Arctic Gems

Arctic Gems– Iceland –9 days / 8 nights, Reykjavik - Akureyri - Höfn - South Shore - Gullfoss - ThingvellirExperience Iceland's arctic treasures! Discover the wonders of North and South Iceland, from the Arctic town of Siglufjörður, nestled in a dramatic fjord, to Akureyri, capital of the north. Travel east to the town of Höfn, with stops at Dettifoss, Europe's mightiest waterfall; over the barren highland to the remote Eastern fjords. Cruise on the Glacial Lagoon, admire Vatnajökull glacier, Skaftafell and Thingvellir National Parks, Geysir and Gullfoss.


Operation	May 20 - August 31, 2012
Departure	May 20* July 8* August 12* * Guaranteed departures
Price	May & September $2,275 per person in double room $2,875 single room June - August $2,675 per person in double room $ 3,375 single room
Included	Private coach from day 2 until day 8 A local guide from day 2 until day 8 2 nights at hotel in Reykjavik w/facilities & breakfast 3 nights at hotel in Akureyri w/facilities & breakfast 2 nights at hotel in Hornafjördur area w/facilities & breakfast 1 night at hotel in Hvolsvöllur/ Fljotshlid area w/facilities & breakfast 5 dinners at hotel restaurant 1 lunch box Entry to the Herring Industry museum Boat tour Jökulsarlon, the Glacier lagoon
Not Included	Flybus transfers Airport transfer on arrival/departure days Optional tours Any other entrance fees than mentioned above Alcoholic beverages with meals 1 x dinner in Akureyri $25 service fee
Please Note	Children 6-11 years sharing a room and/or traveling with a guardian will receive 50% discount from the listed price. Children 12 years and older pay full price as adults. It is not recommended that children 0-5 years old travel on scheduled tours.
Tour Options	ATV tour Geothermal tubs
More Information	Arctic Gems map

Day 1 REYKJAVIK Arrival in Reykjavik. Overnight stay in Reykjavik (transfer not included).

Day 2 REYKJAVIK - BORGARNES - AKUREYRI (B) Iceland's City of the North - The Botanical Gardens
Today we begin the day early traveling from Reykjavik to Akureyri. Akureyri, also known as the trade and cultural capital of the north, is where we will spend the next 3 days. Upon arrival in Akureyri in the late afternoon, we take a sightseeing tour of Akureyri to familiarize ourselves with the city before check in at our hotel. Overnight stay in Akureyri.

Day 3 SIGLUFJORDUR NORTH ICELAND (B) Dramatic Fjords - Picturesque Fishing Villages - Culinary Traditions - Icelandic Schnapps
With the opening of the Hedinsfjördur Tunnel in 2010, the historic herring-fishing town of Siglufjördur now makes a great 80km trip from Akureyri. The town of Siglufjördur is nestled in a dramatic fjord on the very edge of Iceland's steep northern mountains. Upon arrival, guests are invited to visit the award-winning Herring Era Museum. Here you will be introduced to the history of the herring fishing industry and be invited to explore the museum's three buildings, before sampling traditional rye bread, local herring and Icelandic schnapps! After the visit, guests have time to explore Siglufjördur at their leisure. Points of interest include the harbor, the church and a visit to local art galleries, cafés and shops. At days end we will depart from the village, through the tunnel and via the villages of Olafsfjördur and Dalvik, arriving back toAkureyri in the afternoon. Overnight stay in Akureyri.

Day 4 AKUREYRI (B) Free time at leisure in the "Capital of the North" Optional tours available. Overnight stay in Akureyri.

Day 5 AKUREYRI - DETTIFOSS - HÖFN Europe's Mightiest Waterfall - Long Narrow Fjords - Breathtaking Landscape
Today we depart Akureyri heading for the eastern town of Höfn. The first stop of the day will be made at Dettifoss, which is the mightiest waterfall in Europe. We continue over the barren highland areas to the town of Egilsstadir, also referred to as the centre of Eastern Iceland. After visiting Egilsstadir we proceed south through breathtaking land-scapes of the remote Eastern fjords arriving in Hornafjördur in the late afternoon. Overnight stay in the Hornafjördur area for the next 2 nights.

Day 6 HÖFN - VATNAJÖKULL - HOFFELL (B) Europe's Largest Glacier - Geothermal Baths - Glacial Lagoon with Floating Icebergs
Vatnajökull is larger than all the rest of Europe's glaciers combined. Explore some of its numerous astonishing outlets and take a boat tour on the glacial lagoon, sailing among the huge icebergs in a most unique scenic environment. In the afternoon we visit the Hoffell area. The Hoffell community consists of a few farms at the foot of Hoffell Mountain which is 800 meters high and provides good shelter from the often unpredictable northern climate. Overnight stay in the Hornafjördur area.

Day 7 HÖFN - SKAFTAFELL NATIONAL PARK - SOUTH SHORE - HVOLSVÖLLUR (B) Europe's Largest National Park - Towering Cliffs - Amazing Bird Life
Today we depart Höfn village and continue to Skaftafell National Park and Skeidarar- sandur, the largest glacial outwash plain in Iceland. Watch the dramatic scenery of outwash plains and lava fields go by as we make our way to Dyrholaey, a solitary cliff teeming with bird life. Next stop on our journey will be to admire the mighty Skogarfoss waterfall. Overnight stay in the Hvolsvöllur area.

Day 8 HVOLSVÖLLUR - GULLFOSS GEYSIR - THINGVELLIR - REYKJAVIK (B) The Famous Golden Falls - Exploding Geysers - National Park with Geological Wonders (UNESCO)
Enjoy great photo opportunities in the world-famous hot spring area of Geysir. Wait a few minutes for Strokkur to erupt and send a magnificent water and steam column high into the air. We then continue on to the magnificent Gullfoss, the "Golden Falls", and from there to Thingvellir National Park, the ancient site of Iceland's first parliament. The day ends back in Reykjavik in the late afternoon. Overnight stay in Reykjavik.

Day 9 REYKJAVIK (B) Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer not included.