Icelandic Lights

Arrive in Reykjavík and transfer independently to your centrally located hotel. Settle into your room and enjoy the afternoon at leisure — perhaps take a short walk to Hallgrímskirkja or explore the city's vibrant streets.

In the evening, meet your guide and fellow travellers for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, a relaxed introduction to the group and the journey ahead. Stay: Hotel Reykjavík Saga - 4 star central hotel with sauna, fitness and steam rooms or similar (D)

After breakfast, begin your journey through Iceland's iconic Golden Circle. Your first stop is Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site where you'll walk between two tectonic plates and learn about Iceland's historical significance as the site of the world's oldest parliament. Continue to the Geysir geothermal area, where the Strokkur geyser erupts dramatically every few minutes. At Restaurant Geysir, enjoy a tasting of traditional Icelandic flavours — hot spring-baked rye bread served with Icelandic butter, boiled eggs, and pickled herring, accompanied by a sample of brennivín (Icelandic schnapps). Next, visit Gullfoss, a powerful double waterfall plunging into a rugged canyon — a breathtaking sight in any season.

In the afternoon, head to a local horse farm for a meet-and-greet with Icelandic horses and a short demonstration. Then visit a geothermal greenhouse, where Icelanders harness natural heat to grow tomatoes and other crops year-round — with a tasting included. Arrive at your countryside accommodation in South Iceland and enjoy a group dinner.

In the evening, attend a Northern Lights presentation as part of the tour's educational program. Weather permitting, step outside to search the skies for the elusive aurora borealis. Stay: Landhotel, a cozy and rustic hotel with stunning views of the mountains and volcanoes in South Iceland. It offers free access to SPA, gym, and rooftop webcams, as well as local cuisine. (B/D)

Today, journey along Iceland's dramatic South Coast, where nature and culture intertwine. Begin with a visit to the Lava & Volcano Exhibition Centre, offering an engaging look at Iceland's powerful geology and volcanic history. Continue to the Skógar Folk Museum, one of Iceland's finest heritage collections. Explore traditional turf houses, domestic artefacts, and tools that offer a glimpse into rural life before modernisation. Next door, admire the majestic Skógafoss waterfall, plunging 60 metres into a misty canyon — often accompanied by rainbows on sunny days.

Enjoy lunch at the museum's restaurant before heading to Reynisfjara, the striking black sand beach near Vík. Walk along the shoreline, where jagged basalt columns rise from the sea and dramatic cliffs frame the coast. Stop briefly in Vík, home to a large tourism store, before continuing east. Arrive at your accommodation near Vatnajökull National Park, a peaceful setting far from city lights — ideal for Northern Lights viewing if conditions allow. Settle in for a relaxing evening and group dinner. Stay: Fosshótel Glacier Lagoon or similar. (B/D)

Today is dedicated to Iceland's glacial wonders. Begin with a visit to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, where massive icebergs drift through crystal-clear waters — a surreal and unforgettable sight. If conditions allow, you may spot seals swimming among the ice. Next, walk along Diamond Beach, where icebergs from the lagoon wash ashore and glisten like jewels against the black volcanic sand. A longer 2 km scenic walk is offered for those who wish to explore further, with the guide meeting you at the other end. Continue to the turf church at Hof, a charming and historic structure nestled in the countryside. Then head into Vatnajökull National Park, Europe's largest national park and home to Iceland's highest peaks and largest glacier. The park's vast alpine landscapes offer a dramatic contrast to the icy coast.

In the evening, return to the hotel for dinner and a Northern Lights Academy film presentation, providing insight into the science and folklore behind the aurora borealis. Weather permitting, you may step outside to search the skies for the elusive Northern Lights. Stay: Fosshótel Glacier Lagoon

Today's journey takes you across some of Iceland's most stunning landscapes. Begin with a drive through the vast Eldhraun lava field, one of the largest lava flows in the world, shaped by a massive eruption in the 18th century. Continue toward the village of Vík, stopping at Reynisfjara black sand beach, where dramatic cliffs and basalt columns rise from the sea — a striking location for photos and reflection.

Travel west to Seljalandsfoss, one of Iceland's most iconic waterfalls. Unique for the path that leads behind the cascade, it offers a rare chance to experience the waterfall from within. The surrounding landscape of meadows and volcanic ridges adds to the beauty of the stop. Before reaching the Blue Lagoon, visit a turf church near Grindavík, a quiet and atmospheric site that reflects Iceland's rural heritage. Then drive through Grindavík, a town recently affected by volcanic activity — now a haunting reminder of Iceland's ever-changing geology.

In the afternoon, unwind at the Blue Lagoon, Iceland's famous geothermal spa. Soak in the warm, mineral-rich waters surrounded by black lava fields, and enjoy a comfort package that includes a mud mask, towel, and drink. Return to Reykjavík in the early evening for your final night. Dinner is independent, but weather permitting, you may have the opportunity to view the Northern Lights from the city — a magical farewell to your Icelandic adventure. Stay: Hótel Reykjavík Saga (B)

After breakfast, transfer independently by Flybus shuttle from your hotel in Reykjavík to Keflavík International Airport for your onward journey. (B)