Signature: Iceland's Winterscapes, Golden Circle & Northern Lights
Itinerary
Welcome to Iceland. Your expedition begins as you touch down on this volcanic island, greeted by crisp Arctic air. You will be met and transferred to Reykjavík, for an introductory gathering with your fellow travellers, National Geographic Expedition Leader and National Geographic Expedition Expert. From here, venture into the landscapes of Þingvellir National Park to walk between the towering tectonic plates of North America and Eurasia. Next, visit an innovative geothermal greenhouse farm. Learn about zero-waste, earth-powered agriculture before sitting down to a fresh farm-to-table lunch. Settle into your countryside lodging this afternoon. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner highlighting sustainable local flavours.
- Arrival Transfer: You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.
- Welcome meeting at Reykjavík hotel: Transfer to a centrally located hotel where your fellow travellers, National Geographic Expedition Leader and National Geographic Expedition Expert gather for awelcome meeting before continuing the day.
- Guided walk at Þingvellir National Park: Explore the historic Þingvellir National Park on a guided walk through the dramatic rift valley where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are pulling apart. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the ancestral home of Iceland’s parliament and offers a unique look at both the island's geological marvels and its cultural origins.
Under the soft mantle of Nordic winter darkness, visit Sólheimar Ecovillage to learn about this pioneering community's self-sufficiency. From there, head into the volatile heart of the Golden Circle. Witness the Geysir geothermal field, where the restless Strokkur geyser violently ejects boiling columns into the crisp air. Nearby, watch the thundering Gullfoss waterfall plunge dramatically into an icy canyon. Conclude at Laugarvatn Fontana, baking traditional rye bread in the geothermally heated earth before a relaxing soak in lakeside thermal baths. In the evening, venture into the dark with your Expedition Leader to scan the skies for the dancing green ribbons of the elusive aurora borealis.
- Solheimar Ecovillage Visit: Stop to visit Solheimar Ecovillage, a sustainable community of over 100 people, dedicated to helping people with disabilities. Nestled beautifully amongst the countryside, take in the panoramic views as you support this non-profit community by touring the village to learn about the various workshops, businesses, and programs and opting to enjoy a meal at the local coffee house.
- Geysir Visit: See a variety of geothermal pools and the erupting hot spring Strokkur. Geysir is one of the oldest geysers recorded in the world, but is most often dormant. Strokkur erupts a spray of boiling hot water straight into the air about every ten minutes.
- Gullfoss Waterfall Visit: Discover one of the most impressive waterfalls in Iceland, Gullfoss, and complete the circuit known as the Golden Circle. This massive waterfall cascades over three “steps” before spilling into a large crevice. Fed by a glacier lake, the water passing through the falls can be a dark grey depending on how much sediment gets pushed through the river.
- Fontana Geothermal Baths & bread making: We gather around as a pot of rye bread is unearthed from warm black sand after baking underground for 24 hours. Served steaming hot with butter, it is sweet, chewy, and rich—a taste preserved for generations. Afterward, step into natural steam from a bubbling geyser. Listen to the earth's hiss, inhale mineral mist, and feel heat dissolve tension while unwinding in thermal baths or cooling off in the lake: pure geothermal bliss.
- Night walk to see the Northern Lights: As night falls over the dark Icelandic countryside, step outside the warmth of your hotel into the crisp, still air for an evening walk across the grounds with your National Geographic Expedition Expert. Far from the ambient glow of the capital, the rural darkness provides an ideal canvas to capture the essence of the science behind the aurora borealis.
Feel the ground hum as you plunge into the restless forces shaping Iceland's volatile crust. Descend into a pioneering geothermal power plant to examine the brilliant innovations and cutting-edge technology shaping the future of green energy. Transition from modern technology to raw geology as you step into the cool, silent sanctuary of a subterranean volcanic lava tube. Follow your Expedition Leader along the ancient pathways of underground fire, where specialised illumination reveals spectacular frozen rivers of multi-hued basaltic rock. Afterward, travel to the steaming geothermal valley of Hveragerði, where you have free time for lunch on your own before returning to your hotel to enjoy dinner.
- Visit to the Geothermal Hellisheidi Power Plant: This morning travel to the volcanic plateau of Hengill for a visit and private tour of the Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant, one of the world's largest renewable energy facilities. Step inside the sleek, modern complex, feeling the low, rhythmic hum of the earth's raw energy vibrating through the floorboards. Inhale the faint, earthy scent of sulfur as you look out over the vast landscape of steaming vents and moss-covered lava fields. You specialist guides you through the facility, detailing how subterranean water, heated to roaring temperatures by deep magma chambers, is harnessed to power the modern nation. Learn about pioneering carbon-capture technology that turns emissions into stone, witnessing a masterclass in green innovation.
- Visit the Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel: Descend beneath the Earth's crust for a visit to Raufarhólshellir, one of Iceland’s longest and most magnificent lava tunnels. Fasten your helmet and step onto a specially constructed footbridge that leads you into a subterranean world carved by a roaring river of fire over 5,000 years ago. Walk through the colossal, cathedral-like main chamber as expertly placed lighting illuminates a natural gallery of vibrant crimson, amber, and deep purple mineral bands etched directly into the rugged basalt walls.
- Visit to Hveragerði: Hveragerði is an Icelandic town built on an active geothermal area. It features rising volcanic steam, hot rivers for bathing, earthquake history, and greenhouses powered by Earth's energy. The town is packed with unique outdoor, culinary, and geological activities. Because the town sits right on a tectonic plate boundary, everything here revolves around the earth's natural energy.
Travel along the dramatic southern coast, where the raw power of ice and rock takes centre stage. Stand before Seljalandsfoss waterfall as glacial meltwaters from Eyjafjallajökull glacier cascade down an ancient, moss-draped cliffside. Continue to the thunderous torrent of Skógafoss, feeling the cool mist from its immense hydraulic power. Following a lunch of local seasonal flavours, step through a living portal of Icelandic resilience at the Skógar Museum. Explore historic turf houses and delicate artefacts that reveal how early settlers survived this unforgiving landscape. After a rest at the hotel, join your Expedition Leader for a nocturnal search for the shifting colours of the aurora borealis.
- Seljalandsfoss Waterfall Visit: Seljalandsfoss is a 60m (196 ft) tall waterfall located along the popular ring road. Behind the flow of water is a path, allowing visitors to peek behind the curtain of water cascading over the rocks above.
- Skógafoss Waterfall Visit: Visit Skógafoss, one of the largest and most recognisable waterfalls in Iceland. The 60m (200 ft) high falls form a constant mist that floats in the air, creating rainbows as sunlight allows. The sound and view of the thundering water cutting through the green hills make the falls a must-see on any trip to Iceland.
- Visit to the Skógar Museum: Step across the threshold of history during a private guided visit to the Skógar Museum, nestled under the mist of the towering southern cliffs. Meet a local curator who guides you through an extensive collection of cultural treasures, where the scent of aged timber and weathered iron tells the story of early Icelandic survival. Wander past beautifully preserved rowboats, handmade woollen textiles, and intricate woodcarvings, learning how past generations braved the harsh Arctic elements. Afterwards, step outside into the crisp coastal air to explore the open-air heritage site, walking amongst historic turf houses with green-carpeted roofs that blend seamlessly into the volcanic landscape.
- Night walk to see the Northern Lights: As night falls over the dark Icelandic countryside, step outside the warmth of your hotel into the crisp, still air for an evening walk across the grounds with your National Geographic Expedition Expert. Far from the ambient glow of the capital, the rural darkness provides an ideal canvas to capture the essence of the science behind the aurora borealis.
Uncover the fiery heart of the island at an interactive lava centre. Alongside a volcanologist, analyse the powerful seismic forces that drive iconic peaks like Hekla, Katla, and Eyjafjallajökull. Head to a heritage horse farm for a private session that illuminates living history. Meet purebred Icelandic horses, learning how their unique genetics have been intertwined with the human saga since the days of early settlement. Return to the hotel for some downtime before gathering for a farewell dinner and presentation decoding the science of the aurora borealis and celebrating an amazing time in Iceland.
- Lava Centre Visit with a Vulcanologist: Visit this stunning interactive exhibition with a volcanologist to learn about all aspects of Iceland's unique geography, including volcanoes, earthquakes, and geothermal activity.
- Visit the Skeidvellir Icelandic Horseworld: Travel to Skeiðvellir horse farm for a private session dedicated to the iconic Icelandic horse, a breed deeply woven into the country's historic legacy. Meet your host for a guided tour of the stables, breathing in the scent of sweet hay as you get up close to these spirited animals. Learn how strict genetic isolation since the Viking Age has preserved their pure bloodline and unique five gaits. Your host shares stories of the farm's heritage and the breed's vital role in Icelandic survival through centuries of volcanic winters. Stand in the crisp country air as the horses move across the paddock, gaining a newfound appreciation for their resilience and place in the national identity.
Savour a final breakfast as the frost-dusted countryside catches the soft morning light, then transfer to the airport for your onward travel.
- Departure Transfer: Today the group will be transferred from Hella to Keflavik Airport where your tour ends.
Trip Inclusions
- Walk the fractured chasm between North American and Eurasian tectonic plates at Þingvellir.
- Bake rye bread in geothermal earth and relax in the thermal baths of Laugarvatn Fontana.
- Search the night sky to witness and photograph the dancing colours of the Aurora Borealis.
- Visit the Lava Centre and analyse Iceland's tectonic forces alongside a volcanologist.
- Go behind the scenes at Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant with a specialist guide.
- Your G for Good Moment: Solheimar Ecovillage Visit, Selfoss
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome meeting at Reykjavík hotel, Reykjavik
- Your Foodie Moment: Fontana Geothermal Baths & bread making, Laugarvatn
- Signature Moment: Visit to the Geothermal Hellisheidi Power Plant, Hengill
- Signature Moment: Lava Centre Visit with a Vulcanologist, Hvolsvollur
- Arrival and Departure Transfers
- Guided walk at Þingvellir National Park
- Greenhouse tour at Friðheimar
- Visit Sólheimar Eco-Village
- Geysir Geothermal Field Visit
- Gullfoss Waterfall Visit
- Fontana Geothermal visit & bread making
- Fontana Geothermal Baths & Steams by the lake
- Night excursions to see the Northern Lights
- Private visit of the Geothermal Hellisheidi Power Plant
- Lava Tunnel visit
- Visit Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls
- Private Guided visit of Skogar Museum
- Visit the the Lava Centre with volcanologist
- Visit Skeidvellir Icelandic Horseworld
- Engaging Discussions with the National Geographic Expert Throughout
- Porterage at hotels and when getting on and off of vehicles
- Tips are included for all activities, meals and porterage, except for your Expedition Leader
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- Private vehicle, walking
- National Geographic Expedition Leader and National Geographic Expedition Expert throughout
- Hotels (5 Nights)
- 5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included.
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Dates & Pricing
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