North Iceland Adventure
Cancelled but will try to have a similar tour in 2021
9 day tour North and highland Iceland / Hot Pool Adventure
INLUS June 28 to July 7
Sunday June 28,
Depart North America late afternoon or evening for KEF
Monday June 29
Arrive KEF early, 7:00-9:00
Meet and greet at airport.
Breakfast and museum visit https://www.vikingworld.is/#cafe
Continue north via Reykjavik and visit Thingvellir and Hvalfjörður before reaching Hotel Bifrost.
Lunch included
Rest for a couple hours, then visit Hraunfoss and Deildatungahver.
Hraunfossar is a series of waterfalls formed by rivulets streaming over a distance of about 900 metres out of the Hallmundarhraun, a lava field which flowed from an eruption of one of the volcanoes lying under the glacier Langjökull. The waterfalls pour into the Hvítá river from ledges of less porous rock in the lava.
Deildartunguhver is a hot spring in Reykholtsdalur, Iceland. It is characterized by a very high flow rate for a hot spring and water emerges at 97 °C. It is the highest-flow hot spring in Europe. Some of the water is used for heating, being piped 34 kilometers to Borgarnes and 64 kilometers to Akranes.
Visit and soak in Krauma Spa
Back to Hotel Bifrost for supper which is included.
Can´t sleep, why not climb a volcano that erupted 3,400 years ago. Grabrok crater rises about 170 meters above the ground and is easily accessible via a footpath. Once at the top you have an incredible view of the Borgarfjordur country-side and the encircling mountains.
Tuesday June 30
Visit a number of sites in the north.
Birth place of Grettir the Strong
Grettir Ásmundarson was reported to have been from Bjarg in Miðfjörður. At Bjarg, Grettir Ásmundarson always had refuge with his mother Ásdís. Many place names in the neighbourhood of Bjarg and indeed throughout the county bear the name of the outlaw e.g. Grettishaf, Grettistak and Grettishöfði at Arnarvatn. Even Garfield is named Grettir in Iceland: because he is rufous, a little broad and unwilling to conform to society's norms. A memorial was erected to his mother Ásdís at Bjarg in 1974.
Lunch included
Visit Reykjastrond and soak in Grettir´s Pool
We will take a boat tour to Drangey Island start from Sauðárkrókur marina, surrounded by the stunning landscape of Skagafjordur in North of Iceland. This is where Grettir spent his last days.
Drangey island is a birdwatching paradise. The island is a nesting colony for thousands of seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, gannets, kittiwakes, fulmar, shearwaters along with ravens and gyrfalcons. The island is a sheer sided palagonite rock aproximately 180m high and provides a wonderful view over the whole fjord.
Hofsós is a small community lying on the east of Skagafjörður fiord. In days gone by this was the main service centre for the region and is one of the oldest trading posts in Iceland still in existence.
Here you can see an old log building, Pakkhúsið, a warehouse dating from the times of the Danish trade monopoly (1602-1787). Another old building, which has newly been renovated, houses yet another museum which we will visit - the Icelandic Emigration Center - which tells the story of Icelandic emigrants to North America.
Supper included
Stay at Hofsos or Holar 2 nights
Wednesday July 1
Explore Skagafjörður
In Skagafjörður it is possible to enjoy both the rich cultural life and lifestyle. The district is an ideal place to enjoy Icelandic nature, horsemanship and activities and events for the whole family. Historical sites are many, including museums and exhibits.
Hólar in Hjaltadalur is one of the Icelandic nation’s principal historical, cultural, and ecclesiastical sites. Hólar has been a place of learning through the ages, moving with the demands of each new era for education.
The name Hólar means hills. These are today covered with forest. Below the residential area are the meadows and fields of the horse breeding farm stretching to the river. The postcard image of Hólar is from the vantage point of the road home, with the cathedral and school building in the foreground.
Lunch and supper included
Stay in Hofsos or Holar
Thusday July 2
Visit Siglufjorður and stay in Akureyri
Siglufjörður is Iceland’s northernmost town and is a historic fishing town whose fame, and fortune has always been linked to the ebb and flow of the fishing industry. A tiny shark fishing village in 1900, Siglufjörður soon became one of the largest towns in Iceland and the undisputed capital of herring fishing in the Atlantic. Siglufjörður is an area of spectacular natural beauty. The mountains and the fjords are awe-inspiring and the opportunities for outdoor activities and recreation are almost inexhaustible.
The Beer Spa
You lie in a bathtub for 25 mintues, filled with beer, water, hops and yeast. After that you go into a relaxation room for another 25 minutes. Beer yeast is used in various ways, the most common, is a tablet form where the effects of the yeast are very benefitting.
Beer bath, where you bathe in both young beer and live beer yeast, without showering it off until some hours later, has an extremely powerful effect on the body and skin. This treatment is both cleansing for the skin and has a very positive effect on health.
Lunch included
Whale Watching
Whale Watching Hauganes is Iceland's oldest whale watching tour operator, based in the heart of Eyjafjörður fjord from where the whales are usually just a few minutes away. We always see humpback whales in their tours but also minke whales, harbour porpoises and dolphins. With some luck you can see orca whales (killer whales) and blue whales.
Akureyri is the centre of trade, culture and services for the north of Iceland.
Stay in Akureyri 3 nights
Friday July 3
Free day to explore Akureyri, visit family
All meals on your own
Stay in Akureyri
Saturday July 4 Independence Day
Visit Myvatn and Husavik
The Goðafoss waterfall is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland. The water of the river Skjálfandafljót falls from a height of 12 meters over a width of 30 meters.
In the year 1000 the Lawspeaker Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði made Christianity the official religion of Iceland. After his conversion Þorgeir threw his statues of the Norse gods into the waterfall.
Lunch included
Mývatn offers a unique natural environment. With large contrasts and small distances you can experience the most and the best that Iceland has to offer. Large open spaces with roads and walkways lead travellers to unworldly locations, where volcanic eruptions have played a crucial role in the formation of the landscape. Whether the plan is to enjoy the landscape, examine unique natural phenomena or take a closer look at the pant and bird life, Mývatn has it all. Furthermore the area offers a variety of services in accommodation, food and entertainment, based on years of experience and knowledge.
Geosea Pool
Opened in August 2018, Geosea draws its mineral-rich seawaters from two nearby drill holes. It has multiple infinity-edged pools and a built-in waterfall, swim-up bar and bathtub-warm water averaging around 100°F.
Stay in Akureyri
Sunday July 5
Travel South via the highlands
Visit Hveravellir hot springs.
Extending up to the foothills of Langjökull glacier Hveravellir is a geothermal hotspot with smoking fumaroles and bubbling water holes. It is a special experience to have a look around, whether it is in the summer or winter. The surroundings are spectacular. Fenced in by glaciers mountains craters and lava fields wherever you look the scenery is breathtaking.
Lunch included
Gullfoss and Geysir
Supper on own.
stay in Reykjavik 2 nights
Monday July 6
Breakfast included
Free day in Reykjavik
Optional Golden Circle Tour
Lunch and supper on own.
Tuesday July 7
Blue Lagoon and transport to KEF in afternoon.
Cost Estimate per person in a double room with private WC (with 14 passengers)
$2995 US
Not including airfare. ($700 to $850 return with Icelandair)
Almost everything included except meals in Reykjavik and in Akureyri.
Minimum 10 passengers, maximum 20 passengers