ITINERARY
Monday, August 4, 2008
Leave Home / Travel Day
Today is a travel day. You will want to book your airfare using Icelandair. All Icelandair flights depart this evening from five cities in the US: Boston (BOS), New York (JFK), Baltimore (BWI), Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP), and Orlando (ORL). You will need to arrange a flight from your home city this morning to arrive in one of Icelandair’s gateway cities by late afternoon.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Arrival in Reykjavik
Arrive at Keflavik International Airport early this morning. All inbound Icelandair flights from the U.S. arrive at roughly the same time, close to 6:30 am. Once all participants have gathered, we board a motorcoach for a 45-minute transfer to Reykjavik across the extensive lava fields just south of the city.
Since hotel rooms are not ready at this early hour, we take a leisurely morning sightseeing tour of the city by motorcoach, making several photo stops and visits to important sites. Old Reykjavik has narrow cobblestone streets, a Parliament building, historic churches (including the country’s largest) and a beautiful harbor. Our panoramic tour gets us oriented to the city, and also highlights the location of its gay venues.
Our touring time includes a break for lunch (on our own) in an area of the city that offers several dining options. At the conclusion of the tour we check in at our hotel and the afternoon is free for napping or personal exploration. This evening Toto Tours hosts a festive Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant. (Welcome Dinner included)
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
South Iceland
Today we begin our discovery of the scenic natural wonders for which Iceland is justly renowned. Leaving Rejkjavik, we head to the south coast of Iceland, driving past the Nesjavellir geothermal area, Lake Thingvallavatn (Iceland’s largest) and the point where North America meets Europe across the Continental Rift. We visit Seljalandsfoss waterfall before stopping for lunch. In the afternoon, we visit another magnificent waterfall, Skogarfoss, and tour the Skogar Folk Musuem with its 6,000 piece collection of native art, history, and architecture. The curator of this museum is himself a national treasure!
We continue on to Dyrholaey, a protected nature area with sheer cliffs and a natural rock arch out to sea with a large population of sea puffins. Our final stop for the day is the little village of Vik, set along a dramatic stretch of coastline, where we spend the night. Dinner is included tonight at our hotel in Vik. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Southeast Coast
After breakfast we depart for the South East Coast, stopping at the Dyrholaey Bird Cliffs to snap photos of the adorable puffins, and the Reynisfjall Cave, from where we catch a glimpse of the towering fingers of black rock jutting out of the sea. Our drive today takes us along the southeast coast through a luxuriantly green landscape dotted with tiny farms and historic settlements, among them Kirkjubaejarklastur, a green oasis in the volcanic desert of this region, where we stop for lunch (on your own).
In the afternoon, visit Skaftafell National Park, marked by three large glaciers wedged between the rugged mountains. At our next stop, we will experience what is sure to be one of the trip’s highlights—a short boat cruise on the iceberg-filled Lake Jokulsarion. A short drive further brings us to our final stop for the day, the harbor town of Hofn located on the picturesque Hornafjordur fjord. Dinner is included at our hotel. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Friday, August 8, 2008
The East Fjords
After breakfast, we depart Hofn to an area often overlooked by most tourists and organized tours. Iceland’s Route 1 takes us from Hofn along the curvy east coastline. Crossing over the Almannaskaro pass, the majestic mountains come into view as they plunge dramatically into the sea, forming the magnificent East Fjords. Our route cuts back inland over the rolling landscape to the town of Egilstaddir, situated on the northern tip of the pencil-thin Logurinn Lake. Dinner is again included at our hotel this evening. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Lake Myvatn / Akureyri
After breakfast we proceed tot he northwest through the empty vastness of the highland desert plateau, Moorudalsoaerfi, and on to beautiful Lake Myvatn. Our drive takes us within view of the powerful waterfall, Godafoss, the vast 2,000-year-old lava fields of Dimmuborgir with its towering pinnacles, arches, caves and tunnels, a geothermal area, and the forested promontory of Hofdi. We enjoy lunch together at a hotel in Myvatn.
Our day of amazing outdoor adventures concludes upon arrive at our hotel in Akureyri, located at the southern tip of the Eyjafjord. Dinner is included at the hotel. (All Meals)
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Northern Traverse / Return to Reykjavik
After breakfast, depart Akureyri for a full day of cross-country touring with plenty of stops along the way to take photos and get out to stretch our legs. We traverse the northern reaches of the country, across the Holtavorouheioi Plateau, passing Hraunfossar, a multitude of tiny cascades forming a continuous waterfall into the Hvita River. Our journey continues through the verdant green countryside past tiny hamlets, another geothermal field, plus countless streams and lakes.
Arriving back at our original hotel in Reykjavik, we enjoy a free evening for rest, relaxation and perhaps a healthy sampling of the local nightlife! (Breakfast)
Monday, August 11, 2008
Golden Circle / Langjokull
After breakfast, enjoy a full day excursion which includes the famous Golden Circle Tour and the Langjokull Glacier. We visit the 10th century open-air Viking parliament, the powerful Gullfoss (golden waterfall), which falls nearly 150 feet into the White River canyon, and Geysir Park. The Icelandic word Geysir is used internationally for “spouting hot springs,” and there is one here that is just a regular as Old Faithful in Yellowstone.
We make a stop for lunch (on your own) before arriving at Langjokull Glacier. Enjoy a trip onto the Glacier by 8-wheel glacier truck, followed by an hour of snowmobiling (2 persons per snowmobile, valid driver’s license required). Returning to Reykjavik, enjoy some free time before the group meets for our Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant. (Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Blue Lagoon / Departure
The morning is free to relax or sleep in after a night of revelry. We leave the hotel at noon and head to the amazing Blue Lagoon, to luxuriate in the volcanically-heated, mineral-rich waters. After a shower and time for a snack, we transfer to the Keflavik Airport in time to check in for our return flights to the United States. (Breakfast)
Please click on the link above to read the full details about our exciting tour extension to Greenland.
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