Overview:
Experience the Arctic North! This tour takes you on an exploration of West and North Iceland, known for its winter adventures in a veritable nature paradise. Enjoy a relaxing visit to the Mývatn Nature Baths, join a snowshoe walk in a lava labyrinth, climb a volcano crater, travel along scenic fjord routes where you can almost touch the Arctic Circle. Do you want to go to places where most people do not go in the winter time? Are you looking for some very unique but not arduous outdoor activities and a chance to search for the Northern Lights that appear in high latitudes when the skies are clear? Well, perhaps you are ready to take the North Iceland Aurora Escape!
Holiday price is from £ 3,605 per person based on availability and 2 persons sharing a standard double/twin room throughout.
Single supplement is £ 565
2017/2018 Departure Dates:
| DEPARTURE |
RETURN |
10 Oct
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17 Oct
|
24 Oct
|
31 Oct
|
07 Nov
|
14 Nov
|
21 Nov
|
28 Nov
|
06 Feb
|
13 Feb
|
13 Feb
|
20 Feb
|
20 Feb
|
27 Feb
|
27 Feb
|
06 Mar
|
06 Mar
|
13 Mar
|
13 Mar
|
20 Mar
|
20 Mar
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27 Mar
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27 Mar
|
03 Apr
|
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Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Welcome to Iceland (50 km/31 mls)
The Flybus shuttle brings travelers from Keflavík International Airport to the accommodation in Reykjavík where you spend the night. We provide you with ideas how to explore Iceland's capital on your own, dinner suggestions too! Food lovers will be pleased and perhaps even impressed by the number of diverse restaurants in Reykjavík. Many award winning chefs create delicious Icelandic cuisine that is characterized by an imaginative use of local ingredients such as fresh seafood, organic lamb and wild game; but be sure to try the fabulous Icelandic hot dog and pizza too!
Day 2: Volcano Crater, Seals, Fjords & Mountains (400 km/248 mls)
At 09:00 meet your tour guide and travel west, passing the town of Borgarnes and climb the Grábrók volcano crater. We visit a natural history & seal museum and further north we stop at the turf church of Víðimýri. We travel along scenic fjords and over several challenging mountain passes until we reach Siglufjörður, Iceland's northernmost town. We overnight at the new and beautifully located Hotel Siglo which offers spectacular geothermal hot tubs built into the local fjord. In the evening, if weather permits, we take a little walk or drive to search for the Northern Lights.
Day 3,: Iceland's Northernmost Town (170 km/106 mls)
In the morning we explore Siglufjörður, Iceland's northernmost town, known as the herring capital of the North Atlantic. In Siglufjörður we visit the herring museum, the largest seafaring and industrial museum in the country. In the afternoon we drive along Eyjafjörður, Iceland's longest fjord which offers an amazing mountain panorama and explore Tröllaskagi Peninsula. Along the way, we stop at a deserted fjord valley that even most Icelanders have not yet seen. Later we stop at a local brewery and taste one of Iceland's micro-beers. We continue to Lake Mývatn, a winter wonderland, where we stay for 3 nights. Join an evening lecture about Northern Lights and don't miss the chance to search for the magical auroras after dinner.
Day 4: Search for the Trolls & Snow Adventures (30 km/19 mls)
This morning we go for a snowshoe trip (or a normal hike if there is no snow) through the lava formations of Dimmuborgir "the dark castles", hoping to get a glimpse of the trolls who are said to live there. The afternoon is free at leisure to explore the many pseudo craters or walk along the lake shores. Also available is an optional tour on cross-country skis or snow-mobiles. The trail depends on the snow conditions and number of participants. Winter clothing, hat and gloves are required. In the evening we take a relaxing soak at Lake Mývatn Nature Baths and get ready to chase the elusive Northern Lights.
Day 5: Explore Lake Myvatn (50 km/31 mls)
Lake Mývatn is known for its geological wonders and active bird life, but also for having Iceland's coldest temperatures. We take an easy walk through the bizarre lava formations and landscape with great views to the lake, bird life and trees. Later we explore the hot spring area of Námaskarð with bubbling mud pools and steaming solfataras. We taste traditional dark bread baked underground in the geothermal heat. In the evening enjoy a video presentation about Northern Lights as a part of the Northern Lights educational program. After a delicious dinner, don't forget to keep an eye out for the Northern Lights.
Day 6: Birds, Christmas Garden & the Capital of North Iceland (120 km/75 mls)
We visit the Lake Mývatn bird museum and travel to Goðafoss, the waterfalls of the Gods. Next stop is the Christmas Garden, a small museum and shop where you find countless items connected to Icelandic Christmas traditions. The afternoon is free at leisure to explore Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland on your own. There are some excellent local museums and a great geothermal swimming pool. Depending on weather there is a short excursion into the darkness to hunt the Aurora Borealis.
Day 7: History, Design & Horses in Skagafjordur (420 km/261 mls)
We travel back west over the mountains to Skagafjörður, the valley of horses and home of many ancient farms. We visit the folk museum and turf farm at Glaumbær. Enjoy a guided tour through the only tannery in Europe which makes fish leather. Later we stop for coffee & cake at a horse farm, where we learn about the history and the special gaits of Icelandic horses. We reach Reykjavík depending on weather and road conditions between 18:00-20:00 where you stay one night in Iceland's capital.
Day 8: Farewell Iceland (50 km/31 mls)
Individual transfer by Flybus airport shuttle from your accommodation in Reykjavík to Keflavík Airport.
NOTE: Subject to your flight schedule there is little time to see and explore Reykjavik. If you are interested to see Iceland's capital, the famous Blue Lagoon and Golden Circle Route, we recommend adding extra nights in Reykjavík.
DAILY DRIVING: Total mileage without airport transfer is 1.190 km (738 miles) which is an average of 200 km (124 miles) per day. You spend about 3 hours per day on the bus, depending on road conditions, traffic and daily distances. On some days the driving might be longer than on some other days, such as day 2 and day 7.
CHANGE OF PROGRAM: Itineraries may be subject to change at short notice during severe weather conditions and certain outdoor activities/day trips may be cancelled during the winter season in Iceland. In these rare cases, where situations of force majeure apply, excursions/activities cannot be refunded but the local guides will try their best to find reasonable alternatives where and whenever possible.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Comfort tourist-class hotels, in rooms with shower/wc. Reykjavík: Keahotel Reykjavik Lights for first and last night / Siglufjörður: New Hotel Siglo (1 night) / Mývatn: Hotel Sel-Mývatn (3 nights) / Akureyri: Hotel Kea (1 night). Note that the hotel list is subject to change.
NATURE FEES: There is a possibility that some of the nature attractions around Iceland might charge an entrance fee during the trip. These entrance fees are not included in the tour price and need to be paid by all tour members additionally on the spot, when entering any of these nature sites. Locations, amount of entrance fee, form of payment and other details are not known at the present time and are subject to change.
NORTHERN LIGHTS: This program includes during 5 evenings a combination of presentations, lectures, film and guided evening walks or excursions at spots that are likely to offer a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis – the Northern Lights. All hotels outside Reykjavík and Akureyri offer a Northern Lights wake up call for guests that register for that special service at the hotel reception. This tour series is designed to maximize the chances of seeing the elusive Northern Lights, still the tour is dependent on weather and therefore sightings are not guaranteed. The Northern Lights are visible in the northern sky from September through April when the sky is clear and free of clouds. Like many natural wonders, it is an ephemeral spectacle – the Northern Lights may be visible, they may appear for a bit and then be gone (it is not a TV show that you can just turn on and off). But it is worth the patience which is much required. Because they are a winter event, you need to be prepared to wait outside while looking for them. It is best to dress very warmly, in layers, with good footwear, gloves, hats and whatever else makes you comfortable while you await this truly outstanding event.
Package Includes:
- Direct return flights from London, Manchester or Edinburgh (Other UK airports upon request)
- 1 piece of check-in luggage per traveler (up to 20 kg)
- Arrival & departure airport transfer by FLYBUS Plus shuttle (no guide)
- Fully escorted 6-day bus tour with an English-speaking guide as per program
- 7-nights accommodation as listed below including breakfast
- 2x light lunch, 3x 3-course dinner and 3x midnight refreshments
- Visit to natural history & seal museum
- Horse show, coffee & cake at local horse farm
- Visit to herring museum and local micro beer brewery
- Hot steam baked bread tasting
- Entrance with towel at Mývatn Nature Baths
- Snow shoe hike (or hike if no snow) in lava labyrinth
- Visit to Mývatn bird museum
- Visit to Christmas house & garden near Akureyri
- Visit to Víðimýri turf church, Glaumbær folk museum & turf farm and tannery in Skagafjörður
- Northern Lights program during 5 evenings with a combination of lectures, presentations, film and guided searches for the Northern Lights
- Use of winter & Northern Lights explorer equipment: simple non-slip snow & ice grippers spikes for shoes and a flash light that is helpful when walking in the dark and operating your photo camera at night
- 24-hour emergency service
- ATOL protection
- All taxes
Enquire now »
Will I see the Northern Lights?
Please scroll down to see the specifics for the country you wish to visit:
Iceland:
The Northern Lights are in the Northern sky from September through April but are only visible when the sky is clear and free of clouds. Like many of natures wonders, it’s ephemeral – they may be visible, they may appear for a bit and then be gone. But it’s worth it to be patient. Because they’re a winter event, you need to be prepared to wait outside, while looking for them. It’s best to dress very warmly, in layers, with good footwear, gloves, hats and whatever else will make you comfortable while you await this truly amazing event. The Northern Lights can be pretty spectacular, and for the best photos we recommend using a tripod. Much of Iceland offers a very a good chance to see the Northern Lights when conditions are right. Remember – the Northern Lights are natural phenomena, not guaranteed, but appreciated all the more for their elusive qualities.
Norway:
Northern Norway is one of the world's best places to experience the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). In Northern Norway, Northern Lights occur in up to 90% of every clear night in the period from late September to late March. Most Northern Lights occur in the time span from 6pm to slightly after midnight, with an absolute peak at around 10-11pm.
In Norway, the area north of the Arctic Circle is prime aurora territory. The various destinations in the High North have a distinct personality, and are well worth exploring. Major places in Northern Norway are Tromsø, Kirkenes, Alta, Bodø, Lofoten and Vesterålen Islands and Svalbard.
Finland:
The best place to see the Northern Lights in Finland is in the Northern Lapland region, which is almost entirely located within the realm of the Arctic Circle. During the dark winter months here, when the sun rarely peaks its head over the horizon, you can expect to see the Finland Northern Lights with regularity, and other peak seasons include February through March and September through October. The most common colours of the Northern Lights are greenish-yellow and red.
The Finnish term for the Northern Lights, Revontulet, meaning fox fire, comes from an old tale where the fox was believed to swish its bushy tail on the snowy fell landscapes, throwing sparks into the air.
As mentioned, Lapland is the best place to see the Finland Aurora Borealis, with the Kilpisjarvi area offering the most abundant opportunities. The best time of the day to see the Finland Northern Lights is between 9 pm and 11:30 pm, though they are certainly not restricted to this time frame.
Sweden:
In Northern Sweden, the Northern Lights usually occur during the winter months through late March or early April, but they can be spotted as early as September in the Northernmost parts. Your best chance of catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights is on cold winter nights when the sky is clear and cloudless. You need to be away from city lights, which dilute the effects of these natural phenomena, so head out into the countryside. On clear nights, the Northern Lights can be visible from most locations in Swedish Lapland, occurring between 6 pm to and 2 am, with the strongest shows happening between 10 pm and 11 pm. For those willing to brave the cold on winter nights, here are some of the best locations in Swedish Lapland for viewing these phenomena:
Abisko National Park
Abisko National Park, a couple of kilometers north of Kiruna, is a prime location for viewing the Northen Lights. The scientifically proven “blue hole” — a patch of sky over the Torneträsk lake that usually remains clear despite overcast weather in surrounding areas — gives Abisko its own micro-climate, which is suitable for catching the lights.
Jukkasjärvi and the Torne Valley
Not only does the village of Jukkasjärvi (population roughly 541) boast the world’s first ice hotel (rebuilt ever year from Torne River ice), it’s also one of the best regions to view the Northern Lights. ICEHOTEL organizes guided tours for guests which takes the to the Esrange Space Center located 30 minutes from Kiruna. You can dine at a wilderness camp and get the chance to scan the Arctic winter sky for aurora borealis.
Other regions in Swedish Lapland
As mentioned earlier, if weather conditions are just right (clear, dark, cold, and cloudless), you might catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights from any location within subarctic and arctic Sweden — even close to larger towns such as Luleå, Jokkmokk, Arvidsjaur, and Gällivare.
Greenland:
The northern lights - or Aurora Borealis as it is officially known - actually occur all year round, but cannot be seen during the summer months in Greenland due to the midnight sun. The phenomenon is often seen around midnight and is best experienced on a dark, clear night in the period from September to the beginning of April. If you are travelling during this period, you can see the Northern Lights from anywhere in the country, whilst in South Greenland the northern lights can be seen from as early as the end of August.
Transportation
Railway mostly serves domestic routes and is used as an easy and quick way to get from the capital to major cities of the country. There are some international routes, like to Moscow and St. Petersburg, but time spent on the way will be quite long.
Buses are one of the most convenient ways to travel between the Baltic States. Eurolines will get you between Riga, Vilnius and Tallinn. One way tickets will cost £ 15 - £ 20 and approximate travel time is 5 hours between the cities. Ticket reservations in advance are recommended.
Taxis are the quickest and most convenient way of travelling round the city. You'll find them located close to the main hotels. Usually it's quite easy to catch a taxi on the street, however, it's much better and safer to order one by phone. Taxi costs in all of the Baltic countries and Poland are approximately the same and a ride in the centre of the city will cost you approx £ 5 - £ 7. Taxis in Finland and Russia are considerably more expensive. It is always a good idea to get your hotel to book a taxi for you and ask approximately how much the trip will cost before you get in.
We would not recommend you to take public transportation within the city, as it's usually crowded and it may cause you unnecessary anxiety about where to stop.