New Year's Eve Holiday to Iceland

Departure Date 28th December Price per person from £1,059

Make the most of your New Year trip to Iceland with this specially guided tour exploring the highlights of the South. Immerse yourself in a land of icy landscapes, smoking geysirs, volcano craters, glaciers and waterfalls and the thrilling possibility of viewing the splendid Northern Lights dancing across this spectacular scenery. After time away in this isolated splendour, return to Reykjavik and celebrate New Year’s Eve as only the Icelandic’s can.

Itinerary

Day 1 Reykjavik Fly direct to Keflavik and take the airport shuttle bus to the Fosshotel Baron, Reykjavik, where you will spend one night. The rest of the day is for you to explore the capital on your own. Food lovers will be delighted with the number of diverse restaurants on the doorstep for dinner this evening.

Day 2 The Golden Circle Enjoy a hearty breakfast before meeting your tour guide and fellow travellers at 08.30. The tour starts with a short introduction to Icelandic geology while watching a striking movie at Reykjavik Volcano House documenting the eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull and Fimmvördulháls in 2010. There is also a hands-on geological exhibition where you can examine various pieces of pumice, ash and lava from Icelandic volcanoes.

Later you will depart for Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site, and where the Althingi, the oldest legislative assembly in the world was founded and marks Iceland's prime geological, historical and cultural centre. Also here are the tectonic plate boundaries of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The faults and fissures of the area make evident the rifting of the earth's crust.

Moving on to the hot springs at Geysir. Strokkur bubbles away finally exploding in a plume of water high in to the air. The next geological sensation is Gullfoss, a double waterfall that tumbles 34 meters into the Hvítá River. After settling into your simple Arhus Cottages, you will enjoy a 2-course dinner and hear about the Northern Lights from your tour guide. Naturally, once darkness falls, you are out in the garden waiting for the Northern Lights.

Day 3 Jökulsárlón Glacier LagoonToday you will experience a world of glaciers, ice and icebergs. Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon is filled with floating icebergs and you may even spot seals swimming in the arctic waters. There is time to walk on the black sandy beach where large icebergs get stranded. Then on to Vatnajökull National Park, Europe’s largest National Park. Here you find Iceland’s highest mountains, an alpine environment and Europe's largest glacier. Tonight is spent at the Fosshotel Nupar and after dinner and a movie presentation about Northern Lights (part of the Northern Lights educational program). In this remote and quiet location you may just get one more chance of seeing the Northern Lights shimmering and dancing across the night sky.

Day 4 Beaches, Waterfalls and New Year’s Eve Today begin crossing the Laki lava field to the village of Vík and a stroll on the black lava beach and along the bird cliffs at Reynisfjara beach. Passing the infamous volcano Eyjafjallajökull to Skógafoss w and Seljalandsfoss, two of Iceland’s iconic waterfalls.

You arrive back in Reykjavik in good time for a celebratory New Year’s Eve dinner with your fellow travellers at a local restaurant. Step out at midnight and observe first-hand the local’s lighting up the sky with festive fireworks that welcome in the New Year.

Day 5 Fly Home

Breakfast at leisure before a transfer to Keflavik airport ready for your return flight back to the UK.

• Return flights from London LHR to Keflavik
• Return Airport/Hotel shuttle bus transfer
• Fully escorted 3-day bus tour with English speaking guide
• 4-nights accommodation in simple tourist class hotels and cottages
• Lodging in twin room(s) with private WC/shower
• Breakfast throughout
• 2 x 2-course dinner and 2 x midnight refreshment on Day 2 & 3
• Celebratory dinner in Reykjavik on New Year’s Eve
• Entrance to Kerid crater
• Excursions and Northern Lights programme as specified in the itinerary
• Use of Northern Lights explorer equipment incl. simple non-slip snow grippers, spikes for shoes and flashlight for night walks and camera use.