NEW! Akureyri & Highlights of the North

Overview

Tour ID: INTS 2B

Tour duration: 5 days /4 nights

This tour includes all the highlights of the north as well as some delights off the beaten track. The landscapes are diverse: high mountains, valleys and fjords carved out by the ice age glaciers and moonlike volcanic scenery that are out of this world. No tour in Iceland is complete without waterfalls and this one includes one of the most beautiful (Godafoss) and the most powerful (Dettifoss). Staying in both Akureyri and Myvatn provides a good mix of the hustle  and bustle of a small town and the serenity of the countryside.
The tour can be also used as part of a COMBO tour together with tour INTS1A (all year) or INTS3C (summer only).

Highlights

• Akureyri, capital of the north
• Lake Myvatn
• The amazing waterfalls Godafoss and Dettifoss

Dates & prices

Departures: Availability upon request for groups

Check out availability with guaranteed departures for self-drive packages here

Price per person:
Group size min 8 /max 16

Included in the package price:

• Transporation in a private coach with an English speaking driver guide as per itinerary
• 4 nights accommodation in room w/private facilities, breakfast included
• 2x dinner
• Farm visit with light refreshments
• Admission fee to Grenjadarstadur museum and whale museum in Husavik

Not included in the package price: flights, optional tours, admission fees and meals others than specified above.

Optional services not included in the basic package, per person:
Flight Reykjavík-Akureyri, incl.airport tax /one way     from ISK 15.500
*Flight Keflavík-Akureyri, incl.airport tax /one way      from ISK 12.800
(*only available when it connects with international flight to/from Iceland)
The airfares are subject to availability at the time of booking.

Optional tours: (prices for 2018 will be updated shortly):
Whale watching  boat tour from Akureyri:
Arctic Circle Express boat tour to Grimsey:
Askja super jeep tour from Lake Mvyatn:
Lofthellir lava ice caves from Lake Myvatn:
Northern Lights tour from Akureyri (off-season):
Admission fee to the Nature Baths :

Itinerary

ITINERARY

Day 1, Saturday: AKUREYRI & SURROUNDINGS
Flight from Reykjavik , arrival to Akureyri (not included in the tour package) and transfer to the city. We start a 4-hour tour of Akureyri and the surrounding area. During the tour we drive through the old centre with charming old houses and visit the church of Akureyri which towers over the downtown area. In clear weather we drive up to the hills above Akureyri from where we get a great view over the town and the fjord. Then we head on to one of the valleys in Eyjafjordur area where we visit a typical Icelandic farm, enjoy light refreshment, get the chance to meet with the locals and pet the farm animals.
After the tour, check in at the hotel in Akureyri and the rest of the afternoon is free to explore the town centre. A visit to the swimming pool is highly recommended!

Optional tour in the evening (not included):
– in summer: Arctic Circle Express to Grimsey Island (June – 10 August) or whale watching
– in autumn/winter: Northern lights tour
Accommodation in Akureyri

Day 2 – Sunday: GODAFOSS – LAKE MYVATN
We drive east along Eyjafjordur towards Godafoss waterfall. Then continue to Laxá river and Lake Myvatn area where we spend the day exploring the natural volcanic wonders. We enter the Rift zone and along the way you will see clear signs of past activity, as recent as 1975-84. Among the highlights are pseudocraters at Skutustadir, Dimmuborgir (The Dark Castle) and the solfatara field at Namaskard with its boiling mud pits and steam vents.
In summer months the Lake is teeming with bird life as various bird and duck species come nesting in the surroundings of the lake.
During the cold winter months large parts of the lake freezes  which offers possibilities for various activity on the ice.     Accommodation in the area of Lake Myvatn for the next 2 nights.

Day 3 – Monday: HUSAVIK COUNTRY TOUR
Daytour to Husavik and the countryside. We drive north through the desert land of Holasandur and past the Laxavirkjun hydro-electric power station on the beautiful Laxa river in the green valley of Adaldalur. Here we visit the old turf farm and folk museum at Grenjadarstaður which offers a glimpse into the times of the past. We continue to the thriving fishing village of Husavik which has become particularly well known for whale watching and the Whale Museum based in the town. We have time to visit the museum and learn about these impressive sea mammals.
We return to Lake Myvatn, there is a possibility to re visit the Nature Baths, enjoy a local hike or join a riding tour in the area.
Accommodation in the area of Lake Myvatn.

Day 4 – Tuesday: DETTIFOSS – AKUREYRI
Drive to Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerfull waterfall which drops 45m deep into the canyon of Jokulsargljufur. The tour involves an easy 20-min. walk by a gravel path to reach the waterfall (summer months).
During winter it may be necessary to walk through snow to get to the waterfall but the majestic view is well worth the effort. Reaching Dettifoss is dependent on weather and road conditions during winter months. If this case an alternative itinerary will be offerred.
We leave Lake Myvatn area and return to Akureyri.
Overnight in hotel in Akureyri.

Day 5 – Wednesday: AKUREYRI – REYKJAVIK
Morning free to explore the city on your own. Early afternoon transfer to Akureyri airport in time for your flight to Reykjavik or Keflavik ( self organised or pre booked by Nonni Travel for you).