Countryside Odyssey 2010
6 days / 5 nights, Reykjavik - Hella - Gullfoss - Geysir - Þingvellir - Landmannalaugar - Sprengisandur - Goðafoss - Dettifoss - Whale Watching in Húsavík - Lake Mývatn - Akureyri - Glaumbaer - Reykjavik | NORTH & SOUTH ICELAND WITH WHALE WATCHING
This escorted tour to Iceland provides the comfort of hotel-based travel with walking amidst some of the most stunning scenery you are ever likely to see. Highlights in the north range from Europe's most powerful waterfall Dettifoss to the magnificent Lake Mývatn. In the south we visit Þingvellir National Park, site of the ancient Viking Parliament, famous Geysir hot spring area and the Queen of Iceland's waterfalls Gullfoss. Visit the geothermal area of Landmannalaugar with black lava sand fields.
We only stay in two hotels, which means less packing. Accommodation is provided in hotels with private facilities. The hotels used on this tour are often "summer hotels", used most of the year as boarding schools or country hotels which are simple and clean.
Highlights: Whale watching (weather permitting) / Glaumbaer Folk Museum / Icelandic Horse / 2-hour Walking daily / National Parks
| Departure | Departures Mondays: July 5th, 19th, 2010 August 2nd, 16th |
| Price | $2,195 per person in double room $2,720 single room |
| Included | 5 nights Hotels and Country Guest Houses, based on double room Scandinavian breakfast buffet daily 3-course dinners daily, from day 1 Picnic lunch on day 3 Whale watching day 5 (weather permitting) Glaumbaer Folk Museum Introduction to the Icelandic horse Horse show in Skagafjördur Visit to two National Parks Visit to two Nature Baths Hotel taxes and service fees |
| Not Included | Airfare & airport taxes Gratuities Personal insurance / personal items Alcoholic beverages $25 Service fee |
| Please Note | The hotels are guesthouse style, rooms with private facilities. There is an average of 2 hours walking each day. Good walking boots are needed on all our tours, as well as waterproof clothing. Group size: from 8 - 30 passengers |
| Tour Options | Add-ons: Tour Options Additional nights in Reykjavik Blue Lagoon with transfer to Keflavik Airport East Greenland Excursion, 1 - 3 days |
Day 1 ÞINGVELLIR - GULLFOSS - GEYSIR - HELLA (D) The day starts with a visit to the historic sites of the first Icelandic Parliament at Þingvellir National Park. Then we continue to Gullfoss, known in Iceland as the "Golden Falls", spanned in sunshine by a beautiful rainbow. Nearby is the fascinating geothermal area of Geysir. The most active geyser is Strokkur, "the Churn" which can spout up to seventy feet every five to seven minutes. From there we travel to Hella where we stay for two nights.
Day 2 LANDMANNALAUGAR(B, D) A detour into the geothermal area of Landmannalaugar, a jewel in the Icelandic landscapes. The surrounding rhyolite mountains have the feel of another planet, ranging in colours from beige to red and blue to black. We have the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing bath in a pool of warm spring water.
Day 3 HELLA - SPRENGISANDUR - ÞINGEYJARSYSLA (B, D) Today we drive north via the highland desert Sprengisandur with its views of the distant ice-caps Vatnajökull and Hofsjökull. Vsit the majestic waterfalls Aldeyjarfoss and Goðafoss. We stay up north for the next three nights.
Day 4 DETTIFOSS - TJÖRNES (B, D) We visit the high sea cliffs of Tjörnes peninsula, rich in bird life. Then to Hljóðaklettar, a place with strange rock formations. Enjoy the canyon of Ásbyrgi before arriving at Europe's most powerful waterfall Dettifoss. We also visit the hot springs at Námaskarð before we head for our accommodation.
Day 5 HUSAVIK - WHALE WATCHING - LAKE MÝVATN (B, D) Today we board our boat for a 3-hour Whale watching tour, weather permitting. Then a short drive to Lake Mývatn, a unique area featuring strange lava formations, attractive bays, pseudo craters and thousands of birds. Stroll through the lava field of Dimmuborgir, ending with a walk up to the rim of the ash crater Hverfjall. Relax at the Myvatn Nature Baths before heading to our accommodation.
Day 6 ÞINGEYJARSÝSLA - AKUREYRI - REYKJAVIK (B) Today we return south through Akureyri, the capital of the north. Travel over the Öxnadalur mountain pass and on through the ever changing countryside to Skagafjörður, where we will have an introduction to the Icelandic horse. Also visit Glaumbær Folk Mseum before returning to Reykjavík.