New Years Land Of The Northern Lights
NEW YEAR TOUR: Celebrate New Years eve the Icelandic way whilst searching for the Northern Lights. Exploring southern Iceland, you'll visit the Reykjanes peninsula, relax in the Blue Lagoon and see the geothermal activity in the Golden Circle. Enjoy a delicious 4-course meal on New Years eve before heading outside to see the sky lit up by fireworks.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes
Tour overview
Itinerary
Day 1 Reykjavik
Day 1 Reykjavik
Reykjavik. Welcome to Iceland and the start of your Northern Lights adventure! Your transfer to your accommodation is by Flybus shuttle. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Day 2 Blue Lagoon
Day 2 Blue Lagoon
Reykjavik - Reykjanes Peninsula - Blue Lagoon - Hella. This morning you meet your tour guide who shows the group some of the highlights of Iceland's capital. Then we head out to the Reykjanes peninsula famous for hot springs, picturesque mountains, bird cliffs, light houses and quaint fishing villages. Later on we get to relax in the warm blue waters of the famous Blue Lagoon
This evening, we hear all about the Northern Lights and once darkness falls we head out in the garden and wait for this beautiful natural phenomena to appear.
Day 3 Glaciers, Waterfalls & NYE!
Day 3 Glaciers, Waterfalls & NYE!
Hella - Eyjafjallajokull - Skogafoss - Black Lava Beach - Hella. Today we travel along the South coast and visit the active volcano that is beneath the Eyjafjallajökull glacier. We travel on to the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which plunges down from the mountain, and then visit the Skógar folk museum, which contains an outstanding collection of farm and domestic artefacts. Nearby is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country; the 60-meter high Skógafoss waterfall.
This afternoon the tour continues further south where you can stroll on the black lava beach to see the amazing bird cliffs at Reynisfjara near Vík.
This evening we celebrate New Year the Icelandic way. Before dinner, we visit the bonfires in the villages of Hvolsvöllur and Hella. The traditional Brenna bonfires of New Year's Eve have their origins in the Middle Ages when people built bonfires to burn the old things they no longer needed. In Iceland, there are bonfires all around the country where inhabitants gather, shoot off fireworks, sing and dance as they wait for the New Year to come in.
Returning to our hotel we enjoy a delicious 4-course dinner on the river banks in Hella. Later this evening we enjoy the myriad of fireworks exploding across the sky to ring in the new year. If you're truly lucky you may also see the northern lights appear in the background.
Day 4 Golden Circle
Day 4 Golden Circle
Hella - Golden Circle - Reykjavik. This morning we learn about the indigenous Icelandic horse and its history and special qualities. We also visit a geothermal greenhouse seeing steam from the Geysir geothermal fields as you arrive. There is a variety of hot springs and bubbling pools. The original geyser is now dormant but has been replaced by Strokkur "the Churn" which erupts at 5-10 minute intervals. Continuing on to Gullfoss "the golden falls", a double waterfall that tumbles 34 meters into the Hvita River. Next we travel inland to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site before returning to Reykjavik for one night. This evening we enjoy a culinary dining experience which includes some local Icelandic cuisine.
Day 5 Reykjavik
Day 5 Reykjavik
Today our Northern Lights Icelandic experience comes to an end with included FlyBus transfer to Keflavik Airport.
Tour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Prices & Dates
Hotels
Set near the beautiful waterfront, Hotel Cabin offers simple but comfortable accommodation in Iceland's vibrant capital. Standard rooms are 18m², modern and cosy, with free Wi-Fi, en suite facilities and views of the city or the bay. A buffet breakfast is served each morning and there's a lobby bar serving drinks and snacks. Five minutes' walk from the hotel is Borg29 - a modern foodhall with nine restaurants on site, and the wonderful geothermal Laugardalslaug swimming pool. To reach the city centre it's a scenic 15 - 20 minute walk.
Hotel Stracta in the sleepy village of Hella, offers a serene getaway in South Iceland. This contemporary hotel provides a range of en suite accommodations, from cosy 18m² standard rooms, to spacious 24m² studio rooms, which are equipped with a small kitchenette and a sofa bed. All of the guest rooms are designed in Nordic style and well-equipped, with modern amenities. A delicious and hearty buffet breakfast is served each day at the buffet restaurant Gardur. You can unwind in the sauna or outdoor hot tubs while soaking in views of the Northern Lights and enjoy delectable à la carte meals at Stracta Bistro restaurant, which serves a whole host of Icelandic and international culinary delights. In the winter, Hotel Stracta's dark gardens are perfect for Northern Lights hunting!
Tour Reviews
New Years Land Of The Northern Lights - 5 daysNEW YEAR TOUR: Celebrate New Years eve the Icelandic way whilst searching for the Northern Lights. Exploring southern Iceland, you'll visit the Reykjanes peninsula, relax in the Blue Lagoon and see the geothermal activity in the Golden Circle. Enjoy a delicious 4-course meal on New Years eve before heading outside to see the sky lit up by fireworks.
Handpicked53864From what I remember the guide was very good, full of info, humour and talked a lot! The tour was good apart from the hotel in Reykjavik - where the rooms were tiny, it was impossible for two people to move around in those rooms.
Extras and add-ons
Tour Upgrades
Find alternative tours below with Upgrades to this tour