Travel Program

US to Reykjavik

Depart on an overnight flight to Reykjavík, Iceland.

*Note: It is encouraged to arrive a day or two early to adjust comfortably to the time zone and explore independently. We can assist in arranging pre-nights at the group hotel.

Arrive Reykjavik

Arrive early this morning at Keflavík International Airport and transfer to Reykjavík. Travel across the striking Reykjanes Peninsula, passing moss-covered lava fields and otherworldly volcanic landscapes. Upon arrival, enjoy a guided walking tour of Reykjavík’s historic city center, including Hallgrímskirkja Church, the city’s iconic landmark; the Parliament House; and the striking Harpa Concert Hall. A visit to the Northern Lights Center is also included. Check-in at the hotel this afternoon, followed by a welcome reception. Enjoy dinner at your leisure before gathering for a short trip outside the city in search of Northern Lights.

*Note: Viewing of the Northern Lights is not guaranteed.

Accommodation: Hotel Borg

Experience some of Iceland’s most celebrated natural wonders on a full-day Golden Circle excursion. See the dramatic Gullfoss waterfall and the Geysir geothermal area, where steaming vents and erupting hot springs reveal Iceland’s volcanic character. Continue to Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths for a relaxing soak and a traditional geothermal bakery experience featuring bread baked underground with the earth’s natural heat. The adventure continues on Langjökull, Iceland’s second-largest glacier, where you will travel across the spectacular ice cap by snowmobile.*  Possible aurora viewing this evening.

*Note: Snowmobile drivers must have a valid driver’s license. Those who choose not to participate may need to wait approximately 2–3 hours.

Accommodation: Hotel Rangá

Þórsmörk Nature Reserve

Set out on a full-day Super Jeep adventure to Þórsmörk, one of Iceland’s most spectacular wilderness areas. Follow rugged mountain tracks and cross several unbridged rivers to reach this dramatic nature reserve. Surrounded by the Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull, and Tindfjallajökull glaciers, Þórsmörk is a striking valley of glacier-carved landscapes, rugged peaks, and sweeping volcanic terrain. The region is crisscrossed by swift-flowing glacial rivers. Enjoy time exploring Þórsmörk on foot before visiting the dramatic Stakkholtsgjá gorge. Return to the hotel and enjoy dinner on own. Possible aurora viewing this evening.

Accommodation: Hotel Rangá

South Shore Adventure

Explore the spectacular landscapes of Iceland’s South Coast on a guided excursion. Travel across broad plains shaped by glacial rivers to the dramatic sea cliffs and black-sand coastlines of Dyrhólaey and Reynisfjara. Along the way, visit the beautiful waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss, the hidden Gljúfrabúi, and the powerful Skógafoss. On a clear day, enjoy views of the Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull volcanoes and, conditions permitting, the Westman Islands offshore. A visit to the LAVA Center in Hvolsvöllur is also included. This evening, visit the observatory at Hotel Rangá for potential aurora viewing.

Accommodation: Hotel Rangá

Friðheimar Greenhouse – Þingvellir – Borgarfjörður.

Travel west today, starting with a visit to Friðheimar, a family-run greenhouse that uses geothermal energy to grow tomatoes year-round. The farm is also known for breeding and training Icelandic horses.

Continue to Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its natural beauty and historic significance. Explore the site of Iceland’s ancient parliament, walk through the dramatic rift valley where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, and enjoy views of Lake Þingvallavatn. In the early afternoon, continue through Borgarnes and arrive at our hotel.  Dinner is at the hotel tonight. Possible aurora viewing this evening.

Accommodation: Hotel Húsafell

Into the Glacier – Húsafell – Reykjavik

Begin the day with the Into the Glacier experience on Langjökull, Iceland’s second-largest glacier. Travel high onto the ice cap and venture into an extraordinary man-made ice tunnel, where you can explore the glacier from within. Continue to Reykholt, an important historic village closely associated with Snorri Sturluson, the medieval historian, poet, and author of the Prose Edda, a principal source of Norse mythology. Visit Snorralaug hot spring, the Snorrastofa cultural center, Skrifla hot spring, and Snorri’s grave and statue in the churchyard. This afternoon, visit Deildartunguhver, one of Europe’s most powerful hot springs, followed by Hraunfossar, a beautiful series of waterfalls where clear glacial water emerges from beneath a lava field and cascades into the river below. Return to Reykjavík in the afternoon and check in at the hotel. Dinner is on your own this evening.

Accommodation: Hotel Borg

Reykjavik

Today, visit the National Museum of Iceland to gain insight into the country’s Viking heritage and cultural history. This evening, meet members of the Icelandic Astronomical Society in Seltjarnarnes, just outside Reykjavík, for a nighttime viewing session, weather permitting. Gather this evening for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation: Hotel Borg

Departure for U.S.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Keflavík International Airport for flights back to the U.S.