South Coast and Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik

Description

This tour combines the dramatic and contrasting sights of the south coast with a chance to see the northern lights. Prepare to see glaciers, volcanoes, black sand beaches, tiny fishing villages and more!

Highlights:

• Northern lights

• South coast trip

• Audio guide (offered in 10 languages)

  
  

Our day begins early, heading out from Reykjavik. Pick up is included in your price so you will be fetched from either your accommodation or one of the many pick up points around the city. Just let us know where to get you.

We will start by traveling along the southern coast of Iceland  in which you will have a chance to see locations such as the Sólheimajökull glacier, the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, The village of Vik and the Skógafoss & Seljalandsfoss waterfalls. Following on from that we will hunt for a spot to try and get a good view of the elusive northern lights. Along the whole way you will be accompanied by a knowledgeable guide who will have plenty of wisdom to share. You will also have the ability to plug into our GPS activated audio guide that can give you even more information.

When we reach our destinations you will have plenty of time to take some photographs and walk around. When we reach the spot for the northern lights just let your guide know if you need help setting up your camera and we also have a tripod that can be borrowed.

Sólheimajökull

This is the glacial tongue then extends south from the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. The spectacular surroundings are marked by rugged rock formations shaped by the glacier

Reynisfjara

These are the black sand beaches that everyone comes to Iceland wants to see. It is widely regarded as the most impressive black-sand beach in Iceland and also features mighty basalt columns.

Vik

This is a beautiful little fishing village, with only 300 inhabitants. it’s a  small community but there are plenty of places for you to refuel. You can even pick up some handmade gifts.

Skógafoss

Skógafoss is a mighty, 65m tall waterfall along the southern coast. The view from the top is almost legendary for the amazing contrast in landscapes it offers you.

Seljalandsfoss

Seljalandsfoss is the second waterfall visited as we travel back to the city and this one holds a special surprise, a pathway that leads behind the waterfall offering a very special view.

Northern Lights

The natural phenomenon that is also known as the aurora or the aurora borealis. These fascinating streaks of colour that stretch across the night sky are formed by interactions between charged solar particles and the magnetic layer around the planet.

Pick-up can take up to 30 minutes. Please be ready at your pick up point with your voucher, either in digital or printed form.

Dress appropriately for the weather baring in mind that you will be out late at night so the temperatures can drop quite low. Further into winter you should also expect the possibility of snow or Ice so it’s important to wear sturdy shoes.

You will be traveling in a bus that holds up to 40 people, the bus is very spacious and comfortable however. There are no toilet facilities on the bus but you should expect frequent stops for anyone who requires such facilities.

This tour is 13 hours long including travel time and the time you spend on location.

The ability for us to run this trip depends on weather conditions on the night.

Itinerary

• Starting off in Reykjavik from our Reykjavik terminal at Skógarhlíð 10 we will depart for Hvolsvöllur, a 1.5hr. ride. This will be a 15 minute pit stop to grab light refreshments and use the facilities.
• The first site along the tour is then Solheimajökull Glacier, a humbling glacial tongue extending from the Myrdalsjökull glacier.
• The next stop is Reynisfjara, the famous black sand beach with towering basalt columns, a basalt cave, and jagged lava pillars resembling petrified trolls.
• The lunch break with be at the small town of Vik, a cozy town with a typical Icelandic church overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
• Skógafoss waterfall will be the next stop after lunch with a stairway leading up to a views of glaciers, black sand beaches, and epic mountains.
• The final stop will be Seljalandsfoss waterfall with a walkway leading behind the waterfall. From here, the journey back to reykjavik will be about 1.5hrs.
• Later in the evening, we will head out back out in search of the northern lights. Starting off in Reykjavik from our Reykjavik terminal at Skógarhlíð 10 we will head outside the city to get as far from light pollution as possible. The weather forecast plays a big influence on choosing the location, but we always try to get to the best possible sight with the best chances to view northern lights. The location can be anywhere from 30- 60 minutes from Reykjavik
• Once at the location we will stay for approximately 1.5- 2 hours hunting the northern lights before returning back to Reykjavik. Depending on the forecast multiple locations may be chosen for searching for aurora.
• The tour lasts around 3 hours, so we will return to Reykjavik around 2.5 hours after starting the tour.
• This tour is 11 hours long including travel time and the time you spend at each location plus the time for the northern lights in the evening (3- 4 hours). You spend at least 45 minutes at the major stops giving you plenty of time to enjoy the nature and to take some photos. The Northern Lights portion of the tour is about 3- 4 hours.
• Total distance covered: 390 km or 242 mi plus the distance covered during the northern lights hunt.