Iceland's Northern Lights

Iceland's Northern Lights

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11 Days From

$8364

$8101

Iceland's Northern Lights

11 Days Starting and ending in Iceland

Visiting: Reykjavík, Thingvellir National Park, Reykjanesfólkvangur, LAVA Centre, Höfn, Egilsstaðir, Mývatn, Akureyri

Tour operator:

Global Dream Travel

Tour code:

GDTEU2402

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 12

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

0-82

Special diets catered:

Vegans, Vegetarians, Meat

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Active, Small Group

Private Available:

Request A Private Tour

From: $8364 $8101 Mid-Year Mayhem Discount: -$263

NB: Prices correct on 27-Jul-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Welcome to the land of Fire and Ice - a land whose DNA is composed of the mighty mix of Celtic slaves, Dane and Norse Vikings! Human habitation and culture go back over 1,000 years, before which the island of active volcanoes, geysers, and lava fields was completely void by settlers. In recent years, Iceland has become famous for many reasons - the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis which are most likely to be seen between September and March, The Mountain from Game of Thrones (World's Strongest Man competitor), Black Beaches, the Eruptions of Volcanoes, fermented shark, excellent seafood and the world's best lamb, resourseful people, immigration from the EU and, of course, The Blue Lagoon. The capital Reykjavik, which means "smoky bay" is one of the smallest capitals in Europe and whilst the region is outside the EU, it freely trades within the European Economic area. The soccer team beat England, the sport's fans invented the "Viking Thunder Clap", two tectonic plates meet here, the salmon fishing is amongst the best in the world and there's no end to the great photos you can take of black sandy beaches with pieces of ice served up by the waves, waterfalls such as Gullfoss, amazing mountains, beautiful Icelandic horses and natural phenomena you are unlikely to see anywhere else. Iceland is truly unique. This trip starts and finishes in Reykjavik. We will do the whole of Route 1 in a counter-clockwise manner and see many of the very best highlights of the Island. Not only that, we want to take you off the beaten track and away from the big tour buses. This is not that kind of trip. It's full immersion with the natives, being eco-responsible, eating Icelandic food (perfect for all diets), seeing places only the locals know about, taking a boat out onto the bay to see the Northern Lights and much, much more. Getting excited to see the Aurora Borealis dance across the midnight sky on the frontier of the Arctic Circle? We are too. How about the best lobster soup and bread you've ever had? Or the best cod? How about Skyr and their liquorice chocolates. Iceland does everything differently, including producing all its energy from geothermal. You will learn a lot about a very resourceful people on this journey and experience one of the most beloved natural spectacles known to humankind. Get ready to see the world's most beautiful places and explore the land of Fire and Ice, the land of Vikings.

Highlights

  • Adventure out each evening to enjoy the natural light show of Aurora Borealis

  • See Glaciers, Black Beaches, Ice on the Waves, impressive Geothermal facilities, Lava Fields, Jagged Mountains, a Wild Coast, jaw-dropping waterfalls and experience why Nature is King

  • Learn about the Icelandic people - see their first parliament, uncover UNESCO GeoParks and understand how they survived 1,000 years in this environment.

  • Get away from the crowds in the capital and explore the real Iceland. Don't be a number, be a person who wants to respect the environment and focus on quality tourism.

  • Learn what happened when Iceland burned the bond holders and how the people protested at the Parliament with Pots and Pans

  • Try some of the local foods here - Skyr, salmon, lamb and and some bizarre ingredients that you won't find anywhere else.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrival And City Tour

Location: Keflavík International Airport

Accommodation: Hotel

Arrive in Keflavik Airport, Meet and Greet with your driver/guide and head into the centre where' you'll stay in a great hotel in the heart of the city. Check-in, freshen up and take a walking tour with a local specialist guide who'll give you the entire history and importance of the capital. They'll talk about the imporant buildings, best cafes and restaurants, cultural highlights and visitor attracitons, as well as answer any questions you may have about daily life here.

Day 2 : Reykjavik Exploration

Location: Reykjavík

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today explore the world's most northerly capital city - see the famous Halgrimskirkja and the National Musuem of Iceland. Enjoy some time today to gather some of your energy and indulge in your cultural interests before we head out on the road tomorrow.

Day 3 : Golden Circle Route

Location: Thingvellir National Park

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we're off on the Golden Circle route to see the incredibly intense geysers, waterfalls and majestic landscapes. We'll stop to get up close and personal with Icelandic Horses - learn why they are unique, where they came for and what they mean to the Icelandic people. Today we'll also visit the Tingvellir, the ancient Icelandic Parliament which is located at an incredible spot on a geological fault line.

Day 4 : Blue Lagoon And Lava Field

Location: Reykjanesfólkvangur

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we leave Reykjavik and head down to the Blue Lagoon where you'll get a chance to bathe in the natural geothermic warm waters of a Lava Field. As the most visited attraction in the country, the place has become iconic. We'll get there early in the morning and attempt to be first so you're not part of the crowds. We'll spend two hours here and those that don't want to participate can enjoy a drinks voucher, chilling out at the bar and having a look about the giftshop or through the glass at the bathers enjoying this unique experience. We'll continue on to one of our favourite scenic areas in Iceland, the Lava Park UNESCO Reykjanesfolkvangur. It's an out of this world landscape with lava formations, crater lakes, bird cliffs and bubbling geothermic fields.

We'll stop for lobster soup and bread rolls in a very interesting fishing town not visited often by tourists. We love it here. Onwards to the Black Beach and Glacier Lagoon - one of the most Instagramable places of sheer natural beauty in Iceland.

We'll overnight in Vik for two nights. Vik is the old norse for Bay - hence the word Vikings - Bay Raiders or Bay Dwellers.

Day 5 : Lava Centre Visit

Location: LAVA Centre

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we've got a visit to the Lava Centre - an incredible visit with superb Audio Visual about the geographical and geological uniqueness of Iceland. Drone footage and incredible visuals capture the spirit, active volcanoes, Northern Lights and much more. This is a truly excellent educational visit. There's a very good cafe here if you want to grab a cup.

We'll visit a folk musuem and have a private tour of the facility - learning about how the Icelandic people are incredibly resourceful - what they eat, drink and how they used all the parts of an animal for surviva. We'll learn about boat building, clothes, language and the ethnicity of the Icelandic people, as well as seeing the traditional homes people used to live in. We'll see a couple more interesting natural sights today - a spectacular waterfall and an amazing beach before heading back to the hotel.

Day 6 : Eastern Fjords

Location: Höfn

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we leave Vik for Hofn, an imporant fishing town and we'll stop for some incredible views along the Eastern Fjords on the way. One night here.

Day 7 : Egilstaddir

Location: Egilsstaðir

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we're up to Egilstaddir where there are some great museums on the rural life of the Interior Highlands of Iceland - a land known to few foreigners. We'll learn about traditional flora and fauna as well as try some Iceland Viking Starkur beer and fermented shark. There's a very interesting story to this and is part of the daily life of Iceland people - a land dominated by the sea and weather. Learn about the Local Icelandic "Loch Ness" Monster - Scotland isn't the only country with the legend of a giant creature occupying the deep waters. Overnight here.

Day 8 : Lake Myvatn

Location: Mývatn

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we'll continue on to the beautiful scenery at Lake Myvatn, one of our favourite areas in the country. The mountains and landscapes in this area are incredible. We'll overnight in Akureyri for two nights.

Day 9 : Explore Akureyri

Location: Akureyri

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today is a day at leisure to enjoy the second city of the country - try some of the local dining options, museums, galleries and perfectly clean air. It will be a good day to stretch the legs and explore at your own pace.

Day 10 : Return To Reykjavik

Location: Reykjavík

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we're back to Reyjavik with some important geological stops on the way and a couple of cultural visits. Stay tonight in the same central hotel as you did upon arrival. As your last night on the island why not taste the best of Iceland before we head out on the Bay for the Cruise to see the Northern Lights again.

Day 11 : Tour Ends

Location: Keflavík International Airport

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Transfer to the airport, bid adieu to your driver/guide and we hope you have a safe journey home or on to one of our other Travel Experiences in Continental Europe or Great Britain. Edinburgh and Glasgow are a short flight away for example. People often combine Scandinavia, Ireland and Great Britain or Eastern Europe with this trip.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

  • Airport Transfers at Destination

  • Fully Guided

  • Transport

  • Breakfast, local guiding services, recommendations, porterage

What's Not Included

  • Insurance

  • International Travel

  • Meals

Mode of Transport

Luxury touring vehicle

Accommodation

Minimum 4* standard on a bed and breakfast basis

Check out our Q&As

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    No

  • Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

    Yes

  • Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?

    No but we would recommend no more than one suitcase and one item of hand luggage per person

  • Do you require a visa for this holiday?

    Check depending on your nationality

  • Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?

    Yes

  • Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?

    Yes

  • What currencies are required for this tour?

    EUR

  • Company Instant Book

    Yes

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Yes

  • What is the tipping policy?

    This is always at the travellers discretion however we recommend a minimum of $20 per person per day

  • What happens if a group doesn’t make its minimum required number of passengers?

    N/A as the minimum is 2

  • Is there a supplement for solo travellers?

    Yes

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?

    Yes

  • What is the fitness level required to do this tour?

    Low

  • Is the tour coach air conditioned?

    Yes

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    No

  • Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?

    No

  • What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

    Minimum of 4*

  • Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?

    Yes

  • Are vaccinations required for this tour?

    No

  • What is the maximum group size?

    12

  • Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?

    Yes

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    The co-founders joined forces in early 2023, so we have been trading for over 3 years. With our combined experience, we have been operating tours for over 25 years which has enabled us to deliver the trip of a lifetime for so many of our travellers.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    Yes you can, and whilst we may be able to provide assistance in transportation to meet the group this may come at an additional cost to you.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    You can change or cancel your trip up to 30 days before the start of your trip for free, however after this time it is down to suppliers as to whether or not you get a full refund. We will always endeavor to get as much back to you as possible but we cannot guarantee a full refund after this point

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Absolutely - we select accommodations that are a minimum of 4* standard so ensure the comfort and safety for our travellers. In some remote areas (e.g the Scottish Highlands, safaris etc.) where this isn't always available, we carefully select local lodges or bed and breakfasts which adhere to our high standards.

Reviews of this operator

James Laviolette  

Perfectly planned trip Scotland/Ireland 2023

14-Apr-2023

Perfectly planned trip. It was my retirement trip with my wife and Conor did an amazing job from start to finish. We went to two cities in Scotland then flew to Dublin and rented a car for 2 weeks. We had an amazing time. Conor texted us everyday to see how we were getting along and to make suggestions for sights to see and good places to eat. We are forever grateful.

Susan Osgood  

Outstanding experience!

05-May-2023

Just returning from an amazing Ecuadorian vacation (Quito and Galapagos Islands), beautifully orchestrated by GDT. They mastered the details - accommodations, meals, activities, local guides - all top notch. I have nothing negative to say. Being a less experienced traveler, GDT's care in planning, ease of availability, and passion for sharing the best of our world, at your pace, instilled confidence. Yes, you can be a world traveler, too! I highly recommend GDT, and will definitely use them again on my next excursion.

Therese Zimmer-Farid  

Above & Beyond our wildest dreams!

13-Mar-2023

Global Dream Travel made our vacation amazing! Conor & Adam were top of the line from the very beginning with the logistics, research and planning the itinerary to include every experience we were hoping to have. What we didn't expect were all the extras that came from Global Dream Travel (Conor & Adam's) long time experience, connections and going above and beyond our wildest dreams! If we did this on our own it would have taken a lot of research and time to have a good trip. With Global Dream Travel and very little work on our end, we had an EXCEPTIONAL trip. There were sights and experiences we never could have even known existed without their expertise. For example; enjoying an elegant lunch in a castle, on top of a mountain, overlooking a pristine Lake and the Alps as a backdrop! This is just one of the countless surprises we encountered as well as the continued help and guidance navigating a foreign country with all the nuances one can never fully account for. Global dream travel did all of this seamlessly and with ease, laughter, no worries and complete and utter enjoyment. Thank you so much for a dream come true! We cannot wait for our next dream vacation with you!

Jan Zimmer  

You don’t have to worry about anything. They have plans in place and you just enjoy the experience

06-Apr-2023

Global Dream Travel gave me the best experience of my life! I’ve never been to Europe and I can’t say enough positive things to express how wonderful it was. We had tour guides at each country to give historical and current information. That was all prearranged for us. Hotels were also prearranged and were outstanding! To say this was a trip of a lifetime is an understatement. Without Global Dream Travel, it would have been ok but stressful getting to and from places. Finding hotels and places of interest, restaurants, getting to and from airport was all taken care of. We didn’t have concerns about anything. I will never travel without Global Dream Travel planning our dream trip!! Thank you Conor! We had the best time.

Howard Shempp  

The people of Ireland were the high point.

13-Sep-2022

Overall we saw and experienced a lot of Ireland in our recent two week tour. We were able to meet many people as Conor, our guide and driver engaged them in conversation and enhanced our experience even further. He placed us in hotels that were all 4 star or better. In each overnight stop the restaurants recommended were very high quality. His experience showed in so many ways. We were in the more crowded venues before the tour buses showed up and always seemed to be one step ahead of the crowds. We were given lots of free time to explore towns and villages on our own and the schedule allowed flexibility and selection of the venues to be visited. Unusual in tour we never felt rushed, he was very sensitive to our needs and changed plans quickly if we wanted to see something not on the schedule. The tour vehicle was small for our group but it did allow us to get into some sites easier. The follow up after the tour was amazing. He helped us in our travel plans when the airlines went down and was there before during and after the tour when we needed help. Highly recommend this company.

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Tuesday - Friday

Oct 08, 2024 - Oct 18, 2024
$8364 $8101

Mid-Year Mayhem Discount: -$263

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Global Dream Travel allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 60 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Global Dream Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform global dream travel, 60 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Global Dream Travel requires a minimum deposit of 100% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 180 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of global dream travel charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

    At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

  • Flexible Booking Available

    Change your dates for free up until 60 days prior to departure

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