Winter in Iceland: Otherworldly Landscapes & Northern Lights

Nestled in the middle of the wild North Atlantic, Iceland's dramatic natural features stand in contrast to Reykjavik's colourful, modern buildings and vibrant culture. We welcome you to Iceland, and invite you to prepare for a winter adventure like no other, with stunning natural landscapes, elven folklore and shimmering northern lights in the overhead sky. Arrive in Reykjavik at any time and transfer to your hotel. Meet your CEO and fellow group members at the evening welcome meeting to gather information about your upcoming adventure. Afterwards, walk to a nearby restaurant for a welcome dinner.

Included Experiences

• Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
• Shuttle: Please go to the Flybus booth inside the arrival hall before exiting the airport, and advise staff about your name and that you're doing a G Adventures trip. They will then hand you a ticket for the bus that brings you to your start hotel. The bus shuttles leave regularly (approx. every 30 minutes) from the airport to Reykjavik and you can take any of them with this voucher.

Head away from the city today as you immerse yourself headfirst into Iceland's dramatic natural landscapes. Visit majestic waterfalls and and even get the opportunity to walk behind one of them, feeling the power of the thundering water cascade from the heights. Witness the mighty Sólheimajökull Glacier and have the opportunity to hike on it or delve deeper into the Iceland's heritage at the Skógar Museum. In the evening set off on the first of hopefully many opportunities to see the Northern Lights dancing in the sky. Travel from Reykjavik and stop at Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss Waterfalls, some of Iceland's most iconic natural features. Continue to Sólheimajökull Glacier for a choice of guided tour before arriving to the hotel in the evening. Later, set out on foot with your CEO for a short walk in search of the Northern Lights.

Included Experiences

• 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 recognizable waterfalls in Iceland. The 60m (200 ft) high falls forms a constant mist that floats in the air, if viewed in the sunlight the mist can create rainbows. The sound and view of the thundering water cutting through the green hills make the falls a must-see on any trip to Iceland.
• Glacier Hiking or Skógar Museum: Option 1: Strap on your crampons for an unforgettable hike on this majestic outlet glacier of the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap Option 2: Step back in time with a guided tour of the Skógar Museum, where Iceland’s rich heritage comes alive through historic buildings, traditional artifacts, and captivating stories. Explore centuries of rural life, craftsmanship, and culture in the heart of South Iceland.

Explore Experiences

Keep your camera handy today as you visit the highlights along the famed Golden Circle route where you'll visit Thingvellir National Park and a geyser that spouts water high up into the sky. Savour scrumptious lunch at a local greenhouse surrounded by tomato vines then stand in awe at the power of Gulfoss Waterfall, where the water cascades down two tiers before falling into the churning waters below. Next, slip into the thermal waters at the Secret Lagoon to cap off the day of exploration. With the stars as your companion, set off again in the evening in search of the glorious Northern Lights in the sky. Transfer from Hella to the Golden Circle route, with stops at Thingvellir, Geysir and Gulfoss Waterfall with a lunch stop at a local greenhouse. Visit the Secret Lagoon geothermal hot springs for a swim before returning to the hotel for a free evening and another opportunity for a walk to see the Northern Lights with your CEO.

Included Experiences

• Secret Lagoon: The Secret Lagoon natural hot springs are the Golden Circle's best kept secret. The pool's natural surroundings and steam rising into the air gives the place a magical feeling. Warm water stays at 38-40 celsius all year. There are several geothermal spots and a little Geysir which erupts every 5 minutes. Swimsuit and towel rentals are available.
• Thingvellir National Park Visit: Stop at Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site, to see the tectonic faults created by North American and Eurasian tectonic plates shifting apart. The Oxara river cuts through the largest rift in the valley, Almannagja, and leads to the Oxarafoss waterfall. Iceland’s parliament was also established in the area in 930. The park was later created to protect the remains of the open-air assembly grounds.
• 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.

Explore Experiences

Icelandic horses are completely unique; forged by centuries of isolation and the dramatic local climate. They're resilient, independent, and are known to possess a gentle spirit, and you'll have the opportunity to meet them today at a working farm. Then, back in Reykjavik choose to pass the afternoon as you like; perhaps visit the iconic Hallgrímskirkja Church or explore the National Museum of Iceland where you can better connect with the culture and understand how Iceland became the haven it is today. Regroup in the evening for a dinner out on the town.

Included Experiences

• Horse Farm Visit: Engage in a guided stable tour to learn about the Icelandic horse, its history, and unique characteristics.
• Free Time: There's plenty to see and do in Reykjavik; now is your chance to explore. Choose to visit the iconic Hallgrímskirkja Church or the or dive into the island's rich history at the National Museum of Iceland.

Optional Experiences

• Hallgrímskirkja Church Visit: Though it can be seen from almost anywhere you are in Reykjavik - step inside and get a closer look at the Hallgrímskirkja Church. Designed in 1937 by architect Guðjón Samúelsson, this masterpiece took nearly 50 years to complete. Enjoy some time to walk around and explore the church on your own - notice that the columns are meant to reflect the basalt columns found on Reynisfjara black sand beach in Vik.
• The National museum of Iceland Visit: Explore Iceland's rich history from settlement to modern times through engaging exhibits and artifacts.

Made famous by Jules Verne's 'Journey to the center of the Earth', this peninsula is known for its spectacular landscapes. Set off for a full day of exploration, where You'll visit small fishing towns and make various stops throughout the day at different natural features and photo stops. Experience some truly incredible scenery in a way that seemingly only Iceland can provide. Enjoy breakfast before heading toward the peninsula in a private vehicle. Make stops in Kirkjufell, Ölafsvik, Djúpalónssandur, Arnarstapi, and Vatnshellir before travelling back to Reykjavik for the evening.

Included Experiences

• Snafellsnes Peninsula Visit: Head out in the morning to explore the Snafellsnes Peninsula with your CEO. Enjoy the views of this scenic region which boasts glaciers, mountains, lava fields and coastal vistas, making several stops throughout the day.
• Kirkjufell Photo Stop: Enjoy a short photo stop in Kirkjufell, one of the most photographed mountains in Iceland, most notably known for being features in Game of Thrones, with a stunning nearby waterfall.
• Ölafsvík Seafood Lunch: Stop for a delicious seafood lunch in a quaint fishing village on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
• Arnarstapi Visit: Stop in Arnarstapi, a coastal village known for its stunning basalt cliffs, sea arches, and rich birdlife, offering a peaceful walk by the ocean.
• Vatnshellir Visit: Take a journey into a fascinating lava tube cave, believed to be over 8,000 years old, with guided tours deep beneath the surface.

The day beckons with opportunity as you have an entire free day to take advantage of everything that Reykjavik has to offer. Perhaps slip into the crystal clear waters of the Silfra Fissure and drift along between the tectonic plates, go whale-watching or continue exploring the city. Later, cap off your Icelandic adventure at the oceanfront Sky Lagoon for a light dinner and to soak your worries away against a backdrop of the North Atlantic and distant mountains. Rest this evening feeling recharged, both body and soul.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: There's plenty to see and do in Reyjkavik; now is your opportunity to explore. Try your hand at snorkelling the Silfra Fissure or ready your sea legs with a whale watching excursion, perhaps.
• Sky Lagoon Geothermal Hot Springs: Enjoy a uniquely Icelandic experience, a warm geo thermal bath overlooking the water near the city.

Optional Experiences

• Whale Watching from Reykjavik: Take to the water from Reykjavik Harbour for whale watching. Try to spot minke and humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises from your vantage point aboard the boat. As you explore Faxaflói bay and the surrounding water, feel free to ask the expert guide accompanying you any and all questions about the area.
• Silfra Fissure Snorkelling in Thingvellir National Park (from Reykjavik): Float between the American and Eurasian continental plates and explore the incredible rock formations. Located in the heart of Þingvellir National Park, with clear, narrow blue water channels, Silfra Fissure is one of Iceland’s most incredible spots for snorkelling and regularly rated as one of world's top ten dive sites. Activity includes roundtrip transportation from Reykjavík (about 35 mins each way). Travellers with certain medical conditions cannot participate in this activity and it is non-refundable. Please read the following document to verify that you are able to meet the activity requirements as no refund can be issued if you are declined participation due to one of these conditions: https://adventures.is/media/230104/arctic-adventures-snorkeling-silfra-guide.pdf **Please note that availability cannot be guaranteed and we recommend booking in advance**

The adventure finishes today, and you can depart at any time.