Reykjavík: 5-Day Holiday Package New Year's Northern Lights

Over 5 days and 4 nights, explore Iceland’s stunning landscapes from Reykjavík to South Iceland and back. Begin your journey in the vibrant capital, then venture across the lunar landscapes of the Reykjanes Peninsula, and unwind with a warm soak in the famous Blue Lagoon. Travel along the South Coast to experience glaciers, waterfalls, and black lava beaches, before completing your adventure along the Golden Circle route, including Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, and the Geysir geothermal area.

Stay four nights in comfortable hotels and cottages, including Hotel Cabin in Reykjavík and Árhús Cabins in Hella, South Iceland. An experienced English-speaking guide accompanies you on scheduled touring days, providing transportation, guided excursions, and selected meals as included in the program.

Simply arrive in Reykjavík on your chosen date and follow the itinerary. Book your return flight for departure on Day 5. This guided holiday is suitable for anyone in normal health with a moderate level of fitness.

Day 1: Arrive in Iceland

The Flybus shuttle transfers you from Keflavík International Airport to Hotel Cabin in Reykjavík, where you spend one night. You can explore Iceland’s vibrant capital at your own pace if time allows.

Overnight location:
Hotel Cabin, Reykjavík (Standard room: 10m²). À la carte dinner on your own. (50 km / 31 miles)

Day 2: Explore Reykjavik & Relax in the Blue Lagoon

At 09:00, meet your tour guide, who shows the highlights of Reykjavík. Afterwards, travel to the Reykjanes Peninsula, featuring hot springs, mountains, moon-like landscapes, bird cliffs, lighthouses, and fishing villages. In the afternoon, relax in the famous Blue Lagoon.

Drive along the south coast to the village of Hella, where you stay for two nights in simple cottages. In the evening, learn about the Northern Lights from your guide, then step outside once darkness falls to watch for this magical natural phenomenon.

Overnight location:
Arhus Cottages, Hella. Breakfast included. Lunch & dinner on your own. (220 km / 137 miles)

Day 3: Discover South Iceland & Celebrate New Year

Travel along the south coast beneath the Eyjafjallajökull volcano and glacier. Stop at Seljalandsfoss waterfall and visit Skógar Folk Museum with its turf houses. At lunch, admire Skógafoss waterfall.

In the afternoon, walk on Reynisfjara black lava beach, observe Dyrhólaey’s cliffs, and view the Reynisdrangar sea stacks before visiting the village of Vík.

In the evening, celebrate New Year Icelandic style. Join a guided bus tour to visit the bonfires in Hvolsvöllur and Hella, a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. Your festive four-course dinner begins around 20:30 at Árhús Restaurant, located on the riverbanks in Hella. At midnight, enjoy local fireworks and a toast of sparkling wine. If skies are clear, you may witness the Northern Lights dancing across the heavens.

Overnight location:
Arhus Cottages, Hella. Breakfast included. Festive four-course dinner included. (200 km / 124 miles)

Day 4: Explore the Golden Circle & Savor Icelandic Cuisine

In the morning, learn about the Icelandic horse and visit a geothermal greenhouse. Travel the Golden Circle, witnessing Geysir geothermal fields, Gullfoss waterfall, and Þingvellir National Park, the site of the ancient Viking parliament and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The program includes a culinary treat at a restaurant in downtown Reykjavík before returning to Hotel Cabin.

Overnight location:
Hotel Cabin, Reykjavík (Standard room: 10m²). Breakfast & culinary dinner included. (200 km / 124 miles)

Day 5: Depart from Iceland

The Flybus shuttle transfers you from your accommodation in Reykjavík to Keflavík International Airport.

Breakfast included. (50 km / 31 miles)

Please note

• Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability

• For this program, we use budget accommodation to offer an attractive package price. You get great value for money. First and last night is at Hotel Cabin (small rooms). 2nd & 3rd night are at Árhús Cabins in Hella, South Iceland, where 23 simple cottages with shower/wc are located in a large garden right on the river banks in Hella. Árhús Cabins are popular with outdoor active guests and families traveling with children. All cottages are equipped with a small kitchenette and free Wi-Fi. There is a restaurant on premises, and the program includes 2x breakfast and 1x festive 4-course dinner.

• This program includes during two evenings a combination of presentations, lectures, film and guided Northern Lights searches in the hotel garden in South Iceland. The tour is dependent on weather, and therefore sightings are not guaranteed. The Northern Lights are in the northern sky from September through April but are only visible when the sky is clear and free of clouds. Like many of nature's wonders, it's ephemeral – they may be visible, they may appear for a bit and then be gone (it is not a TV show that you can just turn on and off). But it's worth the patience required. Because they're a winter event, you need to be prepared to wait outside, while looking for them. It's best to dress very warmly, in layers, with good footwear, gloves, hats and whatever else will make you comfortable while you await this truly outstanding event. For the best photos, we recommend using a tripod.

• Itineraries may be subject to change at short notice during severe weather conditions and certain outdoor activities/day trips may be canceled during the winter season in Iceland. In these rare cases, where situations of force majeure apply, excursions/activities cannot be refunded but the local guides will try their best to find reasonable alternatives where and whenever possible.

• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 travelers

• You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

• Complimentary: Free Wi-Fi on the bus

• Optional glacier hike on day 3 (booked online)

• Optional Northern Lights cruise