Under the Northern Lights. Best of Iceland - Winter

Day 1. Arrive Keflavik airport. Overnight hotel in Reykjavik

Day 2. The Golden Circle & Kerid Volcanic Crater.
(Overnight stay in Hveragerði, hótel Eldhestar or similar)
Drive to Thingvellir National Park – a unique place where nature meets with the history. While walking between the American and Eurasian tectonic plates, it is hard not to think about the history of this place. Thingvellir (“the field of parliament”) became home to the Icelandic general assembly from around the year 930 and continued until 1798. At the end of the path between cliffs you will notice Oxararfoss waterfall. It is rather small one — around 13 meters high, but well worth seeing.
The next stop in our program is Gullfoss – the Golden waterfall. The waters of the mighty Hvíta (white) river are swept into a 70 meters deep canyon giving visitors one of the most spectacular views in Iceland. Powerful and beautiful waterfall rushes down from two tiers into an ancient valley.

We continue to Haukadalur Geothermal Area, better known as Geysir – home to many bubbling hot springs and geysers — one of them is the very active Strokkur that throws up boiling water up to a height of 40 meters every 5-10 minutes.
These three famous sights are the classic ones that form the Golden Circle but to add even more to this experience, your last stop of the day is at unique Kerid Volcanic Crater. The crater made of a characteristic red volcanic rock is 270 m wide and more than 55 m deep. There is a lake in the bottom of the crater which is a little bit of magic. This is also an ideal place to look out for the Northern Lights when they are active. 

Day 3. South Coast Waterfalls & Black Beach
(overnigh stay in Suðursveit)
After overnight stay on the countryside you will drive along route 1 passing through small towns and enjoying the beauty of the Icelandic South Cast. Your first stop will be at the famous Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which is located beneath the Eyjafjallajokull volcano. Remember to ask your tour guide all about the colossal eruption back in 2010. Close by is the beautiful but less known waterfall Gljufrabui.Next up is the stunning Skogafoss, a drop of 60 m (200ft) of natural raw power that must be seen to be believed. You will then have the additional pleasure of visiting the secret waterfall of Írafoss.

Then it is on to Reynisfjara, a black sand beach nestling under Mt. Reynisfjall – seasonal home to numerous puffins that dive from its cliffs out to sea. Black basalt has been shaped into amazing different formations, most notably the famous Reynisdrangar. At the end of the day, your accommodation awaits in a countryside. On the way there and during the night, we will look out for the best way to see Northern Lights.

Day 4. Glacier Lagoon & Blue Ice Cave
(Overnight stay in Reykjavik at Klettur Hótel or similar)
Today, we set off to the stunning Blue Ice cave which will be the highlight of the day.
We start by driving to the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. This famous lagoon is filled with huge chunks of ice that have cracked off Breiðamerkurjökull glacier and float slowly out to sea. Some icebergs wash on shore, lying on the vivid black sand like diamonds on satin and from there, your Ice cave adventure will begin.

The ice caves only form in the winter when glacial water freezes to create this unique natural phenomenon. Each season, the local glacier experts find the best caves to visit in an enjoyable and safe way. From the glacier lagoon, we will drive through the best of Icelandic highlands in a special Super Jeep to the ice cave. There we will have about an hour to explore and enjoy the magical blue caves. After this unforgettable adventure, we drive back to the Jokulsarlon. From there, we drive to the Hofskirkja Turf Church!

Day 5. Silver Circle with Lava Caving
(Overnight stay in Borgarnes village at B59 Hotel or similar)
Today we’ll visit Borgarfjordur, thought to be the location for many of the famous Icelandic Sagas.
Deep in the heart of the wild landscapes here, we’ll see Deildartunguhver – the most powerful hot springs in Europe, which pumps out more than 180 liters of boiling water every second.

Awe-inspiring waterfalls at Hraunfossar are next on the itinerary. Magnificent stretch of waterfalls that runs for nearly a kilometer over a rugged lava field. There is another waterfall nearby, known as Barnafoss, or the “waterfall of the children”.
Then we’ll explore an astonishing lava cave system at Vidgelmir that was created over a thousand years ago, filled with stalactites, stalagmites and fascinating ice formations. The Vidgelmir Lava Cave is an incredibly colorful underworld, measuring 1585 meters long, nearly 16 meters high, and 16 meters wide. That means it’s easily the largest lava tunnel in the country.

For lunch we will stop at Husafell. Set between two glaciers, Husafell is an entrancing place filled with Viking history, with traditional turf houses.
Last stop will be at Reykholt, which is an historic site in Iceland’s folklore, featured in the writings of Snorri Sturluson, a famous poet and local chieftain.

Day 6. The Magnificent Snaefellsnes National Park
The last day on our itinerary begins with a scenic drive towards the Snæfellsnes Peninsula – by many called “Iceland in miniature”. There are not some many places here in Iceland where you can see so many kinds of geology packed into such a small area. There are very good reasons why Snaefellsnes was on the Lonely Planet TOP 10 Regions in World 2015 list. While driving along shores of the peninsula we will pass by lovely and charming fishing villages, biggest strato-volcano in Iceland called Snaefellsjokull, walk on top of the cliffs and have an opportunity to spot wild seals resting at the Ytri-Tunga Beach. Djúpalónssandur is another gorgeous black sand beach, where the air is filled with the sounds of birds circling the cliffs and the ocean waves hitting the sand. The most recognizable spot on the peninsula is Kirkjufell (Church) mountain accompanied by a small, but iconic falls.
On the way vack to Reykjavík we will pass by the Whale Fiord (Hvalfjordur) and the tunnel laying 165 meters below it.