Bucket-List 5-Day Iceland Tour Searching for the Northern Lights
Visit one of the happiest countries on earth, filled with stunning natural wonders, as you set off in search of the Northern Lights with a five-day tour of Iceland. Your adventure includes four nights of premium accommodation, a Reykjavik city tour, Northern Lights evening tour, daily breakfast, an English-speaking guide throughout and entrance fees per itinerary. Try and catch this elusive natural phenomenon on a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Tick the Northern Lights off your bucket list on a five-day Iceland tour. A small Nordic island nation in the far North Atlantic Ocean, between Norway and Greenland, Iceland is defined by its dramatic landscape, rich with volcanoes, glaciers, geysers, hot springs and lava fields. Most of the country’s small (330,000 people approx.) population lives in the capital, Reykjavik, which runs on geothermal power and is home to the National and Saga museums, tracing Iceland’s Viking history.
In recent years Iceland has become an increasingly more popular tourist destination for travellers, particularly those wishing to experience the nation’s stark natural beauty and unique Nordic culture, not to mention the opportunity to witness the Aurora Borealis, or ‘Northern Lights’, first hand. The hit TV show ‘Game of Thrones’ also filmed in Iceland, making the most of its incredible scenery.
What You’ll Love…
The Experiences - Explore Reykjavik and go in search of the Northern Lights
Embark on a search for the Northern Lights, one of the world’s most spectacular natural phenomena, with an expert guide leading the way. The Northern Lights originate from the sun, where large explosions and electronic storms throw charged solar particles deep into space. This solar wind is caught by the Earth’s magnetic field on the south and north poles. The solar particles collide with atmospheric gases and create this wonderful light effect.
See notable landmarks during a tour of cosmopolitan Reykjavik. View all the best sights like the picturesque old town, the Parliament House, which has stood the test of time since 1880, Hofdi House – famously known as the place where world leaders met to end the Cold War – and many more historic locations, all aboard a comfortable modern motor coach.
Visit the Pearl, a stunning dome structure that boasts some of the best views of the city. The viewing deck is located on the fourth floor and offers panoramic telescopes in each corner, while those who prefer to stay indoors can keep warm at the restaurant, bar, café and numerous shops.
Enjoy the South Shore Adventure tour, which visits the amazing southern coast of Iceland, famous for its black sand coastline, waterfalls, glaciers and stunning scenery.
Free time in Reykjavik allows you time to explore this fantastic city independently. Visit the city’s numerous museums, trace Iceland’s fascinating Viking history, tour the unique architecture or experience the region’s natural wonders.
The Blue Lagoon is located approximately an hours’ drive away and is a remarkable sight. Simply add the optional Half-Day Blue Lagoon Experience to your tour to see (and bathe in) the unique natural pool of mineral rich geothermal water in the Icelandic wilderness.
A variety of additional optional tours are also available along the way – see the ‘Itinerary’ and ‘Fine Print’ tabs for further details.
Your Package Includes:
- Four nights of premium accommodation
- Delicious daily buffet breakfast served at your hotel each morning
- Northern Lights evening tour - search the skies for the Northern Lights, (Aurora Borealis) among the most spectacular phenomena on earth
- Reykjavik city tour - view the old town centre, the Parliament, the harbour, the Hofdi house, and the Hallgrímskirkja Church, whose steeple is a Reykjavík landmark
- Full-day South Shore Adventure, visiting waterfalls and glaciers
- Travel in a modern motor coach
- The services of an English-speaking guide
- Entrance fees per itinerary
Tour starts and ends in Rykjavik. Flights are not included: it is your responsibility to ensure you arrive in Iceland on your chosen tour departure date.
Getting to Iceland is easy. Most major airlines offer flights departing all Australian capital cities with stopovers in Dubai, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, London, Copenhagen and Helsinki.
Flights depart regularly from major gateways including Singapore (approx 17 hours), Hong Kong (approx 15 hours), Bangkok (approx 15 hours) and Dubai (approx 11 hours).
Airport transfers are not included. Please plan accordingly.
Need Flights? We have a dedicated team who are able to assist with all your flight requirements. If you need a stopover or are looking at travelling to more destinations, our team can help. Contact our flights concierge team using the phone number on our website.
DAY 1 - Arrive in Iceland, Reykjavik City Tour, Northern Lights Evening Tour*
Upon arrival in Iceland, please make your own way to the hotel (transfer not included). Most flights arrive in the early morning and your room may not be ready for you. In this case, leave your luggage with the concierge while you head out for a coffee or breakfast. Later this morning at approximately 10am, enjoy a city tour of Reykjavík. During the tour, view the old town centre, the Parliament, the harbour, the Hofdi house, and the Hallgrímskirkja Church, whose steeple is a Reykjavík landmark. Then, visit the Pearl vantage point, a remarkable building unique to Iceland. Built in 1988, the Pearl is a glass dome constructed atop huge tanks in which natural hot water is stored for heating the city. It offers great views of the capital area and beyond. Next, visit the Northern Lights Center, followed by a view of the new Harpa Concert and Conference Hall.
After the city tour, take some time to rest, as the Northern Lights search can last late into the evening. Tonight, join your Tour Manager for an Orientation Meeting. Then search the skies for the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), among the most spectacular phenomena on earth. The Northern Lights originate from the sun, where large explosions and electronic storms throw charged solar particles deep into space. This solar wind is caught by the Earth’s magnetic field on the south and north poles. The solar particles collide with atmospheric gases and create this wonderful light effect. This evening, hope to see these lights swirling and dancing across the sky, endlessly changing colour, shape and size*.
*Northern Lights tour is subject to correct weather conditions and sightings cannot be guaranteed. If the tour is cancelled locally, another Northern Lights tour will be offered on an alternate evening. The tour may not return until after midnight.
Overnight: Reykjavik
Meals: N/A
DAY 2 - Full Day in Reykjavik
Spend the day at leisure to explore Reykjavik, surrounded by incredible landscapes and countless natural wonders. Or perhaps take an optional tour to the world-famous Blue Lagoon,* a unique natural pool of mineral-rich geothermal water located in the middle of a lava field. Geothermal seawater is led directly to the Blue Lagoon forming wells as deep as 6,000 feet and the water stays warm at 100-110°F throughout the entire year. An indoor Blue Lagoon and geothermal sauna are also on site. The Blue Lagoon’s warm water and natural ingredients of mineral salts, silica and blue green algae help you relax and escape the stress and strain of daily life.
*The Blue Lagoon tour may not be available to book locally. In order to guarantee availability, you must prebook this tour at least 8 days prior to your departure.
Optional: Blue Lagoon Experience Comfort (AM)
Overnight: Reykjavik
Meals: Breakfast available for a surcharge of US$15 - 30 per person
DAY 3 - Full Day in Reykjavik
Full day to explore Reykjavik at your leisure or choose to take the optional tour of the Golden Circle,* which showcases some of Iceland’s most popular tourist attractions including the country’s best-known natural, cultural, and historic sites. From Reykjavik, visit Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site where the tectonic plates of Europe and North America meet, and one of the world’s oldest parliaments was founded in 930 AD. Then visit the Geysir geothermal area, home of the famous Geysir and Strokkur hot springs. The Strokkur hot spring erupts every five minutes or so, making it one of the most active geysers in the world. Then, on to the Gullfoss waterfall, the queen of Iceland’s waterfalls, tumbling down a deep gorge. Next stop is a visit to the Friðheimar greenhouse where you will learn about the magic behind growing delicious, pesticide-free tomatoes with the aid of geothermal heat and bumblebees. Finally, visit Hellisheiði Power Plant at the foot of Mt. Hengill Volcano where the earth’s most brutal forces are harnessed and converted to clean energy for space heating
*The order of sightseeing for the Full Day Golden Circle Tour may vary depending on season.
Optional: Full-Day Golden Circle Tour (AM)
Overnight: Reykjavik
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4 - Full Day in Reykjavik
Today enjoy the South Shore Adventure tour, which visits the amazing southern coast of Iceland, famous for its black sand coastline and stunning scenery. The first stop of the day is at the gorgeous Seljalandsfoss waterfall, one of Iceland’s best known falls. Next, continue on to visit the majestic and much-photographed Skógafoss waterfall. The thundering falls plummet nearly 200 feet over a cliff to the valley floor. Make a stop at Reynisfjara black sand beach where you can view the Reynisdrangar rock formations as well as the curious hexagonal basalt cliff walls. Then take a short walk to view Sólheimajökull glacier from an ideal vantage point near a small lake at the glacier’s mouth. Today’s tour continues on as far as Vik, a charming village at the southern tip of Iceland surrounded by beautiful high cliffs.
Overnight: Reykjavik
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5 - Depart Iceland
Transfer to Keflavik Airport for your departure flight. Please note that transfer is not included - please plan accordingly.
Meals: Breakfast
Please note: All optional tours offered with this package end before the Northern Lights tour begins and can be done on the same day.
The ’7 day change of mind guarantee’ does not apply for Tour bookings. Due to the high demand and limited departures any cancellation / refund requests must be made within 48 hours of purchase. Otherwise, the standard Refund Policy applies.
Valid for the following departure dates:
2019:
7 December 2019
2020:
4, 11, 25 January 2020
8, 22 February 2020
21 March 2020
11 April 2020
Booking conditions and cancellation fees do apply. Please take out travel insurance at this time.
Important: Please allow for travelling time from Australia. International flights are not included in your package and must be purchased separately. It is your responsibility to make your own travel arrangements.
The package is valid for ONE PERSON (based on twin share). If you are travelling with another person you must purchase TWO PACKAGES, otherwise, an additional single traveller surcharge will apply. Single travellers will get their own room throughout the tour.
Solo Traveller Surcharge: If travelling alone, you must pay a solo traveller surcharge of AU$970.
Child Policy: Children are permitted on this tour but must purchase a full-price package.
The maximum capacity on this tour is 42 people. No minimum age applies.
Tour includes accommodation at the following hotel (or similar):
Fosshotel Reykjavik or Centerhotel Arnarhvoll or Hotel Klettur, Reykjavik
Maximum Room Capacity: The maximum room capacity is two people sleeping on twin or double bedding.
Please Note: Disability access is limited during the tour, please consider this before making your booking. Hotels may not have ramps, wide entryways or elevators to accommodate disabled passengers or devices such as wheelchairs, walkers and motorised scooters. Due to physical constraints and space limitations, wheelchairs, walking frames and motorised scooters may not be taken aboard motor coaches.
Please Note: This is an active itinerary which includes several walking tours on often uneven, icy terrain.
Daylight: Daylight hours will vary significantly throughout the year. Between April - August, daylight will range from 15-22 hours. Between November - February, daylight will range from 4-7 hours. In March, September and October, daylight will range from 9-13 hours.
Important: Bring comfortable walking shoes and hiking boots, a sweater, clothes you can layer, an all-weather jacket, and an umbrella. Gloves/mittens, a waterproof parka, a hat, and waterproof hiking boots with good treads and warm socks are essential when visiting during winter. Ice grips or non-slip cleats which fit over shoes or boots are also strongly suggested. A flashlight is recommended for Northern Lights excursions.
Please note: Northern Lights tour is subject to correct weather conditions and sightings cannot be guaranteed. If the tour is cancelled, locally, another Northern Lights tour will be offered on the evening of Day 3, Day 4, or Day 5. The Northern Lights tour departs in the late evening and may not return until after midnight.
Photography: A camera with long exposure is the best way to capture the northern lights in photographs, particularly if they are not especially strong or easy to see.
Please Note: Breakfast on Day 2 is not included but can be purchased for a surcharge of US$15 - 30 per person.
Additional expenses such as (but not limited to) flights are not included.
Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
All services are subject to availability.
All surcharges are payable directly to the tour company.
Please note this tour is not operated by Luxury Escapes. You will be contacted post-purchase with further details.
Please note that full terms and conditions apply. Refer to website’s terms and conditions.