CHASE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

The lights blaze in the silent sky, moving in great swaying bands of colour like a living organism. On some nights they resemble the swirl of a nascent rose that has begun to open, sometimes  a great river, and sometimes great lines descending to earth like the landing lights of a UFO. Few places showcase the magnitude of Mother Nature's forces at work quite like Iceland. Earth, fire, wind and water clash and vie for supremacy before your eyes. The result is a raw and untamed landscape of otherworldly beauty. 

A dramatic fissure in the Earth's surface runs through Thingvellir National Park. Spouting geysers, waterfalls and rift valleys are a visual reminder of the tectonic plates slowing drifting apart beneath your feet. Why not embark on a caving adventure through a vast lava tube? The vivid colours and unexplainable formations of this subterranean cave are striking.  Race ATVs along the black-sand beaches of the southern shores. As you gather speed the salty sea-spray and Atlantic winds will blast renewed vitality into your soul. Or feel an icy rush as you snowmobile across glaciers and pristine snow. Vantage points along the way afford jaw-dropping views – from the mighty volcanic ash mountain of Ingólfsfjall, to the coastal archipelago of the Westman Islands. 

 It's not just the under-road heating system that gives Reykjavik a warm glow. Icelanders are peaceful and hospitable with an endearing love of myths, magic and elves. Colourful rooftops and character-filled streets contain an edgy array of off-the-wall architecture, innovative art, lively music and a vibrant nightlife.  Capitalise on the healing powers of the mineral-rich geothermal waters of the Blue lagoon or the lesser-known Fontana Geothermal Baths. Soaking in the hot springs under the starry sky, you can't help but succumb to unadulterated relaxation.  

 One of the best Iceland vacations: Your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby around noon and take you to explore the city. Enjoy an evening in Reykjavik – there are endless good restaurants all within walking distance of the hotel. Tonight you will have the option to have a luxury aurora safari tour if the visibility is good. Iceland is one of the world’s most accessible spots for viewing the Northern lights, the best season to see them in Iceland is from mid-September to mid-April. The Northern lights are a result of electrically charged particles from the sun colliding with gaseous particles in the Earth’s atmosphere, causing displays of bright, colourful dancing lights. They are visible in the magnetic polar regions of the northern and southern hemispheres. 

The next day  meet your guide for a day exploring the Lava Falls - ‘Hraunfossar’ (Lava Falls) are a beautiful and unusual natural phenomena. Clear, cold springs of subterranean water seep through the lava and run as tiny waterfalls and rapids into the Hvita River and have  the opportunity to walk into the glacier 'Langjökull’ with a guide and discover the glacier from the inside. The Long Glacier (1355m) is the second largest in Iceland. It has an area of about 950 km2 and most of it rises between 1200 and 1300 m above sea level. It rests on a hyaloclastite mountain.

Visit the incredible  lava tunnel where you explore the unique world underneath the ground and take a  trip through Raufarhólshellir  a unique opportunity to get a close look of the impressive forces of nature that emerge from the centre of the earth. A footbridge has been built and impressive lighting in this part of the tunnel highlights the changing colours and the powerful seismic activity that formed the tunnel.

The Golden Circle is the name given to a 190 mile (300 kilometre) circular route which encompasses many of Iceland’s most famous landmarks. Stop to see the Geysir, a geothermal area where Strokkur “the butter churn” erupts about every 4-8 minutes and visit Gullfoss waterfall, an iconic waterfall in Iceland offering a spectacular view of the forces and beauty of untouched nature. Located in South Iceland on the Hvítá river which is fed by Iceland's second biggest glacier, Langjökull. The water plummets down 32 metres in two stages into a rugged canyon which walls reach up to 70 meters in height. On a sunny day a shimmering rainbow can be seen over the falls

Throughout your trip we will be monitoring the aurora activity. With the ability to forecast the behaviour of the Northern Lights up to an hour in advance, we can make sure that you don’t miss an opportunity to see this magical phenomena. If you wish, an astronomer can join you for some added insights. Enjoy one of the best trips to Iceland !