Glaciers, Geysers and Waterfalls

2009 / 2010 Winter departures:  Apr 13
2010 Summer departures: May 23**; Jun 13**, 27**; Jul 4**, 11**, 18**,25**; Aug 1**, 8**, 22;Sep 5**, 12
** = guaranteed departures (Note: Minimum of 4 passengers required to guarantee tour for Oct and Apr tours; Minimum of 10 passengers required to guarantee May - Sep tours)

Afternoon flights from North America depart on these days and arrive in Iceland the same night. Guests can usually check into their hotel rooms right away.

Fall, Winter and Spring LandRover version (Oct - Apr):
(B= Breakfast, PL = packed lunch, D= Dinner)

Day 1: Evening departure from North America Complimentary snacks, soft drinks and in-seat entertainment system will be available during the flights.  Meals, headsets and blankets available for purchase or provide your own.

Day 2: Early morning arrival in Keflavik International Airport.  Use your Fly Bus voucher  for the Fly Bus transfer service bus (curb outside the arrivals hall).  Give voucher to Reykjavik Excursions driver/representative and let him/her know which hotel you will be staying at.  You will be transferred to your hotel.  The rest of the day is free for your own activities.  We suggest a visit to the local geothermal swimming pools, a really unique and fun Iceland experience you can enjoy year-round!  (No meals included). There should be an envelope of information concerning your journey for you at the hotel.

Important: If you have added in extra nights before your tour starts, you will need to get yourself to the hotel where the actual first night of this tour starts. Please see your accommodation list for address and phone of the tour’s first night hotel.

Day 3: (B,D) After breakfast at your hotel, your LandRover Jeeps will be ready to take you to the wonders of South Iceland! Tour pick-up is generally between 8am and 9am. Your driver guide will come into the hotel lobby and call out your last name.  You can also identify the tour by the LandRover Jeeps with a sign in the window “Iceland Travel: Glaciers, Geysers and Waterfalls.”  Start the day by driving to Þingvellir National Park, where the ancient parliament met for centuries on the shores of Iceland's largest lake. Continue through winter covered farmlands to the thermal area of the great Geysir and Strokkur spouting hot springs. Last but not least visit  the lovely Gullfoss, known as the "Golden Waterfall". Dinner and overnight stay in Flúðir, a village known for cultivating fine organic produce.

Day 4: (B,D) Continue  driving along the South Shore.  View two waterfalls along the way: Seljalandsfoss, a waterfall you can walk behind (conditions permitting), and Skogarfoss, a pretty fall where said to conceal pirate treasure.  Nearby is the well-designed Skógar folk museum where you can learn how Icelanders lived in the not so distant days before Iceland became one of the world's most technologically advanced nations (optional, not included in tour).  Afterwards head to charming Vík village, Iceland's lowest village.  It sits on the Reynisfjará seacoast, offering a fascinating look at basalt sea stacks and a marvelous arch carved by the ocean.  Continue to Kirkjubæjarklaustur named after a former convent for overnight.

Day 5: (B,D) Today explore Skaftafell National Park, perched on the rim of Europe's largest glacier (Vatnajökull- Water Glacier) You'll also visit a Magnificent lagoon created by melted glaciers.  Icebergs float here, making this an amazing photo stop.  Several movies have been filmed in this part of Iceland, including Tomb Raider, Die another Day, Batman Begins and Beowulf and Grendel.  Also, during your tour on one of these days, you will have a chance to ride an Icelandic horse  (optional, not included in tour price) famous for their friendly, willing nature (The day this takes place is decided by the guide). Overnight in Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Day 6: (B) Explore the magnificent Fjarðrargljufur canyon in the morning. Drive to edge of the impressive ice-wall Sólehimajökull and spend some time exploring the glacier that has created the beautiful south coast.  Drive to the Blue Lagoon, an interesting geothermal spa where you can opt for refreshing dip in the warm, mineral-rich waters (not included in price). Return to Reykjavík where the tour ends at your hotel. 

Day 7: (B) Catch some last minute shopping or sightseeing before afternoon Fly Bus transfer to Keflavík International Airport. Complimentary snacks, soft drinks and in-seat entertainment system will be available during the flights.  Meals, headsets and blankets available for purchase or provide your own.

Summer Motorcoach version (May - Sep):
(B= Breakfast, PL = Packed Lunch, D= Dinner)

Departure Day:
Depart from North America on evening flight (all gateways) or afternoon flight (Boston or New York). Complimentary  soft drinks and in-seat entertainment system during flight. Meals,  headsets and blankets available for purchase or provide your own.

Day 1 Arrival Day: After going through customs, head to the Fly Bus waiting at the curb outside the airport. Give your Fly Bus transfer (included in documents) to driver or attendant on bus. Transfer to hotel in Reykjavik for your first night in Iceland. There should be a pack of documents concerning your journey for you at the hotel. (No meals included today)

Day 2: (B,D) Breakfast at your hotel. Depart Reykjavik with your guide for a greenhouse village to a great waterfall reputed to hide a Medieval treasure. Nearby is the Skogar Folk Museum where you can opt to visit and learn how Icelanders lived in the not so distant days before Iceland became one of the world's most technologically advanced nations (not included in price). Afterwards head to charming Vík, Iceland's lowest village. It sits on the seacoast, offering a fascinating look at basalt sea stacks and a marvelous arch carved by the ocean. Then it's on to a town named after a former convent, Kirkjubaejarklaustur. Distance Traveled: 199 miles

Day 3: (B,D) Today explore Skaftafell National Park, perched on the rim of Europe's largest glacier, Vatnajokull (Water Glacier). The area is stunning in the summer, as it is an oasis of green plants in a sea of ice. You'll also have the opportunity to take a sail on Jokulsarlonid, ,a magnificent lagoon created by melted glaciers. Icebergs float here, making this an amazing experience. Several movies have been filmed in this part of Iceland. Overnight in Kirkjubaejarklaustur. Distance Traveled: 174 miles

Day 4: (B,PL, D) Journey from ice to fire when you visit Thjorsardalur Valley, the longest valley in Iceland. The "terrible lady", Hekla Volcano, looks over this amazing region. Her eruptions have sculpted this area into a Daliesque region of lava terrain, waterfalls and sand plains. If the weather permits you will also be able to visit Thorsmork Valley, a picturesque region cradled within glaciers. Then it is back to civilization when you head to Fludir, a village famous for its organic greenhouse agriculture, for your overnight Distance Traveled: 168 miles

Day 5: (B) No trip to Iceland is complete without the beloved Golden Circle. Feel the power of the Geyser hot springs area and the magnificent Golden Falls. You will also have the option to visit the Geysir Multimedia show at the new Geysir Centre (not included in price). Experience the majesty of Thingvellir National Park where North America and Europe literally meet. This is also the site of the world's oldest surviving Parliament (founded 934AD). Tour ends at your hotel in Reykjavik. Distance Traveled: 124 miles

Day 6: (B) Breakfast at hotel. Catch the Fly Bus to Keflavík International Airport for morning or afternoon flight to North America. Complimentary soft drinks and in-seat entertainment system during flight. Meals,  headsets and blankets available for purchase or bring your own.

Accommodations
The following list is for information only and may change.  A final official list will be sent with your documents. Other than pre and post nights,
hotels are selected at the discretion of the tour operator.

Arrival Day in Iceland:   Icelandair Hotel Loftleidir (****)   
Day 2 & 3    Icelandair Hotel Kirkjubaejarklustur (***)
Day 4     Icelandair Hotel Fludir (***)