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Europe
8 days
7 nights
12 people
Moderate
Wildlife & Nature
Renowned worldwide for its sensational, other-worldly scenery and extraordinary natural wonders, a trip to Iceland is like visiting a different planet. Embark on an epic journey across this captivating country, tracing ancient legends, and uncovering some of nature’s most spectacular sights, from mighty waterfalls and northern lights, to volcanic black beaches and iceberg-filled lagoons.
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We also offer an Iceland in Summer adventure.
Welcome to Iceland! You’ll arrive at Iceland’s Keflavík International Airport and make your way to the group hotel in Reykjavik via a shared shuttle service. Depending on your arrival time you may have time to explore some of Reykjavik. If you do, we recommend checking out the wonderful National Museum of Iceland to learn about the Viking history of the region. Meet your guide and fellow travelers In the late afternoon for a welcome meeting, then visit a local restaurant for a delicious welcome dinner.
Welcome to Iceland! You’ll arrive at Iceland’s Keflavík International Airport and make your way to the group hotel in Reykjavik via a shared shuttle service. Depending on your arrival time you may have time to explore some of Reykjavik. If you do, we recommend checking out the wonderful National Museum of Iceland to learn about the Viking history of the region. Meet your guide and fellow travelers In the late afternoon for a welcome meeting, then visit a local restaurant for a delicious welcome dinner.
Hotel Alda, or similar, Reykjavik
Dinner
Hotel Alda, or similar, Reykjavik
Dinner
Hit some of Iceland’s top highlights today, starting with Hafnarfjördur, a charming little port town. Centuries-old folklore tells us that this is where the largest colonies of elves, dwarves and other spiritual beings once lived. Hear some Icelandic folk tales before heading to the spectacular Þingvellir National Park, home to the first Icelandic parliament, from the 10th to 18th centuries. It lies on the divergent edges of the European and North American tectonic plates. It is this active plate boundary and associated hotspot under Iceland that creates the steaming vents and chimneys of the Geysir Geothermal Area. Continue from here to the Geysir and one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland - Gullfoss. Arrive at your accommodation in the early evening, just in time for dinner.
Hit some of Iceland’s top highlights today, starting with Hafnarfjördur, a charming little port town. Centuries-old folklore tells us that this is where the largest colonies of elves, dwarves and other spiritual beings once lived. Hear some Icelandic folk tales before heading to the spectacular Þingvellir National Park, home to the first Icelandic parliament, from the 10th to 18th centuries. It lies on the divergent edges of the European and North American tectonic plates. It is this active plate boundary and associated hotspot under Iceland that creates the steaming vents and chimneys of the Geysir Geothermal Area. Continue from here to the Geysir and one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland - Gullfoss. Arrive at your accommodation in the early evening, just in time for dinner.
Hotel Stracta or similar, Hvolsvöllur
Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel Stracta or similar, Hvolsvöllur
Breakfast, Dinner
Begin your day with a visit to two different waterfalls; iconic Seljalandsfoss is often featured in Icelandic tourist guides, while 60m high Skogafoss is one of the tallest waterfalls in the country. Next, make your way to Reynisfjara, better known as the black beach of Iceland. The sand here is actually volcanic ash that’s been ground down over thousands of years. Finally, you’ll visit the extraordinary Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, a stunning glacial lagoon renowned for its icy blue waters speckled with icebergs from the surrounding Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. As night falls, embark on a quest to discover the magical Northern Lights with your guide before returning to your hotel for dinner.
Begin your day with a visit to two different waterfalls; iconic Seljalandsfoss is often featured in Icelandic tourist guides, while 60m high Skogafoss is one of the tallest waterfalls in the country. Next, make your way to Reynisfjara, better known as the black beach of Iceland. The sand here is actually volcanic ash that’s been ground down over thousands of years. Finally, you’ll visit the extraordinary Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, a stunning glacial lagoon renowned for its icy blue waters speckled with icebergs from the surrounding Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. As night falls, embark on a quest to discover the magical Northern Lights with your guide before returning to your hotel for dinner.
Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon, or similar, Höfn
Breakfast, Dinner
Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon, or similar, Höfn
Breakfast, Dinner
Take a scenic ride back along the south coast towards Reykjavik today, stopping at more of the country’s beauty spots, including Drangurinn Rock. Upon arrival, take some time to rest in your hotel, before enjoying a short walking tour of Iceland’s capital. The rest of the day is yours to explore. Don’t miss the distinctive Hallgrimskirkja church, which looks more like an alien spaceship than a place of worship. And the Icelandic Phallological Museum is fun too! If you fancy witnessing the northern lights from the sea, consider joining our optional northern lights boat tour, available in the afternoon or this evening. For dinner, there are lots of great restaurants in the city, or you could seek out Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, one of the oldest family businesses in Reykjavik; they’ve been serving their popular lamb-based hot dogs here since 1937.
Take a scenic ride back along the south coast towards Reykjavik today, stopping at more of the country’s beauty spots, including Drangurinn Rock. Upon arrival, take some time to rest in your hotel, before enjoying a short walking tour of Iceland’s capital. The rest of the day is yours to explore. Don’t miss the distinctive Hallgrimskirkja church, which looks more like an alien spaceship than a place of worship. And the Icelandic Phallological Museum is fun too! If you fancy witnessing the northern lights from the sea, consider joining our optional northern lights boat tour, available in the afternoon or this evening. For dinner, there are lots of great restaurants in the city, or you could seek out Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, one of the oldest family businesses in Reykjavik; they’ve been serving their popular lamb-based hot dogs here since 1937.
Fosshotel Centrum Hotel, or similar, Reykjavik
Breakfast
Fosshotel Centrum Hotel, or similar, Reykjavik
Breakfast
Leave Reykjavik today and head north. Your first stop will be Barnafoss, which literally translates as ‘children’s waterfalls,’ where you will hear the ancient Icelandic legend that explains how the waterfall got its unique name. Continue on to Krauma geothermal nature baths, where you’ll enjoy a relaxing soak in the geothermal pools overlooking dramatic Icelandic landscapes. You’ll then head to the stunning Snaefellsnes Peninsula, where you’ll bed down for the night.
Leave Reykjavik today and head north. Your first stop will be Barnafoss, which literally translates as ‘children’s waterfalls,’ where you will hear the ancient Icelandic legend that explains how the waterfall got its unique name. Continue on to Krauma geothermal nature baths, where you’ll enjoy a relaxing soak in the geothermal pools overlooking dramatic Icelandic landscapes. You’ll then head to the stunning Snaefellsnes Peninsula, where you’ll bed down for the night.
Fosshotel Stykkisholmur, or similar, Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Breakfast, Dinner
Fosshotel Stykkisholmur, or similar, Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Breakfast, Dinner
Today you’ll explore the magical Snæfellsnes Peninsula, famous for a 700,000-year-old glacier-capped stratovolcano, which was the inspiration for Jules Verne’s Journey to the Center of the Earth. You’ll make a few other stops to appreciate the dreamscape-like scenery of the area, including at the black church of Búðakirkja in Búðir. In the evening visit a local farmhouse to learn about Icelandic cuisine and taste the best local food.
Today you’ll explore the magical Snæfellsnes Peninsula, famous for a 700,000-year-old glacier-capped stratovolcano, which was the inspiration for Jules Verne’s Journey to the Center of the Earth. You’ll make a few other stops to appreciate the dreamscape-like scenery of the area, including at the black church of Búðakirkja in Búðir. In the evening visit a local farmhouse to learn about Icelandic cuisine and taste the best local food.
Fosshotel Stykkisholmur, or similar, Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Breakfast, Dinner
Fosshotel Stykkisholmur, or similar, Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast, you’ll visit the Shark Museum, a farmstead where you’ll have the opportunity to sample a unique local delicacy - fermented shark. A shot of Brennivín schnapps is offered alongside the shark meat, which visitors often use to wash away the strong flavor of the shark from their palate. Return to Reykjavik, where you’ll have some time to continue your solo exploration of the capital. In the evening join your group for a delicious farewell dinner in one of our favorite restaurants in the city.
After breakfast, you’ll visit the Shark Museum, a farmstead where you’ll have the opportunity to sample a unique local delicacy - fermented shark. A shot of Brennivín schnapps is offered alongside the shark meat, which visitors often use to wash away the strong flavor of the shark from their palate. Return to Reykjavik, where you’ll have some time to continue your solo exploration of the capital. In the evening join your group for a delicious farewell dinner in one of our favorite restaurants in the city.
Fosshotel Centrum Hotel, or similar, Reykjavik
Breakfast, Dinner
Fosshotel Centrum Hotel, or similar, Reykjavik
Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast you are free to depart for home or further Icelandic adventures. If you are staying on in Iceland, check out Atlas Obscura’s Guide to Iceland for itinerary inspiration. Until our next adventure!
After breakfast you are free to depart for home or further Icelandic adventures. If you are staying on in Iceland, check out Atlas Obscura’s Guide to Iceland for itinerary inspiration. Until our next adventure!
Breakfast
Breakfast
Deposit to book your trip: $250 USD.
Balance due 90 days prior to departure.
The listed price of the trip is per person based on double occupancy.
Deposit to book your trip: $250 USD.
Balance due 90 days prior to departure.
The listed price of the trip is per person based on double occupancy.
You’re in good company.
Opt for a Private Room to yourself, subject to availability, for a supplemental cost of $690USD.
Solo travelers typically make up about half of our small groups. With curiosity at the center of our experiences, there’s a natural camaraderie that develops over the course of a trip.
If you don’t opt for a Private Room, you'll be matched with another solo traveler of the same gender.
You’re in good company.
Opt for a Private Room to yourself, subject to availability, for a supplemental cost of $690USD.
Solo travelers typically make up about half of our small groups. With curiosity at the center of our experiences, there’s a natural camaraderie that develops over the course of a trip.
If you don’t opt for a Private Room, you'll be matched with another solo traveler of the same gender.
You should plan to arrive by 1 p.m. on Day 1, and depart anytime on Day 8. Keflavík International Airport (KEF) connects to a range of flight hubs in Europe and North America. The best flight connections to Rekjavík are offered by IcelandAir.
*Shared shuttle airport transfers are only provided if arriving & departing on the trip dates, or if pre/post arrangements have been made through Atlas Obscura.
You should plan to arrive by 1 p.m. on Day 1, and depart anytime on Day 8. Keflavík International Airport (KEF) connects to a range of flight hubs in Europe and North America. The best flight connections to Rekjavík are offered by IcelandAir.
*Shared shuttle airport transfers are only provided if arriving & departing on the trip dates, or if pre/post arrangements have been made through Atlas Obscura.
Travelers should feel comfortable walking two to four miles over the course of each day, remaining on their feet for long periods of time, and sometimes walking on uneven terrain. Winter in Iceland comes with its own rigors of snowy conditions, cold temperatures, and short daylight hours. This overland journey requires some long driving days up to 6 hours, which will be broken up with sites and activities.
Travelers should feel comfortable walking two to four miles over the course of each day, remaining on their feet for long periods of time, and sometimes walking on uneven terrain. Winter in Iceland comes with its own rigors of snowy conditions, cold temperatures, and short daylight hours. This overland journey requires some long driving days up to 6 hours, which will be broken up with sites and activities.
Check out the Essential Trip Information for this trip or our general FAQs.
Call us at +1 833-919-9154
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Have a question for us about Iceland in Winter: Chasing the Northern Lights? We're here to help!
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Have a question for us about Iceland in Winter: Chasing the Northern Lights? We're here to help!
Call us at +1 833-919-9154
Check out our FAQ
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
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Have a question for us? We're here to help!
Call us at +1 833-919-9154
Check out our FAQ
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.