants to chose from.
Day 6: Siglufjordur - Deildartunguhver - Hraunfossar - Reykjavik
Award Winning Herring Era Museum - Europe's Most Powerful Hot Spring - Lava Waterfalls
Breakfast at your hotel.. In the morning, explore Siglufjordur and visit the award winning Herring Era Museum, where a 1950s harbor atmosphere has been brought to life and taste herring as a part of the visit.
In the afternoon, drive through Skagafjordur, an area central to Icelandic history and culture. It is also Iceland's main horse breeding area. You will pass fields with horses of many colors grazing on the wild grasses. Cross Holtavorduheidi plateau, the gateway between North and South, on your way to the West of Iceland, which is characterized by fjords, valleys, volcanos and craters. Lonely Planet chose West Iceland as one of their Top Places to Visit in 2016.
In the West, water flows fir the earth in every form, from rivers of sparkling cool mineral water to Europe's most voluminous hot spring, Deildartungahver. Stop to admire the beautiful Hraunfossar waterfalls seeping through black lava rock, before the last stop of the day in Borgarnes at the Farmers Market, Ljómalind. The non profit market offers seasonal and regional produce and is run on a volunteer basis by local ladies. Continue via Hvalfjordur tunnel back to Reykjavik.
Dinner in Reykjavik is on your own.
Day 7: Departure
Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to the airport is not included. We advise departing your hotel no later than 3 hours before your international flight.
If you did not visit The Blue Lagoon (Reservation required) on your arrival day, you might use the opportunity to stop there now on the way to the airport.
Day 1 - Depart for Reykjavik, Iceland
Transfer to the airport and check-in for your overnight flight to Reykjavik.
Day 2 - Reykjavik
Arrive in Reyjakvik and head toward the famous Blue Lagoon. The lagoon is a geothermal wonder of nature, with pleasantly warm mineral rich geothermal seawater in the middle of a lava field. The high natural levels of silica, minerals and algae give the Lagoon its rich blue colour – hence the name Blue Lagoon. Later, a city tour will show us the highlights of the capital.
Welcome dinner and overnight at your Reykjavík hotel.
Day 3 - Iceland Countryside
After breakfast, we drive north out of Reykjavik and through the tunnel under Hvalfjordur, one of the country’s longest fjords. We make a visit at the Settlement Center museum in Borgarnes. We continue through the pretty lake-dotted valleys of the Borgarfjördur district where the ice-age glacier covered the area about 10,000 years ago. We will then make a brief stop at Deidartunguhver, Europe’s largest hot spring, where around 200 liters of 97C hot water flows from the earth every second. Enjoy our short stop at the beautiful waterfalls of Hraunfossar and Barnafossar in the river Hvítá before returning to Borgarnes.
Lunch and dinner and overnight in Borgarnes.
Day 4 - Iceland Countryside
The first highlight of the day is Thingvellir, the great lava arena in a rift valley, where the divide between the Eurasian and the North American tectonic plates is clearly visible. Founded by the Norse settlers in 930 AD in Thingvellir, you will see the world’s oldest still-existing national parliament. Get ready to visit Gullfoss, which is often described as Iceland´s most beautiful waterfall, and the famous Geyser area, Strokkur, the world´s most active, is likely to spout several times. We make our final stop at Friðheimar, known for using geothermal heating for cultivation of tomatoes and cucumbers – come and enjoy their famous tomato soup.
Light lunch in Frioheimar. Dinner and overnight in Selfoss.
Day 5 - Iceland Countryside
Today we will drive along the south coast and visit the magnificent waterfall of Seljalandsfoss. It is a narrow and high waterfall which plunges over the mountains of West Eyjafjöll. From there we head to Vík, a village east of Mt. Reynisfjall in Myrdal. In Vík and the neighboring coastline, there is a wealth of contrasts and landscapes renowned for their natural beauty. Mt. Reynisfjall and its cliffs have few rivals in Iceland for richness of vegetation and bird life and the black sand beach Reynisfjara is a large breeding colony for the Arctic tern. According to local folklore, three rock stacks rise up to 66m from the sea: Skessudrangar, Landdrangar and Langhamrar and are said to be trolls turned to stone at sunrise. Then we continue towards Kirkjubæjarklaustur, which in the old days was known as „Kirkjubær“ (Church Farm) and was an important farming village.
Day 6 - Iceland Countryside
From Klaustur, we travel along the south coast to Skaftafell. Skaftafell National Park was designated as one of Iceland´s three National Parks in 1967. Towering mountains, imposing glaciers, gulches with clear brooks and beautiful waterfalls, birch woods, a wealth of wild flowers and lush vegetation give credence to its status. The most majestic of its several waterfalls is Svartifoss (“Black Falls”) that cascade over a wall of symmetrical columnar basalt that resembles an organ. En-route to our stop for the evening, we visit glacier lagoon Jökulsárlón and the museum Þórbergssetur in Höfn. The museum is dedicated to one of Iceland‘s most significant twentieth century author, Þórbergur Þórðarson.
Day 7 - Iceland Countryside - Reykjavik
Today, we start by making a stop at the breathtaking waterfall Skógarfoss, which is 60m high and one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country. After, we experience the Folk Museum at Skógar before continuing to the power plant Hellisheiðarvirkjun for a Geothermal Exhibition about geothermal energy in Iceland.
Overnight at your Reykjavik hotel.
Day 8 - Depart Reykjavik
Say goodbye to Iceland this morning as we head to the airport for our flight. Upon arrival in the USA, transfer home.
