Iceland: Grand Countryside
Lighthouse at Stykkisholmur (day 3)
Reykjavik Radisson SAS Saga Hotel 1 night Borgarfjörður area (see note on hotels) 2 nights Eyjafjörður area (see note on hotels) 3 nights Egilsstaðir (see note on hotels) 3 nights Skaftafell (see note on hotels) 2 nights
12 days from £1860
Mountains, rivers, glaciers and volcanoes will unfold as we take you exploring in four easy stages. Outside Reykjavík only four hotels are used which makes the days more relaxed and the evenings a time to ponder and talk to your fellow travellers about your time spent in ever-changing scenery. There will also be opportunities to do some walking in the beautiful countryside. The contrasting boat trips included in this tour will make you wonder if you have travelled in many different countries... icebergs on the south coast and lush green islands on the west. This is truly a classical adventure with hotels offering private facilities and good Icelandic hospitality.
On some departures this tour may be operated in reverse.
Day 1 - Arrive Keflavik. Drive to Reykjavík.
On arrival at Keflavik Airport take the shuttle bus (not included - current price approx. £11.30) to the Reykjavík Bus terminal where you will be met and taken to your hotel. Recommended flight from London: Icelandair from London Heathrow (see below). If you are travelling from a country other than the UK we would be happy to give you guidance on your flight options.
Day 2 - Reykjavík to Borgarfjörður.
The day starts with a drive to the famous Gullfoss (the 'Golden Falls', pictured left) and Geysir. We also visit the beautiful church of Skálholt and the Þingvellir National Park, site of the Viking Parliament, before continuing to Borgarfjörður, where we stay for the next two nights.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner.
Day 3 - Snæfellsnes.
Today we drive around the Snæfellsnes peninsula, which is dominated by the glacier where, according to Jules Verne’s book, the Entrance to the Centre of the Earth can be found. We visit small fishing towns and drive through interesting lava fields and on to the town of Stykkishólmur where we take a boat trip around the islands of Breiðafjörður, home of the puffins and the white tailed eagle.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner.
Day 4 - Eyjafjörður, Þingeyjarsýsla.
We visit the beautiful waterfalls of Hraunfossar and Reykholt, home of the 13th century poet, Snorri Sturluson. We head for Skagafjörður where we are introduced to the Icelandic horse and then on to our overnight accommodation in the Eyjafjörður area or Þingeyjarsýsla where we will stay for the next three nights.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner.
Day 5 - Eyjafjörður.
Morning sightseeing in Akureyri and a short boat trip to the island of Hrísey situated in Iceland’s longest fjord Eyjafjörður. We also visit the fishing village of Dalvík before returning to our accommodation.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner.
Day 6 - Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn.
We visit the waterfall Goðafoss (pictured right), en route to Lake Mývatn. There is lush vegetation here and many different species of birds, some of which are not found anywhere else in Europe. We visit the lava field Dimmuborgir and climb up to the rim of the ash crater Hverfjall.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner.
Day 7 - Dettifoss, Fljótsdalshérað.
We travel around Tjörnes Peninsula and visit the magnificent waterfall Dettifoss, the most powerful in Europe. For the next three nights we will stay in the neighbourhood of Egilsstaðir.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner.
Day 8 - Fljótsdalur, Seyðisfjörður.
We tour around the Lake Lögurinn, passing the farm mansion at Skriðuklaustur with its large unusual type of house. When conditions are suitable we walk up to Hengifoss, one of the highest waterfalls in Iceland. We also visit the fishing town of Seyðisfjörður.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner.
Day 9 - Borgarfjörður, Eystri.
This short wide fjord and grassy fertile valley with a charming fishing village of the same name is situated north-east of Egilsstaðir. Magnificent colourful mountains and numerous beautiful rocks and rare stones are to be found here.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner.
Day 10 - Vatnajökull, Skaftafell.
Vatnajökull, Europe’s biggest glacier, dominates the landscape with its glacial tongues calving into a glacial lagoon (pictured left). We take a boat trip on the lagoon among the icebergs. For the next two nights, we will stay in the neighbourhood of Skaftafell National Park.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner.
Day 11 - Skaftafell.
The whole day is spent walking or relaxing at Skaftafell.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner.
Day 12 -: Skaftafell, Reykjavík. Depart for UK.
We return to Reykjavík through the fertile meadows and the sandy desert of the south coast, overlooked by mountainous cliffs and glaciers. There are several beautiful waterfalls on the way and we may spot puffins and even some seals. In the afternoon transfer to Keflavik Airport for your homeward flight.
Meals included: Breakfast.
Hotels
Outside Reykjavík, there are no hotels of international standard. Hotels used vary from departure to departure according to availability. The hotels used on this tour are "summer hotels", used most of the year as boarding schools or country hotels. They are simple and clean.
International Flights.
We recommend the services of Icelandair from London Heathrow. Flights are non-stop and have a choice of classes. Current timings (subject to possible change) are as follows:
Heathrow/Keflavik. Depart at 13.00; arrive Keflavik at 16:00
Keflavik/Heathrow. Depart at 16.30; arrive Heathrow at 19.30
Icelandair also operates direct flights between Glasgow and Keflavik. British Airways operate daily flights from London Gatwick but due to the timings of the return flight you would have to stay an additional night in Reykjavik. 'No Frills' airline Iceland Express also operate flights from London Stansted.
Iceland: Grand Countryside (Tour Reference: WDIC002)
2009 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:
| Departures on Sundays | Price |
| 11 May, 7 Sep | £1860 |
| 8, 22 Jun; 6, 20 Jul; 3, 17 Aug | £2150 |
Single Room Supplements on request.
The price includes:
- Hotel accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities
- 11 breakfasts and 10 dinners as shown in the itinerary
- All sightseeing as shown (unless indicated as ‘optional’), including entrance fees
- The services of an English-speaking guide for the included sightseeing.
Not included in the price:
- International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance
- Transportation from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavík (and v.v.)
- Optional sightseeing
- International airport taxes
- Tipping. We will be pleased to give guidance in this often sensitive matter
A deposit of £250 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your travel arrangements must be paid at least 8 weeks before your departure date.
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