Discover Iceland's Northern Lights with South Carolina Senior Lawyers

Overview

Itinerary at a Glance

• 1 March 22: Depart USA/Overnight Flight
• 2 Saturday, March 23: Arrive Reykjavik, Iceland
• 3 March 24: Reykjavik City Tour & Borgarfjordur Saga Valley
• 4 March 25: Snæfellsnes Peninsula
• 5 March 26: Golden Circle, Geothermal Tastes & Icelandic Horses
• 6 March 27: Natural Wonders of South Iceland & Eyjafjallajökull Volcano
• 7 Vatnajökull National Park & Glacier including Glacial Lagoon, Diamond Beach
• 8 March 29: South Shore & Blue Lagoon
• 9 March 30: Reykjavik/USA

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 March 22: Depart USA/Overnight Flight

Day 2 Saturday, March 23: Arrive Reykjavik, Iceland

• Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel
• Balance of the day at leisure

Grandi by Center Hotels Reykjavik or similar Dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Upon arrival in Reykjavík, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the day at leisure in Reykyavik.

Day 3 March 24: Reykjavik City Tour & Borgarfjordur Saga Valley

• City tour of Reykjavik
• Ascend the Grábrók volcanos’ crater
• Visit the Deildartunguhver hot spring
• Visit Hraunfossar waterfalls & Barnafoss waterfall
• Enjoy a lecture about Northern Lights

Hotel Varmaland Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Today, meet your guide, who will show you the highlights of Iceland’s exciting capital city, Reykjavik. Later, take a journey west to Borgarfjörður, known as the Saga Valley due to its various critical historical events. Ascend the wooden stairs to the top of Grábrók volcano crater and admire the panoramic views. Next, visit Deildartunguhver, Europe’s highest-flowing hot spring.

Travel to Hraunfossar waterfall, a series of over 100 miniature waterfalls flowing from beneath a wide lava field into the Hvita river. Just a short walk away, visit the Barnafoss waterfall and learn about the folktales of this area.

Wrap up the day with a lecture about the Northern Lights.

Arrive in Borgarnes later today and check in to the hotel. After dinner, join your fellow travelers in the hotel garden in search of the Northern Lights, followed by a cup of hot tea or cocoa.

Day 4 March 25: Snæfellsnes Peninsula

• Tour the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
• Visit the small fishing village of Grundarfjörður
• Visit a lava tube below Snæfellsnes glacier

Hotel Varmaland Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

This morning, travel along Iceland's west coast to Snæfellsnes Peninsula, known for its breathtaking landscapes of lava fields, volcanoes, glaciers, black and white beaches, and dramatic coastal cliffs. A rugged mountain chain runs its length, capped by the 4700 ft Snæfellsjökull glacier, a mystical cone-shaped stratovolcano. Enjoy a fish lunch at a local restaurant in Snæfellsnes . 

Visit the small fishing village of Grundarfjörður, with its impressive coastline and mountains, lakes, and waterfalls as its backdrop. However, its most notable site is Mt. Kirkjufell, a summit reaching 1,500 ft, rising out of the bay. There is no wonder this is one of Iceland's most photographed mountains. 

Next, stop at Arnastapi and Hellnar to take in the rugged beauty of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Then go underground to the Vatnshellir cave. Descend about 114 ft down a spiral staircase, and walk through the lava tube below the Snaefellsjokull glacier.

En route to your hotel, learn some practical tips on photographing the Auroras as part of the Northern Lights Academy program. After dinner, step into the hotel garden in search of the Northern Lights, or soak in the hot tubs.

Day 5 March 26: Golden Circle, Geothermal Tastes & Icelandic Horses

• Explore Hvalfjörður fjord
• Tour Þingvellir National Park
• Stop at Restaurant Geysir for freshly baked hot spring bread
• Admire the impressive Gullfoss waterfalls
• Explore Strokkur Geysir
• Tour a geothermal greenhouse

Landhotel or similar Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

After breakfast, travel along the Hvalfjörður fjord.

The first stop is to visit the UNESCO world heritage site at Þingvellir National Park, where the ancient Vikings had a parliament, making it one of the oldest parliaments in the world. Equally as intriguing, Þingvellir plain sits on a tectonic plate boundary where North America and Europe are slowly tearing away. As a result, the plain is scarred by dramatic fissures, ponds, and rivers, including the great rift Almannagjá. 

Stop at Restaurant Geysir, where the chef invites you to taste freshly baked hot spring bread served with Icelandic butter, boiled eggs, and herring. 

Continue your journey to Gullfoss waterfalls in the canyon along the Hvítá river. Gullfoss means "Golden Falls," which comes from the golden hue that often shines in its glacial waters. Later, explore Strokkur Geysir, known as "the churn," a fountain-type geyser that spouts up to 66 ft every five to ten minutes. 

Learn about Iceland's most important geothermal energy use when visiting a geothermal greenhouse. Next, enjoy an up-close look at Icelandic horses. These unique, easy-going animals are ancestors of the first Viking horses and are well known for their convenient pony size, muscular build, and fifth gait (way of walking), whereas most horses only have 3-4 gaits.

Continue to Hella in search of the elusive Northern Lights in the peace and stillness of rural Iceland.

Day 6 March 27: Natural Wonders of South Iceland & Eyjafjallajökull Volcano

• Visit the Lava & Volcano Exhibition Center
• Stop at folk museums
• Enjoy the Skógafoss waterfall
• Explore black lava beach

Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon or similar Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

This morning, journey along Iceland’s South coast. Visit the Lava & Volcano Exhibition Center to learn about Iceland’s geology and active volcanoes. 

Travel eastwards to visit one of Iceland’s finest folk museums. This museum contains an outstanding collection of farm and domestic artifacts from Iceland’s past and several turf-built houses.

Continue to the Skógafoss waterfall, another must-see location in South Iceland. The crashing water creates a mist that results in frequent and magical rainbows.

Later, take a stroll on the black lava sand beach and admire the bird cliffs at Reynisfjara.

Check in to your hotel near Kirkjubæjarklaustur in the Vatnajökull National Park region, which is ideal for viewing the Northern Lights.

Day 7 Vatnajökull National Park & Glacier including Glacial Lagoon, Diamond Beach

• Tour Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
• View a turf church in Hof

Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon or similar Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Today’s program is all about glaciers, ice, and icebergs. Travel to Jökulsárlón, a glacial lagoon filled with floating icebergs, and explore the fantastic site. Have the opportunity to spot seals swimming in arctic waters.

Later, view the tiny turf church at Hof, dating over 130 years old.

This afternoon, spend time at Europe’s largest national park, home to Iceland’s highest mountains, an alpine environment, and Europe’s largest glacier. 

This evening, enjoy a film about the Northern Lights as part of the Northern Lights Academy program.

Day 8 March 29: South Shore & Blue Lagoon

• Explore the village of Vík
• Enjoy the sites at Seljalandsfoss waterfall
• Take a dip in the famous Blue Lagoon

Fosshotel Reykjavik or similar Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

After breakfast, travel across the Eldhraun lava field to the village of Vík en route to Reykjavík. The black lava beach with high bird cliffs and pounding waves is awe-inspiring. Further west, reach the tall but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which plunges from the mountain.

Later, have the opportunity to dip in the famous Blue Lagoon, water heated by a nearby geothermal power plant. 

Check in to your hotel in Reykjavík.

Day 9 March 30: Reykjavik/USA

• Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA

Breakfast

Hotels

Grandi by Center Hotels Reykjavik

First Class

Grandi by Center Hotels  is located at the center of Reykjavik’s booming creative quarter. More than just a great place to stay, the hotel is quite a lively gathering place for locals and visitors.

More information

Hotel Varmaland

First Class

Hotel Varmaland opened in 2019 after extensive reconstruction and renovation of the Housewives School at Varmaland, designed by Guðjón Samúelsson and initially built in 1946. During the renovations, the history of the building was mixed with comfortable and modern design, resulting in an elegant hotel in the heart of Borgarfjörður.

More information

Landhotel

Tourist Class

Landhotel is centrally located in Landvegur, gateway to some of South Iceland's most fascinating wonders including Hekla volcano and Rainbow Mountains at Landmannalaugar.

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Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon

First Class

Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon is located between Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, two of Iceland's most spectacular natural attractions.

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Fosshotel Reykjavik

First Class

Fosshotel Reykjavik is a great base for exploring the city as it is situated just a few minutes' walk to the main shopping streets, restaurants, galleries, and museums.

More information

In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.

Trip Details

• What should I know before I go? We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
• Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements? Please review the visa & entry requirements.
• Can I make changes to my trip? Want to upgrade your seats? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
• Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions? To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
• Should I purchase travel insurance? Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
• What's the fine print? Review the terms & conditions for this package.
• What should I know about Iceland? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.