Iceland & the Northern Lights

Depart your home city for Reykjavík, Iceland.

Arrive at Reykjavík Keflavik International Airport. Proceed through immigration to the baggage claim area and retrieve your luggage. After a customs screening, meet a Gohagan & Company representative and travel to the legendary Blue Lagoon, stopping for breakfast at Viking World on the way.Blue Lagoon. Surrounded by rugged lava fields of the Reykjanes Peninsula, the milky blue, mineral-infused waters of the Blue Lagoon are famous for their revitalizing and healing properties. A blend of 70 percent seawater and 30 percent freshwater, these geothermal spa waters are heated by volcanic activity some 6,500 feet below the earth’s surface.Enjoy a soak in the lagoon’s soothing waters, or opt to visit the viewing deck for an unforgettable panorama.Continue to Reykjavík, where you will begin your discovery of Iceland’s capital city with a visit to Hallgrímskirkja. This modern church is the largest in Iceland and is named after Hallgrímur Pétursson, the country’s beloved religious poet and hymn composer. The church is also home to Iceland’s largest organ, an instrument with 5,275 pipes.Seek out a local eatery for lunch on your own before checking in to Hótel Borg, ideally located near Austurvollur Square. A Gohagan & Company representative will be available at the hotel Hospitality Desk to assist with restaurant recommendations and suggestions for touring the area, with maps provided.Join your fellow passengers for a Welcome Reception in the hotel this evening, followed by dinner on your own at one of Reykjavík’s many restaurants.

Following breakfast at the hotel, continue exploring the city with a morning excursion.Reykjavík. Known as the “smallest big city in the world,” Iceland’s capital dates to 870. An Augustinian monastery was founded here during the medieval era, followed by centuries of settlers who fished, farmed and established a center for wool production. This modern, cosmopolitan city is rich in culture, natural beauty and a thriving tourist economy.Behold panoramic views of Reykjavík from the 360-degree observation deck at Perlan, a glass-domed natural history museum built atop six geothermal water tanks. Find a nearby restaurant for lunch on your own, followed by an afternoon visit to the National Museum of Iceland. Conclude your tour with a stroll through Reykjavík’s historic midtown with its colorful houses and urban Icelandic charm.Dinner is on your own this evening. The Gohagan Travel Hospitality Desk stands ready with dining recommendations.Tonight, you will embark on the first of your evening excursions in search of the Northern Lights. This ethereal and sometimes elusive natural phenomenon, also known as the aurora borealis, is a sight to behold.

After breakfast at the hotel this morning you will experience the wonder of Icelandic’s iconic Golden Circle.Admire the rugged splendor of the “big three” — Gullfoss, Geysir and Þingvellir National Park — on this unforgettable tour. Begin by exploring the natural lava plains and cultural beauty of Þingvellir, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the nation’s top attractions. From there, you will watch the glacier-fed Hvítá River plunge 96 feet over two falls and seemingly disappear into a crevasse at the “golden waterfall” of Gullfoss. Enjoy lunch with spectacular views in the Geysir area of Haukadalur before continuing to see the marvelous Strokkur geyser — which shoots a jet of boiling water and steam into the air approximately every 10 minutes.Learn more about the power source that keeps Iceland running as we stop by the Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant on the way back to the hotel. Dinner is on your own this evening. Visit the Hospitality Desk for restaurant recommendations.Later tonight, rejoin the group for another quest to see the Northern Lights.

After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive from Reykjavík on Iceland’s southwestern coast to Akureyri, capital of the north, at the base of the Eyiafjordur fjord. Stop for a delectable lunch at the Hotel Blönduós in the town Blönduós, situated on the glacial river Blanda. The drive continues to Skagafjörður, where you will enjoy a visit to the Varmilaekur Horse Farm. Learn more about Icelandic horses and their extraordinary history on a tour that concludes with coffee and biscuits.Upon arrival in Akureyri, check in to the Hotel Kea, an Akureyri landmark ideally situated in a historic building. This afternoon, enjoy a visit to the Forest Lagoon, located in the Vaðlaskógur forest. Savor a soak in one of the spa’s two geothermal pools.Return to the hotel for dinner on your own. If weather permits, you will bundle up for another outing in search of the Northern Lights.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, followed by excursions to the Godafoss waterfall and Lake Mývatn.Godafoss. Falling 40 feet, the waterfall fed by the Skjálfandafljót River earned its name from the time when Christianity was introduced to Iceland and ultimately prevailed as the country’s main religion. Under pressure from Norway to convert from its polytheistic traditions, the country was under threat of a potential Norwegian invasion. Legend has it that Thorgeir Thorkelsson, a lawspeaker in the Althing, Iceland's parliament, threw wooden idols of Norse mythology into the falls, which angered Thor, Loki and other Norse deities.
The gods split the waterfall into two and the majestic falls have been known as “Waterfall of the Gods” ever since.Continue to Lake Mývatn and savor a Nordic lunch at Fosshotel Mývatn—set amid the breathtaking scenery of the volcanic lake and its chain of craters. From there, you will travel to Namaskard, a high-temperature thermal field where the sulfur cauldrons, steam vents and land colored by elements in shades of red, yellow, green and orange create an otherworldly landscape. Next, admire the dramatic lava rock formations at Dimmuborgir. The lava field is filled with pillars, towers, caves and other formations that resemble a dark castle, which is the meaning of Dimmuborgir.Later this evening, return to Akureyri and enjoy dinner on your own. As night falls, prepare for a final outing in search of the aurora borealis.

Following breakfast, depart for Siglufjördur, a picturesque fishing town along the northern coast.Siglufjördur. During the first half of the 20th century, Siglufjördur was the center of the herring fishing industry in not just Iceland, but the North Atlantic.Stroll through delightful Siglufjördur and step into its past at the Herring Era Museum — featuring five restored buildings, including a salt house, factory and former freezing plants. Stop for lunch at Siglo Hótel before continuing to the small village of Hauganes. On the way back to Akureyri, you will be able to enjoy a soak in relaxing thermal baths along the coast of Eyiafjordur.Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant with the group this evening.

Check out of the hotel after breakfast and enjoy a scenic excursion back to Reykjavík, traveling through Hraunfossar. Savor a hardy lunch at the family-run Hraunsnef farmhouse restaurant, which offers an authentic Icelandic farm-to-table experience.Upon arrival in Reykjavík, check in to the Hótel Borg with the afternoon at leisure to relax or explore the city for a final evening at your own pace.Join fellow travelers for a Farewell Reception & Dinner at a local restaurant.

After breakfast, transfer to Reykjavík Keflavik International Airport. Arrive in your home city and go through immigration and customs.