Hidden Powers and Northern Lights Hunt - Christmas Version

Day 1: Arrival

Overnight stay in Reykjavik (airport transfer not included but we can give assistance arranging this). If you are arriving early feel free to explore Iceland's capital and enjoy the many cafés and restaurants the city has to offer.

Early in the evening your guide will meet you at the hotel to take you on a walking tour of the city to soak in the festive atmosphere of Reykjavik's twinkling Christmas lights and last minute Christmas shoppers.

Day 2: Thingvellir - Geysir - Gullfoss

Northern Lights Centre - National Park with Geological Wonders (UNESCO) - Exploding Geysers - The Famous Golden Falls

Start the day by visiting the recently opened and fascinating Aurora Reykjavík Northern Lights Center for an exciting and informative presentation on the Northern Lights. Onward to Þingvellir National Park (UNESCO World Heritage site) where the world's oldest parliament was founded. This historical site is also an interesting geological landscape, as the North Atlantic Ridge, the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, runs through the national park. You will also have a chance to visit the famous Geysir, with bubbling pools and an erupting hot spring, called Strokkur. The Golden Circle is completed with Gullfoss, a majestic double waterfall, that plunges into the glacial river Hvítá. Stop at Skálholt, once the capital of Iceland in the Middle Ages. It is now the site of a beautiful traditional church and culture center. Drive to Laugarvatn Fontana where your group experiences a geothermal bakery first-hand and digs up bread that has been cooked underground. Sample the delicious bread, served hot from the ground and slathered with fresh Icelandic butter.

Christmas Eve buffet dinner and the overnight stay are on the south coast area. If weather conditions are favorable, the guide may decide on a northern lights hunt, or on day 3 or 4.

Driving distance: 195km / 121 miles

Day 3: South Shore - Eyjafjallajökull Volcano

Waterfalls - Glacial Views - Black-Sand Beaches - Lava Centre

Drive along the south shore, a truly wonderful part of Iceland, particularly in the winter. You will pass many farms on the way, and you may spot some of the unique Icelandic horses in the fields. Visit the LAVA Center, an interactive and high quality presentation about the volcanic activity of the country, including an overview of the recent history of eruptions and earthquakes. On a clear day as you drive towards the next stops, you may see Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull, two of Iceland's most famous volcanoes, because of their recent eruptions (2000 and 2010 respectively). You will stop at Seljalandsfoss waterfall first, where you can walk behind the curtain of water if the weather conditions are right, although you should be prepared to get wet! Then comes Skógafoss, a beautiful waterfall, definitely a 'must-see' of the south coast. As you pass Mýrdalsjökull you should be able to visit Reynisfjara beach, a magnificent black sand beach, where the currents can be particularly strong, so keep out of the water. Cross the lava field Eldhraun as you travel to Southeast Iceland, where you will enjoy a festive Christmas dinner, celebrate with a gift to commemorate your visit to Iceland, and stay for the night.

Driving distance: 255km / 158 miles

Day 4: Vatnajökull National Park - Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon

Today you will cover the south east, with its glacial landscape. Vatnajökull National Park covers most of this area, as Europe's second largest national park, and Europe's largest glacier, with the park covering about 14% of Iceland. Drive over vast sandy plains created by the deposits from these glaciers to reach Jökulsárlón, meaning 'Glacial river lagoon'. The view here is truly astounding, with the icebergs floating around the deep glacial lagoon. These icebergs sometimes wash out to sea and some end up on the famously beautiful 'Diamond Beach', where the icebergs lie stranded on the black sand, glittering in the light like precious gems. Next you will see Svínafellsjökull, a glacial outlet from Vatnajökull, of truly outstanding beauty, and then the Skaftafell area, which used to be its own national park before joining with the Vatnajökull National Park. Here you will see many magnificent glaciers and mountains, before returning to the hotel for the night.

Driving distance: 205km / 127 miles

Day 5: Hveragerði - Blue Lagoon - Reykjavík

Greenhouse Village - Thundering Waves - Geothermal Lagoon

Enjoy the drive along the south coast once more, taking a slightly different route back to see some different scenery along the way to Hveragerði, a village located directly in the middle of a geothermal hot spring area, one of very few villages like this in the world. Hveragerði boasts many greenhouses, heated and powered by the hot water in the neighborhood, earning it the nickname of 'The Flower Village'. You will then travel along the south coast, with fantastic views of the sea waves, passing through a deserted community, that once was a flourishing center for the region. Then you will head to the Reykjanes peninsula, for a trip to the famous Blue Lagoon, and it is definitely popular for a good reason, since these mineral rich waters have many healing properties. The group will then return to Reykjavík, where you may spend the evening as you wish, before the last night at a Reykjavík hotel. Dinner is on your own, so why not try one of the many excellent restaurants that Reykjavík has to offer?

Driving distance: 360km / 236 miles

Day 6: Departure

Time to leave the Land of Fire and Ice; hopefully by day 6 you will have seen everything you hoped to and more! Transport to the airport is not included but please contact if you need help booking a transfer.