Iceland Northern Lights holiday
Minimum age: 8+
Description of Iceland Northern Lights holiday
Departures December to March.
Iceland is known as the ‘Land of Fire and Ice’ for good reason. Volcanoes, glaciers, geysers and hot springs practically litter the south of the island and make it one of the most spectacular places in the world to witness the wonders of Mother Nature.
Iceland also boasts an enviable location within the Aurora region and with a dedicated super jeep tour and two nights at the famed Northern Lights hotspot, Hotel Ranga, your chances of seeing the Northern Lights are very high.
Your base for the first two nights is the boutique Hotel Óðinsvé which is situated in the heart of Reykjavik. This is the ideal place from which to explore the vibrant city with galleries, cafés and shops on your doorstep and a range of additional activities which can be included (please see our ‘Personalise’ section for more information). For the final two nights, you will be at the world-famous Hotel Ranga, a lovely countryside base renowned for its incredible food, hot tubs and Aurora viewing.
The activities on this trip have been designed to highlight the natural wonders of the island. During days three and four the group will have the services of a driver-guide who will show you as many of Iceland’s natural wonders as possible. You will be able to marvel at the waterfalls of Gullfoss and Skogafoss, the erupting hot springs at Great Geysir, Thingvellir National Park, the Silfra Fissure, the infamous Eyjafjallajokull Volcano and the Myrdalsjokull Glacier to name just some of the highlights.
You will enjoy an Aurora super jeep tour from Reykjavik, which will take you far beyond the confines of the city and the sodium glare of its lights and into the darkness of the surrounding countryside. Your Aurora guide will determine your destination based on the weather and Aurora forecasts and hopefully, with the mobility of your vehicle, you’ll be able to track down a spectacular display.
We love Iceland because it is unlike any other location that we offer. We understand that seeing the Northern Lights is usually everyone's top priority, but on this trip there are so many other natural phenomena to witness, from volcanoes and glaciers to waterfalls and geysers, that you are sure to return home in awe of the sights that you have seen regardless of whether you catch a display of the Northern Lights.
Accommodation
Hotel Reykjavik Centrum - Nights: 1-2
Located in the historic part of Reykjavik, the Centrum Hotel is ideally situated to give you easy access to some independent exploration of the vibrant city.
After spending some time in Reykjavik, you can unwind in the hotel’s bar and onsite restaurant, Uppsalir, renowned for its first-class cuisine. Nearby, you will find plenty of eateries serving a range of traditional Scandivanian food and international dishes.
Hotel Ranga - Nights: 3-4
As a charming four-star hotel, Hotel Ranga is one of Iceland's most sought-after accommodation options, predominantly due to its perfect location. Located away from light pollution, the hotel has an Aurora door knocking service and has earned an enviable reputation for being a remarkable spot to witness a potential display of the Northern Lights.
Not counting its Aurora potential, the hotel is equally renowned for its wonderful food and charming hospitality. In addition to its comfortable rooms, the hotel also has a range of delightfully themed suites that are always popular with guests. The hotel has constructed a roll-off roof observatory which has room for up to 30 people and is equipped with two high-quality 11-inch computerised telescopes perfect for stargazing or Northern Lights viewing.
All of the activities and services listed below are included in the holiday price:
*Transfers: return group airport transfers
*Accommodation: 2 nights accommodation in Hotel Reykjavik Centrum and 2 nights Hotel Ranga in a standard twin/double room (upgrades available)
*Meals: 4 breakfasts, 1 dinner
*The following activities and equipment are included in the price: Northern Lights hunt, super jeep excursion to Gullfoss and Great Geysir, 'fire and ice' guided tour of the south shore (the order of activities is subject to change)
*Services of our expert local guides
*A note on flights: flights are not included in the holiday price so that the best possible fares and schedule can be found at the time of booking. There are low cost and scheduled flights operating this route and our travel experts will happily provide a quotation and arrange the flights as part of the package
Photography credits: Iceland Pro Travel & Hotel Ranga, Esther Steinarsdottir, ActiveNorthernLightsholiday
Price information
Minimum age: 8+
Check dates, prices & availability
Travel guides
Reviews
2 Reviews of Iceland Northern Lights holiday
Reviewed on 06 Mar 2017 by Stuart Arden-Rose
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Everything was really good. I can't really single anything out.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Food & drink is expensive.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Without tourism Iceland doesn't have very much, so yes it did benefit the local people.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Near to perfect. The 5 days & 4 nights is enough.
Reviewed on 27 Mar 2016 by Lorraine Wolsey
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Travelling in the completely unspoiled wilderness with a really knowledgeable guide - and good company.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Enjoy the real differences in the culture and make sure you have a warm jacket!
Don't expect the Northern Lights - they're a bonus.
If you're going to the Blue Lagoon make sure you can get at your swimming things easily. Sadly ours were in the luggage and we got there straight off the plane! A rather wasted experience for us.
Make full use of Happy Hour - drinks are expensive!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We had such friendly hotel staff in both hotels and the restaurant we went to in Selfoss was excellent. Hotel Ranga was lovely and warm (thermal heat)and clearly wanted you to appreciate its ethos - lots of young trainees working there to a very high standard.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
The four days we were there were organised very well and we saw geysirs, stunning frozen waterfalls, tectonic plate landscape, glaciers and a very good visitors centre near Eyafjallajokull explaining the eruption. Marten our guide, knew the backcountry so well we were soon off the main tourist tracks and into pristine wilderness. We'll go again.
Responsible Travel
Planet
Iceland is renowned for its incredible geology and landscapes and along with our suppliers we are working to ensure that this is preserved. Iceland has an incredible resource in the form of geothermal power. Both the hotels that we feature during this split centre holiday have water supplies heated by geothermal energy. They are well insulated against the harsh winters and have strict recycling policies.The hotel featured in Reykjavik has been built within one of the diminishing number of traditional style Icelandic buildings remaining in Reykjavik. It was built in sympathy with its surroundings at considerably higher cost than the modern structures that many other hotels favour. The hotel is also built next to a Viking archeological site which has now been exposed and preserved beneath the hotel and provides a truly historical insight into the lifestyle of Reykjavik's ancestral inhabitants. The hotel is proud of the local culture and reflects this within the décor of the hotel.
Through our activity holiday we are working in partnership with one of Iceland's most responsible suppliers who appreciate the natural resources that they have been given. They have a very strict environmental policy stating that "Nature is the adventure" and their itineraries are tailored in such a way that they do not harm or effect nature. Their four guidelines are: Take nothing but pictures. Kill nothing but time. Leave nothing but footprints. Make nothing but memories.
They also take part in the Icelandic Nature Conservation organization and through them take an active part in supervision over constructions in the highlands of Iceland. The organization is a public forum that issues statements and gives their opinion on all matters concerning construction in Icelandic nature.
As much waste as possible is recycled and religiously removed from the activity sites. At the start of every trip participants are provided with information on how best to pass through the environment without leaving their mark, so future generations can visit these special places in their natural state.
People
Our suppliers run a guide school and train their own guides in Iceland thus stemming the flow of young people to mainland Europe.This holiday is two centered and provides an economic benefit to a wide area. The second base is within a predominantly rural area and the hotel provides vital employment and income in the region which is away from the main tourist hubs and is usually only visited on day trips. The hotel takes pride in offering locally produced menus and employs predominantly local people whenever possible. The hotel pool is heated geothermally.
The use of small hotels and businesses means that the tourism income, generated by our presence stays where it should, in the local economy. We firmly believe in paying a fair price for all the services provided by our suppliers regardless of where they are in the world.
Our suppliers only use Icelandic meats and ingredients in their packed lunches and local guides who are passionate about the environment and the conservation of Iceland.
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