Iceland Complete WINTER 2019 - 2020 - 9 days

AVAILABLE:
October 9 to April 8

DURATION:
9 days, 8 nights.

TOUR ID:
IT02

Guided Coach Tour from day 2 to day 8
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Expert local English speaking guide from day 2 to day 8
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Accommodation 2 nights w/breakfast and w/facilities in Reykjavík
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Accommodation 6 nights w/breakfast and w/facilities in countryside
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6 three-course local-cuisine dinners in the countryside with coffee/tea
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Entrance to Laufas Folk Museum including Icelandic-style refreshments (day 6)
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Horse show in Skagafjörður (day 7)
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Entrance to Herring Museum Entrance (day 7)
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Northern Lights guided hunt on foot one selected evening
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Northern Lights hunting kit (use of flashlight, blanket and a hot drink)
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Seat rotation during the tour
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Free Wi-Fi on board motor coach
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Great photo stops
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Customer care service during office hours
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24-hour emergency line assistance while you are in Iceland
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International airfare
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Round-trip transfers between Keflavik airport and Reykjavik
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Breakfast on arrival day
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Dinners in Reykjavík (day 1 and 8)
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Lunches and beverages with meals other than coffee/tea and fresh tap water
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Baggage porterage at airport and hotels
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Guaranteed early check-in or late check-out (check-in time for most hotels in Iceland is 14:00 (2:00pm)
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Optional tours and activities
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Any service not specifically listed under "included"

Day 1. Arrival / Pre night

On your own, transfer to Reykjavik.
If your flight lands early in the day, a great suggestion is to explore Reykjavik, the largest municipality in Iceland.

Ingolfur Arnarson, the first settler of Iceland, built his farm on the peninsula where Reykjavik stands today. The town got its name “Smoky Bay” after the columns of steam that rose from the hot springs in the area and made such a deep impression on the first settlers.

Dinner is on your own. Reykjavik offers a multitude of restaurants and/or coffee-houses, making dinner a great way to get better acquainted with Iceland’s capital.

Please note guaranteed early check-in is not included in the price. Most hotels begin check-in around 14:00 (2:00pm).

Highlights: Reykjavík

Overnight: Reykjavík.

For all Northern Lights enthusiasts we recommend joining a Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik tonight. Please let us know upon booking if you are interested in this option.

Day 2. Geysir - Gullfoss - Skogar - Dyrholaey - Vik

The tour begins with a short city sightseeing of Reykjavík. From Reykjavík we head through the greenhouse village of Hveragerði to explore Gullfoss, the Golden Waterfall, and the nearby Geysir hot spring area to see the famous Great Geysir and the very active Strokkur that spouts every few minutes. There are numerous other hot springs and boiling mud pools in the area. Continue along the south shore and stop to admire the waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss before we continue to Dyrhólaey and the black sand beaches of Iceland’s South Shore. Continue to the small town of Vík on a black beach.

Highlights: Exploding Geysers - Waterfalls - Black Sand Beaches of the South Shore

Overnight: Vík area

*Northern Lights wake-up call available on this night.

Approximate distance: ca 325 km / 201 miles

Day 3. Skaftafell National Park – Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon – Höfn

Continue your journey on the Ring Road. Cross Eldhraun, the largest lava flow recorded on the planet in historical times. Visit Kirkjubæjarklaustur town, the former site of a 12th-century Catholic convent. The tour continues over Skeiðarársandur sands to Skaftafell, a beautiful glacial area within Vatnajökull National Park. Continue to the stunning Jökulsarlon Glacial Lagoon to see the birthplace of icebergs. Throughout the day you will also enjoy magnificent views of the mighty Vatnajökull Glacier.

Highlights: Lava Fields - Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs - Europe’s Largest Glacier

Overnight: Höfn area

*Northern Lights wake-up call available on this night.

Optional Tours:
Boat tour on the Glacial Lagoon | 45 mins | Price for winter 2019- 2020: 6.900 ISK
Super jeep tour on Vatnajökull glacier | 4 hrs | Price for winter 2019- 2020: 26.000 ISK

Approximate distance: ca 279 km / 173 miles

Day 4. Höfn – East Fjords – Egilsstaðir

Drive from Höfn through Almannaskarð Pass and stop to admire the majestic coastline. Continue to the towering mountains plunging vertically into the sea that form the magnificent East Fjords. Enjoy the amazing views: keep an eye out for wild reindeer, which can sometimes be seen in the area during the winter months. You’ll also pass villages, each with its own special history and charm. The road brings you to Egilsstaðir town, located near Iceland’s largest forest and a lake said to be home to a legendary (friendly) monster. The area is also getting a name for itself for its excellent locally-sourced cuisine.

Highlights: Narrow Fjords - Steep Mountains - Picturesque Coastline - Legendary Lake Monster

Overnight: Egilsstaðir area

*Northern Lights wake-up call available on this night.

Approximate distance: ca 259 km / 161 miles

Day 5. Lake Mývatn Area

Explore the empty vastness of Möðrudalsöræfi, the highland desert plateau, heading towards the Lake Mývatn area. On the way, stop at Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall. Visit Námaskarð Pass with boiling mud pools and vibrant colors. Explore the natural beauty of the Lake Mývatn area, including the Skútustaðagígar pseudo craters and Laxá salmon river.

Highlights: Highland Desert – Bizarre Lava Formations – Geothermal & Volcanic Winter Wonderland

Overnight: Mývatn area

*Northern Lights wake-up call available on this night.

Optional Tour:
Mývatn Nature Baths | Flexible time | Price for winter 2019- 2020: 5.000 ISK (3.300 for senior citizens – 65 years or older)
Horse riding in Myvatn/Safarihestar | 1-2 hrs | Price for winter 2019- 2020: 7.500 -12.000 ISK

Approximate distance: ca 255 km / 158 miles

Day 6. Lake Mývatn – Akureyri - Siglufjordur

Start the day by exploring the strange lava formations at Dimmuborgir. Visit the magnificent Goðafoss waterfall and the old turf farm Laufás. Afterwards, visit Akureyri, the colorful northern “capital „of Iceland. The town has charming buildings and beautiful view of the Eyjafjörður Fjord. After spending some time in Akureyri, continue along the coastal roads of Eyjafjörður and the Troll Peninsula. This is a beautiful drive along steep mountains with amazing views over the Arctic Sea and black sand coastline. The destination is Siglufjörður, set in a beautiful fjord of the same name. This town has some of the finest timber buildings in the country, beautifully restored to their original glory. Siglufjörður is a very picturesque and easily walkable town for an evening stroll.

Highlights: Waterfall “Of the Gods”- Turf-roofed Folk Museum – The Beautiful Troll Peninsula

Overnight: Siglufjörður

*Northern Lights wake-up call available on this night.

Optional Tour:
Sailing / Sea angling / Whale watching (dep. on season) Akureyri | 3 – 3.5 hrs | Price for winter 2019- 2020: 9.000 ISK – minimum 6 people required to guarantee departure

Approximate distance: ca 215 km / 134 miles

Day 7. Skagafjörður - Borgarnes

We start the day by visiting Siglufjörður's award winning Herring-Era Museum. The museum recreates the atmosphere of the early 20th century, when Siglufjörður was transformed into a herring boom town, thanks to a large migration of herring. Afterwards, head along majestic mountains and narrow passes to Skagafjörður, considered to be one of the finest places in Iceland for horse breeding. Enjoy an introduction to the unique Icelandic horse breed with its special fifth gait – the tolt. Continue towards the village of Blönduós built on both sides of the river Blanda. Hrútey Island, a protected nature reserve, sits within the centre of this popular Salmon River. Cross the Holtavörðuheidi plateau through Borgarfjörður to the beautiful town of Borgarnes.

Highlights: Historical Museum – Fertile Farmlands - Glacial Rivers - Unique Viking Horse with Demonstration

Overnight: Borgarnes area

*Northern Lights wake-up call available on this night.

Approximate distance: ca 310 km / 193 miles

Day 8. Borgarfjörður - Þingvellir National Park - Reykjavík

Drive to Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in Europe. Stop to admire the beautiful Hraunfossar waterfalls before continuing via Hvalfjörður fjord to Lake Þingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest lake and Þingvellir National Park. This UNESCO heritage site is where the world‘s oldest continuing parliamentary government was founded in the 10th century. It is also the place where the North American and European tectonic plates meet.

Highlights: Europe’s Largest Hot Spring - Picturesque Waterfalls - National Park with Geological Wonders (UNESCO)

Overnight: Reykjavík. Dinner is on your own.

For all Northern Lights enthusiasts we recommend joining a Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik tonight or contact your hotel reception to reschedule your tour if you booked a tour on your first night and it was not operated.

Approximate distance: ca 205 km / 127 miles

Day 9. Departure

Please note that the breakfast might be a light breakfast if you are taking an early morning departure flight. Transfer to the airport not included. We advise departing your hotel no later than three hours before your international flight.

If you did not visit the Blue Lagoon on your arrival day, you might use the opportunity to stop there now on your way to the airport.

October 14, 2020	English
October 28, 2020	English
February 17, 2021	English
March 17, 2021	English
April 07, 2021	English

20% Deposit
Please note triple rooms / double rooms with extra bed are always upon request and TOURIS cannot guarantee that these rooms will be available for requested tour.
Cancellation Policy
Time of cancellation for individual traveller(s):
More than 3 weeks (22+ days) prior to arrival: deposit (20%) charged
3 weeks (21 days) and more than 1 week (8 days): 50% charged
1 week (7 days) and more than 72 hours: 75% charged
72 hours' notice and less: 100% charged

Maximum group size: 36 persons.

Minimum size: Guaranteed with 2 participants.

Activity/Difficulty Level: 1 out of 5 (Very Easy)


Added Value: Northern Lights Wake-Up Calls at selected hotels


*Northern Lights tours are subject to the correct weather conditions and sightings cannot be guaranteed.


What to bring:

• Comfortable outdoor shoes are recommended as there is some easy level walking on the tour
• Bring wind and waterproof outerwear with you to Iceland
• The weather in Iceland can change rapidly, we recommend dressing in layers for optimal comfort

Optional Activities:
Booked via your guide at the start of your tour.

Winter 2019- 2020- Subject to change

Day 3: Super jeep tour on Vatnajokull glacier | 4 hrs | ISK 26.000
Day 5: Myvatn Nature Baths | Flexible time | ISK 5.000 (3.300 for senior citizens – 65 years or older)
Day 5: Horse riding in Myvatn/Safarihestar | 1-2 hrs | ISK 7.500 – 11.000
Day 6: Sailing / Sea angling / Whale watching (dep. on season) Akureyri | 3 – 3.5 hrs | ISK 11.000- minimum 6 people required to guarantee departure
Day 8: Non-guided tour to the Blue Lagoon on arrival/departure | Variable prices | Book in advance; price is based on availability at booking time

Important:
• Little walking is required on this tour other than walking on mostly flat and paved or smooth paths.
- Day 5: Dettifoss- Good to know that the walking path between the parking lot and the waterfall is about 15- 20 minutes. It is an easy walk overall, heading downhill to the falls and uphill back to the parking lot.
• Note: We reserve the right to alter routes without prior notice, due to road conditions
• The Northern Lights are subject to the correct weather conditions and sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Accommodation
This tour stays in hotels with private bathrooms, generally a mix of four and three star hotels. Most of the groups stay at the following hotels. Please note this is an advised hotel list and subject to change.

Day 1 – Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura

Day 2- Kria Hotel or Icelandair Hotel Vik

Day 3- Hotel Hofn

Day 4- Icelandair Hotel Herad

Day 5 – Sel-Hotel Myvatn

Day 6- Siglo Hotel

Day 7- Icelandair Hotel Hamar

Day 8 – Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura


A non refundable deposit of 20%, of the total package price should reach TOURIS within 3 days of confirmation of booking and full payment not later than 6 weeks prior to tour departure. In case of delay on payments, TOURIS will reserve the right to treat this as a cancellation and withdraw its confirmation of the services.


Every detail regarding the booking must be included, in order for TOURIS to ensure efficiency, including the passengers name, flight information, all accommodation, tours and other services.


TOURIS accepts Visa and Mastercard for the payment of this tour.

Insurance:
To avoid dispute in case of cancellation, we strongly recommend that our clients purchase a comprehensive travel insurance in their home country, that covers your cost should you have to cancel your tour. This kind of travel insurance is usually not expensive and it frequently covers other risks too.


Children 6-11 years old travelling with 2 adults and sharing 1 DBL room: 25% discount (valid only per 1 child)
Children 12 years and older pay full price as adults.
It is not recommended that children 0-5 years old travel on scheduled tours.


Prices may change without prior notice. If an incorrect price has been listed, we reserve the right to refuse, cancel or limit any order placed at the incorrect price.


Day 1 of the itinerary is the arrival date.