Land of the Northern Lights Trip Notes

Trip Overview

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A tour to discover Iceland’s nature and cultural life, with two nights in Iceland’s vibrant capital Reykjavík and two nights in South Iceland, an ideal location for the search for the fascinating Northern Lights, best seen between January and March. See glittering glaciers, snow-clad mountains, giant lava fields, steaming hot springs and beautiful waterfalls. Bathe in the mineral rich geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon, walk on a black lava beach, visit Icelandic horses on their farm.

Duration : 5 Days

Destination : Iceland

Start/Ends in : Reykjavik / Reykjavik

Group Size :15-25 People

Age Req. : 18+

Trip Theme : Overland, Short Break

Hotels : 4 & 3 Star

Departs : October to April

Why you will love this tour

• * Iceland doesn’t get the name ‘Land of the Northern Lights’ for nothing! From the dancing lights to spouting geysers, thundering falls and active volcanoes – Iceland’s stunning natural beauty will leave you lost for words!

• * Enjoy free airport transfers on the first and last day of tour and travel in the comfort of private coaches with free WIFI. Plus, all breakfasts are included in this 5-day tour.

• * Start the trip with a 2-night stay in the capital of Reykjavík and enjoy an included visit to Iceland’s most popular attraction, the Blue Lagoon.

• * Hit the road for two nights in Iceland’s South where you’ll see active volcanoes that lay beneath the glaciers, snap pictures at Seljalandsfoss falls and stand beneath the 60-metre-high waterfall of Skógafoss!

• * Stay up late with new travel mates for once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights as they dance across Iceland’s dreamy skies.

• * Coast the countryside with your local guide and keep your eyes peeled for spouting geysers, Icelandic horses and dramatic cliffs along the famed Golden Circle route.

• * Shape your holiday with optional bucket-list experiences including a guided Glacier Walk or Northern Lights Evening Cruise.

Arrival Details

The group welcome meeting with your guide and other travelers is held around 18:30 at the hotel lobby on Day 1 of your tour unless otherwise notified.

Meeting Point:

The meeting point for the tour is :

Hotel Cabin – REYKJAVIK

Address : Borgartún 32, 105 Reykjavík, Iceland

Phone : +354 511 6030

Emergency Number: +44 203 14 99 200

Finishing Point

The finishing point for the Land of the Northern Lights tour is:

Hotel Cabin – REYKJAVIK

Address : Borgartún 32, 105 Reykjavík, Iceland

Phone : +354 511 6030

Emergency Number: +44 203 14 99 200

Highlights

Blue Lagoon: The Blue Lagoon is one of the most visited attractions in Iceland. It is located in a lava field in Grindavik on the Reykjanes Peninsula.

Golden Circle: In southern Iceland, covering about 300 kilometers looping from Reykjavik into the south of Iceland.

Hella: Hella is a picturesque little town that sits tucked between Selfoss and Hvolsvollur along the famous Ring Road in southern Iceland.

Reykjavik: Reykjavik, on the coast of Iceland, is the country’s capital and largest city. It’s home to the national museums, tracing Iceland’s Viking history.

Itinerary

Please note that the itinerary may be subject to small changes depending on the conditions during the tour. Alternative accommodation of similar standards may be used depending on the group size and hotel availability.

Inclusions & Exclusions

The tour price covers the following services:

Accomodation : 2 stars hotel in Reykjavik and local cottages in Hella

Meals : 4 breakfasts

Guide : Services of experienced Travel Talk local guides licensed by the Ministry of Tourism

Sightseeing : Reykjanes Peninsula, Blue Lagoon, Eyjafjallajökull Glacier, Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss Waterfalls, Thingvellir National Park

What is NOT included in the tour price?

• Any flights not mentioned above

• Travel insurance

• Meals not stated above

• Items of a personal nature

• Tips & gestures

• Entrance fees to the sights and museums

• Optional activities

• Other services not stated in the itinerary

Hotels & Accommodation

Please note that the hotels are subject to change depending on the group size and availability. Hotels of similar standards will be used where available in case of a change.

Solo travellers will be roomed with another solo traveller of the same gender in a twin or triple room or can upgrade to a solo room by paying the single supplement. You may choose the solo room option when booking online or contact us to arrange a private room. Solo rooms are not available on gullets. Your tour leader will allocate rooms upon arrival at the starting hotel in accordance with the rooming lists, last minute changes may not be guaranteed.

HOTEL CABIN – REYKJAVIK – 2 Star

The hotel is located in the Reykjavik East district. Situated just 0.7km to Laugardalslaug geothermal swimming pool. The Sculpture and Shore Walk Promenade is just 0.4km away.

STRACTA HOTEL – HELLA – 3 Star

This little gem in the countryside of Iceland features a sauna & hot tub, an on-site à la carte restaurant/ bar and a buffet restaurant. While dining, stunning views of Eyjafjallajökull will accompany you.

Budgeting

Please note that entrance fees to sights and optional activities are not included in the tour price. Optional activities are not operated by Travel Talk and may require a certain number of attendees to run. Your guide will be happy to inform you further about the available optional activities at the start of your tour. Optional activities are also listed under each day in your tour itinerary.

Personal Spending

The local currency is the Icelandic króna (ISK). There are 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000 notes, and 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 krónur coins. You can withdraw money in banks with a credit card and a cheque book, or directly from a cash dispenser in large towns. Credit cards are generally accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops. Iceland is relatively more expensive compared to Europe and the UK, whereas a simple meal might cost you around £15-20, or a pint of beer £7-10.

Meals

Lunch at restaurant — US$ 15-20

Dinner at restaurant — US$ 15-25

Sandwich — US$ 5-7

Skyr — US$ 2-3

Drinks

Bottle of water — US$ 2

Coffee — US$ 3-5

Tea — US$ 3

Bottle of beer — US$ 7-10

Tipping

Tipping is not compulsory or expected in Iceland, since the bills at restaurants and cafes already include gratuity. Still, you will get a warm smile from the Icelanders if you add a tip to your bill.

Shopping

Reykjavík is the cultural capital of the country, and the city is filled with fashion, books, vintage stores, flea markets, boutiques, outlets, antique shops, gourmet food, Icelandic design, outdoor clothing, souvenir- and gift shops. Laugavegur is the main shopping street in Reykjavik, along with Skolavordustigur and Hverfisgata, but the whole downtown area is filled with shops, some in the most random places. Icelanders are a creative bunch, and blissfully unrestrained by tradition, and as a result you will find numerous local stores selling clothing, art and jewellery from Icelandic designers. Reykjavik has two large shopping malls where well-known brands can be found along with restaurants, cinemas and cafes. Some designer labels are typically 10 to 35 percent less expensive in Iceland than in Europe and the US; and tourists receive a 15 percent tax-free refund on a minimum purchase of 4000 ISK (approx. £30) when departing.

The Optional Glacier Hike

Here is the direct link to the glacier hike tour: Easy Glacier Walk on Solheimajokull | Icelandic Mountain Guides

When booking the tour, make sure that it is the 3^rd day of the tour and the 14:30 timeslot.

That is the only departure that fits into the itinerary of our tour.

You can book it until 4 weeks before departure.

Essential Information: Iceland

Passport & Visas

If you are a citizen of the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the US, you do not require a visa to enter Iceland for stays up to 90 days. Check with your country’s embassy for the latest information regarding entry visa.

Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival in Iceland, and you should carry your passport or travel document with you at all times. 

Check with your embassy or your official government website for foreign Iceland travel advice. Bear in mind that the information we provide is for guidance only, and you should check the details as it is your responsibility to have all the official documents ready before traveling. 

Travel Advice

We are closely monitoring the latest travel updates to Greece, and following the advice of the UK Foreign Office. For the latest travel advice from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), please visit: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/iceland

We recommend all travellers to check their Government National Travel Advisory prior to their departure:

Australia – https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/

Canada – https://travel.gc.ca/

New Zealand – https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/

USA – https://travel.state.gov/

Travel Insurance

All passengers travelling with Travel Talk are required to have personal travel insurance before participating in any of our tours. Your guide will collect your travel insurance details on the first day of your trip. It is your responsibility to make sure you have an adequate and suitable travel insurance for you in place, you may read more at https://www.traveltalktours.com/travel-insurance

Health & Safety

The health and safety of our passengers, staff and communities visited is of utmost priority. As we monitor and comply with the official advice from the UK Foreign Office, as well as World Health Organization and government authorities regularly, we have implemented several policies and precautions on our tours for your wellbeing. You may find our Safe Travels Protocols at https://www.traveltalktours.com/safe-travels

Travel Talk Adventures has received the Safe Travels stamp by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), which allows travellers to recognise companies around the world that have adopted health and hygiene global standardised protocols – so consumers canexperience ‘Safe Travels’.

Please make sure to regularly check your Government’s travel advice before travelling and be well-informed of any requirements. Your tour guide will also notify you of the regulations and protocols to follow throughout your trip with us.

Please note that if any traveller is unable to complete the itinerary or possess a potential risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to remove them from all or part of a trip.

Please consult with your doctor for the latest medical travel information and any vaccinations you may need. We recommend that you bring any personal medical requirements and medications with you as these may be difficult to obtain while on tour.

Weather

The climate of Iceland is cold oceanic near the southern coastal area and tundra inland in the highlands. The island lies in the path of the North Atlantic Current, which makes its climate more temperate than would be expected for its
latitude, just south of the Arctic Circle. As a result, days are quite short in winter time. Approximately, the daylight hours are 11am to 4pm in January; 10am to 5pm in February, and 8am to 7.30pm in March. On the other hand, in July the sun comes out for up to 21 hours! The aurora borealis is often visible at night time
during the winter, between September and April, however mostly hunted between January and March. Iceland lies just south of the polar circle, thus experiences a twilight period during which the sun sets briefly, but still has around 2 weeks of continuous daylight during the summer. Annual average sunshine hours in Reykjavík are around 1300, which is similar to towns in Scotland and Ireland. Heavy dust storms can be generated by strong glacial winds, and can be very strong. These storms are very frequent in the early summer in the arid highland areas north of the Vatnajökull glacier. The weather in Iceland can be notoriously variable.

Check out our weather guide for the best time to visit Iceland.

Money Matters

The local currency is the Icelandic króna (ISK). There are 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000 notes, and 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 krónur coins. You can withdraw money in banks with a credit card and a cheque book, or directly from a cash dispenser in large towns. Credit cards are generally accepted in hotels, restaurants and
shops. Iceland is relatively more expensive compared to Europe and the UK, whereas a simple meal might cost you around £15-20, or a pint of beer £7-10.

Please remember that everyone has different spending habits, some prefer to spend more on souvenirs, some on experiences and others on a night out! Make sure to budget your trip to your spending habits for shopping, drinking, and tipping.

Eating & Drinking

The country’s low industrial output and high environmental consciousness means that its meat, fish and seafood are some of the healthiest in Europe, with hothouses providing a fair range of vegetables. While in Reykjavík and Akureyri the variety of food is pretty close to what you’d find at home, menus elsewhere are more traditional and seasonal. Iceland’s cold climate and long winters meant that the settlers’ original diet was low in vegetables and high in cereals, fish and meat, with preserved foods playing a big role.

Some of the following traditional foods are still eaten every day; others crop up mainly at special occasions such as the midwinter Þorramatur feasts, though restaurants may serve them yearround. Harðifiskur, wind dried cod, is a popular snack, eaten by tearing off a piece and chewing away, though some people like to spread butter on it first.

Most Icelandic seafood is superb and even everyday things like a breakfast of sild (pickled herrings) are worth trying.

Hard-liquor enthusiasts should try brennivín, a local spirit distilled from potatoes and flavoured with caraway seeds. It’s powerful stuff, affectionately known as svarti dauði or “black death”, and certainly warms you up in the cold winter.

Essentials to Bring & Internet

-Face mask/cover and hand sanitiser enough for your personal use throughout the trip – See more at https://www.traveltalktours.com/safe-travels/

-Travel Documents: Passport, Visa (if required), flight or transport ticket (and photocopies)

-Travel Talk Tour Voucher (printed or digital)Travel Insurance Policy (and photocopy)

-Personal medical kit and medicine

-Money (cash, credit card, travellers’ cheques)

-Power Adapter

-Reusable water bottle

-Ear plugs and eye mask

-Sun protection – hat, sunglasses, sunscreen

-Comfortable, closed walking shoes

-Wind/water proof jacket

-Warm clothes, hat, and gloves for cold weather

-Sandals, swimwear, shorts for warm weather

Internet Access

Internet access is common in hotels, cafes and restaurants across Iceland. Many internet cafes can be found in the cities as well. If your current Mobile SIM provider is from the EU or UK, it may be possible that you can use your data roaming free of charge in Iceland. Please consult your mobile provider to find out more. Alternatively, purchasing an Icelandic SIM card for the duration of your tour may be a cost-effective option. Your guide will be happy to advise on this.

Culture, Religion and Etiquette

Iceland may appear cold and intimidating, but you will find a culture so warm and welcoming that you won’t want to leave. With a deep-rooted heritage dating back to the Vikings, Iceland surely loves its food and traditions. There are a variety of festivals honoring old Norse celebrations, most of which involves gathering with family and feasting with traditionally prepared food. Icelanders love a good story as much as they love their traditions. You will hear local tales that are deeply intertwined with the geography of the island and that has shaped the Icelandic culture throughout the centuries. An essential part of daily life is the weather and nature as a whole. The extreme natural conditions in the country shapes life, and the folks expect travelers to respect and appreciate nature as much as they do.

Solo Travellers

We have many solo travellers joining our tours. Solo travellers will be roomed with another traveller of the same gender. If you would like a private solo room, please contact us. You may see out solo travels page for more details.

Rules to Follow

We are committed to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. We do not tolerate any form of violence (physical or verbal), bullying or harassment involving customers, partners, Travel Talk staff or locals. Sexual relationships between a tour leader and a passenger are forbidden.

We will not tolerate any illegal activity, including but not limited to: use and possession of illegal drugs, trespassing, and disrupting public order. If you consume alcohol, please ensure that you drink responsibly and follow the local laws and regulations.

You must follow the advice of your tour leader and local officials regarding health and safety measures. We operate all tours under Safe Travels protocols for the wellbeing of our passengers, staff and communities visited. Please ensure that you have read the https://www.traveltalktours.com/safe-travels/ and are fully prepared for your trip.

If someone is acting inappropriately regarding these matters, please notify your tour leader immediately or contact us on the emergency contact number provided below.

Your tour leader has the right to remove from the group anyone not abiding by these rules, with no right of compensation or refund. See more at https://www.traveltalktours.com/booking-terms/

Please remember that our travellers come from different parts of the world and will have various needs and preferences. Be understanding and patient with your fellow travellers, and always strive to be on time.

Responsible Travel

We believe that travel is a force for good and show our support through various initiatives and charity organizations, as well as keeping the principals of responsible and sustainable travel at the core of our ethos. These values are engrained in our business culture and the design of our trips just the same. Together with you, we strive to make a positive impact on local people and economies, respecting the local culture, environment, social fabric and customs; encouraging respectful and meaningful cross-cultural exchange. Read more at https://www.traveltalktours.com/responsible-travel/