Iceland time
2014.12.17. 06:26
Iceland time
2014.12.17. 06:26
Transfer from Keflavík Airport to Hotel in Reykjavík with guide, check in for one night.
Weaving our ways through narrow alleys framed with old timber houses, we learn about the life of the Icelandic capital from its very beginning to the present day. We pass Hallgrimskirkja-Church and enjoy a photo stop at Höfði house, where the Reagan/Gorbachev summit meeting took place in 1986. From the City Hall we take a walk through the city center to the street where the first settler built his house. Next to the Parliament and Lutheran cathedral we pass the sculpture of Skúli Magnússon, the founder of Reykjavík and Jón Sigurðsson, our real independence hero. We drive past the Catholic Church and enjoy then the panoramic view over Reykjavik, the fjord and mountains from the balcony at the Pearl. (The routing of this city sightseeing tour is subject to change)
After the City tour we head to the Blue Lagoon. The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s most popular attractions, a natural geothermal pool in the middle of a large and dramatic lava field and an oasis that owes its existence to a nearby geothermal power plant, looming large over the aqua tinted waters. We stop for 1 ½ hour for a refreshing bathe or a swim in the inviting, rejuvenating and pleasantly warm mineral-rich water (36°C-38°C), reputed for its healing properties.(Entrance included) An indoor pool and geothermal sauna are also on the site. Bathing in this surreal environment is a unique experience no one should miss. The Blue Lagoon’s warm water and natural active ingredients like mineral salts, silica and blue green algae help you relax and escape the stress and strain of daily life.
Transfer to Domestic Airport in Reykjavík and flight to the Faroe Islands. Meet and greet with local guide and driver and drive along the coast through colourful villages to the villages of Tjørnuvík. We go for a stroll through this charming village and lovely sandy beach and look for traces of the Viking age. Onward we travel to Gjógv, the northern most village of Eysturoy. On our way we pass the village of Eiði we where see two distinctive rock formations in the sea, The Giant & The Hag. We also pass the highest mountain “Slættaratindur” which is 882 m. high. In Gjógv we will visit the natural harbour, the church and “Mary’s Bench”. We will enjoy lunch and drive back to Tórshavn through the village of Funningur, said to be the spot where the Vikings first arrived.
Today we embark the two masted schooner Norðlysið, build at the Tórshavn Shipyard and launched into operation on May 5th1945. The ship is build from Canadian oak and the hull is constructed as “oak on oak” with salt between the layers to avoid moisture. Norðlysið was originally used for fishing around the Faeroes and Iceland. From 1985 to 1989 Norðlysið was renovated to its present state. Norðlysið is 62 feet long, 17 feet wide and weighs about 44 tons. We experience the untamed nature of the Faroe Islands on this 2-3 hour boat trip. After the tour we will enjoy lunch and go on a city tour around Tórshavn, the capital and the largest town of the Faroe Islands. Last but not least we visit the cultural and historic centre Kirkjubøur.
Transfer from our accommodation to the airport and flight to Reykjavík, Arrived in Reykjavík we will get transferred to our accommodation and have the rest of the day free for leisure.
This excursion includes many of the scenic natural wonders for which Iceland is justly renowned. We start with a stop at the geothermal power station Hellisheiðarvirkjun and learn how Icelanders use the energy from the earth, so called green energy, for heating their homes. We continue to the geothermal active valley of Haukadalur which contains the geysers Geysir and Strokkur. We explore this otherworldly hot spring area covered with multicoloured pools of water and mud. Next we drive to the mighty Gullfoss (the Golden Waterfall), perhaps the most beautiful in the country. We walk around Gullfoss Falls, where the river Hvitá tumbles 32 meters (105 ft) in a double cascade.. Over a scenic route we reach Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site and stroll around the country’s most sacred site, home of the oldest existing parliament in the world, the Alþingi, and major events in our history. Thingvellir is a place of fascinating natural beauty, one of the most geologically spectacular, set on a vast plain flanked by large fissures, right on Iceland’s largest lake, Thingvallavatn. The Great Atlantic rift is clearly visible; a rift that is slowly pulling Iceland apart along tectonic plates and you can literally walk between the American and Eurasian continental plates.
(The routing is subject to change)
We drive along the shores of the scenic Hvalfjörður Fjord, stopping at the traditional and famous wool factory of Álafoss for a little factory outlet shopping offering best Icelandic woollen products and different handicrafts of local artists. We are passing the old extinct whaling station before we reach the peaceful farming district and valley of Borgarfjörður, the setting of Egil’s Saga, framed by mountains and glaciers that are backdrops to many of the best salmon rivers in Iceland. We explore a multitude of natural springs under a birch covered lava field, which creates a waterfall of hundreds of meters wide, the magnificent Hraunfossar (Lava Falls), seemingly appearing out of nowhere across the bank. A 10 minutes walk up the river is the Barnafoss (Children’s Fall), which has carved out strange figures from the rock. We continue to historic Reykholt, where Snorri Sturluson lived, a brilliant 13th-century writer/scholar. Next stop is the Deildartunguhver, one of the world’s biggest hot springs. We go to Grábrók volcano, a 3000 years old crater surrounded by a nicely moss covered lava field – possible to walk up to the rim of the crater (20 min) for a splendid view over the lava field and its region. Return to Reykjavik via the Hvalfjörður fjord tunnel.
(The routing is subject to change)
Flight from Reykjavik to Ilulissat (about 3 hours). Transfer to the hotel, welcome meeting and welcome dinner at Hotel Arctic. Around 22:00 we depart for a midnight sailing trip to the famous Ilulissat icefjord that is the world's largest ice sculpture park. The experience is overwhelming, lights and colours change constantly. Duration 2,5 hours. Dress warm.
Breakfast at the hotel. Guided walking tour to the old settlement Sermermiut valley on the famous Ilulissat Icefiord that was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2004. The ancient settlement of Sermermiut, 1.5 km south of the town is surrounded by Ilulissat’s b eautiful icebergs. Various different Inuit cultures have lived here over the past 4,000 years, and you can still see remains from ancient times. Learn about local history and customs before Europeans arrived. See plots settled for thousands of year and admire the views across the majestic icebergs. Please wear proper boots or hiking boots. Approximate 2 hours.
Breakfast at the hotel. Early morning departure for the one day boat trip to Eqi - the calving glacier.The Eqi glacier which runs into the fjord, 80 km north of Ilulissat is one of the most beautiful places in Greenland. You can get close to the edge of the glacier by boat and see the calving process. The front of the glaicer is 3,4 km wide! The sound of the active glacier is quite remarkable while the sight of icebergs toppling into the water is breathtaking. The trip to Eqi is by modern and comfortable tourist boat. A good lunch and other refreshments are served and included. Duration: 10-12 hours / Season: June - September / Level of difficulty: Easy
Breafast at the hotel. Spend some time in the morning to explore the town of Ilulissat and last minute Greenland shopping. The short cut adventure has come to an end and you return by flight to Reykjavik, Iceland. Transfer from the Domestic Airport in Reykjavík to your accommodation.
Transfer to Keflavík Airport without guide
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