POLAR EXPLORATION
THE UNTOUCHED
At the top of many travel bucket lists is a journey to the Polar regions. Enjoy unique adventures around the most scenic natural wonders of the world including magnificent waterfalls, breathtaking sights of the fjords, enormous ice shelves and majestic mountains or to experience the most amazing moment of your lifetime under the sky watching the Northern lights or encounter with the world’s most endangered species on an active expedition tour.
Absorb the rich culture and cinematic landscape of a country in style.
Ravishingly beautiful and enchanting to explore.
Explore the unspoiled Icelandic countryside with volcanoes, lava fields, hot springs, mountains, fjords, glaciers, & waterfalls
Iceland is a country of sharp contrasts. A place where fire and ice co-exist. Where dark winters are offset by the summer’s midnight sun. A country where insular existence has spurred a rich and vibrant culture.
Thanks to the Gulf Stream, Iceland enjoys a cool, temperate maritime climate, with refreshing summers and surprisingly mild temperatures in winter.
Travel to Iceland to experience the stunning Icelandic nature, the beauty of the rugged landscape and the creativity of the Icelandic people.
Departures: Every Friday & Tuesday.
7 nights stay at 3 and 4 star hotels
Daily breakfast
Return airport transfer by shuttle
6 days escorted bus tour with English speaking guide or driver-guide
Visit to natural history & seal museum in Hvammstangi, 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
Icelandic horse stables
Geothermal Greenhouse.
ARRIVAL
Upon arrival at Reykjavik international airport, you will clear customs and immigration and then you will be met by our representative here and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight in Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura or similar.
VOLCANO CRATER, SEALS, FJORDS & MOUNTAINS
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.
The overnight location is Icelandair Hotel Akureyri or similar.
THE CAPITAL OF NORTH ICELAND, LAKE MÝVATN & GEOTHERMAL BATHS
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 a prominent 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 pseudocraters 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.
The overnight location is either at Sel-Hotel Mývatn or a hotel in the Húsavík area.
LAVA LABYRINTH, HOT SPRINGS & TRAVEL EAST
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 moon-like 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.
The overnight location is either at Icelandair Hotel Hérað or Álfheimar Guesthouse in Borgarfjörður-Eystri.
FJORDS, GLACIER AND ICE
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 the route we visit Petra’s impressive 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 often 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 some time at Europe’s second largest national park, which has Iceland’s highest mountains, an alpine environment, and Europe’s largest glacier.
The overnight location is either at Icelandair Hotel Kirkjubæjarklaustur or Hotel Höfn.
SOUTH COAST
A beautiful drive with many natural wonders awaits us today as we head across the Eldhraun lava field, cross the sandy desert of the south coast, overlooked by rugged cliffs, glaciers, and waterfalls. The world-famous Reynisfjara shore, near the village Vík, is widely regarded as the most impressive black sand and pebble beach in Iceland and features an amazing cliff of regular basalt columns resembling a rocky step pyramid. Out in the sea are the spectacularly shaped basalt sea stacks Reynisdrangar. In the small village of Skógar, there is Skógafoss waterfall which is 62 meters high and is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country. Further west we stop at the Eyjafjallajökull Information Center and learn about living next to a glacier and an active volcano. We continue to the 65-meter 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!
The overnight location is either at Icelandair Hotel Flúðir or Hotel Eyjafjallajökull or Hotel Fljótshlíð.
ICELANDIC HORSES & GOLDEN CIRCLE
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 unique 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 travellers all year round. We venture inland to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site, and an area of exceptional geological and historical interest. The Þingvellir area is part of a fissure zone running through Iceland, situated on the tectonic plate boundaries of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The faults and fissures make evident the rifting of the earth’s crust. As we return to Reykjavík, we take you for a short city tour to show highlights of the world’s northernmost capital.
Overnight is Icelandair Hotel Natura or similar.
DEPARTURE
Breakfast at your own, after check out from hotel, you will be transferred by shuttle to Keflavik international airport for your departure flight.
Tour Ends
Airfare
Visa
Optional tours, excursions and activities.
Travel Insurance
All other services not mentioned under ‘Inclusions’
*Prices mentioned is starting from, per person based on 2 persons travelling together and sharing twin/double room, subject to seasonal surcharges and availability.
ITL World reserve the right to amend the prices in case of currency fluctuations, changes in rates of exchange, and/or fuel costs, special or high season charges and hike in the airline/hotel/rail/land transportation charges before the date of departure.
For convenience of passengers and / or feasibility of operations, ITL World or their service providers may sometimes amend the itinerary.
International hotel check in time is between 2pm and 3pm and check out time is between 11am and 12pm. (Exceptions apply). Early check in and or late check-out is subject to availability of rooms and may be chargeable.
It is the responsibility of the passengers to ensure they hold valid passport, visa, travel and medical insurance, vaccination etc., as applicable for each destination.
City/tourist tax as applicable, must be paid directly at the hotel.
To assist with visa application process, ITL World would provide copies of air tickets, travel insurance and other ground service vouchers for bookings made and fully paid for. Approval and issuance of visa is at the discretion of respective Embassies or Consulates and ITL World cannot in anyway influence this process. Certain nationals however receive visa on arrival in select countries, subject to prior online approvals