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Overview
This is an escorted tour program taking you to the Icelandic countryside to celebrate Christmas in a casual and Icelandic way. We recommend booking early, as this program is only available for a maximum of 40 persons.
Explore Reykjavík, the lunar landscapes of the Reykjanes peninsula, and the Golden Circle route with the Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, and Geysir hot springs. Travel to South Iceland, a region with glaciers, waterfalls and black lava beaches. Of course, a warm and relaxing soak in the famous Blue Lagoon during the cold winter days is also included.
Most Christmas programs in Iceland are based in Reykjavík and include superior class hotels and gourmet restaurants. As an out-of-the-box alternative we offers a casual Christmas adventure where you stay in simple hotels and cottages in Reykjavík and South Iceland. All rooms with private bathroom. We spend two nights in Hella, a small village in South Iceland where you will be able to discover and experience how Icelandic countryside people celebrate Christmas. We promise that even in a casual program the meals and drinks will be delicious. Did we mention the Northern Lights? The accommodations in Hella are located in a large and dark garden where it is very easy to see the Northern Lights, also called Aurora Borealis, if the weather conditions are suitable. Our expert tour guide provides you even with a fact talk about the Northern Lights and gives you some tips on how to take photos of this natural phenomenon. On the 26th of December, the program includes fine dining at a culinary restaurant in Reykjavík.
We look forward to celebrating with you Christmas in the Icelandic countryside!
Detailed Itinerary
The Fly bus shuttle brings travellers from Keflavík International Airport to Hotel Cabin in Reykjavík where you spend one night. We provide you with ideas on how to explore Iceland’s capital on your own.
Overnight location: Hotel Cabin (Budget version, standard room is 10m²) or Hótel Klettur (Comfort version), or similar in Reykjavík. Dinner is on your own (50km / 31mi).
Meal: No Meal
At 09:00 meet your tour guide who shows the group the Christmas spirit of the capital and the Reykjanes Peninsula with its hot springs, mountains, moon-like landscape, bird cliffs, lighthouses and fishing villages. At the end of the day, we get to soak off our travels in the warm blue waters of the famous Blue Lagoon. We stay for two nights in simple cottages in South Iceland.
In the evening we celebrate Christmas the Icelandic way. Before dinner, we join a guided bus tour to visit the Christmas lights in the villages of Hvolsvöllur and Hella. The traditional Christmas lights had their origins in the Middle Ages when people needed to keep the lights in their abodes during the Winter Solstice. In Iceland, the tradition finds its roots in the Pagan Old Norse beliefs when people would keep the fire alive inside the central pit of the Viking longhouses to keep the darkness of the Winter Solstice outside.
Your festive dinner starts around 19:30 and is served at Stracta Hotel in Hella, which is a small village in South Iceland. Drink a toast of sparkling wine as you enjoy a real special Christmas Celebration. Naturally, once darkness falls, you are out in the garden waiting for the Northern Lights.
Overnight location:
Stracta Hotel (Budget version, standard room is 18m²) / Stracta Hotel (Comfort version, studio room 24m²) in Hella or similar. Breakfast & festive 4-course dinner included (220km / 137mi).
Meal: Breakfast and Dinner
Today we travel along the south coast. We reach the area beneath the Eyjafjallajökull volcano and glacier. We stop at Seljalandsfoss waterfall and visit Skógar folk museum of early Modern Iceland with its turf houses. At lunch, we visit the Skógarfoss waterfall.
In the afternoon we offer an optional glacier hike. The hike is on the Sólheimajökull glacier tongue which extends from the great Mýrdalsjökull glacier. Booking for the hike is made directly with the operator. When booking make sure it is on the 3rd day of the tour and the 14:30 (02:30 pm) time slot.
If you don’t book the glacier hike, then the tour continues further south where you walk on the famous Black Lava Beach at Reynisfjara, observe the Cap of Dyrhólaey and the Reynisdrangar Sea Cliffs before visiting the charming village of Vík.
If the night is clear, you might be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights swirling in a wild and carefree dance across the heavens in dramatic shapes, colors, patterns and sizes.
Overnight location: Stracta Hotel (Budget version, standard room is 18m²) / Stracta Hotel (Comfort version, studio room 24m²) in Hella or similar. Dinner on your own (200km / 124mi).
Meal: Breakfast
In the morning we learn about the Icelandic horse, its unique qualities and history and visit a geothermal greenhouse. Then we travel the Golden Circle route, see steam rising from the Geysir geothermal fields and admire the double waterfall of Gullfoss. We end the afternoon at Þingvellir National Park, the location of the ancient Viking Parliament and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The program includes a culinary treat at a traditional restaurant located downtown Reykjavík. Return transfer included.
Overnight location: Hotel Cabin (Budget version, standard room is 10m²) or Hótel Klettur (Comfort version), or similar in Reykjavík. Breakfast & fine dinner included (210km / 130mi).
Meal: Breakfast and Dinner
Individual transfer by Flybus airport shuttle from your accommodation in Reykjavík to Keflavík Airport.
Breakfast included. (50km / 31mi)
Meal: Breakfast
Gallery
Inclusions
• 4 nights budget accommodation, rooms with private showers/wc
• 3 days escorted coach tour with English-speaking guide/driver-guide
• Arrival & departure airport transfer by Flybus shuttle (no guide)
• Christmas lights tour & Christmas celebration on day 2
• Daily breakfast
• Festive dinner on the 24th of December
• Fine dining at culinary restaurant on the 26th of December, incl transfers
• Blue Lagoon, entrance and use of towel included
• Skógar Folk Museum on early Modern Iceland with its turf houses
• Visit Icelandic horse stables & a geothermal greenhouse
• Northern Lights program during two evenings.
Complementaries
• Free Wi-Fi on the bus
• Entrance fees
• Use of flashlight
• Use of ice grippers spikes for shoes.
Exclusions
• Any private expenses
• Any meals not listed under included
• Any additional services
• Single supplement (mandatory when in single room)
International airfares
Other meals, drinks, tips and other personal expenses or services not specified on the program
Travel insurance
Gratuities
Voluntary tips for guides or drivers
Travel and medical insurance
Any items not mentioned as included
Notes
Highlights & Experiences
- Explore Reykjavík, the lunar landscapes of the Reykjanes peninsula, and the Golden Circle route.
- Relaxing soak in the famous Blue Lagoon
- Travel to South Iceland, a region with glaciers, waterfalls and black lava beaches
- Golden Circle including a greenhouse & horse stable visit
- Northern Lights program
- Festive dinner (24th of December)
- Culinary Experience downtown Reykjavík (26th of December)
- Optional hotel upgrade
Start & End Location: Keflavik International Airport (with fly bus shuttle) Tour Pick-up Time: 08:45 on day 2 from Hotel Klettur & 09:00 from Hotel Cabin (subject to change).
Additional services
• Extra night in Reykjavik before/after the tour – on request
• Optional Northern Lights cruise • Upgrade for private airport transfer.
Children discount: 20% discount for children 8-11 years of age if sharing a room with 2 adults. Tour is not recommended for children younger than eight years of age. Triple rooms are double rooms with an extra bed and are ideal for two adults and one child.
Optional glacier hike: Duration of this activity is approximately 3 hours in total, about 90 minutes on the ice and about 30-40 min walk (one-way) from the car park to the glacier edge itself. The minimum age for the glacier hike is 10 years. You need to bring warm clothing, rain gear and hiking boots. Subject to availability and booked on the tour operators’ website. (Subject to availability)
NOTE: Itineraries may be subject to change at short notice during severe weather conditions and certain outdoor activities/day trips may be cancelled during the winter season in Iceland. In these rare cases, where situations of force majeure apply, excursions/activities cannot be refunded but the local guides will try their best to find reasonable alternatives where and whenever possible.
Availability: 23 - 27 Dec
NOTE: Accommodations are subject to change.
Max People: 40