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Icelandic Northern Lights Odyssey

from £2333 excluding flights

  • 7 nights
  • Jan-Apr, Sep-Dec
Home Destinations Nordic Europe Iceland Icelandic Northern Lights Odyssey

Highlights

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Stay in countryside locations, ideal for spotting the aurora borealis

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Explore Snaefellsnes and venture into a subterranean lava tube

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See the natural treasures of Iceland’s iconic Golden Circle route

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Experience the ice wonders of Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon

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See the black-sand beaches and waterfalls on the South Coast

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Take a dip in the naturally-heated waters of the Blue Lagoon

Why this trip...

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Expertly guided

In-depth knowledge and expertise will enrich your experience on this trip

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Like-minded travellers

Share your travel experiences with fellow travellers

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Stay in great locations

This holiday features accommodation in incredible locations

Overview

This small group tour led by an expert guide travels through the scenic west and along the spectacular south shore. Aurora watching is the prime focus and as the itinerary covers a lot of ground, most of it rural, your chances of sightings are maximised. In fact, this trip has a 85-98% track record of seeing the northern lights.

As the name would suggest, this holiday has it all. Although the focus is on optimising aurora sightings, your days will be filled with a comprehensive exploration of the areas you travel through Iceland.

Explore the best of west and south as you discover the Golden Circle, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, the Blue Lagoon, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and black lava beaches. You will have an opportunity to climb a volcano, visit a shark farmer and Icelandic horse farm, see turf farmsteads and embark on a fjord cruise. There are also a few optional excursions you can add on including an ice cave tour at Vatnajokull glacier (from mid-November to mid-March) and an optional northern lights boat cruise in Reykjavik.

Accommodation, set in rural or semi-rural locations, has been carefully chosen to enhance the likelihood of northern lights sightings.

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Itinerary and Accommodation

After your transfer check in at your hotel for your overnight in the capital. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore or relax as you wish, or even take part in an optional excursion (at additional cost).
Overnight in Reykjavik

Hotel Klettur, Reykjavik

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iceland reykjavik hotel klettur reception

Hotel Klettur is situated a short walk from the heart of Reykjavik.

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After breakfast meet your guide at 09:00 in your hotel reception. Start the day with a city tour of Reykjavik before heading west to Borgarfjordur also known as Saga Valley. Along the way you get a chance to climb the Grabrok volcano crater and visit Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring. Stop and marvel at Hraunfossar waterfall, a series of waterfalls pouring from beneath a wide lava field and then onwards to Barnafoss.

In the evening enjoy a lecture on the northern lights.
Overnight near Borgarnes.

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The Snaefellsnes Peninsula juts out from Iceland’s west coast, like a long arm with a clenched fist at its tip, and is in many ways a microcosm of the whole island. Visit the fishing village of Grundarfjörður, a place with an impressive coastline and mountains, lakes and waterfalls behind the village. One of the most photographed and famous mountain in Iceland, Kirkjufell, can be seen jutting out into the bay. Visit Arnarstapi and Hellnar before experiencing the area from below, inside Vatnshellir cave. We take you 35 meters underground and about 200 meters into the lava tube under the glacier Snæfellsjökull! On the way back to Borgarnes the guide will give you some practical tips on how to photograph the Auroras. Once darkness falls head out to the hotel garden to chase the Northern Lights and to soak in the hotel’s outdoor hot tubs.
Overnight near Borgarnes

Icelandair Hotel Hamar

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Only an hour from Reykjavik, Hotel Hamar has 54 rooms found in the beautiful western part of Iceland. With the sparkling glaciers and stretching coastline of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula within easy reach, the hotel is ideally placed surrounded by mountains and set in the middle of an elegant 18-hole golf course.

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After enjoying the scenic Hvalfjordur fjord, the first stop is at an Icelandic wool outlet store, to see what is made from all that wool. Then continue to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and part of the Golden Circle route. Continue to Geysir geothermal fields to see Strokkur erupt then stop at Restaurant Geysir to taste some freshly baked hot spring bread served with Icelandic butter, geothermally boiled eggs and herring.

Then its onwards to see two-tiered waterfall, Gullfoss. In the afternoon you will find out more about the unique Icelandic horse and visit a geothermal greenhouse. Arrive at your accommodation in a rural location and enjoy and evening in anticipation of the aurora, perhaps from the hotel’s hot tubs.
Overnight in Hella

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Hotel Eldhestar, Hveragerdi

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hotel eldhestar exterior

This country hotel and horse ranch is located in a beautiful rural setting near the greenhouse village of Hveragerdi in southwest Iceland.

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Spend the day exploring the south coast. Stop at the Lava Centre and learn about the geology of the island and its active volcanoes. Travelling further east visit one of Iceland’s folk museums and then it is onwards to the 60 metre high Skogafoss, one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country. In the afternoon take a stroll on the black sand beach and along bird cliffs at Reynisfjara.
Spend the next two nights Kirkjubaejarklaustur

Hotel Klaustur

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icelandair hotel klaustur aerial

A modern hotel found in the southern Icelandic village of Kirkjubaejarklaustur.

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The day is all about glaciers, ice and icebergs. The first stop of the day is Jokulsarlon, a glacial lagoon with waters dotted with icebergs which calve from the surrounding Breidamerkurjokull glacier. On the adjacent black sand beach, aptly nicknamed ‘Diamond Beach’, are small icebergs thrown back by the ocean. In the afternoon visit the tiny turf church in Hof and spend some time at Europe’s largest national park which is home to Iceland’s highest mountains, an alpine environment, and Europe’s largest glacier. In the evening enjoy a film presentation about the northern lights.

There is an opportunity to take part in an Ice Cave Tour available between November 15th and March 15th (optional and payable locally).

Depart Kirkjubaejarklaustur and head across the Eldhraun lava field to the village of Vik with its impressive black lava beaches, pounding waves and high bird cliffs. Continuing west, stop at Seljalandsfoss which plunges from the mountain at the head of Thorsmork valley. In the afternoon we get to soak in the famous Blue Lagoon before returning to Reykjavik.
Overnight in Reykjavik.

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Transfer to Keflavik Airport for your flight home.

Prices and Departures

Price from £2333 excluding flights

Airfares vary widely and are quoted separately to the holiday price, starting from around £250pp return with Icelandair and British Airways, though may be lower with Play or EasyJet. We'll provide the best fare available at the time of enquiry, which tend to be cheaper the earlier you book.

UK Airports with flights direct to Iceland are Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Bristol, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh. We can also arrange flights from non-UK destinations. Discover more »

Iceland Volcano Disruption Protection
We are proud of our excellent reputation for looking after our clients, without question. Should the unexpected occur our team of dedicated Travel Specialists are on call 24/7 to make any necessary alternative plans at no cost to you.

What's Included

  • Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
  • All breakfasts
  • Hot spring tasting with geothermal cooked bread & eggs
  • Visit to Lava Exhibition Centre
  • Skogar folk museum & turf houses
  • Entrance to Blue Lagoon including towel
  • Services of driver/guide
  • 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
  • No surcharge guarantee
  • Full financial protection

From prices per person

Based on rooms with private facilities, unless otherwise stated

Departure Duration Twin Price Single Price Status of Tour
3 Sep 2024 7 nights £3,048 £4,021 Available
10 Sep 2024 7 nights £3,048 £4,021 Available
17 Sep 2024 7 nights £3,048 £4,021 Available
24 Sep 2024 7 nights £3,048 £4,021 Available
1 Oct 2024 7 nights £2,712 £3,367 Available
8 Oct 2024 7 nights £2,712 £3,367 Available
15 Oct 2024 7 nights £2,712 £3,367 Available
22 Oct 2024 7 nights £2,712 £3,367 Available
29 Oct 2024 7 nights £2,712 £3,367 Available
5 Nov 2024 7 nights £2,585 £3,121 Available
12 Nov 2024 7 nights £2,585 £3,121 Available
19 Nov 2024 7 nights £2,585 £3,121 Available
26 Nov 2024 7 nights £2,585 £3,121 Available
3 Dec 2024 7 nights £2,585 £3,121 Available
10 Dec 2024 7 nights £2,585 £3,121 Available
7 Jan 2025 7 nights £2,585 £3,121 Available
28 Jan 2025 7 nights £2,585 £3,121 Available
4 Feb 2025 7 nights £2,585 £3,121 Available
11 Feb 2025 7 nights £2,585 £3,121 Available
18 Feb 2025 7 nights £2,585 £3,121 Available
25 Feb 2025 7 nights £2,585 £3,121 Available
4 Mar 2025 7 nights £2,585 £3,121 Available
11 Mar 2025 7 nights £2,585 £3,121 Available
18 Mar 2025 7 nights £2,585 £3,121 Available
25 Mar 2025 7 nights £2,585 £3,121 Available
1 Apr 2025 7 nights £2,585 £3,121 Available
8 Apr 2025 7 nights £2,585 £3,121 Available

Group Size

This escorted group requires a minimum of 5 participants in order to operate, and will have a maximum of 16.

Note: on occasion tours may exceed the maximum number indicated – please refer to our booking conditions for more details

Private departures

Please contact us for a private departure on any date suitable for you. This itinerary can be tailor made to fit your requirements and group size.

Tailor made trips

As independent destination specialists, we are able to tailor make holidays to suit you, be that customising the itineraries shown on this website or creating something bespoke.

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Travelling sustainably

We believe travel is about finding the right balance between minimising our impact on the environment and broadening minds through new experiences and cultural interaction.