Our VIP clients just returned back from Iceland where they spent Thanksgiving weekend. Here are just some highlights from this adventure.
5 DAYS ITINERARY
.Day 1 : Reykjavik- Day in the city
With our small population and mountainous terrain we don’t have a huge about of roads in Iceland, but the ones we do have are epic. Sweeping landscapes, tunnels through mountains, and glorious waterfalls litter the country, and one of the best ways to see them is on the iconic Route 1. Overnight in Reykjavik (Hotel Borg by Keahotels)
Day 2 : Mountaineers - Meet Us At Gullfoss - snowmobiling
Why not meet us at basecamp after your Golden Circle tour and get the adrenaline pumping with a snowmobile adventure around the highlands? We provide you with all the special gear. Just bring warm clothes, a camera, and enjoy the gorgeous mountain landscapes for your once-in-a-lifetime experience. After stopping at majestic Gullfoss waterfall drive to Hella. Overnight in Hella (Hotel Ranga or Straca hotel)
What’s included:
Overalls, gloves, hats, helmet and overshoes, 1 hour snowmobile tour, transfer to basecamp..
Day 3 : Arcanum Mountain Guides - Glacier Discovery - Ag101-Lava Tunnel
This is an informative and easy glacier walk on Sólheimajökull glacier. Your certified and experienced glacier guide will lead you through this frozen wonderland, where the spectacular colors of the ice vary from white to blue to crystal clear. As you hike, you will be able to safely observe the deep crevasses, water cauldrons and other fascinating features of this glacier tongue, and you'll have plenty of stunning photo opportunities. Furthermore, your expert guide will share with you their wisdom about the ever-changing landscapes of the Icelandic glaciers, their formation and how these icy giants have shaped the surrounding volcanoes and mountains. On the way to the glacier walk stop at Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls to witness majesty of Icelandic nature. Overnight in Hella.
Day 4 : South Coast Adventure- 2Hr Buggy Adventure Tour.
Drive to the famous Fljótshlíð area, visits waterfalls, driving on the Markaðsfljótsaurum- tundra field sand around Dímon a little peak on the mountain Eyjafjöll. That will be your stunning natural playground for the next few hours, as your test out your buggy surrounded by amazing scenery that only Iceland can offer. Once your tour is over continue to Vik and enjoy stunning Black Sand beaches near the town. After spending few hours there drive back to Reykjavik with stop at Lava Tunnel. Explore the magnificent lava tunnel Raufarhólshellir, one of the longest and best-known lava tubes in Iceland. It is located just 30 minutes from Reykjavík and is easily accessed year round. Overnight in Reykjavik (Sand Hotel by Keahotels)
Day 5 : Blue Lagoon and Viking World Museum before boarding plane.
The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa in southwestern Iceland. The spa is located in a lava field near Grindavík and in front of Mount Þorbjörn on Reykjanes Peninsula, in a location favorable for geothermal power, and is supplied by water used in the nearby Svartsengi geothermal power station. Then move to the Viking history museum whose star attraction is a climb-aboard replica of a 9th-century ship.
Below is the feedback from our client who just returned from Iceland.
Here are my quick thoughts:
Glacier tour is a MUST for any traveler. It’s a unique experience with breath taking views and relatively low activity level. Equivalent to a gentle hike in terms of physical stress. But, it’s such a novel experience, great photo opportunities and beautiful landscapes.
The black sand beaches near Vik are equally incredible! Just unimaginable and unexplainable. No tour necessary, just a must see destination. The caverns, rock formations, ocean scapes are a must-stop destination in any season!
The buggy tour was a lot of fun. Nothing to do with scenery or anything Iceland specific, but a great way to break the day with a fun experience. I would recommend separate buggies for each participant. A lot more fun to drive than be a passenger for those willing to take the wheel. This one is an adventure ride, not a foo-foo silly photo opportunity. Really cool and well done tour!
Lava tour is interesting and easy to do. If it fits into an itinerary it’s worth making the stop.
All the waterfalls are worth visiting. Each one is very unique, convenient to view, free to see, easy to park and great photos.
The hotels you provided were all good, relative to the location standards and would confidently recommend to future travelers. I will say that the stracta hotel near Hella is definitely a couple steps down from either Reykjavik hotel. So people need to have their expectations set appropriately. To be clear it was clean, well located, and offered good service just no frills. The hotel Borg has more curb appeal, while the Sand Hotel had the better room accommodations, including incredible linens (very fancy).
Another note…In Reykjavik on weekend nights you better have dinner reservations or you will quite literally be eating street food. It gets very busy and finding a place to eat as a walk-in is almost impossible.
We did not catch the northern lights. It’s very hit or miss as you know and maybe we could have increased our odds if we did a pay tour, but honestly the days were so full that by evening we were spent and ready for a hot meal and bed!
Otherwise a very drivable country. Easy to navigate, no traffic outside of Reykjavik, plenty of parking and roadside accommodations (gas, bathrooms, food), absolutely beautiful landscapes while driving (great way to see and explore without having specific event plans), roads are pristine even in rain and snow the most rural road is clean and safe. Additionally, no need to do any Icelandic horse stuff…they are outside along the roadways pretty much every where. You can stop anytime and see them, pet them, feed them, etc….they are very cute but you don’t need to pay or reserve special time with them.
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