Iceland's Fire & Ice - Escorted Coach
Overview
Explore the island of fire and ice on Iceland's Ring Road on this 7-night coach tour. Discover stunning scenery and dramatic landscapes. A local expert guide helps you explore the unspoiled Icelandic countryside with volcanoes, lava fields, hot springs, mountains, fjords, glaciers and waterfalls. This escorted tour takes you both to classic nature hotspots and lesser-known sights. The tour includes several soft adventures and cultural visits. Some outdoor activities might differ between seasons depending on weather and road conditions. Starting from ₹163,099 per person, Land Only, with guaranteed weekly departures.
Facilities
Tour Features
- 2 nights at Icelandair Hotel Natura in Reykjavik
- 1 night at Icelandair Akureyri in Akureyri
- 1 night at Sel-Hotel Myvatn or similar in Myvatn
- 1 night at Icelandair Herad in Egilsstadir (Oct-Apr); Guesthouse Alfheimar in Borgarfjordur-Eystri (May-Sep)
- 1 night at Hofn Hotel in Hofn
- 1 night at Eyjafjallajokull or similar, near Hella
- Daily breakfast
- Fully escorted six-day bus tour with English-speaking guide. Note: Total mileage without airport transfer is 1,032 miles, averaging 172 miles per day. You spend about 4 hours per day on the bus, depending on road conditions, traffic and daily distances. On some days the driving might be longer than on others.
- Visit to natural history and seal museum in Hvammstangi
- Visit to Vidimyri turf church
- Entrance with towel at Myvatn Nature Baths
- Admission to Petra’s Stone and Mineral Collection in the East Fjords
- Visit to Icelandic horse stables and geothermal greenhouse
- Use of snow and ice gripper spikes and a flashlight for winter departures
Rates do not include
- International airfare
- Any expenses of personal nature such as tips, laundry, table drinks, telephone calls, etc.
- Optional Travel Insurance
- Any item not mentioned above
Remarks
- If hotels listed are not available at the time of reservation, alternative hotels at the same category could be used. Prices may differ.
- During trade fairs season and during Christmas and New Year’s Days, some hotels may require surcharges. The prices may increase.
- Full payment must be received 90 days prior to departure
- Major credit cards accepted; credit card authorization required
- Change and cancellation penalties (₹20,967-₹50,323 per person) apply; Triwalk Tours general cancellation policy applies
- Hotel upgrades, additional hotel nights, extensions and add-on air fares from various US cities are available
Note:
During the off season, from September to May, in rare cases a change of itinerary might be necessary, especially for winter programs in Iceland, should snow, road and weather conditions not allow following the scheduled itinerary, and certain outdoor activities might be cancelled. Reasonable alternatives will be arranged wherever and whenever possible.
Itinerary
Day 1, Friday – Arrive Reykjavik
Arrive in Rejkjavik, Iceland's capital, and transfer on your own to your hotel. (Icelandair Natura)
Day 2, Saturday – Volcano Crater, Seals, Fjords and Mountains (264 miles)
Begin your tour by coach, traveling westward. Pass the town of Borgarnes, and climb the Grabrok volcano crater. Afternoon, visit a natural history museum and stroll around the harbor. Further north, stop at the turf church of Vídimyri, which has been extensively restored to its original form and is widely considered one of the purest and most beautiful examples of traditional Icelandic architecture. Continue along scenic fjord landscape over several mountain passes until reaching Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland. (Icelandair Akureyri) (B)
Day 3, Sunday – Akureyri, Lake Myvatn and Geothermal Baths (75 miles)
In the morning explore Akureyri, a charming town of 17,000 inhabitants. Visit the botanical garden and enjoy the panoramic view over Eyjafjordur fjord. In the afternoon travel to an important spot in Iceland's history, Godafoss, the waterfalls of the gods. Continue to Lake Myvatn, which is known for its geological wonders and active bird life during summer. Stop at the bizarre lava formations at Kalfastrond. Then walk around the many pseudo craters and end an exciting day with a relaxing soak at Myvatn Nature Baths, which contain a unique blend of minerals, silicates and geothermal micro-organisms. The warm soothing waters benefit both skin and spirit alike. (Sel-Hotel Myvatn or similar) (B)
Day 4, Monday – Lava Labyrinth, Hot Springs and Vatnajokull National Park (155 miles)
In the morning hike in a lava labyrinth at Dimmuborgir, "the dark castles,” a dramatic expanse of lava steeped in folklore. After an optional lunch, visit the hot spring area of Namaskard with its bubbling mud pools and volcanic steam vents. Then head through the uninhabited highlands and moonlike surroundings to East Iceland, where your hotel is in Egilsstadir. With some luck you might spot an Arctic fox or reindeer. Jun-Aug: Tour includes a detour to Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall, in Vatnojokull National Park. (Icelandair Herad, Oct-Apr; Guesthouse Alfheimar in Borgarfjordur-Eystri, May-Sep) (B)
Day 5, Tuesday – East Fjords (161 miles)
Today, admire the dramatic fjord landscape and its tiny fishing villages at the end of twisty roads in the East Fjords. En route, visit Petra's fascinating rock collection. A naturalist who collected rocks for nearly eighty years in East Iceland, Petra amassed a unique trasure, now beautifully displayed in her home and garden and proudly cared for by her descendants. Afternoon, see Vatnajokull, Europe’s biggest glacier, which is visible all over Southeast Iceland. Overnight in the town of Hofn. (Hofn) (B)
Possibility of seeing the Northern Lights during the evening from October to mid-April.
Day 6, Wednesday – Vatnajokull Glacier, Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach, South Coast (236 miles)
Today, travel along the southern part of the glacier Vatnajokull and spend some time at Europe's second largest national park. Stop and explore at Jokulsarlon, a glacial lagoon filled with floating icebergs. Walk on the Diamond Beach, a black sandy beach where large icebergs often get stranded. Afternoon, a beautiful drive with many natural wonders awaits as you head across the Eldhraun lava field. Cross the sandy desert of the South Coast, overlooked by rugged cliffs, glaciers, and waterfalls. See the Reynisjfara shore, near Vik, widely regarded as Iceland's most impressive black sand and pebble beach; and out in the sea, the spectacularly shaped basalt sea stacks, Reynisdrangar. In the small villlage of Skogar, view the 62-meter-high Skogafoss waterfall. Further west, stop at Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which plunges over the mountain. (Eyjafjallajokull or similar) (B)
Possibility of seeing the Northern Lights during the evening from October to mid-April.
Explore classics today as you travel the route of the Golden Circle sights. Start the day at Fridheimar, where you learn about the Icelandic horse and visit a geothermal greenhouse. Later, see steam from the Geysir geothermal fields, where there is a variety of hot springs and bubbling pools. The original geyser is now dormant but has been replaced by Strokkur, "the Churn," which erupts at 5-10 minute intervals. Continue to Gullfoss, "the golden falls,” a double waterfall that tumbles 112 feet into the Hvíta river and attracts travelers in summer and winter. Travel inland to Thingvellir National Park, a World Heritage site. Back in Reykjavík, a short city tour includes highlights of the world's northernmost capital. (Icelandair Natura) (B)
Day 8, Friday – Depart Reykjavik (31 miles)
Transfer to the airport on your own for your homeward-bound flight. (B)
Note: From September to May, in rare cases a change of itinerary might be necessary, especially for winter programs in Iceland, depending on snow, road and weather conditions. Reasonable alternatives will be arranged wherever and whenever possible.
