Icelandic Winter Highlights and Northern Lights

Visiting: Iceland

Icelandic Winter Highlights and Northern Lights

If you fancy witnessing (hopefully) the multi-coloured Aurora Borealis from a specially located hotel, snorkelling 'between America and Europe' in an aquamarine glacial lagoon in Thingvellir National Park, donning crampons to hike on the Solheimajokull Glacier and experiencing the famous Golden Circle - in the depths of winter then look no further than this spectacular trip to Iceland.

Head to the lava fields in the Blue Moutnains, journey underground to see magical rock formations and an incredible landscape of glistening icicles, stay at the ION hotel from where you should get spectacular views of the Northern Lights due to its special location, visit Thingvellir National Park, walk through the Almannagja Canyon to the Silfra fissure from where you will take a snorkelling trip into some of the clearest waters in the world, visit the Geysir hot springs and Gulfoss waterfall, take a 'super-truck' drive along the south coast, walk behind the Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, hike onto the Solheimajokull Glacier then visit the Blue Lagoon to soak in the milky waters.

You are met on arrival into Keflavík airport and transferred towards Reykjavík city. We start by exploring the hidden world in and under the lava field located in the Blue Mountains only 25 minutes' drive from Reykjavik.

Walking down into the lava cave we discover the marvels that volcanic activity has created in the past. On your underworld adventure you will see the magical rock formations left behind in the last volcanic eruption and in winter the cave is likely to be filled with glistening icicles of all shapes and sizes, a sight not soon forgotten.

After our underground adventure we head on to Rauda Husid restaurant in Eyrarbakki village on the south coast where a two course dinner (lobster and dessert) is waiting for us. Rauda husid is one of Iceland's most renowned seafood restaurants especially famous for its lobster, located 60 km from Reykjavik and surrounded by the pitch-black Icelandic winter night.

From there our hunt for the Northern Lights begins. The Auroras can only be seen far away from the city lights and from Eyrarbakki we will not have to travel far until the mountains provide the shadows we need. On cloudless and clear winter evenings, with luck on our side, we may be able to spot this beautiful and elusive natural phenomenon. Vivid and bright, the dancing northern lights in the Arctic skies are a sight to remember.

Ion Hotel is located in Iceland's most dramatic settings, at the footsteps of the UNESCO listed Thingvellir National Park. ION is more than a hotel. It's a promise to guests that they will experience something unforgettable and transformative – an authentic connection to the spirit and adventure of Iceland. Less than an hour's drive from the cultural landmarks of Reykjavik and set against a backdrop of majestic mountainous lava fields, ION promises to provide an unforgettable experience – tailored to fit your travel aspirations.

The hotel is beautifully located with views over Lake Thingvallavatn and the mountains surrounding the lake. ION Luxury Adventure Hotel is designed, built and operated with emphasis on the utmost respect for nature. It is a 4* hotel offers 46 Comfortable designer rooms, a northern light bar, a la carte restaurant, lounge bar, lobby, conference hall, spa with outdoor hot tub and sauna!

Activities

Arrival airport transfer - Included

Blue Mountains lava field excursion - Included

Rauda Husid lobster dinner - Included

Aurora Borealis watching (conditions permitting) - Included

Accommodation

ION Hotel

 

 

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Today we stop to visit the Thingvellir National Park where you will see one of only two tectonic rift valleys in the worlds, created as the continental plates of America and Europe slowly drift apart. Þingvellir is also the only UNESCO's cultural world-heritage site in Iceland and it was here that the Vikings held their parliament and passed out judgments. We will walk down through the Almannagjá Canyon and to the Silfrá Fissure in the heart of the park. Here you will get to experience the clearest waters in the world on our famous 'Into the Blue' snorkelling trip. The underwater visibility of the lava field stretches into the distance, on good day more than 100 metres! You will also be snorkeling with America on one side and Europe on the other. This is without doubt one of the most unique and refreshing trips Iceland has to offer.

After our snorkelling adventure we will have a packed lunch before driving to the Geysir hot springs. At Geysir we will see a variety of geothermal pools and Strokkur, the erupting hot spring, surely one of the highlights of any visit to Iceland

Next we will make a short stop at Gullfoss Waterfall, the undisputed queen of Icelandic waterfalls, and view the spectacular 32 metre high cascade.This trip offers an amazing ride through the landscapes and natural forces that have shaped and continue to shape Iceland.

After this amazing tour we will end in Ion Hotel where we will spend the night.

Activities

Thingvellir National Park excursion - Included

Silfra Fissure snorkelling trip - Included

Packed lunch - Included

Geysir hot springs excursion - Included

Gulfoss Waterfalls - Included

Accommodation

ION Hotel

 

 

 

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Starting with a pick up from Hotel Ion in one of our specially modified super trucks we will drive down to the south coast. Here we will stop at the Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, which we can walk behind the veil of water and then continue on to the Sólheimajökull Glacier. Here we will put on crampons and other specialised glacier gear and explore the glacier on foot with an expert glacier guide to keep you safe. The Sólheimajökull is a magnificent place; the ancient ice floe is crevassed riddled, with huge ice ridges and spiralling sinkholes everywhere. In the ice, ashes from past volcanic eruptions are hidden and just a few kilometres to the west, resting on top of the mountains, the infamous Eyjafjallajökull volcano can be glimpsed on clear days.

We will eat a packed lunch and then follow the glacier river from Sólheimajökull down to the black sand beaches. There we will power our way through the sand with the relentless surf of the North Atlantic Ocean on our left side and the Mýrdalsjökull & Eyjafjallajökull glaciers on our right side. We will join the road again at the famous Skógar Waterfall and walk up to the 60 meter high monster to view it up close.

After all these adventures we will cruise back to ION and arrive around 18:00 in the evening.

Activities

South Coast super truck drive - Included

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall visit - Included

Solheimajokull Glacier hike - Included

Packed lunch - Included

Skogar Waterfall walk - Included

Accommodation

ION Hotel

 

 

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We will start the day with a transfer back to Reykjavik and from there onward to the Blue Lagoon where we will soak in the milky waters and recharge our batteries after an amazing action packed holiday. From there we will transfer back to the airport and say goodbye to Iceland. 

Activities

Blue Lagoon visit - Included

Return airport transfer - Included

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Key: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner