Kaleidoscope of Iceland from $3,009

Uncategorized > Kaleidoscope of Iceland from $3,009

Day 1: Depart for Iceland
Catch your flight in New York headed to Iceland.

Day 2: Arrive Iceland
Early morning arrival in Iceland, “Land of the Midnight Sun”. Transfer from Keflavik airport to your hotel in Reykjavik. Later this morning, enjoy a orientation tour of the city. Your first stop is at Bessastaðir, where you can see the residence of the Icelandic President. The tour traverses the old town center to the Parliament, the Cathedral, the harbor, the National Museum and the Höfdi House, site of the 1986 Iceland Summit where Reagan and Gorbachev met. The tour also includes a stop at Perlan, located on the Öskjuhlid hill, which offers a spectacular view over the capital area. Pass by the outdoor swimming pool heated by geothermal waters and a museum dedicated to the renowned sculptor Asmundur Sveinsson. Tonight, enjoy a welcome drink and meeting with your tour manager and fellow travelers.
Stay: Reykjavík Natura, Reykjavik

Day 3: Snæfellsnes National Park, Stykkishólmur Harbor
Begin your journey into the countryside at the magnificent Snæfellsnes Peninsula with its striking Snæfellsjökull Glacier, Jules Verne’s mysterious entrance to the center of the earth. In this thriving community with rich cultural diversity, view the coastline dotted with small villages and bustling harbors. Then, on to the expansive black sea shore of Djúpalónssandur and the picturesque harbor village of Arnarstapi, with its magnificent columnar basalt rock formations. At the Stykkishólmur harbor, opportunity to join the unique optional Breidafjördur Fjord Boat Tour, including bird watching and tastings of scallops fresh from the sea. Dinner at the hotel later this evening.
Stay: Hotel Stykkisholmur, Stykkisholmur

Day 4: Akureyri, Botanical Gardens
Today, an early departure to Akureyri, cultural capital of the North, nestled at the head of Iceland’s greatest fjord, with stunning views of snow-capped peaks. An orientation tour familiarizes us with the city’s history as a trading center established in 1602. You can still see some of the finest timber buildings in the country, beautifully restored to their original glory. Enjoy a visit to the Botanical Gardens featuring specimens of almost all native Icelandic plants. Then, walk through the energetic center of the city with its lively cafes and handicraft shops.
Stay: 3 nights: Hotel Kea, Akureyri

Day 5: Héðinsfjörður Tunnel, Siglufjörður in North Iceland
Travel through the Héðinsfjörður Tunnel to the historic herring-fishing town of Siglufjörður, the nearest town to the Arctic Circle, clinging to a dramatic fjord on the very edge of Iceland’s steep northernmost mountains. On the tour of the award-winning Herring Era Museum, we’re introduced to the history of the very important herring fishing industry. Sample traditional rye bread, local herring and also the famous iced Icelandic schnapps! Leisure time to explore Siglufjörður. Stop at the picturesque harbor to watch fishermen mending their nets and see the fish hanging out to dry. Wander through the art galleries, cafes and shops. At the end of the day, return to Akureyri via the villages of Ólafsfjörður and Dalvík .

Day 6: Lake Mývatn, Goðafoss Waterfall, Natural Baths
Today head to lovely Lake Mývatn, with its crystal-blue waters, in one of Iceland’s prettiest areas, known for its geothermal activity. Stop at the majestic two-tiered Goðafoss Waterfall, named the “Waterfall of the Gods” according to Icelandic sagas, equivalent in size to Niagara. In this paradise for nature enthusiasts and bird watchers, scenes were filmed for some of the Game of Thrones episodes. After a day of traversing spectacular landscapes of craters, boiling mud pots, and geothermal hot springs shooting jets of hot water and steam into the air, see the pseudo craters at Skútustaði and the bizarre lava formations at Dimmuborgir. Perhaps, opt to end the day with a swim in the warm waters of the Myvatn Nature Baths.

Day 7: Dettifoss Waterfall, Hornafjörður
Today you will head east to view the Dettifoss Waterfall, reputed to be the most powerful and largest in Europe. Located in Vatnajökull National Park in Northeast Iceland, this waterfall is so thunderous that it makes the surrounding rocks vibrate. Afterward, drive along the barren highlands with their moon-like landscape to the sprawling town of Egilsstaðir, center for local activity. Stop for lunch in town before proceeding south through the breathtaking scenery of the remote eastern fjords to Hornafjörður. Arrive in this small fishing town dominated by large mountains, wide rivers and the ever-present and compelling Vatnajökull Glacier. Dinner together tonight at the hotel.
Stay 2 nights: Hotel Höfn, Höfn

Day 8: Vatnajökull Glacier, Hoffell Farms
Discover the might of the Vatnajökull Glacier today, formed thousands of years ago, the largest glacier in all of Europe with several still-active volcanoes situated underneath the ice cap. Explore some of the glacier’s many astonishing outlets. In the afternoon, visit to typical working farms in the Hoffell area, at the base of the mountain, before returning in time for dinner together at the hotel.

Day 9: Skaftafell National Park, South Shore, Hvolsvöllur
Amazing scenery awaits us today in the unique alpine setting of Skaftafell National Park, a beautiful mountainous region on the edge of the Vatnajokull Glacier. This national park has been shaped by natural forces acting together to create a park of unmatched beauty as a result of glaciers and volcanoes slowly interacting over time. It’s a perfect place to view the great contrasts between active volcanoes, mighty glaciers, powerful rivers and endless flat sandy plains. Watch the dramatic scenery of outwash plains and lava fields go by as we make our way to Dyrhólaey, a solitary cliff teeming with bird life and the grand Skógarfoss Waterfall, rivaling Gullfoss as Iceland’s most famous waterfall. Then, a fascinating visit to the Þorvaldseyri Volcano Visitors’ Center. Here we view a film about this little volcano that created worldwide havoc in 2010 disrupting flights with its massive ash cloud. Learn how the local farmers survived the eruptions. Dinner and overnight stay in the Hvolsvöllur area.
Stay: Hvolsvöllur

Day 10:  Gullfoss Waterfall, Strokkur Geysir, Thingvellir, Reykjavík
This morning, stand upon one of the globe’s most geologically significant landscapes on the volcanic rift at the Strokkur Geyser, watch it erupt every few minutes spewing hot water high into the air. Marvel at the magnificent Gullfoss Waterfall (Golden Falls) with its 100 foot double cascade flowing into the Hvita River. From there, on to Thingvellir National Park, the nation’s most historic area, where the world’s oldest existing Parliament met in 930 AD, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then visit the Friðheimar Tomato and Horse Farm. Here, meet with young Icelanders who innovated a process for growing tomatoes in bumble-bee nurtured greenhouses. See the beautiful Icelandic Horses and watch them perform before continuing to Reykjavik. Return to Reykjavik for an evening at leisure to explore this energetic city on your own. Perhaps choose to dine in one of the world-class restaurants on traditional Icelandic fish, or visit a lively pub, stylish club or stop at a cozy café in the trendy harbor area .
Stay: Reykjavík Natura, Reykjavik

Day 11: Depart for the USA
After breakfast, depart for the airport for your flight back to the USA.