Winter Wildlife and Northern Lights Self Drive in Iceland

iceland snaefellsnes kirkjufell aurora green istk

Winter Wildlife and Aurora Self Drive

from £830 excluding flights

5 nights
Feb-Mar

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Highlights

Search for orcas on a boat trip from Grundarfjordur

iceland snaefellsnes aurora sky march rth

Optimum countryside location for viewing the northern lights

iceland snaefellsnes arnarstapi rock arch winter istk

Explore Snaefellsnes Peninsula’s stunning coast and volcanoes

iceland reykjavik city rooftops winter istk

Enjoy Reykjavik with its blend of Nordic and modern style

Why this trip...

Tailor made

This itinerary can be tailor made to suit you and is intended to give you a guideline of what is possible in a given timeframe

Explore at leisure

With the route, transport and accommodation sorted, each day offers the freedom to explore

norway north cape globe midnight sun istk

Nordic Heritage

With 40 years of experience in creating trips to Nordics we know this region inside out

Overview

This self-drive holiday combines time in Reykjavik with a stay on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Staying at a countryside hotel, you’ll be in an ideal rural location for viewing the northern lights should they grace the skies as well as heading onto the bay in search of orca. Two nights spent in Reykjavik will also give you the chance to get a taste of Icelandic culture, take an additional whale watching trip, or even explore the nearby Golden Circle route.

This exciting independent self drive break is based in West Iceland’s mystical Snaefellsnes Peninsula. With sweeping lava fields and the recognisable Snaefellsjokull dominating the landscape, this stunning region was the setting and inspiration for Jules Verne’s famous ‘Journey to the Centre of the Earth’.

With the freedom that comes with a self-drive holiday, you will be able to explore the many natural treasures that Iceland’s western shores have to offer. You’ll also have the chance to head out on a boat trip with the hope of encountering orcas, dolphins and seabirds.

During winter and early spring, orcas visit the waters off Grundarfjordur on the north coast of Snaefellsnes following the migration of herring. While in past seasons sightings have occurred as early as November and December, more recent behaviour patterns suggest that February, March and early April provide the optimum time for orca watching. Of course, as with all wildlife encounters, sightings are unpredictable and cannot be guaranteed.

Itinerary

Arrive at Keflavik and collect your rental vehicle at the airport. Drive through the dramatic lavascapes of the Reykjanes Peninsula to Iceland’s vibrant capital city, Reykjavik for an overnight stay.

After breakfast make your way to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. This 2.5 hour drive is a scenic route, with plenty of stop off points along the way. Check in to your hotel for 3 nights.

Take a morning whale watching trip out into the fjord (starting at approx. 10:00). Hot chocolate and a snack will be provided on board. The length of the boat trip will depend upon whale sightings but is usually around 2-3 hours. Return back into Grundarfjordur for lunch (payable locally) and to enjoy an afternoon at leisure. You can either opt to explore the village on foot or explore the local area by car. Enjoy a relaxing evening and keep an eye out for the northern lights.

iceland grundarfjordur whale watching aboard laki rth

iceland snaefellsnes grundarfjordur orcas seabirds rth

iceland snaefellsnes bird cliffs grundarfjordur rth

Explore the scenic Snaefellsnes Peninsula, we recommend you visit the fantastic coastal formations at Arnarstapi, as well as the fjords and fishing villages along its north side. With good weather you may have views of the mystical cone-shaped volcano and Snaefellsjokull icecap.

iceland snaefellsnes kirkjufell winter istk

iceland snaefellsnes winter arnarstapi mt stapafell bardur snaefellsas statue istk

iceland snaefellsnes horses in winter astk

Leave Snaefellsnes Peninsula and drive back to Reykjavik for the last overnight stay to explore the numerous restaurants and bars in the capital. Perhaps detour via Thingvellir National Park and if time permits visit the other icons of the Golden Circle route, Gullfoss and Geysir.

Transfer to Keflavik Airport, perhaps via the Blue Lagoon (pre booking essential) before dropping off your vehicle before your flight.

Accommodation Options

With a wide choice of accommodation available in both Reykjavik and on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, we can tailor make to suit your personal preference.

Discuss your options with our Travel Specialists.

Excursions

Iceland

Whale Watching from Olafsvik

from £72

3 hours | Feb-Sep

Take a cruise from the coastal village of Olafsvik along the north shore of Snaefellsnes Peninsula on this whale watching excursion. There…

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Iceland

Into the Glacier – Ice Cave in Langjokull

from £156

5 hours | Year round

The Langjokull ice cave is a unique and magical glacier experience and is one of Iceland's most innovative attractions located in the…

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Iceland

Cave Explorer

from £50

1.5 hours | Year round

Enjoy an exciting guided walk into the mighty Vidgelmir lava cave a short distance from Husafell near to Borgarfjordur.

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Iceland

Blue Lagoon

from £63

At leisure | Year round

Take a dip in the naturally heated waters of the award-winning Blue Lagoon, one of Iceland’s premier attractions.

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Iceland

Secret Lagoon

from £23

Variable hours | Year round

The 'Secret Lagoon' was built in 1891 and is the oldest swimming pool in Iceland. This outdoor geothermal bathing spot remains at…

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Prices and Departures

Price from £830 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
Daily breakfast
Car rental (Group D) throughout with unlimited mileage
No charge for additional driver
Whale watching excursion
24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
No surcharge guarantee
Full financial protection

This itinerary starts from around £830 per person, based on 2 sharing a room with private bathroom in standard hotels, and rental of an intermediate vehicle.

Prices may vary depending on departure date and booking date, as well as any changes to the included components. The final cost of a tailored holiday will be based on the level of accommodation, size of vehicle, included activities, travel season, and how far in advance it is booked. We will confirm the exact price for your holiday in your individual quotation, based on your chosen travel dates and inclusions.

* Choice of Vehicles

We can offer a wide range of rental vehicles for this holiday – our team will be happy to talk you through the options and provide a quote for the most suitable category based on your individual requirements.

4WD

We would always recommend a 4WD for winter travel, but many clients also prefer the greater security and comfort that a larger vehicle provides year round – upgrade your vehicle from as little as £10 per person, per day.
Go electric

With a selection of electric cars now available including the Kia Niro and Volkswagen ID.3, you can choose to upgrade from as little as £12 per person, per day. We recommend this option for summer only, due to the colder temperatures in winter affecting battery range.

Winter Wildlife and Aurora Self Drive

Highlights