5 Days Iceland Tour: Akureyri & Highlights Of The North

5 Days Iceland Tour: Akureyri & Highlights Of The North includes all the"must-sees" of the northern part of Iceland, as well as some delights off the beaten track. Day 1, Saturday: AKUREYRI & SURROUNDINGS Flight from Reykjavik, arrival to Akureyri (not included in the tour package) and transfer to the city. We start a 4-hour tour of Akureyri and the surrounding area. During the tour we drive through the old center with charming old houses and visit the church of Akureyri which towers over the downtown area. In clear weather we drive up to the hills above Akureyri from where we get a great view over the town and the fjord. Then we head on to one of the valleys in Eyjafjordur area where we visit a typical Icelandic farm, enjoy light refreshment, get the chance to meet with the locals and pet the farm animals. After the tour, check in at the hotel in Akureyri and the rest of the afternoon is free to explore the town center. A visit to the swimming pool is highly recommended! Accommodation in Akureyri Optional tour in the evening (with supplement cost): - in summer: Arctic Circle Express to Grimsey Island (June – 10 August) or whale watching - in autumn/winter: Northern lights tour Day 2 – Sunday: GODAFOSS - LAKE MYVATN We drive east along Eyjafjordur towards Godafoss waterfall. Then continue to Laxá river and Lake Myvatn area where we spend the day exploring the natural volcanic wonders. We enter the Rift zone and along the way you will see clear signs of past activity, as recent as 1975-84. Among the highlights are pseudocraters at Skutustadir, Dimmuborgir (The Dark Castle) and the solfatara field at Namaskard with its boiling mud pits and steam vents. In summer months the Lake is teeming with bird life as various bird and duck species come nesting in the surroundings of the lake. During the cold winter months large parts of the lake freezes which offers possibilities for various activity on the ice. Accommodation in the area of Lake Myvatn for the next 2 nights. Day 3 - Monday: HUSAVIK COUNTRY TOUR Day tour to Husavik and the countryside. We drive north through the desert land of Holasandur and past the Laxavirkjun hydro-electric power station on the beautiful Laxa river in the green valley of Adaldalur. Here we visit the old turf farm and folk museum at Grenjadarstadur which offers a glimpse into the times of the past. We continue to the thriving fishing village of Husavik which has become particularly well known for whale watching and the Whale Museum based in the town. We have time to visit the museum and learn about these impressive sea mammals. We return to Lake Myvatn, there is a possibility to revisit the Nature Baths, enjoy a local hike or join a riding tour in the area. Accommodation in the area of Lake Myvatn. Day 4 - Tuesday: DETTIFOSS - AKUREYRI Drive to Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall which drops 45m deep into the canyon of Jokulsargljufur. The tour involves an easy 20-min. walk by a gravel path to reach the waterfall (summer months). During winter it may be necessary to walk through snow to get to the waterfall but the majestic view is well worth the effort. Reaching Dettifoss is dependent on weather and road conditions during winter months. If this case an alternative itinerary will be offered. We leave Lake Myvatn area and return to Akureyri. Overnight in hotel in Akureyri. Day 5 - Wednesday: AKUREYRI - REYKJAVIK Morning free to explore the city on your own. Early afternoon transfer to Akureyri airport in time for your flight to Reykjavik or Keflavik ( self organised or pre-booked upon request at supplement cost).