Christmas and New Years Elite

Day 1: Arrival and The Golden Circle

A driver will greet you at Keflavík International Airport and take you to your hotel in Reykjavík. In the afternoon, you will take a tour of the Golden Circle and see waterfalls, geysers, and Þingvellir National Park.

Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of Iceland's most fascinating places due to both its impressive geological formations and for the significant role it plays in the country's history as the original meeting site of the Icelandic parliament, the oldest existing parliament in the world.

After a stop there, we’ll head east and you'll soon see steam rising from the Haukadalur geothermal area that is home to Geysir. During our stop here, you can explore many hot springs and bubbling pools including Geysir, the geyser from which the English word is derived. Geysir itself is now dormant, but another geyser, Strokkur, erupts at 5-10 minute intervals.
We'll then continue on to Gullfoss, a majestic double waterfall that tumbles 105 feet into the canyon of Hvitá, one of the longest rivers in Iceland.

Day 2: The South Coast

Today, we will head to the South Coast stopping by in Hvolsvöllur for a short coffee break before arriving to the Seljalandsfoss waterfall. The waterfall cascades from ancient sea cliffs down over 60 metres to a shallow pool. It is possible to take a walk behind the waterfall and enjoy the beautiful scenery from there. Next stop is at Skógar and then Vík where you will find a black sand beach with some fantastic sights such as the picturesque basalt column formations and the magnificent Reynisdrangar sea stacks.

We continue onwards to Vatnajökull National Park where we make a short stop at Skaftafell before arriving to the Glacier Lagoon, Jökulsárlón. After enjoying the lagoon, we will head to our accommodation where we can relax after a long day.

Day 3: Jökulsárlón lagoon and Icewalk

After breakfast we spend some time at the glacier lagoon where we can enjoy an optional boat ride (when the lagoon is not frozen) and then we head onwards back to Reykjavík. On the way we take a 1 hour glacier hike on crampons and possibly stop to visit Dyrhólaey, the home to many breeds of seabirds. Drop-off in Reykjavík is late evening, depending on Northern Lights visibility. Spend the night in Reykjavík City.

Day 4: Land of Sagas

Today we will drive to western Iceland and stop along the way to see sights in historically significant Dalir and beautiful Breiðafjörður.

Pick up from hotel 10am and drive to Hvalfjordur a 20 mile long fjord, surrounded by volcanic mountains. Remains from the American naval base built during World War II can be seen. Hvalfjordur is one of the most scenic areas in Iceland.

Next we will visit Hraunfossar waterfalls, beautiful and unique waterfalls, where water streams through the lava field of Hallmundarhraun.

Glanni is our next stop, a waterfall on the Norðurá River, one of Iceland´s best salmon fishing rivers. It is said to be a dwelling place of elves and trolls.

Grábrók is one of the few craters in Iceland that is easily accessible.  Hiking to the craters rim takes only half an hour.  We will stop there and give everyone a chance to explore.

Eiriksstadir is our last stop before we arrive at the hotel. Which is home of Eirik the Red, the first European to establish a viking settlement in Greenland.  Eiriksstadir features an informative living presentation of viking culture. A replica of Eirík’s farmhouse has been built around 100 yards from the ruins of the original farm.

After this very interesting day we will arrive at the country lodge, where you can relax in the hot tub and keep a lookout for the northern lights.

Day 5: Vogur

We will spend the day in Vogur, admiring the beautiful scenery by day and the northern lights by night.**

Activities during the day depend on weather and road condition. They may include:

Visit to the old church Skard. The church is privately owned by a local family that has lived in this remote area for over 30 generations.  There has been a church in this location since 12^th century and some of the religious items on display originate from before Iceland was settled in 874.

Another option may be to visit an eider down farm and a horse farm. Geirmundarstaðir is a working farm where handicraft is available for viewing and purchasing. A very interesting small art studio.

Weather permitting a visit to Hólmavík witchcraft center and Drangsnes hot tubs is an interesting excursion. The hot tubs in Drangsnes are located at the beach, offering a view of the local seal population playing and interacting.

**While we will make every effort to increase your chances of witnessing the northern lights, these natural phenomena can be elusive at times, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Day 6: Snæfellsnes and back to Reykjavik, New Years eve

We will now drive along the north shore of Snæfellsnes to Stykkishólmur, a picturesque town where the Hollywood movie Secret Life of Walter Mitty was filmed. You will see Kirkjufell, one of Iceland’s most beautiful mountains, surrounded by beaches and a lovely walking trail.

Stykkishólmur is a gateway to the innumerable islands of Breidafjordur Bay.  The town offers numerous locations with spectacular views over the bay. A visit to the Shark museum at Bjarnarhöfn can be arranged.

We will then cross the peninsula across Kerlingarskarð

The pass is (311meters/1020 ft.) over sea-level and cuts across the Snæfellsnes mountain range. A folktale tells of a giantess troll, who was on her way home with her catch after good nights fishing in a nearby lake, when she was caught by a ray of the morning sun and turned to stone. She can still be seen with her line of trout over her shoulder, on a ridge of the mountain Kerlingarfjall, opposite the mountain Hafrafell, at the north end of the pass.  4000 years old lava from a small row of craters below Kerlingarskard passes, the largest crater being Raudakula. The others are Graakula, Smahraunakula and Kothraunskula. Then we will travel along the South shore of the peninsula towards Borgarnes town and from there to Reykjavik.

Check in at your hotel in Reykjavik.

A pick up for your bonfire tour is scheduled at 8 pm (New Years eve) or you will go on a Northern Lights tour if you are not in Reykjavík City on New Years eve.

The festive fireworks are on display all evening and of course the biggest display is at midnight.

Day 7: Departure and The Blue Lagoon

Your private driver will take you from your hotel in Reykjavík to the airport.
Along the way to Keflavík, you will stop at Bláa Lónið (popularly referred to by its English name “the Blue Lagoon”). Soak in its warm, therapeutic water for a few hours before heading on to the airport to catch your flight home.