Boreal magic – South Iceland

Flight from Montreal to Keflavik.

Arrival at Keflavík International Airport according to individual flights. For those arriving in the morning, the coach will drop you off in Reykjavík for free time and will pick you up in the late afternoon with the rest of the group arriving then.

Meet your French-speaking tour leader, then transfer and check in at your hotel.

Dinner and overnight at Hotel Eldhestar.

Breakfast at the hotel.

You will begin the day with a snowmobile safari on the east side of the Langjökull Glacier. Board a monster truck with impressive wheels to ascend to the summit of Iceland’s second largest glacier – thrills guaranteed! After a safety briefing and operating instructions, hop onto your machine (2 people per snowmobile – the driver must have a valid driver’s license) and take in the breathtaking scenery and stunning views of the Icelandic plains.

Lunch on your own ($).

Continue with a visit to the impressive Gullfoss waterfall. The “Golden Falls” get their name from the golden rainbow that forms above the canyon when the weather is clear. While Gullfoss is not the highest waterfall in Iceland, it is certainly one of the most majestic.

Next, proceed to the Geysir geothermal area. The most famous geyser, which lent its name to the phenomenon—Geysir—has gone dormant, leaving the Strokkur geyser as the only active one in the region. With eruptions on average every 5 to 7 minutes, you will be able to fully enjoy this incredible natural show.

You will end the day with a visit to the Fontana geothermal bakery in Laugarvatn. You will walk to the black sand beach where you will unearth a rye bread that was baked underground the day before, under temperatures reaching up to 98 °C. You will savor this delicious traditional bread, accompanied by butter and Icelandic smoked fish. Return to your hotel.

If the weather permits, your guide can accompany you around the hotel grounds to watch the Northern Lights.

Dinner and overnight at Hotel Eldhestar.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Discover the South Coast of Iceland, starting with the magnificent Skógafoss waterfall. Weather permitting, you can also climb the stairs alongside the falls to get closer to its plunge pool. On sunny days, it’s not uncommon to see rainbows. Continue to the Sólheimajökull glacier, where—if conditions allow—you can approach the glacier’s snout and touch the ice with your own hands. This glacier is perfectly nestled between mountains and sits above an opaque water basin. The opacity is evident in the glacier’s layers, where you can spot ash deposits from millennia of volcanic eruptions. Next, head to the charming village of Vík and its typical little church.

Lunch ($).

Continue on to Reynisfjara, where you’ll admire the sublime black sand beach and its basalt columns, rock formations that resemble organ pipes. The sea stacks offshore evoke otherworldly, science-fiction landscapes. Your final stop of the day is the vertiginous and sumptuous Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which offers the unique experience of walking behind its veil (weather permitting). In the heart of winter, the falls, stairways, and footbridge become cloaked in ice, giving this sublime cascade an almost unreal appearance.

If weather permits, your guide can accompany you around the hotel grounds to observe the Northern Lights.

Dinner and overnight at Hotel Eldhestar.

Breakfast at the hotel.

You will begin the day by discovering Thingvellir National Park, a key site in Iceland’s history as the original gathering place of one of the world’s oldest parliaments, the Alþing, founded here in 930. This is where you can admire the rift between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. This geological phenomenon is also visible in the Silfra fissure, where crystal-clear waters allow you to see the underwater environment for several dozen meters.

Then head to the capital for a panoramic tour. You will discover the charms of this compact city as you pass the intriguing Hallgrímskirkja church, the vibrant Laugavegur shopping street, and the Harpa Concert Hall, a true architectural masterpiece…

Dinner on your own ($).

You will end your day with a swim in the natural hot spring at Flúðir, known as the Secret Lagoon. Built in 1891, this pool is the oldest in Iceland. Generations of locals have bathed and relaxed here. The water is maintained at 38–40 °C at all times. Walkways built around the pool allow you to admire the geothermal activity that feeds the lagoon. Nestled in a valley in the heart of the Icelandic countryside, the Secret Lagoon is the ideal place to commune with nature while relaxing. Don’t forget your swimsuit and towel!

If weather conditions allow, your guide may accompany you around the hotel to observe the northern lights.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Suggestions:

• Your day can begin with a snow bike tour on the snow. After a safety briefing, hop on your all-terrain bike and discover the Icelandic highlands like never before! The roughly two-hour tour starts shortly before sunrise to ensure a unique experience. Along the way, you’ll explore remote spots and stop at a geothermal spring where your guide will show you how to use underground heat to cook eggs and warm your hot chocolate. Don’t forget your winter clothing. A light lunch will be served by your local guides (optional activity).

Lunch ($).

In the afternoon, you’ll have the opportunity to join an easy hike suitable for all levels in the charming little town of Hveragerði with your guide. Don’t forget your hiking boots and crampons!

Weather permitting, your guide can take you around the hotel to observe the Northern Lights.

Breakfast at the hotel.

The day begins with a visit to the Eldhestar stables followed by an equestrian show where you will discover everything there is to know about the famous Icelandic horse, including its unique gait. The equestrian activities continue with an introductory one-hour horseback ride through the Icelandic countryside.

Suggestion:

• After getting acquainted with these affectionate yet sturdy creatures, let them carry you across the moors and introduce you to their natural environment (optional).

Lunch ($).

In the afternoon, join your guide for a mountainside hike to Reykjadalur, where a hot spring river winds its way and you can bathe. A perfect way to relax after an ascent of about one hour. Don’t forget your swimsuit, towel, hiking boots and crampons!

If weather permits, your guide can accompany you around the hotel to observe the Northern Lights.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Suggestions:

• Continue your memorable discoveries with a visit to a lava cave (Leitarhraun or Arnarker, depending on the weather). After a short 15-minute hike along the steep, rocky walls of the lava fields and a safety briefing, explore the depths of the Earth’s crust like never before! You will be guided through the cave and discover what makes Iceland both intense and dramatic: sustained geological activity and immense forces. A light lunch will be served by your local guides (optional activity).

Lunch ($).

Free afternoon to soak up the Icelandic countryside at your own pace or perhaps pay another visit to the horses in the stables!

Breakfast at the hotel.

Private coach transfer to the airport. Assistance with formalities from your accompanying guide.