Iceland’s Magical Northern Lights - 7 Days

You’re on your way to Iceland, a land and culture forged by fire and ice. Where steaming lava fields and massive glaciers sculpt mountains and valleys, leaving thundering waterfalls and plunging fjords. In this land of many natural wonders, enjoy the rare opportunity to see the aurora borealis — one of nature’s most dazzling light displays, also known as the northern lights.

Your tour opens in Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital city. Get acquainted with old town Reykjavík on a walking tour featuring Hallgrimskirkja church, city hall, the harbor, and the Parliament building. Tonight, gather with your fellow travelers at a popular restaurant for dinner featuring Icelandic cuisine. Then, take an exhilarating northern lights cruise. Leave behind the bright city lights and sail into the darkness of Faxaflói Bay in search of the northern lights – one of nature’s wonders. When revealed, you’ll be dazzled by the flickering light display of bursting color that unfolds before your eyes. (D)

Travel the incredible Golden Circle, a route that encompasses many of Iceland's most renowned natural wonders. Journey to Thingvellir National Park, the nation’s most historic area, where Icelanders gathered in A.D. 930 and established what is considered one of the world’s first parliaments. Find yourself standing upon one of the globe’s most geologically significant landscapes, Thingvellir’s rugged rift valley. This UNESCO World Heritage site marks the point where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. Experience the eruptive energy of the Icelandic landscape with a stop at the geothermal fields of Geysir and Strokkur. Then, marvel at the beauty of the Gullfoss (Golden Falls) waterfall, a stunning 100-foot double cascade. Next, stop at the Lava Exhibition Center to learn about Iceland's historic eruptions and current lava flows that make the island a showcase of volcanism. Continue southeast to Vik, the southernmost village in Iceland, surrounded by beautiful valleys, beaches, cliffs and mountains. For each of your three nights in Vík, weather permitting, you’ll set out into the peace and stillness of rural Iceland in search of the elusive northern lights. On foot, or with the assistance of our motor coach and driver, you will venture out away from the light pollution to where the views of the sky are ideal. Three nights of searching means three times the likelihood that you’ll find this incredible natural light show. (B,D)

Journey to the mesmerizing Seljalandsfoss, one of Iceland’s most famous and picturesque waterfalls with a walkway behind it. Visit Skógar Museum with its turf-built homes and outstanding collection of artifacts covering all aspects of Icelandic life. Nearby, view the impressive Skógafoss waterfall, one of the tallest in Iceland. Later, see Reynisfjara, a black volcanic sand beach surrounded by basalt formations, cliffs scattered with caves, and rich bird life including the Fulmar, Black Guillemot, Razorbill, Gannet and various types of seagulls. See the unique natural rock formations at Dyrhólaey. Later this afternoon, challenge your taste buds when you try samples of the traditional Icelandic delicacies Hákarl (cured shark) and Brennivín (Icelandic schnapps). After dinner, gaze at the sky in search of the northern lights, a truly spectacular sight. (B,D)

Travel to Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, filled with floating icebergs. Explore this extraordinary landscape and perhaps see seals swimming in Arctic waters. Travel to Skaftafell, gateway to Vatnajökull National Park, the largest national park in Europe. Vatnajökull is known for having Iceland’s highest mountains, an Alpine environment, and the Vatnajökull glacier, Europe's largest. After dinner, continue searching for the shimmering northern lights dancing across the night sky. (B,D)

Drive along the south shore towards the Reykjanes Peninsula. Known for its rugged landscape, lava fields, and numerous hot springs, the peninsula is home of the Blue Lagoon. Take a dip in the pleasantly warm, mineral-rich waters of the geothermal pool, located in the middle of a dramatic lava field. Return to Reykjavík for your farewell dinner and overnight stay. (B,D)

Depart for home with many incredible memories. (B)