Northern Lights Exploration

Northern Lights Exploration

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Northern Lights Exploration

8 Days Starting and ending in Reykjavik

Visiting: Iceland

Tour operator:

Travel Talk Tours

Tour code:

ICE7

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

13 - 35

Physical rating:

Low, Easy

Age range:

18-59

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Sightseeing

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

A tour to discover Iceland’s nature and cultural life, with two nights in Iceland’s vibrant capital Reykjavík. The 8 day/7 night tour covers the South-West, South and South-East part of Iceland with stops at all of the most popular locations. See glittering glaciers, snow-clad mountains, giant lava fields, steaming hot springs and beautiful waterfalls. Bathe in the mineral rich geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon, walk on a black lava beach, visit Icelandic horses on their farm.

Highlights

  • Iceland doesn’t get the name ‘Land of the Northern Lights’ for nothing! From the dancing lights to spouting geysers, thundering falls and active volcanoes – Iceland’s stunning natural beauty will leave you lost for words!

  • Enjoy free airport transfers on the first and last day of tour and travel in the comfort of private coaches with free WIFI. Plus, all breakfasts are included in this 8-day tour.

  • Stay up late with new travel mates for once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights as they dance across Iceland’s dreamy skies.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Reykjavik

Individual transfer by Flybus shuttle bus from Keflavik airport to your accommodation in Reykjavik.

You may explore Iceland's capital city on your own if time allows.





Accommodation

Hotel Klettur or similar - 3 Star

Day 2: Reykjavik City Tour &Amp; Borgarfjordur Saga Valley

At 09:00 meet your tour guide who shows the group the highlights of Iceland's exciting capital.

Then we head west.

We stop in Borgarnes and learn about Iceland's earliest days at the Settlement Center.

Next we head to Borgarfjörður, known as the Saga Valley because of its many important historical events.

Get a chance to climb the Grábrók volcano crater and visit Deildartunguhver, Europe's most powerful hot spring.

Hraunfossar is a series of waterfalls pouring from beneath a wide lava field.

Barnafoss – the Children's falls, is nearby with its own tragic tale.

The afternoon includes a lecture about Northern Lights.

After dinner, step into the hotel garden in search of the Northern Lights followed by a hot cup of chocolate or tea.





Accommodation

Hotel Hamar or similar - 3 Star

Meals

Breakfast

Included Activities

Sightseeing Borgarnes

Sightseeing Borgarfjörður - Saga Valley

Day 3: Snæfellsnes Peninsula &Amp; Lava Cave

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula, “the peninsula of the snowy mountain“, juts out from Iceland's west coast, like a long arm with a clenched fist at its tip, and is in many ways a microcosm of the whole island.

A rugged mountain chain runs its length.

Visit the fishing village of Grundarfjörður, a place with an impressive coastline and mountains, lakes and waterfalls behind the village.

One of the most photographed and famous mountain in Iceland, Kirkjufell, can be seen jutting out into the bay.

Visit Arnarstapi and Hellnar before experiencing the area from below, inside Vatnshellir cave.

We take you 35 meters underground and about 200 meters into the lava tube under the glacier Snæfellsjökull! On the way back to Borgarnes the guide gives you some practical tips on how to photograph the Auroras as part of the Northern Lights Academy program.

Naturally, once darkness falls, we are out in the hotel garden to chase the Northern Lights and to soak in the hotel's outdoor hot tubs.





Accommodation

Hotel Hamar or similar - 3 Star

Meals

Breakfast

Included Activities

Sightseeing of Grundarfjörður

Sightseeing of Arnarstapi and Hellnar

Sightseeing of the Glacier Snæfellsjökull

Day 4: Golden Circle, Geothermal Taste &Amp; Icelandic Horse

Travel along the Hvalfjörður fjord.

The first stop is Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Travel the Golden Circle route, see steam rising from the Geysir geothermal fields.

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

On we travel to double waterfall of Gullfoss.

In the afternoon, learn about the Icelandic horse, its unique qualities and history and visit a geothermal greenhouse, before reaching the accommodation in South Iceland.

Tonight, step into the darkness and search for the elusive Northern Lights in the peace and stillness of rural Iceland.





Accommodation

Landhotel in Hella or similar - 4 Star

Meals

Breakfast

Included Activities

Sightseeing of Þingvellir National Park

Sightseeing of Geysir Geothermal Fields

Sightseeing of Gullfoss waterfall

Day 5: Natural Wonders Of South Iceland &Amp; Eyjafjallajökull Volcano

Today we travel along the South coast.

At the Lava & Volcano Exhibition Center, learn about geology and active volcanoes.

Further east we visit one of Iceland's finest folk museums.

This museum contains an outstanding collection of farm and domestic artefacts from Iceland's past and several turf-built houses.

Nearby is Skógafoss waterfall which is 60 meters high and one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country.

In the afternoon take a stroll on the black lava beach and along bird cliffs at Reynisfjara in South Iceland.

We spend two nights near Kirkjubæjarklaustur in the Vatnajökull National Park region, located in darkness and ideal for Northern Lights search.





Accommodation

Fosshótel Núpar or similar - 3 Star

Meals

Breakfast

Included Activities

Lava & Volcano Exhibition Center Visit

Folk Museum Visit

Sightseeing Black Lava Beach

Day 6: Vatnajökull National Park &Amp; Glacier Including Glacial Lagoon And Diamond Beach

Today's program is all about glaciers, ice and icebergs.

We travel to Jökulsárlón, a glacial lagoon filled with floating icebergs, and we explore the amazing site and might see seals swimming in arctic waters.

You can walk on the black sandy beach, the so-called Diamond beach, where large icebergs get stranded.

In the afternoon we visit the tiny turf church at Hof and spend time at Europe's largest national park, which has Iceland's highest mountains, an alpine environment, and Europe's largest glacier.

In the evening enjoy a film presentation about the Northern Lights as part of the Northern Lights Academy program.

Be careful not to go to bed too soon in this remote and quiet location, or you may miss out one more chance of seeing the Northern Lights shimmering and dancing across the night sky.





Optional Ice Cave Tour offered between October-April (weather permitting)

The tour takes about 2,5 hours in total – a 30-minute drive by 4×4 vehicle from the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and 5-15 minutes hike (one-way).

You spend about one hour inside the ice cave.

You need good hiking boots, warm clothing that keeps you dry from the dripping water in the ice cave.

Minimum age is 10 years old.

The ice cave tour can be booked on day 2 of Northern Lights Exploration tour.

The ice cave explorers meet their local guide at the glacier lagoon and will be brought back to the hotel after the ice cave tour, while the rest of the group continues the official tour program.

The ice cave explorers will miss out on some of the official tour programs, as there is no time for everything, but the stop and visit at the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon are included for all group members.





Accommodation

Fosshótel Núpar or similar - 3 Star

Meals

Breakfast

Included Activities

Sightseeing Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon

Thingvellir National Park

Optional Activities

Ice Cave Tour (October to April) - Price per person ISK 23.

000

Day 7: South Shore &Amp; Blue Lagoon

From Kirkjubæjarklaustur we head across the Eldhraun lava field to the village of Vík, where we make a photo stop.

The black lava beach with high bird cliffs and pounding waves is awe-inspiring.

Further west we reach the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall which plunges from the mountain.

In the afternoon we get to soak in the famous Blue Lagoon.

We reach Reykjavík around dinner time for one last night.





Accommodation

Hotel Klettur or similar - 3 Star

Meals

Breakfast

Included Activities

Photo stop at the Village of Vík

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall Visit

Blue Lagoon Visit

Day 8: Reykjavik

Our trip will end after we say goodbye to our new friends over breakfast, and check-out of the hotel in Reykjavík.

The FlyBus shuttle will take you back to the airport from your hotel.





Meals

Breakfast

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    3 & 4 Star Hotels

  • Meals

    7 breakfasts

  • Tour Guiding

    Services of Icelandic local guide from day 2 to day 8

  • Airport Transfer(s)

    Arrival and departure airport transfers by FLYBUS Plus shuttle.

  • Free Wi-Fi

    Complimentary hotel anc coach Wi-Fi ( where available )

What's Not Included

  • Insurance

  • Tips and gestures

  • Entrance fees to the sights and museums

  • Optional activities

  • Other services not stated in the itinerary

Add Ons

Local Payment: £0

Check out our Q&As

  • What is the maximum group size?

    Average group size is around 13-35 people

  • Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

    Yes

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Are all entrance fees included in the price?

    No

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    No passenger under the age of 18

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    No

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Arrival and departure airport transfers by FLYBUS Plus shuttle.



  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    There are always single travellers on our tours. If you don't mind being roomed with another single traveller of the same gender, then you do not need to pay a single supplement, however, this excludes all of our North American tours where the sharing option for a solo traveller is not available, and the single supplement must be applied if you are travelling alone. The single supplement is for travellers who would like to stay in a private room for the duration of the tour. PLEASE NOTE: The single private option is not always available, especially for sailing tours and camping.

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    Our tours are suitable for any traveller above 18 years old. The majority of Travel Talkers are from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada or Europe, however we always have travellers from all over the world. What brings them together is a passion for travel, discovering authentic cultures and experiencing unique adventures with like-minded travellers.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    At Travel Talk, we believe that travel is a force for good and show our support through various initiatives and charity organizations, as well as keeping the principals of responsible and sustainable travel at the core of our ethos. These values are engrained in our business culture and the design of our trips just the same. Together with our guests, we strive to make a positive impact on local p

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Over 20 years

Reviews of this operator

Jessie Mae Sia  

My travel talk experience was great and memorable

24-Feb-2021

My travel talk experience was awesome and fantastic. Me and my husband was on their Morocco and Turkey tours in 2019, they operated their tours in a culturally fun manner and the tour guides were very nice and very approachable. It exceeded our expection, we love to come back with them in our future travel. Thank you travel talk you made our 2019 as one of our memorable year!

Trustpilot
Jes Snowden (Google Reviewer)  

The Best of Turkey by...

10-Sep-2024

The Best of Turkey by Land was fantastic! If it’s a “tour” of Turkey you’re seeking, this one is the pick of them all. We travelled to the most spectacular locations, and experienced breathtaking moments and views, in every stop! Our tour guide Mustafa was very knowledgeable and talked us through the history of the land. He was friendly and very patient, considering the hours he puts into his tours. Mus was able to swap the days activities for some days to ensure we were given the best opportunity for photo’s and leas tourists in other locations. Our bus drivers did an amazing job getting us to all locations safely! Thank you Ahmet & Ali, you are superstars… Highlights for us were Gallipoli, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Fethyie and hot air ballooning in Cappadocia. The group consisted of all ages, which worked out to be a good mix. The weather varied between 25 - 36 degrees throughout the trip, so be sure to pack the sunscreen and portable fan. Hotels varied, each one having it’s own idiosyncrasies, but overall very good. Some of the days were extremely long but we got through them.. I’d recommend this tour to anyone that wants a taste of the beautiful land that Turkey is ☺️

Courtney Godden (Google Reviewer)  

First time doing a tour...

28-Jul-2024

First time doing a tour overseas, wow what an amazing experience. Smaller tour group which was awesome, great hotel choices, professional transportation services and saw the best of Turkey in 12 days. Our tour guide Aykut's hospitality was second to none, he went above and beyond for every member of the group. His knowledge of his country's history and culture was outstanding and explained in a memorable way for a lasting memory. Aykut's has extensive experience as a tour guide and it shows in every way, many special tips from living/growing up in Turkey. Aykut's planning meant everything ran smoothly making our only job to turn up with your belongings and enjoy your experience. Thank you again Aykut for going the extra mile, making sure places had gluten free options for me and for all the funny jokes ☺️

elle mcdowell (Google Reviewer)  

We had an amazing time...

10-Jul-2024

We had an amazing time on our 12 day tour of Turkey! Our guide Yild was attentive, always was there to help us make the most of our trip and great fun! Would definitely recommend this tour to others!!

Stephani Ferrari Dalto (Google Reviewer)  

I’m about to finish my...

18-Oct-2024

I’m about to finish my Essential Turkey trip with Travel Talk (October 12th- for 10 days) and had an amazing experience! Our guide Mustafa was fantastic. He took care of every little detail and made sure everyone in our group (42 people, a great mix of ages) was happy and well looked after. I traveled with my mom, and this trip was the perfect way to get a quick, but comprehensive, view of what Turkey has to offer. This was my second time with Travel Talk, and I would definitely choose them again for future adventures!

Samantha Treadwell (Google Reviewer)  

Such an UNREAL EXPERIENCE! I...

13-Aug-2024

Such an UNREAL EXPERIENCE! I cannot recommend the best of Turkey by Gulet for 12 day tour enough. On this tour we were able to see all parts of turkey from the coast line to the major cities and immerse ourselves in the culture and history! Mustafa is the best tour guide who priorities experiences, learning and safety of all tour participants (he also doubles as a comedian so ensures many laughs are had). From sailing on the Mediterranean Sea, experiencing the best food and culture in Istanbul, to paragliding over Pamukkale springs, and finally ticking off the bucket list moment of hot air ballooning over Cappadocia, this has been a trip not to forget. I cannot recommend this tour enough and would encourage anyone going to turkey to book this trip with Travel Talk!

Steph Burnettt (Google Reviewer)  

Thank you Mustafa & Travel...

06-Oct-2024

Thank you Mustafa & Travel Talk for an extraordinary 10 day trip of Turkey. A beautiful country indeed. We had a great time visiting all the sites. Mustafa’s sense of humour and abundance of knowledge made it all the more enjoyable. Definitely recommend this tour.

Victoria McCullough (Google Reviewer)  

I did the travel talk...

26-Aug-2024

I did the travel talk turkey tour with mus. He's an awesome guide full of local knowledge. There had been wild fires at Gallipoli so rearranged our itinerary to allow us a chance to visit which we did! I spent 3 days on the gulet and was a great way to relax. Would highly recommend the tour as a way to visit turkey and would do it again.

Leigh Anaru (Google Reviewer)  

Just finished the 10 day...

30-Apr-2024

Just finished the 10 day ANZAC tour in Türkiye. Wow what an experience! The tour although busy was jam packed with amazing experiences made all the more richer by our highly knowledgable and very funny guide Aykut. The bus was full of 44 Aussies and Kiwis which would've been no easy feat to control. Aykut and our drivers Naci and Sevki were kind and patient making our long drives enjoyable. Gallipoli was a bucket list of mine, and what a beautiful humbling experience it was, especially the following day tour of the cemeteries. Other than that highlight, the early morning hot air balloon and all the other sites the Kapadokya offers was pretty special too. I will be using Travel Talk again. 5 stars!

Bec Wood (Google Reviewer)  

We did the 11 Day...

26-Apr-2024

We did the 11 Day Anzac Tour of Turkey. It. Was. Phenomenal. My husband and I absolutely love Turkey and were excited to explore the country. Highlights were definitely the Hot Air Balloons in Cappadocia and the privilege of attending the Dawn Service at Anzac Cove. A bucket list item ticked off. This was my second Travel Talk in 2024 and I would absolutely do another one in the future. The tour was organised and our guide, Mustafa, was fantastic.

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Travel Talk Tours allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 61 days before the start of the tour.

  • Low Deposit

    Travel Talk Tours requires a minimum deposit of 100 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of travel talk tours charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.

    At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 85% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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