Christmas in the Land of Fire and Ice

DAY 1 Reykjavik
Your tour commences with an optional arrival transfer from the airport. This evening is at your leisure to enjoy the Iceland’s capital city.

Stay at Center Hotel Midgardur (4 star) or similar

DAY 2 Reykjavik – Golden Circle – South Shore
Start the day by visiting the fascinating Aurora Reykjavik Northern Lights Centre. You’ll get a great introduction to northern lights, how they are formed and the folklore surrounding them. Then head onwards to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where the world’s oldest parliament met for centuries on the shores of Iceland’s largest lake. Continue to the geothermal fields of Geysir with bubbling mud pools and the high spouting Strokkur hot spring. Visit the dramatic two tiered Gullfoss Waterfall, a spectacular sight in winter when frozen mid cascade. During the day, you will also visit the town of Laugarvatn, built around three hot springs which the residents have cleverly harnessed the hot springs for heating, greenhouses and even cooking. You’ll visit a unique outdoor geothermal bakery at the Laugarvatn Fontana Spa where Icelandic rye bread is baked in the hot sands. Return to your hotel and enjoy a Christmas Eve buffet dinner. If weather conditions are right, your guide will take you on a northern lights hunt on foot in the area outside your hotel this evening (or night of Day 3 or 4 if conditions permit).

Stay at Stracta Hotel Hella (3 star) or similar
Meals: Breakfast & dinner

DAY 3 South Shore – Eyjafjallajokull Volcano – Kirkjubaejarklaustur
Today, travel along the South Shore where the road will pass by typical Icelandic farms, often with Icelandic horses in the fields. This area of Iceland is home to the wonderful LAVA Centre, an interactive, high-tech educational exhibition depicting volcanic activity, earthquakes and the creation of Iceland over millions of years. If the skies are clear you might see the area’s two most famous volcanoes in the distance: Mount Hekla (last eruption 2000) and Eyjafjallajokull (last eruption 2010). Stop at the spectacular waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, a “must-see” for photographers. If trail conditions are right, you may be able to walk behind the ribbon like Seljalandsfoss falls.
Next, head onwards, passing Myrdalsjokull Glacier to visit Reynisfjara Beach. Take a walk on the black sands, admiring the extraordinary rock formations and thundering waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Cross Eldhraun, a vast lava field created from a very destructive 18th century eruption as you head into Southeast Iceland. This evening, celebrate Christmas with a festive dinner at your hotel. You’ll also receive a gift to commemorate your Christmas visit to Iceland.

Stay at Hotel Klaustur (3 star) or similar
Meals: Breakfast & dinner

DAY 4 Kirkjubaejarklaustur / Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon – Skaftafell National Park
Enter the southern area of Vatnajokull National Park, named after Europe’s largest glacier. This national park is also the largest one in Western Europe. Travel through vast sand plains created by glacial outwashes as you head east en route to the Vatnajokull area. Visit Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon where you can enjoy the breathtaking sight of icebergs floating in the fantastic 180m deep glacial lagoon. Nearby is Diamond Beach where you can experience the dramatic beauty of the icebergs that settle on the black sands before drifting back out to sea. Visit the national park’s famous Skaftafell area, a site of outstanding natural beauty dominated by several magnificent glaciers.

Stay at Hotel Klaustur (3 star) or similar
Meals: Breakfast & dinner

Day 5 Kirkjubæjarklaustur – Hveragerdi – Blue Lagoon – Reykjavik
After breakfast, journey back along the beautiful South Coast to the village of Hveragerdi, which is one of the few sites in the world located directly in the middle of a geothermal area. Hveragerdi is often called "The Flower Village" because of its many greenhouses heated by hot water from nearby springs.
Today, you’ll visit a horse farm to meet some locals: Icelandic horses. Known as the Icelanders’ most faithful friend and servant, this Viking horse breed played a pivotal role in Icelandic history. Enjoy petting these friendly horses and snapping a few selfies with them. You’ll also taste some sweet refreshments that are traditionally served on Icelandic farms.
The trip then takes you through the surreal landscapes of the Reykjanes Peninsula, where you can enjoy a dip in the famous Blue Lagoon, a unique wonder of nature with pleasantly warm, mineral rich water in the middle of a black lava field. Return to Reykjavik, where the evening is at your own leisure.

Stay at Center Hotel Midgardur (4 star) or similar
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6 Reykjavik
Your tour concludes with an optional departures transfer for your onward journey.

Meals: Breakfast