Spirit of Iceland with Northern Lights

Note: Flights not offered for departures after April 2024.

You can find more details on the Before You Depart page.

Welcome to Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland! Our tour begins with a welcome meeting hosted by our Tour Director at our hotel at 1 PM. Afterward, our panoramic city tour takes us to Reykjavik's highlights like one of the oldest parliaments in the world, the landmark Hallgrímskirkja Church, the Perlan Observatory Deck, Harpa Concert Hall, and Höfði House. Our tour concludes with a welcome dinner. Later tonight, we'll have our first opportunity to view the Northern Lights with a late-night excursion by boat. We can't guarantee you will see the northern lights, but we'll make every effort! If the weather doesn’t cooperate, the excursion will be rescheduled for another evening or possibly done on land.

Note: Given the length of the day, we recommend purchasing the optional pre-night and arriving in Reykjavik one day earlier.

Today is a free day for independent exploring in or around Reykjavik, or join a fascinating full-day optional excursion to the spectacular Snaefellsnes peninsula. See optional tours for more details on this must-see destination.

Our journey takes us through the stunning and diverse landscapes of Iceland’s south coast. This is the land of Njal’s Saga, a region of breathtaking scenery and legendary stories. On our guided excursion, we’ll encounter the dramatic sea cliffs of Dyrholaey and the spectacular waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, as well as unforgettable views of Hekla and Eyjafjallajokul volcanoes. Tonight’s destination is the remote village of Vik, known for its black-sand beaches and considered one of the most magical places to see the northern lights. After dinner together in our countryside hotel, we can simply stroll outside to view this amazing phenomenon!

Our loop of incredible Iceland continues along the Golden Circle, which showcases the country’s most spectacular natural sights. Our first stop is the Geysir hot spring area and the lively Strokkur, which spouts water every 30 minutes. Get your cameras ready for an exciting show! We’ll head to the famous Gullfoss (translated as “Golden Falls”) with its spectacular two-tiered cascade. Next is Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site where the ancient Viking parliament met for centuries on the shores of Iceland’s largest lake. Here, we’ll witness the geological phenomenon of tectonic plates drifting apart. Later, we’ll return to Reykjavik for an evening of leisure.

Today we’ll dip into Iceland’s fascinating history, unique geothermal wonders, and one of its most popular attractions. Our exploration includes Hafnarfjordur, built on an ancient lava flow; the deep, mysterious Lake Kleifarvatn; geothermal areas at Krisuvik and Gunnuhver; the fishing village of Grindavik; and the country’s oldest lighthouse. We’ve saved the most relaxing stop for last, the famous Blue Lagoon, where we’ll bathe in mineral-rich, 102°F waters like the Icelanders do! After our return to Reykjavik, our day concludes with a farewell dinner.

Our tour comes to an end after breakfast this morning. Our Tour Director and/or the hotel staff can help organize transportation for your onward journeys.