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Overview
This is an escorted tour taking you to the Icelandic countryside to celebrate New Year’s Eve 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 New Year’s 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 New Year’s 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 New Year’s Eve. 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 1st of January, the program includes fine dining at a restaurant downtown Reykjavík.
We look forward to celebrating the start of a new year with you in the Icelandic countryside!
Detailed Itinerary
Individual transfer by Flybus shuttle bus from Keflavik airport to your accommodation in Reykjavik. You may explore Iceland’s capital city on your own if time allows.
Overnight location: Hotel Cabin (Standard room is 10m²) or Hótel Klettur (Comfort version), or similar in Reykjavík. Dinner is on your own. (50km / 31mi)
At 09:00 meet your tour guide who shows the group the highlights of Iceland’s exciting capital. Then we head out to the Reykjanes Peninsula with its hot springs, mountains, moon-like landscape, bird cliffs, lighthouses and fishing villages. In the afternoon we bathe in the Blue Lagoon.
Drive along the south coast to arrive in the village of Hella where we stay for two nights in simple cottages.
In the evening, we hear about the Northern Lights from our tour guide. Naturally, once darkness falls, you are out in the garden waiting for the Northern Lights.
Overnight location: Arhus Cottages or Hotel Stracta (Comfort version), Hella or similar. Breakfast included. Lunch & dinner is on your own. (220km / 137mi)
Meal: Breakfast
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 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.
In the evening we celebrate New Year the Icelandic way. Before dinner, join a guided bus tour to visit the bonfires in the villages of Hvolsvöllur and Hella. The traditional Brenna bonfires of New Year’s Eve had their origins in the Middle Ages when people built bonfires to burn the old things they no longer needed. In Iceland, there are bonfires all around the country where inhabitants gather, shoot off fireworks, sing and dance as they wait for the New Year to come in.
Your festive 4-course dinner starts around 20:30 and is served at Árhús Restaurant on the river banks in Hella, which is a small village in South Iceland. Afterwards, we walk through the village and celebrate New Year’s with a bang when at midnight the sky opens with thousands of fireworks set off in the village by the local inhabitants. This is an experience of a lifetime; you will never forget. Drink a toast of sparkling wine as you enjoy a real special Icelandic New Year’s celebration.
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: Arhus Cottages or Hotel Stracta (Comfort version), Hella or similar. Breakfast included. Festive 4-course dinner (200km / 124mi)
Meal: Breakfast and Dinner
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 restaurant located in the heart of downtown Reykjavík. Return transfer included.
Overnight location: Hotel Cabin (Standard room is 10m²) or Hotel Klettur (Comfort version), or similar in Reykjavík. Breakfast included. Culinary dinner experience (200km / 124mi)
Meal: Breakfast and Dinner
Individual transfer by Flybus shuttle bus from your accommodation in Reykjavik to Keflavik International Airport.
Breakfast included. (50km / 31mi)
Meal: Breakfast
Gallery
Inclusions
• 4 nights accommodation, rooms with private shower/wc
• 3 days escorted coach tour with an English-speaking guide/driver-guide
• Arrival & departure airport transfer by Flybus shuttle (no guide)
• Bonfire & New Year’s celebration tour
• Daily breakfast
• 4-course festive dinner on the 31st of December
• Fine dining at a restaurant in downtown Reykjavík on January 1st including transfers
• Blue Lagoon with entrance and use of towel
• Skógar Folk Museum & Turf houses
• Visit Icelandic horse stables & a geothermal greenhouse
• Northern Lights program during two evenings
Complimentaries
• 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
Personal equipment
Travel insurance
Gratuities
Voluntary tips for guides or drivers
Travel and medical insurance
Any items not mentioned as included
Notes
Additional services
• Extra night in Reykjavik before/after the tour – on request
Children discount: 20% discount for children 8-11 years of age if sharing 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 ideal for two adults and one child.
CHANGE OF PROGRAM: Itineraries may be subject to change at short notice during severe weather conditions and certain outdoor activities/day trips may be canceled 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.
NOTE: Accommodations are subject to change.
Highlights and 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
Discover and experience how Icelandic countryside people celebrate New Year's Eve
Fine dining at a restaurant in downtown Reykjavík
Start & End Location: Keflavik International Airport (Flybus shuttle)
Departure Time: 09:00 on day 2 from Hotel Cabin & Hotel Klettur (subject to change).