Iceland Discovery Adventure - The Land of Fire and Ice
From elves to geysers to free-roaming Icelandic horses, this year’s Icelandic Discovery Adventure focuses on an up-close cultural and multi-sport tour of Iceland that showcases this unique and wonderful island as only the Icelandic people know it.
A vacation in Iceland presents so much to see and do! Each day of your Icelandic holiday offers new scenery, new impressions, and diverse activities. Hear stories of the Icelandic Saga ages and the island’s Viking settlements and history, and learn about Icelandic culture, traditions, and way of life. View bushy forests with luxuriant vegetation, and walk through sand deserts and a black lava volcano’s crater.
Iceland is an island of huge geothermal areas well renowned for its volcanoes. You see boiling mud pots and eerie lava fields in the morning, and snowmobile across a magnificent glacier in the afternoon. Sail among the Icelandic islands of Breidafjordur Bay and watch for whales and seabirds; whitewater raft on a broad and beautiful river; take a horseback ride on the smooth-gaited Icelandic horse; and sea kayak along Iceland’s south coastal shore. This adventure also includes a stay on an Icelandic farm, time to explore the pristine capital city of Reykjavik, Iceland and soaking in the warm, mineral-rich waters of the “Blue Lagoon”.
In a feral land of earth, fire, and water — right under the North Star — join AdventureWomen on this exciting Iceland discovery tour of a magical island - pure, natural, and unspoiled. There’s no place like it on earth!
Main Attractions
View homesteads of the “hidden people”, the elves, trolls, and ghosts of historic Iceland, the “hottest” destination in Europe.
Stay in wonderful hotels, eat fabulous food, and see life in today’s countryside on a farm stay with an Icelandic family.
Travel by comfortable mini-bus with an Icelandic driver-guide, to view dramatic landscapes born of volcanic eruptions and carved by glaciers.
Experience all the BEST outdoor activities that Iceland has to offer! Hike, whitewater raft, sea kayak, snowmobile on a glacier, horseback ride, cruise to view whales and seabirds, and relax in mineral hot springs.
Explore a pristine country that Americans know little about, and that’s only a 4.5-hour flight from Boston!
Hotel accommodations in Reykjavik and the countryside in double occupancy rooms with private baths. Two night's farm stay with an Icelandic family in double occupancy rooms with shared baths.
Dining
Six breakfasts, two lunches, and five dinners.
About Liquor
Available with meals at additional cost.
Rates
$3,995.00per personCurrency Converter (Rates shown are in US Dollars. Rates and terms are subject to change.)
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Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Depart for Reykjavík, Iceland Depart from Minneapolis, New York, Boston, or Orlando for your overnight flight to Reykjavík, Iceland.
Day 2: Arrival in Iceland, Reykjavík Sightseeing, Horses, and the “Hidden People” Meet your Icelandic driver-guide upon arrival, and begin your stay in Iceland with a visit to the home of the “hidden people” to learn about the elves and dwarfs who are so much a part of traditional Icelandic history.
Then off to the Íshestar Riding Center for a horseshow and lunch. You have an opportunity to ride the friendly Icelandic horse on the riding center’s trail system. End your afternoon on a city sightseeing tour of Reykjavík.
Day 3: From Reykjavík to Stykkishólmur with a cruis on Breiðafjörður Bay Travel to Snaefellsnes Peninsula, a rugged yet beautiful arm of the Icelandic west coast that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. Visit Bjarnarhöfn Farm, where shark meat is processed, and taste a “specialty” of the house, fermented shark, washed down with homemade Icelandic schnapps called “the Black Death”!
Hike up Mt. Helgafell, well worth the climb for the views of Breiðafjörður Bay and the mountains of the west fjords. Then board a boat for an unforgettable cruise on Breiðafjörður Bay between countless islands teaming with millions of birds.
Take a dip before dinner in the nearby swimming pool and hot tubs. After dinner, explore the interesting village of Stykkishólmur.
Day 4: Lava Fields and Europe’s Biggest Hot Springs Drive through the fishing villages of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and marvel at the breathtaking rock formations, lava fields, and craters at Arnarstapi and Búðir.
Follow Jules Verne’s adventurous journey to the magnificent Snæfellsjökull Glacier in Iceland. Then head to the small settlement of Reykholt and stop at the largest natural hot spring in Europe, Deildartunguhver. Here water from the hot spring is piped about 35 miles away to heat nearby towns. It is also used to speed up the growth of plants and vegetables in nearby greenhouses.
Visit the Snorrastofa Museum, named after Snorri Sturluson, a poet, historian, and one of the most important characters of the 13th-century Sturlunga Saga. This fascinating museum is the best place to learn about Iceland’s rich history of saga events, characters, and writing.
Day 5: From the Kaldidalur Valley to Thingvellir Drive through the barren beauty of the Kaldidalur Valley in Iceland, along the “notorious” mountain road that was known as a graveyard, haunted by the people who tried to cross it in bad weather. Hop on snowmobiles for an exhilarating ride to spectacular views of the glacier and the coastline below.
Visit Iceland’s historic and serenely beautiful Thingvellir National Park, where the first Viking Parliament (and the world’s first parliament) was held in the year 930 A.D. Continue on to the Great Geysir hot spring area and Gullfoss Waterfall, two of Iceland’s most famous and dramatic sights. Enjoy a whitewater raft trip on the majestic Hvítá River where Class II (2) and III (3) rapids make it fun for everyone.
Spend the next two nights on an Icelandic holiday farm, where you have the opportunity to see what farm life in Iceland is all about. Enjoy hearty country meals at the farm and have the option for another Icelandic horseback ride.
Day 6: Hot Springs, Craters, Hiking, and an Early Viking Farm Today’s highlight is Landmannalaugar, an area famous for its hot springs, ancient rhyolytic rocks, and lush, green highlands. Hike Iceland’s colorful hills and soak in hot springs before visiting a replica of a large, turf-covered, 12th-century Viking farm. Walk on a crater of steaming lava rubble and view surreal landscapes of lava on another Icelandic volcano.
Day 7: From Icelandic Wool to Sea Kayaking, and Back to Reykjavik Sea kayak along Iceland’s south shore where curious seals follow you during this tranquil and relaxing morning. Stroll through the friendly village of Stokkseyri and enjoy its famous lobster soup for lunch before returning to cosmopolitan Reykjavik, pristine capital of Iceland.
This evening’s rousing farewell dinner is at the infamous Viking Restaurant. A true Viking feast is offered, with traditional meals and Icelandic specialties served on old-fashioned Viking-style trays. Expect treats and surprises throughout the evening!
Day 8: The Blue Lagoon and Departure Shop, walk, and sightsee in Reykjavík until departing at noon for Iceland’s famous Blue Lagoon and a soak in the warm, mineral-rich waters of this surreal outdoor spa — a great way to end your adventure before boarding an international flight back to the U.S.A.
Transfer to the airport for all flights, with arrival home this same day.
This Package Includes
All airport and luggage transfers throughout the trip.
All minibus transportation with an English-speaking Icelandic guide.
Excellent hotel accommodations in Reykjavík and in the countryside (twin-bedded, double occupancy, private baths), and two night’s farm stay with an Icelandic family (double occupancy, shared baths).
Meals as listed in the itinerary.
On arrival day: sightseeing tour of Reykjavík; horse show and orientation to the Icelandic horse and introductory riding lessons.
All activities throughout our trip: snowmobiling, river rafting, guided hiking, sea kayaking, whale watching boat trip, and all admissions and entrance fees to hot springs, swimming pools, museums, and National Parks.
On your last day: entrance fee to the famous Blue Lagoon Hot Springs before a late afternoon departure to the U.S. on Icelandair.
One AdventureWomen trip escort.
Notes
What Clients Say About AdventureWomen “I really enjoyed the trip. I don't think that I could have appreciated the beauty of Iceland without doing all the things we did.”
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