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Read More Iceland Land of Fire and Ice
Iceland was the last European country to be settled when it was discovered by the British and Scandinavians more than 1,000 years ago.
Today it is a very modern society with a high standard of living and education. The Icelanders have preserved much of their Norse and Celtic heritage and most of them speak English. They are very friendly and helpful to visitors.
The very name "Iceland" evokes an image of vast ice and snow fields but in fact it has a remarkably moderate climate with fjords, glaciers, active volcanoes, black lava fields, red sulphur, hot blue geysers, white rivers, waterfalls and deep green valleys, all with a backdrop of mountains, ice-capped ranges and towering cliffs. The inland features areas of volcanic formations, geysers, hot springs and lakes while the coastline is richly indented with bays.
On this unique tour we explore the wild beauty of the island. Our sightseeing will include a boat cruise on Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon, the spectacular Eastern Fjords, the charming “capital of the north” - Akureyri, Lake Myvatn National Park - surrounded by lava fields and renowned for its bird life, and the world famous Blue Lagoon where you will have an opportunity to soak in the thermal waters.
There are few countries in the world that can compare to Iceland’s dramatic landscapes, flora and fauna. This photographer and naturalist paradise must be experienced first hand.
* This tour is suitable only for the fit and active traveller.
Itinerary / Excursions
We depart on our overnight flight to Reykjavik.
We arrive in Reykjavik, which means "Smoky Bay" due to the wisps of steam rising from its geothermal springs. After arrival we transfer to the Viking World Museum for a buffet breakfast and time to visit the exhibition. We then head north to our hotel in Borgarnes, en route stopping to visit incredible Hraunfossar Waterfall - hundreds of meters wide, this is one of Iceland’s most beautiful attractions. Tonight is our Welcome Dinner at the hotel.
We begin our ring tour and our first stop will be the 3000-year-old Grábrók Volcano. Grábrók is the biggest crater of three along this volcanic crack. Next we visit an Icelandic Horse farm to learn about this breed of horse that has remained unchanged since its introduction by the Viking's over 1100 years ago. Tonight we stay in Akureyri, the “capital of the north'.
This morning we will have time to explore the town of Akureyri before we head to Godafoss – “Waterfalls of the Gods” – one of the most spectacular in Iceland. We then visit Grenjadastadur Turf House to see the best preserved turf houses and discover the way of life of Icelanders before the 1900s. Then we continue to Laxardals Hydro Power Station for a brief talk and view stop where we will learn the importance of renewable energy, before proceeding to our hotel in Lake Myvatn for a 2-night stay.
Today we explore the amazing natural attractions of this unique area including Dimmugorgir (Dark Castles - towering lava formations), and the bubbling sulfur mudpots of Viti Crater and Krafla which mark the continental divide between the North American and Eurasian Teutonic Plates. After our touring this afternoon we have time to soak in the soothing mineral waters at the Myvatn Nature Baths.
We continue east on the ring road to Dettifoss - the largest waterfall in Europe. Next is Modrudalur – the most isolated farm in Iceland, from where we will enjoy a spectacular view of Herdubreid, fondly referred to as the “Queen of all Mountains in Iceland”. We then visit the Wilderness Centre in Egilsstadir for a true feel of how harsh the lifestyle was in Iceland in previous centuries, before arriving at our hotel.
We travel along the east coast, with its towering mountains and sheer rock faces plunging into the sea to form Iceland's spectacular East Fjords. We will stop at Petra's Stone Collection, perhaps the world’s greatest stone collection. This unusual assortment of thousands of stones is located in Petra's home and spread out over her large garden. After our visit we drive to the heights of Almannaskard Pass past Lonsoraefi, a mountainous wilderness ringed by extinct volcanoes. At Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon we embark on a boat cruise to see up close where huge icebergs have broken off the ever-shifting mass of Breidamerkurjokull Glacier and float in the lagoon. We overnight in Skaftafell.
At Skaftafell National Park we take a walk to get up close to the glacier itself. After travelling through Eldhraun - the largest mass of lava ever to flow on earth - we cross the volcanic sand desert of Myrdalssand until we reach Vik for our overnight.
This morning we visit the Lava Centre - Iceland’s newest attraction and one of the world’s best exhibitions of seismic and volcanic activity. We will make a stop at Gullfoss (“Golden Waterfall”) before continuing to the geothermal region of Haukadalur to see the Strokkur Geyser which erupts every 7 minutes. Our last visit is Pingvellier National Park, where the ancient parliament of the country was established in 930AD, before we arrive in Reykjavik for our last 2 nights.
During our city tour of the capital we will see the old town centre, the Parliament, the Cathedral, the harbour and the National Museum. The afternoon is at leisure. Tonight we enjoy our Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.
We visit the famous Blue Lagoon for an opportunity to bathe in the mineral-rich geothermal pools, before proceeding to the airport for our flight home.
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