Iceland in Winter is magical. Start this great tour with two nights in Reykjavik, Iceland's small but vibrant capital with is bustling streets and many quirky stores. Then transfer to the luxury Hotel Ranga, about an hour's drive to the South, for the next three nights. Here in the countryside, the nights are dark, making it an ideal place to seek the fabled Northern Lights, as well as a wonderful base for some great adventures exploring the Icelandic Winter landscape.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Reykjavik
Coach transfer from Keflavík Airport to your hotel or nearest bus stop in Reykjavik. Time at leisure - the city centre is a small area characterised by eclectic and colourful houses, good shopping and dining. Recently established as a haven for food lovers, numerous restaurants take advantage of the abundance of local seafood, meat and game. Overnight in Reykjavik.
Day 2: Reykjavik
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, day at leisure in Iceland's capital.
City highlights include Althingi (Parliament Houese); Hallgrímskirkja church; Tjornin Lake in the city centre which is inhabited by numerous waterfowl; modern suburbs contrasting with the older parts of the city, with their colourful little houses; Perlan, a restaurant and observation platform ingeniously built on the city's enormous, geothermal hot water tanks. There are also many wonderful museums including the National Museum, with artefacts from the first settlement to the modern age, giving an excellent overview of Iceland's history and culture. Reykjavik 871+2 Settlement Museum is an archaeological museum based around a 10th century Viking longhouse unearthed in 2001. You may also like the Reykjavik Art Museum and the National Gallery.
Optional morning 2.5hr Reykjavik City Sightseeing tour.
Optional excursion to the famous Blue Lagoon, where you can relax in the warm, aquamarine waters, dramatically situated in a large lava field.
Tonight perhaps join an optional Northern Lights Hunt which can be done by bus or boat - please ask us.
2nd overnight in Reykjavik.
Day 3: Reykjavik – Hotel Ranga
This morning after breakfast you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Hotel Ranga (a drive of approximately 1.5hrs), a luxury countryside hotel and the only 4 star resort in southern Iceland. Located between the towns of Hella and Hvolsvöllur, the hotel has stunning views of the East Rangá River and Mt. Hekla. The remainder of the day is at leisure - explore the hotel and its surroundings. Tonight, in this area of no light pollution, all you need to do to search for the Aurora, is just step outside and look up! The hotel also offers an Aurora alarm, so should the Lights appear you will be told. Dinner and three nights at Hotel Ranga. The hotel's restaurant serves gourmet meals using predominantly local ingredients of the highest quality and freshness, with a menu inspired by modern Nordic cuisine.
Day 4 Hotel Ranga: Super Jeep Tour
Today head off on a guided adventure tour to the Þórsmörk Valley in a monster "Super Jeep", a specially modified 4WD made to cope with the wild and rugged terrain. Explore the countryside including Þórsmörk, the valley of the Thunder God Thor, which sits amongst three sparkling ice caps, Mýrdalsjökull, Tindfjallajökull and Eyjafjallajökull, as well as Gígjökull, where powerful glacial floods caused by the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption occurred. Tonight, be ready again after dinner to step outside and look up into the sky for the Northern Lights! Dinner and 2nd overnight at Hotel Ranga.
Day 5 Hotel Ranga: Day at Leisure
Today is a day at leisure. Perhaps go for a walk in the surroundings, or book a massage or wellness treatment. Or join one of the optional excursions available - these include horseriding, snowmobiling, dog sledding, ATV and buggy rides. Tonight perhaps relax in the outdoor hot tub, while watching out for the sparkling Northern lights in the evening. Dinner and 3rd overnight at Hotel Ranga.
Day 6 Hotel Ranga - Keflavik and Departure
Breakfast at the hotel then transfer to Keflavik Airport (a trip of approximately 2hrs). On arrival at Keflavik Airport, your tour arrangements end.
2023-2024 departures: daily 01 December - 31 March (note: 23 Dec - 08 Jan on request only)
Notes:
The operation of excursions will be subject to weather conditions.
