This exclusive 9-day itinerary has been custom-designed to provide ample opportunity to witness the incredible phenomenon of the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) in one of the most spectacular and interesting destinations in the world – Iceland! The trip features a wonderful mix of activities and experiences, and will allow you, your sisters, your spouses and guests to truly be immersed in the natural wonders, compelling history and culture, and fantastic foods of this amazing place. At its core – however – will be the quintessential Northern Lights experience. This is truly a unique, once-in-a-lifetime trip!

The journey ends at your hotel. Relax and refresh!

Dinner is optional this evening choosing from several downtown restaurants (not included).

After dinner we are off to hunt for the Northern Lights. In northern latitudes, the effect is known as the aurora borealis, named after the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora, and the Greek name for the north wind, Boreas.

Auroras (Northern Lights) result from emissions of photons in the Earth’s upper atmosphere, above 80 km (50 mi), from ionized nitrogen atoms regaining an electron, and oxygen and nitrogen atoms returning from an excited state to ground state. They are ionized or excited by the collision of solar wind and magnetospheric particles being funneled down and accelerated along the Earth’s magnetic field lines; excitation energy is lost by the emission of a photon, or by collision with another atom or molecule.

In case this evening there are no Northern Lights, we will defer until another night where the conditions are ideal and you can get to bed a bit early if you wish!

(NOTE – while in Reykjavik, we will plan on ‘hunting’ for the Northern Lights on one of the evenings if the conditions are conducive. The timing of the trip coincides with the ‘peak season’ for the lights so we should have plenty of opportunities to observe this incredible phenomenon! Later in the itinerary, we will be moving onward to a rural accommodation that is set up specifically to enable spectacular views of the Aurora Borealis where you will have the opportunity to view them nightly if conditions permit!)

Today we will have an opportunity to explore some of the spectacular hot springs, waterfalls, and ice caves in the vicinity of Reykjavik. Our first stop today will be at Deildartunguhver, the highest-flow hot spring in Europe.

From there we visit the waterfalls of Hraunfossar (Lava Falls) and Barnafoss (Children’s Falls). Many Icelandic folk tales have been associated with Barnafoss, the most famous being about two boys from a nearby farm, Hraunsas. One day, the boys’ parents went with their ploughmen to a church. The boys were supposed to stay at home, but as they grew bored they decided to follow their parents. They made a shortcut and crossed a natural stone-bridge that was above the waterfall. But on their way, they felt dizzy and fell into the water and drowned. When their mother found out what had happened, she put a spell on the bridge saying that nobody would ever cross it without drowning himself. A little while later, the bridge was demolished in an earthquake.

Lunch at Hotel Husafell (chef’s exotic choice).

Following lunch, we will travel up to the ice cap in an 8 wheel truck; you might even see big crevasses in the ice. Your driver knows where they are, and will drive you safely around them, and will only cross them when it is safe to do so.

We then head up to the ice cap of Europe‘s second largest glacier, Langjokull. We will explore the glacier and enjoy the unique experience of traveling on top of the snow on a thick solid glacier. We will learn about its movements and see crevasses, caves and how the melting water forms rivers and lagoons.

The highlight of the ice cap exploration will be delving into a manmade ice tunnel. Ice-tunnels such as this have been constructed in a number of places around the world, but none into an ice cap the size of Langjokull. The construction means visitors will have a new and totally different view of the glacier and the impact global warming has on the environment.

We now head towards your accommodation in Reykjavik, Hotel Saga.

Dinner is optional this evening choosing from several down town restaurants (not included).

Today we will enjoy and explore the Whale Museum. Whales of Iceland is the largest whale exhibition in Europe (and perhaps even the world), where guests can learn about the giants of the sea in a calm and modern environment. The permanent exhibition features whales like guests have never seen them before. It is truly a giant experience.

Lunch at VOX (Icelandic buffet).

We now head towards your accommodation in Reykjavik, Hotel Saga.

This afternoon, enjoy some time at leisure.

Dinner is optional this evening choosing from several downtown restaurants (not included).

Today, another day exploring some of the natural wonders near Reykjavic, as well as learning more of the history and culture of the local population. We start with the beach near the abandoned farm of Ytri Tunga, which is well-known for its seal colony. The seals are friendly and curious and will climb up on the rocks near the sandy beach. Sometimes you have to be patient and wait for them.

Snaefellsjokull, (1,446 m) an ancient cone volcano, one of the finest mountains in Iceland. An impressive sight from as far away as Reykjavík, from where it can be seen in clear weather, seeming to rise from the sea. Many prehistoric eruptions took place in the glacier-covered crater at its peak, and its slopes are covered with lava. A journey to the Centre of the Earth, the entrance to the underground way was through the crater of Snaefellsjokull. In the eyes of both “traditional” believers in the supernatural and new agers Snaefellsjokull has more hidden power than any other mountain.

Lunch at Hotel Budir (chef‘s exotic choice).

After lunch, take a hike from Arnarstapi to Hellnar and experience unique lava formations in the cliffs.

Djupalonssandur is a beautiful pebbled beach, with a series of rocks of mysterious form emerging from the ocean. It is one of the few areas that lead down to the sea along this coast with its high dramatic cliffs. Watch out for the famous ghosts roaming the place!

The remainders of a shipwreck can be seen on the beach. On the beach there are also big stones which people tried to lift and test their strength in the days of the fishing stations: Fully Strong 154 kg, Half-Strong 100 kg, Weakling 54 kg and Bungler 23 kg. Weakling marked the frontier of wimphood, any man who couldn’t lift it was deemed unsuitable for a life as a fisherman.

It‘s time to dig deep and get to know the story of the people of Snaefellsnes Peninsula. You enjoy some conversation with the locals who will share the knowledge and legends of their community and will enrich your experience.

We now head towards your accommodation in Reykjavik, Hotel Saga.

Dinner is optional this evening choosing from several downtown restaurants (not included).

Today, we head to Thingvellir where the Vikings established the first Parliament and now the oldest functioning Parliament in the world. Althing (the Parliament) has been working uncut since 930. Today Thingvellir is a national park and considered a natural wonder on an international scale earning a place on UNESCO World Heritage list.

The folks at Fridheimar are greenhouse farmers, growing mainly tomatoes, but also various vegetables using green methods. You have the opportunity to learn about the tradition of thermal greenhouses and the methods used by the local farmers to grow their tasty and healthy produce. Experience the diversity and freshness of Icelandic food and ingredients!

Lunch at Fridheimar (Tomato soup from the farm).

After lunch, it’s time to visit Geyser area. We explore the geothermal pools around Geyser and see Strokkur erupt. If your camera does not get a good picture of the spouting geyser then you just wait 5 minutes and Strokkur will erupt again.

We now proceed to Gullfoss Waterfall. The glacier river Hvita is feeding Gullfoss with milky green colored water from the Langjokull Glacier, the second biggest glacier in Europe. Gullfoss Waterfall is the most known waterfall in Iceland and is worth a visit.

We now head towards your accommodation in the south of Iceland, Hotel Rangá.

Dinner at the hotel (3 course menu).

As Hotel Rangá is located in a rural area, light pollution is not an issue in the winter time. By turning off our outside lights we can provide optimal conditions to view the sky at night. Although there is never any guarantee of seeing the Aurora, we figure that if you stay here a few nights you have a fairly good chance of experiencing this wonderful phenomenon.

The Hotel Rangá observatory is a roll-off roof observatory, by far the most advanced in Iceland. The observatory is located about 150 meters from the hotel‘s main building. It houses two high quality astronomical telescopes: An 11 inch Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain and a TEC 160ED APO refractor on a Astro-Physics 900 mount. Both telescopes are computerised and on a permanent pier — perfect for astrophotography. On a platform by the observatory, we sometimes roll out an 18 inch reflector, the biggest telescope in Iceland. All accessories are also of the highest quality.

Scopes can be turned towards the stars to view amazing detail on Jupiter, see Cassini’s Division in the rings of Saturn, and resolve details on the surface of Mars. Even the distant Uranus and Neptune are within your reach. Light pollution around the hotel is minimal, making it the optimal location for viewing the night sky.

The observatory is open every clear night. Guests get a guided tour of the night sky by local astronomers.

Each night at the hotel, you will have an opportunity to view the Northern Lights in all their glory! We will maintain a ‘wake-up’ list, so even if the lights start firing at 3am, you will be awoken, collected, and taken to the observatory to enjoy this incredible spectacle!

We drive along the south shore, where the rugged landscape offers up firsthand evidence of nature’s power. You will find many photo opportunities on this excursion.

Few words can describe the beautiful landscape of the south. But to name a few we will see Waterfalls one of which you can walk behind, black sandy beaches, mountains, steep cliffs, glaciers and numerous strange lava formations are found along the way. Solheimajokull glacier tongue extends down from its mother glacier; Myrdalsjokull, Iceland’s fourth largest. We will also see both old and new farms, agricultural livestock and bird life.

We will visit some of the most exotic places on the south coast, such as the surrounding of Eyjafjallajokull that erupted in 2010 and closed down all air traffic over the Atlantic Ocean for few days and the Thorvaldseyri Volcano Museum that shows the aftermath of the volcanic eruption.

Lunch at Gamla Fjosid (chef’s exotic choice).

On the west side of Reynisfjall , the high ridge above Vik, Rte 215 leads to the black-sand beach at Reynisfjara. The raw beach is backed by a stack of basalt columns that look like a magical church organ and there are outstanding views west to Dyrholaey. The surrounding cliffs are formed from twisted basalt. Immediately offshore are the towering sea stacks Reynisdrangur.

We now head towards your accommodation in the south of Iceland, Hotel Rangá.

Dinner at the hotel (3 course menu).

The early morning drive to the ice lagoon goes along the south coast. The glacial lagoon is said to be one of Iceland greatest wonders. It was also a film location for the James Bond movie, Die another day. The surface is at sea level and the sea flows into the lagoon at high tide.

Huge blocks of ice constantly break off the Breidamerkur Glacier tongue and large icebergs from the glacier float on the lagoon. The lagoon is not wide but up to 248 meters deep. The Breidamerkur Glacier is an outlet of the Vatnajökull Glacier.

We will visit magnificent ice caves on the south side of Vatnajökull. You will have a new and totally different view of the glacier. We always go to the most interesting cave available at each time.

Among other things to see on this trip are beautiful waterfalls, and the southernmost point of Iceland Ingolfshofdi, where if you sailed due south, you would not touch land until Antarctica.

Lunchboxes from the hotel will be provided for lunch.

We now head towards your accommodation in the south of Iceland, Hotel Rangá.

Late evening dinner at the hotel (3 course menu).

The day starts by driving in a super jeep/SUV. Thorsmork is one of the shiniest pearls in the string of beautiful areas of the country, surrounded by rugged and beautiful mountains, glaciers and glacial rivers, decorated with small birch woods and silver lined with humming brooks. Many have attempted to describe the charm of this area.

Icelanders appreciate Thorsmork and visit it frequently the whole year round. Quite a few brooks and rivers have to be forced to get there and no-one should attempt the trip without the company of an experienced guide since the glacial rivers are very unpredictable.

Thorsmork has often been difficult to reach, except by mountain vehicles. There are a multitude of small gullies and valleys, clad with low birch-trees that create seemingly endless possibilities for the nature lover. You will find more than 170 species of plants, moss and lichen in this lush area, which was a fjord some 12,000 years ago.

The outlet glaciers tumble and crawl down into the gullies, some of them ending in spectacular glacial lagoons. The glacial melt-off forms rivers that have to be crossed on the way to Thorsmork. Some days the crossing is quite challenging.

An innocent stream can change in a matter of hours into a thunderous torrent. Our skilled drivers are very experienced in these driving conditions and will take you safely across any river.

Barbeque lunch in Thorsmork.

We now head towards your accommodation in the south of Iceland, Hotel Rangá.

Dinner at the hotel (3 course dinner).

Visiting Blue Lagoon in Iceland becomes indispensable because of the variety of health and emotional benefits the destination offers. As the water comes straight from the depths of the earth, it is loaded with minerals, salts, blue-green algae and silica. These elements are believed to possess therapeutic powers. The view of the lagoon is spellbinding. The color of the water is frosty blue. However, this term is an oxymoron because the temperature of the water always fluctuates between 99 and 104 Fahrenheit. With the other Icelandic and North European locales forcing you to cover your body head to toe, this destination provides the perfect atmosphere for the body to relax.

Lunch at the Blue Lagoon (chef’s exotic choice).

Your guide will drive you to the airport, aiming to arrive around 2 hours before departure. You will go home with great memories from Iceland! 

Hotel Rangà

Hotel Rangá is a luxury countryside hotel and the only 4 star hotel in South Iceland. It offers all the facilities and services of a modern resort. Located about an hour from Reykjavík, it lies just off the main road right in middle of South Iceland’s panoramic scenery. It provides stunning picturesque surroundings, such as the famous volcano Mt. Hekla, several glaciers and the Westman Islands.

Right on the banks of Iceland’s premier salmon fishing river, the Eystri-Rangá (world’s #1 in 2007), the hotel offers an optimal atmosphere to meet every traveler’s needs, whether they be relaxation, pleasure, adventure or business.

Pricing:

• 4,993 Euros per person for double occupancy.
• Should you wish to have your own room, we can arrange this for you with an additional single supplement of 1,869 Euros.
• If you would like to book based on double occupancy pricing but you don’t have a roommate already arranged, we will make every attempt to align you with a roommate; however, if we are unable to find a match, you will be subject to the additional single supplement.

Booking Terms:

• To confirm your space on the trip, a non-refundable deposit of 30% of the total trip price is required. Deadline for guaranteed rooms is October 31, 2016. Inquiries received after October 31 will be on a request-basis only, and if space is available we will confirm your booking with your deposit. 
• Final payment is due by December 14, 2016. Upon final payment, the trip is non-refundable.
• Once you have made a deposit on the trip, please feel free to book your international flights. Arrival / departure timing guidance will be provided.
• We strongly recommend that you protect your investment in this trip with travel insurance. We will provide you with insurance information at the time of booking and we are happy to assist with this should you require our support.

Pricing includes:

• Accommodation as specified in the itinerary (INCLUDING 1 extra night of accommodation so that you may check-in early on the morning of February 22 in case your flight arrives in the early hours. You also have the option to arrive on February 21 at no extra charge, if you arrive after noon.)
• Breakfast and lunch daily
• 4 dinners (including 2 glasses of wine / beer)
• Private-guided services per the itineary, including entrances where required
• Airport transfers

Pricing excludes:

• International flights
• Meals not specified above
• Alcoholic bevergages unless specified above
• Other personal items / purchases
• Tips and gratuities
• Any other items not specified in the itinerary