Your base for the adventure is Laugarvatn Hostel, nestled in the small lakeside town of Laugarvatn and perfectly located as a launchpad for the Golden Circle big hitters: Thingvellir, Gullfoss, and Geysir. You'll be staying in twin rooms unless you add-on a private room upgrade, or you may also request a double room. There is a living room, bar area and high-speed internet for whenever you need to rest your neck from watching the northern lights outside.

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Laugarvatn Hostel

The last night of your trip will be in Reykjavik at Hotel Leifur Eiríksson, an authentic heritage building set right in the center of Reykjavík. The hotel is on Skólavörðustígur; one of the most sought-after streets in the city and dotted with various galleries and shops. Across the street from the hotel is the iconic church and Reykjavík's most famous landmark, Hallgrímskirkja. Breakfast is included here on your final day of the trip.

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Reykjavik

Your base for the adventure is Laugarvatn Hostel, nestled in the small lakeside town of Laugarvatn and perfectly located as a launchpad for the Golden Circle big hitters: Thingvellir, Gullfoss, and Geysir. You'll be staying in twin rooms unless you add-on a private room upgrade, or you may also request a double room. There is a living room, bar area and high-speed internet for whenever you need to rest your neck from watching the northern lights outside.  


The last night of your trip will be in Reykjavik at Hotel Leifur Eiríksson, an authentic heritage building set right in the center of Reykjavík. The hotel is on Skólavörðustígur; one of the most sought-after streets in the city and dotted with various galleries and shops. Across the street from the hotel is the iconic church and Reykjavík's most famous landmark, Hallgrímskirkja.  Breakfast is included here on your final day of the trip. 

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This trip is open to anyone with basic fitness levels, no previous hiking experience necessary 

All meals are included in the trip price, except dinner in Reykjavik on the last day where you'll have the chance to explore the excellent choice of restaurants in the city. Breakfasts will consist of porridge, muesli, bread, jam, cheese, ham, tea and coffee. There'll be a range of snacks and sandwich items for you to make a packed lunch on days 2 and 4. This will include various breads with a lot of the usual suspects for fillings: ham, salami, cheese, pâté, peanut butter, Nutella, tomatoes, cucumbers, smoked salmon, hummus and more. We recommend you bring along a lunchbox, to avoid your sandwiches getting squashed on the hikes and to cut down on plastic and foil use. Evening meals are prepared by the guide with a little help from the group, chopping vegetables and doing the dishes. The lunch on day 3 will be at a local country restaurant with options including Atlantic Wolfish in a creamy sauce with rice and vegetables, lasagna, or roast lamb.
Vegans, vegetarians and most food allergies can be catered for. Please let your host know of any dietary requirements in advance.

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Your host will meet you at Keflavik Airport on arrival on Day 1 and transfer you over to your base for the trip at Laugarvatn. On day 5 your host will pick you up from your Reykjavik accommodation and transfer you back to Keflavik Airport in time for your onward flight

Guides

3 nights in a hostel in Laugarvatn and 1 night in a cosy Reykjavik guesthouse

Accommodation

4 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 4 dinners

Meals

Airport transfers from Keflavik Airport to Laugarvatn and from Reykjavik to Keflavik Airport

Transfers

Permits

3 nights in a hostel in Laugarvatn and 1 night in a cosy Reykjavik guesthouse

Airport transfers from Keflavik Airport to Laugarvatn and from Reykjavik to Keflavik Airport

Your host will meet you at the airport, pop you in the van and drive for 90 minutes, through volcanic landscapes and snowcapped peaks, to your accommodation at Laugarvatn - your base for the next 3 nights. Meet up with the rest of your group for a welcome dinner, where your guide will run you through the plan for the next few days. Waste no time later this evening, taking a short hike away from the hostel for your first bout of northern lights hunting.

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Welcome to Iceland

Day 1

After breakfast, take a short drive to the Thingvellir National Park. You're in for a treat: it's home to some of Iceland's best scenery and most famous geological wonders. Your first hike will take you between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates: literally hiking between two continents! Soak up the beautiful views and learn exactly why Thingvellir is a UNESCO world heritage site. After the hike, you'll set off to explore the other two sites which make up Iceland's famous 'Golden Circle'. First up, the spouting springs of Geysir and later the majestic Gullfoss waterfall. Experience some of Iceland's premier tourist attractions, in the relative emptiness of winter, ideal for snatching clear glimpses and great photos of these awesome sights. Head back to the hostel for dinner and spend another evening looking out for the northern lights. You can also visit the geothermal baths of Fontana spa a few minute's walk from your base which can be an amazing place to see the northern lights if they turn up while you are relaxing in the thermal pools.

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Hit the Golden Circle

Day 2

Today's adventures are packed full of glaciers, waterfalls and volcanic sand beaches on Iceland's beautiful southern coastline. First up is Sólheimajökull Glacier, where your guide will lead you out on to the glacier itself, hiking with crampons through a frozen wonderland of white, blue and crystal clear ice. You'll get up close and personal with deep crevasses and water cauldrons as you make your way across the glacier. Later on you'll drive a little to the east to visit Reynisfjara, a wild stretch of coastline with volcanic sand beaches and spectacular basalt sea stacks. You'll hike along Black Beach (yes, the sand is black!) to see the spooky plane wreck there. On the way back to Laugarvatn, there are yet more feasts for the eyes as you stop to admire the waterfalls of Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, completing your waterfall trilogy for this part of Iceland.

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Chase waterfalls and glaciers in the south of Iceland

Day 3

Don't forget to pack your swimmers today! Starting at a village called Hveragerði, you'll hike up the Reykjadalur valley, climbing into the hills and arriving at a magical valley of hot springs, mud pools - and even a warm river to bathe in. Spend some time here picking your favourite spot for a dip and maybe brave a plunge in one of the cold natural pools. Later you'll drive back to Reykjavík to shower away the mud, before heading into town to enjoy a few well-earned drinks and meal in one of the numerous restaurants.

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Hike to a magical hot spring valley

Day 4

Check out of the guesthouse and head back to the airport in time for your flight home. Or use your spare time to explore some more of the land of ice and fire.

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Time to head home

Day 5

Your host will meet you at the airport, pop you in the van and drive for 90 minutes, through volcanic landscapes and snowcapped peaks, to your accommodation at Laugarvatn - your base for the next 3 nights.  Meet up with the rest of your group for a welcome dinner, where your guide will run you through the plan for the next few days. Waste no time later this evening, taking a short hike away from the hostel for your first bout of northern lights hunting.  


After breakfast, take a short drive to the Thingvellir National Park. You're in for a treat: it's home to some of Iceland's best scenery and most famous geological wonders. Your first hike will take you between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates: literally hiking between two continents! Soak up the beautiful views and learn exactly why Thingvellir is a UNESCO world heritage site.  After the hike, you'll set off to explore the other two sites which make up Iceland's famous 'Golden Circle'.  First up, the spouting springs of Geysir and later the majestic Gullfoss waterfall. Experience some of Iceland's premier tourist attractions, in the relative emptiness of winter, ideal for snatching clear glimpses and great photos of these awesome sights. Head back to the hostel for dinner and spend another evening looking out for the northern lights. You can also visit the geothermal baths of Fontana spa a few minute's walk from your base which can be an amazing place to see the northern lights if they turn up while you are relaxing in the thermal pools. 


Today's adventures are packed full of glaciers, waterfalls and volcanic sand beaches on Iceland's beautiful southern coastline. First up is Sólheimajökull Glacier, where your guide will lead you out on to the glacier itself, hiking with crampons through a frozen wonderland of white, blue and crystal clear ice. You'll get up close and personal with deep crevasses and water cauldrons as you make your way across the glacier. Later on you'll drive a little to the east to visit Reynisfjara, a wild stretch of coastline with volcanic sand beaches and spectacular basalt sea stacks. You'll hike along Black Beach (yes, the sand is black!) to see the spooky plane wreck there.  On the way back to Laugarvatn, there are yet more feasts for the eyes as you stop to admire the waterfalls of Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, completing your waterfall trilogy for this part of Iceland. 

Don't forget to pack your swimmers today! Starting at a village called Hveragerði, you'll hike up the Reykjadalur valley, climbing into the hills and arriving at a magical valley of hot springs, mud pools - and even a warm river to bathe in. Spend some time here picking your favourite spot for a dip and maybe brave a plunge in one of the cold natural pools. Later you'll drive back to Reykjavík to shower away the mud, before heading into town to enjoy a few well-earned drinks and meal in one of the numerous restaurants.


Check out of the guesthouse and head back to the airport in time for your flight home. Or use your spare time to explore some more of the land of ice and fire.


Icelandic Króna

Double room in Reykjavik

Single room in Reykjavik

Optional Private Room Upgrade

Private Transfer Keflavik Airport - Reykjavik accommodation (up to 4 people) 

Wrap up warm for a series of spectacular winter hikes, interspersed with hot spring baths, thunderous waterfalls and northern lights gazing

Winter Hiking and Northern Lights Chasing in Iceland

Trailblazer Price - 3 spots left at 5% off

Trailblazer Price - 4 spots left at 5% off

Hike between tectonic plates, across glaciers, along black sand beaches and through valleys scattered with hot springs

Spend evenings gazing at the northern lights and star-filled skies from your base beside a geothermal lake

Bathe in a multitude of natural hot springs, mud pools, thermal spas and even a hot river!

Hike between tectonic plates, across glaciers, along black sand beaches and through valleys scattered with hot springs

Spend evenings gazing at the northern lights and star-filled skies from your base beside a geothermal lake

Bathe in a multitude of natural hot springs, mud pools, thermal spas and even a hot river!

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Winter Hiking and Northern Lights Chasing in Iceland

Winter Hiking and Northern Lights Chasing in Iceland

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Winter Hiking and Northern Lights Chasing in Iceland

Winter Hiking and Northern Lights Chasing in Iceland

DURATION

LOCATION

ANNUAL LEAVE

SEASON

GROUP SIZE

MEETING POINT

ACCOMMODATION

DIFFICULTY

Similar Trips

EXPERT LOCALGUIDES

YOUR MONEYIS SAFE

TOTALFLEXIBILITY

A COMPANY YOU CANACTUALLY TRUST

EXPERT LOCAL
GUIDES

YOUR MONEY
IS SAFE

TOTAL
FLEXIBILITY

A COMPANY YOU CAN
ACTUALLY TRUST