Best of Iceland featuring the Northern Lights

You’re on your way to Iceland, a land forged by fire and ice, where adventurous landscapes give way to a rich cultural heritage. Discover the dramatic contrasts: from ethereal lava fields and thundering waterfalls to charming coastal villages.

Discover culture and history in Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital. Explore the old section on a walking tour featuring the Parliament, harbor, city hall, and the city’s oldest building. Gaze up at the famous glass facade of the Harpa Concert Hall, a true marvel of modern architecture. Tonight, gather with your fellow travelers and experience the freshness of Icelandic food at a local restaurant.

Travel the Golden Circle to see Iceland's most iconic natural wonders, including the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in Thingvellir National Park where you can walk between two continents. Learn how locals use Iceland’s geothermal energy to cook food and taste “lava bread,” which is submerged into the earth and cooked for 24 hours. Continue along the Golden Circle and take in the beauty of the Gullfoss (Golden Falls) double-cascade waterfall before visiting the explosive Strokkur fountain geyser. Return to Reykjavík for an evening on your own.

The journey continues to western Iceland’s coast. In Akranes, an old fishing town at the base of Akrafjall Mountain, visit the picturesque lighthouse, climb the stairs to take in views over the bay if you wish,* listen to mysterious stories about the area, and take time for a leisurely walk along the historical harbor if you choose. Continue to Deildartunguhver, the highest-flowing hot spring in Europe, and stroll along wooden walkways to explore the hot springs safely. Later, get to know the world-famous Icelandic horse breed as you visit friendly horses at the stables of a family-run farm. Get a look at how the natural hot spring in the family’s backyard is used for making home-baked ryebread. This evening, arrive in Borgarnes, your home for the next three nights and an ideal setting for seeking the northern lights.

This morning, experience an Impact Moment with a visit to an Icelandic goat farm. Learn how local farmer, Jóhanna, helped to bring this unique breed, dating back to the time of Iceland’s settlement, back from the brink of extinction. After visiting with the friendly goats, enjoy a simple meal of homemade specialties from the farm. Then, bundle up and ascend Langjökull glacier** via mountain truck and go “Into the Glacier” to experience the purest blue ice color in this man-made tunnel, the world’s largest.*** Top off your day’s explorations seeing the Hraunfossar waterfalls (Lava Falls), where clear, cold springs seep through the lava field and form many small waterfalls into the Hvítá River. Tonight, after dinner, gaze at the sky in search of the northern lights.

Today, journey to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, with its camera-ready black sand beaches, mountain peaks, volcanic craters, rocky coastlines, and tiny fishing villages. Enjoy lunch on your own in Arnarstapi, a beautiful small fishing village located at the foot of Mt. Stapafell, and where extraordinary columnar basalt and cliff formations form a safe harbor. This afternoon, take in the views on Mount Kirkjufell with its iconic shape and freestanding form; this is one of the most photographed landscapes in Iceland. After dinner, continue searching for the northern lights dancing across the night sky.

This morning, travel back to Reykjavík, and spend some time exploring the capital city and have lunch on your own. Then, it’s your choice! Experience the Icelandic tradition of geothermal bathing with a dip in the warm, mineral-rich waters of Sky Lagoon**** -OR- go on a thrilling virtual experience ride, giving you the feeling of flying over Iceland’s glaciers, fjords, and most iconic landscapes. Come together this evening for a farewell dinner at a restaurant featuring Icelandic cuisine.

Your tour ends today.