Compare Yoga And Wild Foods In Hornstrandir Nature Reserve by Borea Adventures vs Scenic Iceland & the Northern Lights - Small Group, Winter 2021 2022 Small Group by Insight Vacations
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
|
Scenic Iceland & the Northern Lights - Small Group, Winter 2021 2022 Small Group
by
Insight Vacations
5 | Excellent
|
| Duration | 5 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 1,139 | $ 4,095 |
| Price Per Day | $ 228 | $ 585 |
| Highlights |
|
|
| Trip Style | Group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
|
|
| Travel Themes |
|
N/A |
| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions | N/A |
|
| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
| Activities |
|
N/A |
| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description |
Sometimes we need to disconnect in order to reconnect. Whether kayaking around the fjords, picking mussels on the beach, fishing for Arctic char, or hiking in the Hornstandir Nature Reserve harvesting wild berries as you go, you can choose to do as much, or as little, as you wish. Either way you are sure to appreciate the simplicity of a part of the world where time seems to have stopped giving you the chance to slow down, recharge and rediscover the joy of stillness in busy modern day life. We´ll stay in the abandoned farmhouse in Kvíar, built in 1921 and abandoned in 1948. The house has been rebuilt and is beautifully located and only accessible by boat. Arctic foxes are protected in the nature reserve and pretty relaxed around humans. There is a den close to the house and we see this only original mammal in Iceland, quite regularly. |
Experience the iconic sights of Iceland as you gasp in awe at the exploding hot springs in Geysir and lose yourself in the Northern Lights dancing overhead in Reykjavik. From the thundering waterfalls of Skógafoss and the majesty of the Hekla volcano, to the allure of the Golden Circle and the earth shaking Mid-Atlantic Ridge, this one-week tour has it all. Uncover Iceland’s volcanic history at the Lava Centre en route to Vik, visit a geothermal bakery in Fontana where fresh bread is dug out of the hot ground before your very eyes and hone your horticulture skills at the massive greenhouse tomato farms in Friðheimar. Discover how Iceland was settled at a fascinating exhibit in Borgarnes and conclude your tour with a Local Expert in Old Reykjavik, as they guide you through the capital. |
Day 1
Leave with the afternoon boat at 5:00 PM to Kvíar. The boat ride takes about an hour. We get settled in the house and go for a short yoga session to feel the rhythm of the area. Nice dinner in the house.
Day 2
After breakfast, we’ll pack some lunch and go for a few hours walk in the mountains and valleys. We try to pick some edible herbs and berries (depends on the weather the weeks before). The valley above Kvíar is pretty flat and rich in fauna that makes for easy walking. In the afternoon, we clean the herbs and other edible plants that we’ve foraged together.
Yoga session for 1.5 hours before preparing dinner. Sauna session for those who want.
Day 3
We pack lunch and go for a mussel picking mission in Lónafjörður Fjord. If the weather is good, we´ll take the kayaks into the fjord. We have to aim for a low tide so this activity might be moved to the afternoon. In the fjord are also abundance of seals that we can watch playing in the water and relaxing on the rocks.
Back home for a yoga session before cooking mussels for a starter that we could have outside the sauna…!
Day 4
After breakfast we prepare our fishing mission. We set out a net for arctic char near the river mouth below the house on low tide. We then take the big zodiac boat to catch cod out on the fjord and visit Ásta, our neighbor on the coastline opposite the house. She is a real character and stays alone in her very old house for four months of the year, growing potatoes, taking care of her garden and enjoying the solitude of the fjords.
Yoga session in the afternoon and then preparing dinner.
Day 5
This is our last day in Hornstrandir and we pack our luggage and bring to the shore before the day's activity.
Option of hiking to Drangajökull glacier (5-6 hours round trip) or taking a boat to the head of Veiðileysufjörður fjord and hike over to the farmhouse in Kvíar (5-6 hours).
The hike to the glacier is pretty flat and beautiful. We can walk a bit up the glacier. The other option is over the mountain from the valley of Karlstaðadalur and takes us up to 600 meters. then down the valley floor to the farmhouse. We can collect herbs en route.
At the end of the day, our passenger boat will pick up our luggage and the group before heading back to Ísafjörður. Arriving there before the evening flight. Thos stsaying longer can maybe go together for a dinner in town (not included).
Day 1: The Viking City of Reykjavík
Welcome to Iceland. At Reykjavík's Keflavík Airport, you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel.Join your Travel Director and travelling companions at 18:15 for your Welcome Reception and enjoy the opportunity to get to know each other, over a pleasant evening of wine and a light buffet. Afterwards, search for the most spectacular show on Earth—the northern lights. See the breathtaking night sky filled with the aurora borealis and its vast spectrum of colour.Please note the northern lights are a natural phenomenon and therefore sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Day 2: South Shore Adventure to Vík Relaxed Start
Take a journey through the stunning landscape of Iceland's south coast and through the land of Njál‘s Saga–a region of breathtaking scenery and legendary stories. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, heading east to visit Iceland’s newest geothermal and electric power station at Hellisheiðavirkjun Your journey continues, as you witness the majesty of Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Stand awestruck by the beauty of these thundering waterfalls, before venturing on to view more spectacular phenomena. See the magnificent Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull volcanoes. See the magnificent Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull volcanoes and visit the Lava Centre in Hvolsvöllur, dedicated to Iceland's history of volcanic activity and earthquakes. Arrive in the welcoming community of Vík. Later, perhaps enjoy another chance to go in search of the mystical northern lights?
Day 3: The Golden Circle to Flúðir
Embark on a day of discovery around Iceland's Golden Circle, taking in some of the famous landmarks this magical country has to offer. Experience the exploding hot springs at Geysir before continuing on to the mighty Gullfoss waterfalls, the Icelandic equivalent of Niagara Falls. Next stop is Friðheimar, to learn about Icelandic greenhouse horticulture. Visit a family-run vegetable farm, specialising in tomatoes. Explore their greenhouses and sample the sweet, unique flavour of their lovingly grown crop. Continue on to your hotel in Flúðir for another chance to catch nature's theatre unfolding in the night sky.
Day 4: Thingvellir, Borgarnes and Húsafell Relaxed Start
Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience in Fontana on a visit to a geothermal bakery. Here, sample delicious rye bread, dug out from the steaming hot ground and served with butter. Continue to Thingvellir. This remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge line, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. The first meeting of the Icelandic parliament was held here in A.D. 930. Journey along the trail of Viking warrior and poet Egill Skallagrímsson and stop at Reykholt for an orientation with your Travel Director. In Borgarnes, learn about Iceland's history with a fascinating visit to the Icelandic Settlement Centre. Enjoy views of the Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls as you drive through glorious landscapes. Your travels continue to Deildartunguhver, Europe's most powerful hot spring.
Day 5: Reykjavík sightseeing Relaxed Start
Journey back to the Icelandic captial, where a Local Expert will show you Old Reykjavík, the 19th century parliament building and Höfði House. In 1986, US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev met here for the famous Reykjavík Summit. Later, visit the colourful harbour and the Hallgrímskirkja, a modern church and landmark that can be seen from almost anywhere in the city.The afternoon is at leisure.
Day 6: Choice in Reykjavik Relaxed Start
Explore Reykjavik with Insight Choice. Choose to experience the magic of Iceland on an exhilarating flight-ride at FlyOver to see incredible scenery from sweeping glaciers to stunning fjords. Alternatively, relax in the Blue Lagoon. Surrounded by lava fields and snowcapped mountains, the lagoon is a wonder of nature and offers a unique experience for both body and soul. With your newfound friends, toast to the culmination of your fascinating journey of discovery during a Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 7: Farewell Reykjavík
Your Icelandic adventure comes to an end, with a transfer to Reykjavík's Keflavík Airport.
