TRIPS

Best of Iceland – 8 Days

(1 customer review)

$ 2,145.00

Follow Iceland’s Ring Road and discover the dramatic landscape with volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, lava fields, massive glaciers and tracing Iceland’s Viking history.

8 Days showcase Reykjavik – North Iceland – Lake Mývatn – East Iceland – Vatnajökull Region – South Iceland

Description

Day 1, TUE or FRI: WELCOME to ICELAND
Transfer by Flybus shuttle bus from Keflavik Airport to Icelandair Hotel Natura in Reykjavík where you spend the night.

Icelandair Hotel Natura or similar

Day 2, WED or SAT: VOLCANO CRATER, SEALS, FJORDS & MOUNTAINS (B) 
At 09:00 meet our tour guide and depart from Icelandair Hotel Natura. Travel west, passing the town of Borgarnes and climb the Grábrók volcano crater. In the afternoon visit a natural history & seal museum in a small fishing village in Northwest Iceland and stroll around the local harbour.

Further north we stop at the turf church of Víðimýri which has been extensively restored to its original form and is widely considered one of the purest and most beautiful examples of traditional Icelandic architecture. We continue along scenic fjord landscape and over several mountain passes until we reach Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland.

Icelandair Hotel Akureyri

Day 3, THU or SUN: THE CAPITAL OF NORTH ICELAND, LAKE MÝVATN & GEOTHERMAL BATHS (B)
In the morning we explore Akureyri, a charming town of 17000 inhabitants, visit the botanical garden and enjoy the panoramic view over Eyjafjörður fjord. In the afternoon we travel to an important spot in Iceland’s history, Goðafoss, the waterfalls of the Gods. We continue to Lake Mývatn which is known for its geological wonders and active bird life during summer.

We stop at the bizarre lava formations at Kálfaströnd followed by a walk around the many pseudo craters and end an exciting day with a relaxing soak at Mývatn Nature Baths that contains a unique blend of minerals, silicates and geothermal micro-organisms. The warm soothing waters benefit both skin and spirit alike.

Sel Hotel Mývatn or similar

Day 4, FRI or MON: LAVA LABYRINTH, HOT SPRINGS & TRAVEL EAST (B)
In the morning we hike in a lava labyrinth at Dimmuborgir “the dark castles”, hoping to get a glimpse of the trolls who are said to live there. After an optional lunch we visit the hot spring area of Námaskarð with bubbling mud pools and steaming solfataras.

We head through the uninhabited highlands and moonlike surrounding to East Iceland. With some luck we might spot an Arctic fox or see reindeer. From June to August the tour includes a detour to Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall in the northern part of Vatnajökull National Park. Overnight location at Icelandair Hotel Hérað.

Icelandair Hotel Hérað or Álfheimar Guesthouse

Day 5, SAT or TUE: FJORDS, GLACIER AND ICE (B)
It’s a day to admire the dramatic fjord landscape and its tiny fishing villages at the end of twisty roads in the East Fjords and on route we visit an interesting stone and mineral collection. In the afternoon we see Vatnajökull – Europe’s biggest glacier that is visible all over Southeast Iceland. Past the town of Höfn, we stop at 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. Depending on the season optional boat trips are available. We travel along the southern part of the glacier Vatnajökull and spend time at Europe’s largest national park, which has Iceland’s highest mountains, an alpine environment, and Europe’s largest glacier. Overnight location at Icelandair Hotel Kirkjubæjarklaustur.

Hotel Höfn

Day 6, SUN or WED: SOUTH COAST (B)
We start the day with a stop at 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. Depending on the season optional boat trips are available.

We travel along the southern part of the glacier Vatnajökull 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 afternoon, a beautiful drive with many natural wonders awaits us as we head across the Eldhraun lava field, cross the sandy desert of the south coast, overlooked by mountainous cliffs, glaciers and waterfalls. We stroll along the black lava beach of Reynisfjara near Vík. In the small village of Skógar there is Skógafoss waterfall which is 60 meters high and is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country. We continue to the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall which plunges over the mountain. There is an interesting trail that goes behind the fall – if you are prepared to get wet! Further west we stop at the Lava Centre and learn about Iceland’s volcanic activity.

Hotel Eyjafjallajökull

Day 7, MON or THU: ICELANDIC HORSES & GOLDEN CIRCLE (B)
We explore classics today as we travel the route of the Golden Circle sights. We start the day at Friðheimar, where you learn about the Icelandic horse, its special qualities and history and visit a geothermal greenhouse. Later on we see steam 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.

We continue to Gullfoss, “the golden falls”, which is a double waterfall that tumbles 34 meters into the Hvítá river and attracts travelers in summer and winter. We travel inland to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. As we return to Reykjavík, we take you for a short city tour to show highlights of the world’s northernmost capital.

Icelandair Hotel Natura or similar

Day 8, TUE or FRI: DEPARTURE HOME (B)
Individual transfer by Flybus airport shuttle to Keflavík Airport.



Low Season
$2145
Land only per person based on sharing

  • Single supplement: $650

Fair Season
$2285
Land only per person based on sharing

  • Single supplement: $675

High Season
$2485
Land only per person based on sharing

  • Single supplement: $875

Peak Season
$2785
Land only per person based on sharing

  • Single supplement: $1115

DEPARTURE DATES 2019 – 2020

November to December
January to April
May
June to September


GROUP DEPARTURE CALENDAR Tue – Fri

January:
Tue: 8,15,22,29
Fri: 4,11,18,25
February:
Tue: 5,12,19,26
Fri: 1,8,15,22
March:
Tue: 2,9,16,23,30
Fri: 1,8,15,22,29
April:
Tue: 2,9,16,23,30
Fri: 5,12,19,26
May:
Tue: 7,14,21,28
Fri: 3,10,17,24,31
June:
Tue: 4,11,18,25
Fri: 7,14,21,28
July:
Tue: 2,9,16,23,30
Fri: 5,12,19, 26
August:
Tue: 6,13,20,27
Fri: 2,9,16,23,30
September:
Tue: 3,10,17,24
Fri: 6,13,20,27
October
Tue: 1,8,15,22,29
Fri:4,11,18,25
November:
Tue: 5,12,19,26
Fri: 1,8,15,22,29
December:
Tue: 3,10,17
Fri:6,13,20

Additional information

OVERVIEW

Explore the island of fire and ice on Iceland's ring road. Discover stunning scenery and dramatic landscapes. A local expert guide helps you explore the unspoiled Icelandic countryside with volcanoes, lava fields, hot springs, mountains, fjords, glaciers and waterfalls.

DEPARTURE

Guaranteed twice-weekly departures on Tuesdays and Friday (except Christmas and New Year).

HOTELS

As indicated in the itinerary

INCLUSIONS

 Arrival & departure airport transfer by FLYBUS Plus shuttle
 Fully escorted 6-day bus tour with an English speaking guide
 Daily breakfast
 Visit to natural history & seal museum in Hvammstangi
 Visit to Viðimýri turf church
 Entrance with towel at Mývatn Nature Baths
 Admission to Petra’s Stone and Mineral Collection in the East Fjords
 Multimedia presentation at Eyjafjallajökull Volcano Information Center
 Visit to Icelandic horse stables & geothermal greenhouse
 Use of snow & ice gripper spikes and a flash light for winter departures

EXCLUSIONS

◾International Airfare, Call 1-888-887-1688 to get a quote from your home city
◾Meals not specified in the itinerary
◾Travel insurance. visa fees, gratuities, drinks, personal spending and optional activities. etc.
◾NATURE FEES: some of the nature attractions around Iceland might charge an entrance fee during the trip. These entrance fees are not included in the tour price and need to be paid by all tour members additionally on the spot, when entering any of these nature sites. Locations, amount of entrance fee, form of payment and other details are not known at the present time and are subject to change.

QUESTIONS

Should you have any further questions, please call 1888-887-1688 for assistance or chat online with us.

1 review for Best of Iceland – 8 Days

  1. Pierre & Brunhilde

    We dealt with Trip Connoisseurs mainly through Susan at Maritime Travel. We were very happy to obtain this package so late in the season and on a very short notice.

    We enjoyed very much our trip to Iceland. We specially enjoyed the cool weather that gave us a good break over the excessive hot and damp weather we had most of the summer.

    OUR RATING:

    SERVICE PROVIDED BY TRIP CONNOISSEURS

    Friendliness / Courtesy: Excellent

    Knowledge / Efficiency: Excellent

    Quality of trip consultation: Excellent

    Information & Final Documents: Good

    OVERALL TRIP ENJOYMENT

    Flight arrangement: Good

    Hotel Accommodation: Excellent

    Restaurants & Meals featured: Excellent

    Sightseeing tours featured: Excellent

    Service of local guides: Excellent

    Vehicle condition: Excellent

    Service of drivers: Excellent

    Thank you for arranging this trip for us,
    Pierre & Brunhilde, August 2016

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