9 Day Package New Year’s Eve & Northern Lights in Iceland

8 Day Package New Year’s Eve & Northern Lights in Iceland

Spending New Year’s Eve in Reykjavik is an unforgettable experience as the winter skies are lit up with fireworks which everyone is free to fire into the air! But this packages offers even more, as you get to explore some of the greatest attractions in Iceland on guided tours and will have great chances to see the Northern Lights.

Highlights

• New Year’s Eve in Reykjavík
• Chance to see the Northern Lights
• North Iceland Winter Wonderland
• Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon
• The Golden Circle
• The South Shore
• Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Daily Itinerary 

Day 1 – 25. December:   Arrival – Keflavík – Reykjavík

Coach transfer to Reykjavík
Optional : Blue Lagoon, depending upon flight arrival time. Entrance time must be pre booked.

Accommodation: 3* hotel in Reykjavík, standard room with private facilities, including breakfast.

Day 2 – 26. December: Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Lava Cave & Northern Lights 2 day escorted tour:

09:00-09:30 Pick up from hotel
When we have picked you from your hotel we will head towards the Borgarfjörður region where we will visit Deildartunguhver hot spring, the old bishopric and historic site Reykholt and one of the highlights of the day, the Hraunfossar waterfalls. We then continue towards the Snæfellsnes peninsula where we´ll first see the impressive basalt column wall at Gerðuberg and the mineral spring at Rauðamelsölkelda. At the end of the day we stay at a locally situated country hotel on the south coast, close to a wide sandy beach where seals can be spotted. We can enjoy magnificent views to the mighty glacier of Snæfellsnes where the well-known tale, Journey to the Center of the Earth takes place. Maybe the northern lights will show up above the accommodation.

Accommodation: 3* Country Hotel  in Snæfellsnes, standard room with private facilities, including breakfast.
Possibility to see the northern lights directly from the hotel location.

Day 3 – 27. December: Snæfellsnes Peninsula – Reykavík
Today, after breakfast, we will continue our journey around the peninsula of Snæfellsnes. Our first visit is a ravine called Rauðfeldsgjá, close to our next stop, the Arnarstapi fishing village where we´ll take a short walk to see ravines, caves, basalt columns and seabirds.

We will then travel on to Hellnar, which is another really nice little village where we will enjoy a short hike to explore and take in the views. After a refreshing hike we might catch a cup of coffee at the smallest coffeeshop in Iceland at the pier at Hellnar.
The black-sand beaches
Our next stop will be the stunning black sand beaches of Djúpalónssandur and Dritvík, where there were fishing operations in the olden days. The debris of two shipwrecks from some decades ago is still spread along the beach. These beaches are stunning and extremely interesting places to see with unusual cliff formations and black pebbles.
After the refreshing visit to the sea side, we go underground on a tour of the Vatnshellir cave, which is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the day.
Once we re-surface, we will continue our drive around the peninsula, visiting the small fishing villages of Hellissandur, passing through Ólafsvík and onwards to Grundarfjörður which lies at the foot of the iconic mountain Kirkjufell.
From Grundarfjörður we proceed through the small fjords of Hraunsfjörður and Kolgrafafjörður and drive through Berserkjahraun lava field. We will hear interesting legends about the Swedish berserks that laid the road in exchange for the farmers daughter but paid with their life. We will then turn south and drive across the mountains at Vatnaleið and head for Reykjavík.
We estimate that we will be back to Reykjavík around 19:00 – 20:00 on day two, depending on weather and road conditions.

Accommodation: 3* hotel in Reykjavík, standard room with private facilities, including breakfast.

Day 4 – 28. December: Reykjavík – Akureyri

Morning transfer by taxi from your hotel to Reykjavík Domestic Airport and then a 45 minute flight to the capital of the north, Akureyri. Taxi transfer from Akureyri Domestic Airport to your hotel in Akureyri,

At 13:00, you will go on a whale watching tour from Akureyri harbour (aprox. 3 hours). This is your chance to see the incredible Eyjafjord Humpbacks in their natural habitat. Specially trained whale watching guides are experts at spotting the whales and the ship is the only high speed, specially modified whale watching ship in Iceland, with great viewing platforms and indoor comfort as well.

Akureyri is situated at the base of beautiful Eyjafjörður (Island Fjord) at the end of the Arctic Circle, surrounded by steep mountains and in winter many people come to ski.
It’s hard to miss the Akureyrarkirkja, a prominent church perched high on a hill, whose twin towers dominate Akureyri’s skyline. This Lutheran church was designed by Guðjón Samúelsson and consecrated in 1940. On a clear day, you can see tremendous views of the nearby fjord and mountains from the back of the church.
The Old Town is a collection of houses and buildings still standing not far outside the very centre of town. Together they give visitors a glimpse into the early history of Akureyri. Some of the historic buildings still standing are the old theatre, the old school house and the hospital built in 1827. Also in the old part of town is Laxdalshús, a beautiful wooden home built in 1795. Many of the residential houses in this part of town are also quite old and make for charming surroundings for a stroll.

Optional: Northern Lights Tour 3 hr duration 21:00-00:00

Accommodation: 3* hotel in Akureyri, standard room with private facilities, including breakfast.

Day 5 – 29 December: Lake Mývatn & Goðafoss Waterfall Day Tour

After departing from Akureyri, we begin our day by stopping at Goðafoss on our way to Lake Mývatn. This magnificent waterfall plays an important role in the Icelandic history, particularly in connection with the introduction of Christianity.
We will see the pseudo craters of Skútustaðir. These “craters” were formed during volcanic eruptions when lava flowed over wetlands, eventually resulting in steam eruptions and forming these medium-sized craters.
We’ll also walk in an interesting labyrinth of lava formations called Dimmuborgir. Meaning “Gloomy Castles”, their dramatic structures are one of Iceland’s most popular natural tourist attractions, reminding travellers of an ancient collapsed citadel. It’s a world of fairy tales indeed.
The hot springs of Námaskarð cover a rather large area. The pigments and minerals found in the ground make us think of a painter’s palette. The whole place is filled with lots of bubbling mud pots, and steam coming out of the ground. The stench of sulphur is just amazing, adding to the feeling of being in an otherworldly realm.
Towards the end of the tour there is an option of visiting the beautiful Mývatn Nature Baths for a relaxing geothermal bath in the silica waters of the so-called Blue Lagoon of the North. The entrance fee is not included in your package price, but entrance can be booked here.

After a relaxing bath we head back to Akureyri where you will be dropped off to Akureyri Airport for your 17:25 flight back to Reykjavik. Upon arrival in Reykjavik, there will be a taxi transfer to your hotel.

Accommodation: 3* hotel in Reykjavik, standard room with private facilities, including breakfast

Day 6 – 30. December: South Shore & Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Day Tour

Early pick up from your hotel, between 07:00 – 07:30 Pick up from hotel.

This great tour takes us along the impressive South coast of Iceland to the extraordinary Glacier Lagoon. You will have plenty of time to explore the Glacier lagoon with it’s floating icebergs. On our drive back we will visit two gorgeous waterfalls, Skógafoss with its magnificent 60 m drop and Seljalandsfoss where you can walk behind the waterfall and through to the other side.
Jökulsárlón is the largest and the deepest glacier lagoon in Iceland, located in the south east part of Iceland. The lagoon branches from Breiðamerkurjökull, an outlet glacier of the Vatnajökull glacier the largest glacier in Europe.

It is sometimes possible to see the Northern Lights during the return drive to Reykjavík from the Lagoon.

Accommodation: 3* hotel in Reykjavík, standard room with private facilities, including breakfast

Day 7 – 31. December: Golden Circle Day Tour

Today your adventure continues to the iconic Golden Circle , home to the historic Þingvellir National Park, the legendary Geysir Area and the majestic Gullfoss Waterfall, before we head to The Secret Lagoon to have a relaxing bath amidst gorgeous natural scenery.
Visit the historic Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is also geologically significant. It was the original location of Alþingi, where a group of Viking nobles convened Iceland’s first parliament in 930 AD. Alþingi then met each year to elect the Lawspeaker and sort out various problems between the Viking lords, the modern parliament still has the same name, making it one of the oldest continuously running democratic institutions on the planet. Thingvellir also bisects the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, meaning that visitors will be able to gaze across the ever-expanding gap between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Þingvellir is also home to a plethora of craggy rock formations, glacial waterfalls and much, much more, making it a must-visit during your Icelandic adventure.
We will then continue to the Geysir Geothermal area, which plays host to the now dormant ‘Great Geysir’, which was the first geyser to be mentioned in the English language and gives them all their name. We will also find the very much active Strokkur there, which propels boiling streams of water up to 25 metres into the air every 3-8 minutes. There is no better way to appreciate the awesome power of nature than by seeing this incredible phenomenon in the flesh and it is also an excellent photo opportunity.
The final stop on the Golden Circle Route is the majestic Gullfoss Waterfall (the golden falls), where a roaring cascade of glacial water crashes across three lava steps into an emerald valley below. It gets its name from the golden hue its water takes as it passes over the volcanic rock and on sunny days rainbows form above it, making for a profoundly beautiful sight that will remain with you for the rest of your life.

Tonight is New Years Eve and this should be one to remember! We would recommend pre-booking a gala dinner at your hotel and then taking a taxi to one of the many bonfires in Reykjavik and enjoy the festive atmosphere, see more info here. The locals will be setting off fireworks all night long, reaching a climax around midnight, so finding a good place to view it all is imperative! Seeing the display from the viewing platform at Perlan is a great option, heading downtown to Hallgrimskirkja church or simply from your hotel.

Day 8 – 1. January: day at leisure in Reykjavik

Day 9 – 2. January: Departure day

Coach transfer from Reykjavik to Keflavik.

Dates & prices

December 25 – January 02

Price per person in twin/double room: 278.000 ISK
Supplement for single room: 64.000 ISK

Included in the package price:

• 8 nights accommodation in 3* hotels in double/twin rooms with private facilities, breakfast included
• Return coach transfew between Keflavik International Airport and hotel in Reykjavik
• Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Lava Cave & Northern Lights 2 day escorted tour
• Vatnshellir cave tour
• 2 Hotel/airport taxi transfers in Reykjavik
• 1 Hotel / airport taxi transfer in Akureyri
• Return flight Reykjavik – Akureyri – Reykjavik, incl. tax
• Classic Whale Watching Tour – Akureyri
• Lake Mývatn & Goðafoss Day Tour
• Entrance to the Nature Baths
• South Shore & Jökulsálon Coach Day Tour
• Golden Circle Day Tour

Good to know:

• The Northern Lights are a naturally occurring phenomenon that no-one can control. Seeing them is always dependent on weather conditions, Northern Light activity on any given date, but also some planning! You can see the aurora forecast every day here.