Iceland Northern Lights

Name: Iceland Northern Lights
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.7 (51 reviews)

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5 Days from

NZD 3,649

4.7/5 from

Winter

Ways to Travel :

Guided Group, Private Group Adventures, Short Breaks

Activity :

Winter

Activity Levels :

2 out of 7 - Leisurely / Moderate

Group Size :

6 - 16

Ages :

16+

Trip Code :

CZT

See Iceland's best sights in one weekend

The Northern Lights can be dramatic, eruptive, fleeting and enigmatic. Never guaranteed, sightings rely on minimal light pollution, solar activity and clear skies. The key to any Aurora trip is enjoying the whole experience, regardless of what happens in the night sky. This is where this Iceland Northern Lights tour comes into its own. Roaring waterfalls, icebergs littered on black volcanic sand and mighty volcanoes dotting the horizon. With a local guide on hand keen to show you 'their' Iceland, and alert to the prevailing conditions and the likelihood of a light show you will be well placed both literally and metaphorically, to see all that Iceland has to offer.

Highlights

A chance to see the Northern Lights in amazing landscapes
Complete the Golden Triangle of Gullfoss Waterfall, Geysir and Thingvellir N.P
Glacier walking and the amazing Glacial Lagoon

Key Information

4 nights comfortable en suite hotels
Flybus transfer to meet any flight
Travel by airconditioned minibus
Group normally 6 to 16, plus leader. Min age 16 yrs

Countries visited: Iceland

What's Included

All breakfasts
All accommodation (see accommodation section)
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout
Airport shuttle bus transfers for everyone

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request)
Visas or vaccinations

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips that have a positive impact on the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Learn more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People

How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

Local guides keep you well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels, restaurants, and other enterprises, and by championing locally produced food wherever possible.
We stay in family owned farms which provides a great opportunity for interaction with local people.
Read more about our other initiatives here.

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

By travelling in a small group we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
We work with our partners on the ground to proactively reduce waste; this includes eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles by providing refills for re-usable bottles.
Our local partner is a member of Landvernd the Icelandic Environment Association, and Fuglavernd Bird Life Iceland. Both are heavily involved in local conservation initiatives.
We rewild 100 square metres per passenger to compensate for all trip and flight emissions.
Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels with us.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

Leave no trace: we do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
Plastic waste reduction: please bring a reusable water bottle on this trip, also consider avoiding single-use hotel toiletries, which generate a large amount of plastic waste.

Exodus People - Kristjan's Story

Cultural and activity leader Kristjan shows us why he is so passionate for his job and his country.

Recommended Trips

Iceland Northern Lights

Itinerary

Our tour begins at our hotel in Reykjavik in the late afternoon. Iceland’s compact capital city is well worth exploring, and we strongly recommend a couple of extra days before or after your tour. Two of the most striking attractions are the Hallgrímskirkja Church; a fine example of expansionist architecture with great views from the tower, and the beautiful Harpa Concert Hall. The nearby old harbour is a great starting point to explore the narrow streets of the old town.

Our trip begins with an evening briefing. This will usually be around 18:30.

Today we leave Reykjavik, driving east along the scenic southern highway. Our first stop is Seljalandsfoss, a 60-metre high waterfall. Here we have the chance to walk behind the cascade, providing conditions are not too icy. Suitable footwear is a must, however the leader also carries ice grips that can be put over standard walking boots to increase grip in slippery conditions. We continue on through starkly beautiful countryside to an area badly affected by the 2010 eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano.

We journey along the coast visiting the Skógafoss Waterfall, which falls in a 25-metre-wide sheet in a single drop of 60 metres. If time, we will drive to the most southerly point in Iceland, the Dyrhólaey peninsula, to enjoy coastal views north to Mýrdalsjökull glacier and south to Reynisdrangar black lava sea stacks. If time and conditions allow, we will see the Reynisdrangar sea stacks at closer proximity from Reynisfjara black beach. The final part of our journey takes us across the black expanse of the Myrdalssandur floodplains, created by the river which formed after the eruption of a volcano under the Mýrdalsjökull Glacier.

Our hotel for the night is the Laki, located just outside the small village of Kirkjubaejarklaustur.

Meals Included: Breakfast

We set out today across the massive Skeidararsandur floodplains, created in a similar fashion to those at Mydalssandur. The last huge flood occurred in 1996 and there is still little vegetation. We head to Falljokull, then walk to an accessible part of the glacier where we will strap on crampons and grab some ice axes to walk on the glacier. The terrain is not challenging and even those with no similar experience should pick it up quickly. The glacier offers some fantastic photo opportunities, with its walls of brilliant blue ice, thousands of years in the making. Please note that weather and road conditions will determine whether the glacier walk is possible and how long the transfer/walk to the glacier will be. In good conditions, the walk may be 15 minutes; in poorer conditions, the walk may be up to 1 hour. Your itinerary will be adjusted according to conditions on the day.

After the return hike, we travel onwards to the beautiful Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, created in the 1950s as the glacier retreated from the coastline, leaving a 300m deep, 20 sq km lake littered with icebergs. On the beach, known as Diamond Beach, we can walk amongst the large chunks of ice washed up on the black volcanic sand, creating some beautiful shapes and formations.

The drive back to the hotel is approximately 90 minutes (125km), plenty of time to reflect on the day's adventures.

Meals Included: Breakfast

We make our way back along the south coast then head inland via Hvolsvöllur. We stop for lunch then head on to visit the mighty Gullfoss Waterfall; one of Europe’s most powerful. Hundreds of cubic tonnes of water a second pass over the edge of the falls into the canyon below. We also visit Geysir, home to the inimitable hot spouts. The most reliable eruption comes from Strokkur and occurs every 5-10 minutes, firing jets of hot water and steam 30 metres into the air, a spectacle not to be missed.

Our final stop before returning to Reykjavik is Thingvellir National Park, where the world’s first democratic parliament sat in 930AD. It was not until 1798, that it moved to the capital. Thingvellir is also the site of the rift valley marking the Mid Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are pulling apart, causing an area of around 7km to literally sink into the earth.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Our trip ends with a FlyBus transfer to Keflavik Airport. Your leader will not accompany you on the FlyBus, however you will be provided with a number to call for assistance, should it be needed.

Should you have time, you may wish to explore Reykjavik, visiting one of the local thermal pools or the Blue Lagoon (see extra expenses section for details). Alternatively you may wish to extend your stay and learn more about this incredible country. Please ask our sales team about pre- and post-tour nights.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Visa

Iceland

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Iceland. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/iceland
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/iceland
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/iceland/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Iceland.html

Vaccination

Iceland

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus and rabies. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts are included. There are a number of different lunch stops, which we believe fit well with the itinerary, such as the café near the Skogafoss Waterfall. Whilst in the east of Iceland we will stop at local restaurants for dinner.

In Reykjavik there are plenty of restaurants to choose from catering for all tastes and budgets. Traditional Icelandic dishes consist of salmon, cod, lamb and puffin. Cafés in the old town are particularly cosy, packed with comfy chairs, and antique furniture, with wonderful selections of coffees, cakes and treats.

Vegetarian and vegan options are generally available, although in the east of Iceland these may be more limited than in Reykjavik. If you follow a restricted diet of any kind, please expect that options may be limited.

Weather

The country has a notoriously fickle climate, and on any day of the winter you may experience periods of sunshine alternating with short or long showers of snow, sleet or even rain. Away from the coast, in most winters, there is good snow cover for much of the season. Average daytime temperatures in Reykjavik are between 0º and -5º Celsius. In the interior it can be several degrees colder, and in windy weather, which is common, the wind-chill factor can be significant.

Weather Charts

Is this trip for you?

This short stay includes three and a half days sightseeing, with visits to and exploration of areas of natural beauty. We will attempt to see the Northern Lights, choosing location and times based on the latest information to give us the best chance of seeing them. We will not go out every night, instead we monitor conditions and reports to see where and when excursions may be successful. Our accommodation in the east is fairly remote, so is well placed should skies be clear. Whilst staying here it is likely that we will simply take advantage of the viewing terrace should the lights be visible.

It is important to remember that the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and are never guaranteed. We are, however, pleased to say that the majority of our groups have managed to see the Aurora in some form.

We also venture out onto a glacier equipped with helmet, ice axe and crampons, however we stick to flat sections of the ice; this experience is very accessible and designed for all abilities. To make the most of this holiday you do not need previous experience, but a reasonable level of fitness is recommended.

Understandably for its location, Icelandic weather is unpredictable. Please come prepared for cold, wet and windy conditions. As this trip runs from October to March, hours of daylight will vary depending on departure date, from around 5 hours in January to 10 hours in March. Outside of daylight there are hours of twilight, particularly before sunrise, when there is enough light to see by. Naturally, the Aurora will not be visible during daylight, but March has some of the best opportunities to see the Northern Lights (close to the Spring Equinox).

We cover a lot of ground and as such have a few long drives. We make frequent photo stops during these drives to allow us to appreciate the different and spectacular landscapes. Iceland has become hugely popular in recent years, and you may find some of the main sites rather busy at certain times.

Please note that on occasion, severe weather can affect our ability to undertake some of the outdoor activities and visits and we cannot rule out changes to the itinerary for these reasons. Any such decisions would always be taken with the safety of the group in mind. We will always endeavour to provide suitable alternatives in this instance.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Nelly Walton

Reviewed February 2023

Feb 2023

Blizzard bombs, waterfalls and geological features

Most Inspirational Moment

The Glacial Walking was amazing. Such a brilliantt experience being able to walk on blue ice! The Blue Lagoon was also the highlight, though not included on the tour.It was snowy conditions and blizzard bombs, so white out's on the roads, and hit in the face with sleet in the lagoon. Some people wore bobble hats, but I kept putting my head under the water to warm up! the silica is not good for your hair though. We saw the Northern Lights from Lake in the East, but they were not green nor coloured, just very weak like whisky white clouds - it showed green on some people's phones and cameras. So a disappointment really.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Spot on. He was tops, knew in-depth interesting information about his country and was fun, energetic and charismatic. A great tour guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

February is a dicey month to go. We landed after three attempts, the landings were a touch and go attempt and re-take off - given he incredibly strong blizzards, on arrival. The air stewardess said the previous week the aircraft doors could not be opened for 10 hours due to the winds, so something to bear in mind when you choose to go. It is amazing, but I was left disappointed to be honest. It's a lot of money for a bus tour manly of waterfalls. I asked the leader if it was possible to remove one of the three waterfalls and replace it with the Lava tunnels - to give more variety and he agreed it would be possible. So this is my suggestion.

Suggestions

Overall, weighing up the benefits of doing a tour or our own car rental was why we did the tour. It was much better to have an educated and interesting guide to see many different geological wonders and learn immense detail about the country, which we would not have had doing our own travels. It was more of a holiday having someone else driving too and changing locations.

Sally Ward

Reviewed February 2023

Northern Highlights

You certainly pack a lot into this 5 day trip which delivered despite the ever changing winter weather. Our guide Oskar as flexible with the itinerary which meant that we were able to get the most out of each day. The highlight was the glacier walk and we even got a glimpse of the northern lights one night.

Jon Russell

Walking on the glacier in crampons, ice axe and helmet and descending into its crevasses among 2000 year old ice was an amazing experience. The final morning was very well planned, starting out below ground in a lava tube then being taken straight to the Blue Lagoon prior to catching the flight home. Don't be put off by thinking that the Blue Lagoon is a tacky tourist trap - it's not, it's an amazing and relaxing end to the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Orri was an exceptional leader, friendly, helpful and approachable, nothing was too much trouble for him. He kept us entertained with his stories of Icelandic history and folklore during the longer road sections.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take plentry of layers and good quality warm and waterproof clothing, The weather is going to be both cold and wet and can change rapidly, if you are prepared for that then you will enjoy the trip all the more.

Suggestions

The northern lights may not make an appearance whilst there and some activities may be cancelled at short notice and another substituted due to the raw nature of the place, that is part of its appeal for me, keep an open mind and enjoy the experience.

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Covid-19 refund commitment

You will get a refund if you have to cancel your trip due to COVID-19.

Availability

This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.

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