Tour
#: IST 60
Duration: 8 days –
not including US departure day
Tour Dates:
Wed. 09 April – Thurs. 17 April 2008
Wed. 23 April – Thurs. 01 May 2008
Wed. 07 May – Thurs. 15 May 2008
Wed. 21 May – Thurs. 29 May 2008
Wed. 03 Sep. – Thurs. 11 Sep. 2008
Wed. 17 Sep. – Thurs. 25 Sep. 2008
Wed. 01 Oct. – Thurs. 09 Oct. 2008
Wed. 15 Oct. – Thurs. 23 Oct. 2008
Minimum/Maximum
Tour Size: 8/30 passengers
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General Description:
This
tour provides an economical visit to South Iceland with your time
split between the natural wonders of the southwest and the capital
city of Reykjavík. Experience the magnificent geology and
rich culture of Iceland on this comfortable tour. See waterfalls,
hot springs, geysers, glaciers and lava beaches. Enjoy free days
in Reykjavík when you can get to know the city or you can
choose day tours with destinations in other areas of Iceland. This
is the best introductory tour of Iceland.
Departure
day - Wed.: US
Leave on evening flight from Icelandair gateway (see below).
Day
1 - Thurs.: Reykjavík
Arrive in Reykjavík/Keflavík airport. Transfer by
FlyBus to your Reykjavík guesthouse. The day is free to relax,
shop or explore the city. Try the unique geothermal pools near your
guesthouse.
Day 2
- Friday: Thingvellir, Gullfoss, Geysir and Hella (B)
We leave Reykjavík at 9:30 AM via Mosfellsheiði heath and visit
Thingvellir National Park. We stroll around the country's most sacred
site, home of the old Viking parliament Althing, and the site of major
events in our history. Thingvellir is a place of fascinating natural beauty,
one of the most geologically spectacular, set on a vast lava plain flanked
by large fissures, right on Iceland's largest lake. Gullfoss is
known as the Queen of Iceland's waterfalls, thundering over a double
cascade in the Hvítá glacial river. Then we continue to
the nearby famous hot spring area of Geysir. Here are small springs from
which steam rises, as well as beautiful multicolored pools of blue water along with a spouting geyser that erupts every 5 - 10 minutes.
Arriving at the Hotel Mosfell in South Iceland in the later afternoon
where we stay for the next three nights in rooms with private facilities.
Day 3
- Saturday: South Shore (B)
Today we drive to Seljalandsfoss, a graceful ribbon-like waterfall which
drops from an overhanging lava cliff. If you step carefully, you can walk
behind it, but be prepared to get wet. We continue to the impressive Skógafoss
waterfall, that's more than 197 feet high. The tiny settlement of Skógar
is home of a Folk Museum, one of Iceland´s best (entrance fee included).
Then we head on to the village of Vík and for the seashore, which
is flanked by steep cliffs where puffins and other sea birds nest in summer,
and where seals are sometimes sighted in the sea or on the black, wave-pounded
sands. We reach the impressive ice-wall of Sólheimajökull,
where we can walk up to the glacier.
Day 4 - Sunday: Thjórsárdalur (B)
We drive through the river valley of Thjórsárdalur, famous
for its beautiful waterfalls and Viking ruins, through pasture land and
valleys to Búrfell, location of the hydro-electric power station.
We stop at the waterfall Hjálparfoss, framed in twisted basalt
columns. The ravine of Gjáin is an outstanding beauty spot with
miniature landscape, brooks and waterfalls. Nearly all of Thjórsárdalur
valley lies surrounded by lava deserts created by eruptions of Hekla,
Iceland's best known volcano. Hekla's last eruptions date from 1991
and 2000.
Day
5 - Monday: Reykjavík (B)
Returning to Reykjavík for city sightseeing, the tour ends about
1:00 PM. We stay three nights at our Reykjavík guesthouse. An optional
tour to the Blue Lagoon is available in the afternoon (or during days
6, 7 or 8), where you enjoy a unique bathing experience in a geothermal
lagoon with fog like clouds looming above the blue waters. Volcanic heated
water is pumped up from 2 km beneath the earth's surface to power the
nearby geothermal energy plant. The run-off water collects in the lava
to form a warm, salty, mineral-rich lagoon, reputed for its healing powers.
Day 6
and 7 - Tuesday/Wed.: Reykjavík (B)
Time for leisure and optional excursions. Prearrange tours through
IST to other areas of Iceland or for activities such as horseback
riding, whale watching and glacier snowmobiling. Visit the Westman
Islands or the beautiful Mývatn in north Iceland, join us
on a West Iceland excursion or experience a super jeep safari into
Icelands's wilderness.
Day
8 - Thurs.: Reykjavík - Keflavík International Airport
(B)
After shopping and exploring Reykjavík during the morning take
transfer from your accommodations in Reykjavík to Keflavík
airport for late afternoon flight departure.
Tour
Information:
Rate of Difficulty: Easy walks of about 2 to 3 hours
per day.
Includes
round trip US flights from East Coast Icelandair gateways. Call for pricing
from non-East Coast gateways.
Included:
Round trip flights on Icelandair from US to Iceland (check with IST for
flight schedule from US Icelandair gateways), FlyBus ticket for transport
into Reykjavík upon arrival in Iceland and back to airport on departure
day, four day tour transportation with driver guide, accommodations in
guesthouses with private facilities, 7 breakfasts and entrance fee to
Skógar Folk Museum.
Not
Included: Luggage porterage usually not available at accommodations.
Meals not identified by B – breakfast. Blue Lagoon and other optional tours. Travel insurance is
available upon request from IST’s insurance company –
TravelGuard International.
Note:
Some tour departures may include guidance in a second language such
as French.
Prices
(includes air, all taxes and airport fees)
IST-
60
Price:
April and October departures = $2,610.00 per person staying in a double room
May and September departures = $2780.00 per person staying in a double room
Single
supplement:
April and October departures = $286.00 add-on for single room occupancy
May and September departures= $347.00 add-on for single room occupancy
Route
Map:
