Iceland Northern Lights Classic

Overview

Iceland is the land of glaciers, volcanoes, hot springs, sweeping beaches, and the magical Northern lights. A mouth-watering prospect for any nature lover, Iceland also tops the bucket list of adventure lovers, thanks to activities such as whale watching, ice-caving, glacier hiking, and riding the snowmobile Iceland.

Given the vast collection of activities one can do and unique locations that one can visit in this Nordic country, it is very important to have an itinerary that covers the most exciting and gorgeous parts of the country.

An Iceland Northern lights tour is much more than just Northern lights. This itinerary takes you on a journey through this beautiful country at the end of which your heart will be full of joy and awe.

Trip Highlights

Explore the locations at the Golden Circle
Glacier hiking at Sólheimajökull
Multiple opportunities of experiencing Northern Lights
Ice-caving at Jokulsarlon
Hot spring bathing at Lake Myvatn
Whale watching at Hauganes
Sightseeing at the Snaefellsnes Peninsula

ITINERARY - 10 Days

Day 1	Arrival and transport to Reykjavik After arriving at the Keflavik International Airport, you will be transported to the capital city of Reykjavik, which has a number of popular tourist spots. On your way to Reykjavik, you may choose to visit the Blue Lagoon. Located in the middle of a moss-covered lava field, this spa is world-famous for its healing waters and the luxury it offers. Its location, combined with its azure blue waters makes it a Heaven on Earth.
Day 2	The Golden Circle This is the day from which you will see the glorious treasures that Iceland has in its chest. You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning and will set out to explore the three locations which form Iceland’s famous Golden Circle, which is a mandatory feature of Iceland tour packages and a highlight of this Iceland Northern Lights tour. The first stop will be the Thingvellir National Park, which houses the edges of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. This park is littered with lava rocks from the eruptions that have been taking place for centuries giving it an ancient, adventurous vibe. After the park, you will be visiting the Haukadalur Valley, which is famous for its geysers. Geysir, the largest of all geysers found in this valley, lent its name to all geysers. Though the eruptions of Geysir is infrequent, those of Strokkur, a neighboring geyser, happen every five-ten minutes and go as far as up to twenty meters. The Valley also houses a number of fumaroles and mud pots. The last destination of the Golden Circle is the Gullfoss waterfall. This two-tiered waterfall, falling with great force into a canyon, is quite a sight. When the sunlight hits the sprays from the falls, it gives rise to beautiful rainbows, which make the place even more pleasant and photogenic. At the end of the day, you will be accommodated in South Iceland.
Day 3	South Coast In the morning, you will set out to explore Iceland’s south coast. Any Iceland road trip is incomplete without a drive along the South coast, which is dotted with features that will take your breath away. During the drive, you will see the Seljalandsfoss falls meandering down a sixty-meter-high cliff, and the thunderous Skógafoss falls. After the falls, you will visit the glacier tongue Sólheimajökull. This vast and magnificent ice cap puts on a colorful display that will leave you spell-bound. You can opt for a glacier hiking session atop Sólheimajökull for an exhilarating experience. Your next stop, as evening creeps in, will be the Reynisfjara black sand beach known for its geological features. Here, you will see the Dyrhólaey rock arch jutting into the ocean and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks raising their heads above the surface of the ocean. While spending the night at Vik village, make sure to look up at the sky as you could see the magnificent Northern Lights, the central attraction of any Iceland Northern Lights tour.
Day 4	Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and Diamond beach On day four, you head to the far side of the South coast to explore the marquee locations of this Iceland Northern lights tour; the Jokulsarlon Glacier lagoon and the diamond beach. On your way to the lagoon, you will cross the awe-inspiring Mælifellssandur black-sand desert. The Jokulsarlon lagoon is one of the most beautiful spots in the country, and you will find icebergs of all shapes and sizes raising their heads above the placid waters of the lake. A stone’s throw away from the lagoon is the diamond beach, a black-sand beach with distinctly colored ice crystals and icebergs spread all over it. Against the backdrop of the black sand, the ice crystals seem like diamonds, and that is where the beach gets its name from. Photographers, attracted by this otherworldly place, spend hours walking over the beaches filling their camera reels with magnificent shots. On the Jokulsarlon lagoon and diamond beach, you will also find the unique Icelandic seals. Jokulsarlon has a lot more to offer to adventure lovers than its scenic views. It is renowned for ice-caving. Ice cave Iceland is a naturally-formed cave made out of ice. The insides of an ice cave are a scene to remember for a lifetime. You can either visit ice caves at Mýrdalsjökull glacier or at the Vatnajökull National Park, depending upon the time of your trip. Your night stay is at Höfn.
Day 5	Eastfjords Today you will be traveling through the Eastfjords, the most scenic part of Iceland road trip. Littered with breathtakingly beautiful peaks and picturesque coastlines, the Eastfjords is incredibly beautiful. It is no wonder that you will be making frequent stops for photo opportunities. The Eastfjords also boasts of the highest density of wildlife in the country and sights of herds of wild reindeer will greet you along the journey. You will also pass through Hallormsstaðaskógur, Iceland’s largest forest. Your journey will also take you to Lake Lagarfljót, which holds a terrifying wyrm.
Day 6	Exploring Lake Myvatn The day’s journey will take you to the beautiful northern part of this Nordic country. The path passes through the northern part of the Vatnajökull National Park and offers frequent views of the Vatnajökull glacier, Europe’s largest ice cap. You will be visiting Lake Myvatn, which is known for its abstract and curious geological formations and glorious sceneries. In the Lake Myvatn area, you will see the geothermal areas at the Námaskarð Pass, the Dimmuborgir lava fortress, and of course, Lake Myvatn. You can take a dip in the healing waters of Myvatn in accordance with your bookings. It is a much less crowded version of the Blue Lagoon and is perfect for spending some quality solitary time. On the way to your accommodation, you will see the Goðafoss waterfall, all dressed up in ice and snow.
Day 7	Whale watching or beer spa On this day, your first stop will be Eyjafjörður. In Eyjafjörður, you will be immersed in the pristine natural beauty of the sweeping farmlands and mountain landscapes. From Eyjafjörður, we will be headed towards the town of Hauganes, where you will have two equally attractive activities to choose from. You can either go whale watching or stay back in the city, relaxing with a mug of beer from the local brewery. It is up to you to decide. After you are done watching the giants of the calm waters or having a refreshing drink at the brewery, you will be taken to the photogenic and erratic rock formation, Hvitserkur. In the evening, you will be heading towards the Borgarnes region, where you will be spending the night. En route, the scenery will be a feast for your eyes. In Borgarnes, you might have the chance to view the Northern Lights.
Day 8	Explore West Iceland Your first stop in the day’s outing will be Europe’s most powerful hot spring, Deildartunguhver. Deildartunguhver powers its nearby region and is so steaming hot that it fills its surrounding region with steam, making it look like a scene out of a sci-fi movie. Next, you will be visiting waterfalls, both uniquely beautiful and picturesque, Hraunfossar, and Barnafoss. While Hraunfossar meanders down a dark lava field, Barnafoss thunders through a deep gorge. Next up on your itinerary is the historical town of Reykholt. It was home to one of the most famous historians of medieval Europe, Snorri Sturluson. The town now boasts of a museum where Sturluson’s works are proudly displayed.
Day 9	Snaefellsnes Peninsula On the penultimate day of your trip, you will be exploring the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, which is known for its wide array of landscapes. First, you will be visiting the cliffs of Gerðuberg. The cliffs are made of hexagonal basalt columns, which give it the look of a medieval fortress. Next, you visit the Ytri-Tunga beach to see a few Icelandic whales. Then you will be headed ninety kilometers along this coast to see the vast array of landscapes that it houses. After visiting the Arnarstapi village known for its beautiful views of the ocean, you will head to the Djúpalónssandur black beach. All through this journey, the mighty Snæfellsjökull volcano and glacier provides the perfect backdrop. Next, you will be greeted by the mysterious rock formations of the Vatnshellir Caves as you head down its lava tunnel. The last location of this trip is the majestic and photogenic Kirkjufell mountain. Your night stay will be at Reykjavik.
Day 10	Departure Today we bid you goodbye. Depending on your flight timings, you can opt to go shopping in Reykjavik or book a session at the Blue Lagoon.