Northern Lights and Icelandic South Coast

Northern Lights and Icelandic South Coast Itinerary

Day 1 The Golden Circle

You’ll start early with a 08:30am pick up from your accommodation. Leaving Reykjavík, you head off to Þingvellir National Park where you will walk along the fault lines caused by the rifting of the earth’s crust. Þingvellir National Park is not only beautiful but also historically important for Iceland. The group will hear all about the major historical events and come to understand why Þingvellir is a UNESCO world heritage site. The next stop is Geysir where you will experience the enormous eruptions of boiling hot water. You will close the Golden Circle by visiting Gullfoss, the golden waterfall.

After a full day of sightseeing, you drive along the scenic South Coast to the cozy, farm stay guesthouse, where you will spend the next three nights. The guesthouse is on a sheep farm by the majestic Mýrdalsjökull glacier with a great view of the nearby Eyjafjallajökull glacier.

If conditions allow, you’ll head out in the evening to hunt down the extraordinary northern lights.
Overnight Location: Farmhouse near Mýrdalsjökull Glacier
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Lunch, dinner

Day 2 The Adventure Ground

This will be an active day at the foot of Mýrdalsjökull glacier. In the morningyou will go on an ATV adventure tour that takes you over the black sands of Sólheimasandur down to an iconic black sand beach where the group will be able to drive along the shoreline. On your way back over the sands, you will visit the famous Sólheimajökull DC-3 plane wreck and finally drive across a river to get to a beautiful mountain ravine.

In the afternoon you’ll have time for a hike on one of the panoramic hiking trails in the area. In the evening you’ll head back to the farm where we get the chance to visit the sheepfold and help out with feeding the animals.

After dinner you’ll head outside, trying to get a glimpse of the northern lights.
Overnight Location: Farmhouse near Mýrdalsjökull Glacier
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3 The Glacier Lagoon

On your third day you head further east, crossing the vast open black sand plains of the south-east with Vatnajökull glacier, Europe's largest ice cap, visible in the distance. On your way east, the group will stop to admire the impressive Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, 100 meter (330 ft) deep and 2 kilometre (1.3 mi) long.

Heading further east, you will get to the unique Glacier Lagoon (Jökulsárlón) with huge icebergs floating among the sunbathing seals. A short walk from the lagoon is the Diamond Beach, so called because of the countless icebergs, stranded on their way to the sea.
Overnight Location: Farmhouse near Mýrdalsjökull Glacier
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4 Glacier Walk, Black Beaches and Waterfalls

You’ll start your last day with a Glacier Walk on Sólheimajökull glacier. Equipped with crampons and ice axes, your guide will lead you through the glacial landscape with deep crevasses, water cauldrons and other frozen wonders of the glacier. If you are lucky, you may even find an ice cave to explore.

On your way back to Reykjavík, you will take out time and enjoy the picturesque landscape of the South Coast, stopping by the black sand beach of Reynisfjara and the beautiful Skógafoss waterfall.

The tour will end in Reykjavík in the late afternoon.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, lunch