South Iceland and Highlands (8 days)

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Iceland 2017 – Travel period from 20 June-20 September
Day 1
Arrival Iceland –a warm welcome

Upon arrival at Keflavik International Airport your own private driver will pick you up and take you to the Blue Lagoon.
We recommend a visit to the world renowned Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa, located just 15 minutes from the airport. The Blue Lagoon has a mystical appearance but its unique restorative powers are quite real and ideal for regaining your energy after a long flight. The Lagoon opens at 08:00 and they have a cafeteria if you need a bite to eat. Your driver will wait for you until you are ready to leave, usually 1 hour in the Lagoon is enough for most.
Different packages are available at Blue Lagoon – from standard to luxury. Pre-booking is necessary.
http://www.bluelagoon.com/blue-lagoon-spa/prices-and-packages/
Your driver will then drive you to your accommodation. Usual check-in time is 14:00. We recommend you store the luggage at the apartment and walk around Reykjavík city – have lunch close
by until the apartment/hotel room is ready. A representative from B2 Travel Group will meet & greet guests at arrival and go through the program and be on call 24/7 during their time in Iceland.

Day 2
Iceland’s Hidden Treasures

We spend today in Thjorsardalur valley, with its stunningly diverse and colorful landscapes.
We will hike in a beautiful fairy-tale world, Gjáin. Gjáin is a lava Wonderland with troll images, spectacular waterfalls and lush vegetation. The hike is relatively easy and you will see lava caves and waterfalls.

Hjálparfoss – (Help’s Falls) is another beautiful waterfall in the river Fossá in Þjórsárdalur valley. The waterfall is split in two with a beautiful pond in front and surrounded by extraordinary basalt rock formations, making this spot a beautiful haven. Here we stop for picnic.

We visit a reconstructed medieval farmhouse, the farm is a replica of the excavated farmhouse Stöng from the Commonwealth Era in Iceland and provides visitors with an opportunity to study the buildings of our ancestors and learn about their background and daily life. The excavated farm Stöng is believed to have been destroyed in the Hekla eruption in the year 1104.

Today we will also learn about hydroelectricity at the Búrfell hydropower Plant. The Power Station has an interactive energy exhibition, a sure hit for kids of all ages. The aim of the Interactive Energy Exhibition is to educate and entertain visitors, and to share knowledge about different energy sources and their effects on the community, economy and environment.

Activity Possibility:
Horse Riding. With its dramatic volcanic backdrop this area is famous for its horse farms. Horse riding is a great activity for adults and children. The Icelandic horse is known for its friendliness. They would join a 1-hour tour, where they would ride over a small river, over fields, while enjoying seeing volcano Hekla and glaciers and through a narrow valley.

Secret Lagoon- a great way to end the day
The Secret lagoon is a geothermal natural hot spring located in the small village called Fludir. The Lagoon is unique and located in its natural surroundings with steam rising into the air around it, A truly magical feeling. The warm water holds 38-40 Celsius all year.

Around the pool are several geothermal spots and a little Geysir which erupts every 5 minutes, showing off for the guests relaxing in the hot spring. During winter, the northern lights are often giving a great lightshow above Secret Lagoon. What other way is better than relaxing in warm water to view the spectacular lightshow above?

The facilities are new with showers, bar and eating area. The Lagoon can be rented exclusively for groups, a perfect after dinner exclusive site.

A walking path has been built around the geothermal area so the guests can have a closer look at the boiling, spouting hot springs.

OVERNIGHT: FOSSHOTEL HEKLA
Hotel Hekla is situated close to Mount Hekla in South Iceland, is surrounded by some of the country’s most stunning sights including volcanoes Eyjafjallajökull and Fimmvörðuháls. The hotel is a friendly country hotel with 46 rooms.

The Family suite is newly renovated and spacious. The outdoor hot-tubs are great for evening relaxation.

Day 3
Landmannalaugar / Fjallabak / full day off the beaten track (Routes depend on road conditions)

Today we drive through unforgettable landscapes with surreal beauty and steaming hot springs through the rugged terrain of Fjallabak, in the highlands of Iceland.

Landmannalaugar is one of Iceland’s most awe-inspiring places. The colorful rhyolite mountains are among its main characteristics with their varying textures, shapes and sizes. A bathing suit and a towel is recommended if you want to take a dip into the hot pool at Landmannalaugar.

Today we will make the most of our Super Jeep Vehicle and drive through glacial rivers that cut through the moon-like lava fields for an unforgettable melding of the elements. We will stop at the crater lake Ljotipollur a cobalt blue lake formed in 1477.

 

 

OVERNIGHT: RECOMMENDED Fosshótel GLACIER LAGOON
Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon is a brand new four-star hotel in Hnappavellir, a popular climbing area. The location is perfect for nature lovers, as it is right between Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, two of Iceland’s most spectacular natural attractions; a hiker’s paradise.

Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon offers 104 rooms with all necessary amenities. The restaurant at the hotel has a seating capacity of 150.

Day 4
Glacier lagoon / Glacier Walk

We start the day at the picturesque Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. We take an amphibian boat ride between the huge icebergs, which constantly break away from the glacier tongue of reiðamerkurjökull, producing a wonder world of ice. The lagoon has provided the backdrop for many major feature films and programs including ‘Batman Begins’ and most recently ‘Game of Thrones.’

The Skaftafell region of Vatnajokull National Park is a lush oasis where you can hike for days on gorgeous trails through forests, waterfalls, black sands, mountains, glaciers. You can´t leave this area without a hike to Svartifoss waterfall, bordered on both sides by tall black basalt columns, resembling the pipes of a giant organ.

Another recommended hike in this area is the glacier hike on crampons. Skilled guides will go over all safety features and equipment before we set foot on Vatnajökull, Europes biggest ice cap. On our journey, we will come across some spectacular ice formations, deep sinkholes and rugged ice crevasses. (Minimum age 10 Years). About 1 Hour on the Ice.

Day 5
South Shore / Black Sand Beach / Fjarðárgljúfur Canyons / ATV Tour

Today we drive along the south coast, a sweeping landscape of sandy deserts, rocky shores and rolling farmlands sandwiched between snow-capped glaciers, mountains and the ocean. Stop to admire the black sand beaches and cliffs at Dyrholaey. There are also vast bird colonies here, including puffins (generally seen mid-May to early August).

Along the way we stop at the gorgeous Seljalandsfoss waterfall but you can walk behind it and through to the other side.

Visit Fjarðárgljúfur canyon is up to 100 m deep and 2 km long and was created by progressive erosion by flowing water from glaciers through the rocks over a long period of time, some say 9000 years ago. A walk around the Canyon or just enjoying the majestic views makes this as great stop and photo-op. The Canyon has been the site for many music videos – one recently Justin Bieber famous Iceland Video was shot there.

Next we make a stop at Þorvaldseyri to visit Eyjafjallajökull Visitor Centre. Here the same family has cultivated the land for 100 years and is best known for its innovative grain farming which has been ongoing since 1960. The family at Þorvaldseyri opened the Visitor Centre on the 14th of April 2011, a year after the Eyjafjallajokull eruption. The purpose of the Centre is to allow guests to experience firsthand how it feels to live underneath an active volcano. A short film is shown about the eruption, life on Þorvaldseyri during that hectic time and how the farm „rose from the ashes“. On the walls posters portray invaluable and unique written and visual information about the eruption.

We will stop at the Seljalandsfoss waterfall along Iceland’s southern coast is fed by melting water from the famed glacier-capped Eyjafjallajokull volcano. This powerful waterfall cascades into a pretty meadow but is best known for the walking path that runs behind the curtain of water where visitors can enjoy a truly unique viewpoint from here. We also stop at the majestic and much-photographed Skógafoss waterfall, with its impressive 60 m drop (196 ft).

Reynisfjara is a black pebble beach and features an amazing cliff of regular basalt columns resembling a rocky step pyramid, the waves at Reynisfjara are especially strong and unpredictable, and fatal accidents have occurred at this beach, so people are advised to take extra care when visiting the area.

According to folklore, two trolls attempted to drag a ship to land but were turned to stone as daylight broke, turning them into the Reynisdrangar stacks, clearly visible from the beach.

This day offers us also two activities to choose from :
Horseback riding: approximately 1 hour horse riding tour at a Farm in the south. The Icelandic horses are considered quite small but very strong for their size and very surefooted. It controls five gaits while most other breeds have only three or four. The two additional gaits are the Tölt and Pace. The Tölt is a very smooth four-beat run that is less jolting than all other gaits and this ensures you a very
comfortable ride.

Atv – Tour : This 2-3 hours ATV tour takes you between two of Iceland ‘s most famous and notorious volcanos, Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull. We will be crossing small rivers and will visit waterfalls and caves along the way.
During the tour we will stop at a cave which was once inhabited by Irish monks located by the river Fiská. At the cave we will light a fire where we treat ourselves with cup of coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Just outside the cave entrance stands a rock formation believed to be home of elves and sometimes we even make contact with the inhabitants. This tour offers an easy ride for everyone.

OVERNIGHT: SOUTH – RANGÁ Hotel – 1 night

Hotel Ranga is located in southern Iceland in a remote, wild and stunning area of natural beauty on the shores of one of Iceland’s finest Salmon rivers – the East Ranga River. It’s a great location from where to explore the South Coast black sand beaches, highlands and Eyjafjallajökull glacier. Activities can include glacier hiking, snowmobile and ATV adventures, horse riding, fishing and super jeep off road exploration among others. Due to its remote location it is also a wonderful location for groups wanting to see the Northern Lights during the Winter months and do star gazing.

The hotel has 51 rooms over 3 levels and has a number of suites that are decorated in a thematic way after the world’s continents. The restaurant is an acclaimed gourmet restaurant with a modern, Nordic style and “Farmers Market” concept utilizing high quality, local products as much as possible and following seasonal availability of produce.

Hotel Ranga is a great hotel for groups wanting to do something different, have a great adventure and experience some of the best natural beauty and unique experiences and activities that Iceland has to offer.
Website: http://www.hotelranga.is/

Day 6
Inside the Volcano – Inside the Volcano (12year age limit/exceptions possible)

Today we head back to the City. Before we do, we take a Journey to the Center of the Earth.

The dormant Thrihnukagigur volcano is a unique natural phenomenon. By setting up the necessary gear and equipment, we’ve created a tour that opens the door to a new world.

The hike from the parking lot to the Volcano is 45 minutes- on rugged terrain but relatively easy. You spend up to 40 minutes inside the volcano. On the way you will get to know a bunch of stuff about volcanoes and volcanic activity in Iceland.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhriwgemEvE
In the late afternoon you arrive in Reykjavík and enjoy this time to walk around the city center.
Hotel in Reykjavík / Canopy- 2 NIGHTS
Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre is a large, new, modern, “lifestyle hotel” set across six connected houses and offers guests a local flavor of Iceland and Reykjavik. Guests can relax in this chic, modern, design hotel which is located close to Laugavegur, the main shopping & nightlife street and other central attractions. Canopy Hotel offers special touches which try and add a more local flavor to a client’s stay such as a local treat at check-in, free bicycles to explore on, displays of local art, evening tastings of local beverages and spirits.

Day 7
Reykjavík – Explore Reykjavík on an electric fat bike with private guide

Today we enjoy Reykjavík and we recommend renting bicycles either on own to explore the city, OR use electric fat bikes with private guide to ride with you around the city. The tour will be designed after each and everyone’s interests. You can either stay within the city or ride in the outskirts area/mountain biking.

This can be anywhere from a 1-hour tour up to a full day tour.

Reykjavík is filled with museums and interesting things to do and see. We recommend the Whales of Iceland museum as well as joining a whale watching cruise from the Reykjavík Harbor.

We highly recommend while in Reykavík to visit the OmNom Chocolate Factory. Do you know the difference in taste from chocolate beans from Madagascar and Tanzania? well you will soon find out and taste A LOT of chocolate during this interesting and FUN tour through the Factory.

Day 8
Reykjavík – Departure Day

Today we take it easy until our flight departs. You will be picked up 3 hours before your flights is scheduled to leave.