Ultimate Iceland - 2016 - NEW

1. ARRIVE REYKJAVIK (2 NIGHTS) Welcome to Reykjavik. The capital of Iceland is yours to start exploring after you check in to your hotel. Tonight meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception. Meal(s) Welcome Reception Hotel Grand Reykjavik 2. REYKJAVIK SIGHTSEEING AND BLUE LAGOON VISIT AND BATHE Explore Reykjavik on a sightseeing tour this morning. See all the city‘s major attractions including the Parliament, the harbour, the National Museum, Laugardalur swimming pool and the city‘s main landmark, the Hallgrímskirkja church standing on the top of a hill in the city centre. This afternoon experience a Cultural Insight when you visit and bathe in the world famous Blue Lagoon. (Please remember to pack you swimwear.) Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast 3. REYKJAVIK – THINGVELLIR – GULLFOSS – GEYSER AREA – VÍK AREA First stop leaving Reykjavik will be at the historically significant Thingvellir National Park. Here you can see how the movements of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates created cracks on the Earth's crust. Enjoy great photo opportunities in the world-famous hot spring area of Geyser. Wait a few minutes for Strokkur to erupt and send a spectacular water and steam column high into the air. Close by is the majestic Gullfoss, the 'Golden Waterfall'. Continue along the south shore and stop to admire the waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss before arriving in the Vík area for dinner. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast Dinner Hotel Katla 4. VÍK AREA – SKAFTAFELL – JÖKULSÁRLÓN – HÖFN This morning cross Eldhraun, the largest mass of lava ever to flow on the face of the earth before reaching the Skaftafell National Park. Here you'll also start seeing the largest glacier in Iceland, the Vatnajökull that covers more than 8% of the island. Continue to the spectacular Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon and see the birthplace of icebergs. You'll even have the option to take a trip on an amphibian boat and get close to the icebergs for a different kind of view. This afternoon enjoy a Cultural Insight at the Thorbergur Centre where you'll learn about one of Iceland's most famous writers- complete with a cake and coffee or tea. Spend the evening in Höfn, the lobster capital of Iceland. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast Hotel Höfn 5. HÖFN – EASTERN FJORDS – LAKE LAGARFLJOT Make sure your camera is charged as you start the day with a drive through the Almannaskard pass where you can stop and admire the majestic coastline. Continue onto the towering mountains plunging vertically into the sea that form the magnificent East Fjords. You might decide to visit Petra´s Mineral Collection in Stödvarfjördur. Learn about Petra, this well-known and beloved local while you wander amongst her vast collection. Tonight stay in the forest on the shores of Lake Lagarfljot in the Egilsstadir area. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast Dinner Hotel Hallormsstadur 6. LAKE LAGARFLJOT – DETTIFOSS – LAKE MYVATN – AKUREYRI (2 NIGHTS) Explore the empty vastness of the highland desert plateau Mödrudalsöræfi, heading to Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall. Continue towards Námaskard pass with its boiling mud pools and vibrant colours. Explore the natural beauty of the Lake Myvatn area including the magical lava formations of Dimmuborgir. Head towards the bustling northern port of Akureyri with a stop at the magnificent Godafoss waterfall. Akureyri boasts some of the finest timber buildings in the country, beautifully restored to their original glory. Dine tonight at your hotel. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast Dinner Hotel Kea 7. AKUREYRI – SIGLUFJÖRDUR EXCURSION The town of Siglufjördur is nestled in a dramatic fjord on the very edge of Iceland's steep northern mountains. You'll have the option to visit the award-winning Herring Era Museum, and have time to explore Siglufjördur at your leisure. Walk along the harbour, visit the church, one of the local art galleries, cafés and shops. Arrive back to Akureyri in the afternoon with time to explore further. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast 8. AKUREYRI – STYKKISHÓLMUR Majestic mountains and narrow passes lead to the Skagafjördur area famous for horses and history. In this region enjoy a Be My Guest lunch on a horse farm and learn about the unique Icelandic horse breed. Overnight in the picturesque Stykkishólmur. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast Be My Guest Dining Hotel Stykkisholmur 9. STYKKISHOLMUR – SNÆFELLSNES PENINSULA – REYKJAVIK Snæfellsnes is a unique area with a variety of geological interest such as lava fields, volcanoes, glacier, springs, beautiful formed rock, yellow and black sand beaches and caves as well as interesting bird life. The main attraction is without a doubt Snæfellsjökull glacier, a beautifully shaped strato volcano at the very end of the peninsula. The glacier is also known as the location for Jules Verne's novel 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth', captured in the unspoilt natural wonder surrounding it. This afternoon complete your circuit around Iceland as you arrive back in Reykjavik. Celebrate tonight with a Farewell Dinner. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast Farewell Dinner Hotel Grand Reykjavik 10. DEPART REYKJAVIK Say goodbye to your companions and Travel Director after an unforgettable trip. Transfers are provided to Keflavik airport. Conditions apply. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast