Self Drive Holidays
Welcome to Iceland! Upon landing at Keflavík International Airport, please make your own way to the Capital, Reykjavík. Shared or private transfers can be arranged ( not included, book in advance). Should you arrive earlier in the day, you might consider adding an optional day tour (not included). One of the most favoured activities after a long flight is to visit one of the wonderful neighbourhood geothermal pools for a truly relaxing soak. It is also rather nice to stroll through the charming Old Town, perhaps pop into one of the Museums or simply unwind in a cosy café. Dinner tonight is at your leisure. Reykjavík offers a multitude of fantastic restaurants, making dinner a wonderful way to get properly acquainted with Iceland's vibrant Capital. Please Note: Hotel check-in is usually available from 14:00pm. Early check-in isn’t guaranteed, however, most hotels will be more than happy to store your luggage if you arrive before then.
After breakfast, meet your guide in the hotel lobby to depart for your exciting Eclipse adventure! Today's destination will be the world famous Golden Circle. This trio of breathtaking natural wonders are an ideal introduction to Iceland's fascinating geology and history. Drive through scenic countryside on the way to the Geysir geothermal area. This is the home of the great Geysir sprouting hot spring, the one who was the inspiration for the English word 'Geyser'. Geysir is not so active these days but its cousin Strokkur shoots up a beautiful plume of steam and hot water about every 10 minutes. Do take some time to stroll on the path that brings you around the area's erupting hot springs and surreal bubbling mud pools. Near Geysir is the dramatic two tiered Gullfoss Waterfall, the 'Golden Falls'. Some Icelanders believe Gullfoss is the country's most beautiful waterfall. You can enjoy spectacular views of Gullfoss from different angles on a series of footpaths. We also recommend a stop at the monument to Sigríður Tómasdóttir, the courageous woman whose activism helped establish Gullfoss as a protected national wonder in the early 20th Century. The final 'segment' of the Golden Circle is Þingvellir National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) where the world's oldest Parliament met for centuries on the shores of Iceland's largest lake. This place makes us Icelanders enormously proud of our heritage. Þingvellir is also where the European and North American tectonic plates diverge. You can clearly see the dividing line and you might even have a rare chance to walk between two continents! The road now leads to the charming Borgarfjörður region in West Iceland. This evening, join us for an engaging eclipse seminar in Borgarnes Town. Our hand picked team of speakers will share their insightful knowledge about the upcoming eclipse. You will learn about Iceland's geology and what happens in the skies above the Land of Fire and Ice. You will also learn what to expect during the Eclipse. Enjoy a pre-dinner drink and a delicious dinner with your group before you head to your hotel for the night. Dinner and overnight stay in the Borgarfjörður area. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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Today’s the big day! Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. The Eclipse is scheduled for the late afternoon in Iceland's far West. This will be the first total Solar Eclipse in Iceland since 1954 and with any luck you will be part of this incredible experience! Before heading to the viewing point, your tour group will explore the amazing variety of natural landscapes in the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and its National Park. Known as 'Iceland in a Nutshell', Snæfellsnes features all the different types of landscapes seen around Iceland. These include the distinctively photogenic Kirkjufell Mountain, the magnificent Basalt Formations near Arnarstapi Village, and the uniquely pebbled seascape of Djúpalónssandur Beach. The crown jewel is Snæfellsjökull glacier itself, which covers a dormant Volcano. There are legends that a benevolent spirit lives on Snæfellsjökull and watches over the area. There is certainly a mystical atmosphere about Snæfellsnes, one which the approaching Eclipse will only enhance. During the day, savour a Snæfellsnes style lunch at a cosy village restaurant. As late afternoon approaches, your group will prepare for the Eclipse. Your guides will locate the best viewing spot based on the weather and visibility conditions at the time. The Eclipse is expected to begin forming around 16:45pm. The sky will dim and time will seem to stop as the Moon's umbral shadow falls across Western Iceland. As the Moon crosses between Earth and the Sun, it will block all direct sunlight, turning bright daylight into dark twilight. If conditions are ideal, you will see the glowing corona of the Sun and the beautiful 'diamond ring' that forms around its edge. This total Eclipse will last about 2 minutes but the entire formation process takes about 2 hours. After an unforgettable day, your group will return to your hotel for the evening. Dinner and overnight stay in the Borgarfjörður area. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the hotel. Today, we drive along the South Shore, an area of Iceland that is home to both Volcanoes and Glaciers. This is also some of Iceland’s best farmland and you will pass by charming farmhouses, often with multicoloured herds of Horses grazing in the fields. If the skies are clear, you might see the area's two most famous volcanoes in the distance: beautiful Mount Hekla (last eruption 2000) and glacier capped Eyjafjallajökull (last eruption 2010). You might also catch a glimpse of the Volcanic Westman Islands Archipelago far out at sea. We will stop at the spectacular waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Each waterfall is unique and makes a perfect subject for a photo! Seljalandsfoss offers the rare chance to take a trail that leads behind the waterfall itself. Skógafoss waterfall is said to hide buried treasure, it also makes a great backdrop for a selfie. Head onwards to visit Reynisfjara Beach. Take a walk on the black sand, admiring the extraordinary rock formations and the thundering waves of the Atlantic Ocean. You will then drive to Hveragerði, a pretty town that sits right on a hot spring area. Dinner and overnight stay in the Hveragerði area. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Breakfast at the hotel. We will start by visiting the Village of Hveragerði, which is one of the few sites in the world located directly in the middle of a geothermal area. Hveragerði is often called 'The Flower Village' because of its geothermal greenhouses. Next, you will turn onto a southern coastal road and follow alongside the shoreline with its breathtaking sea views. The road takes you through the surreal landscapes of the Reykjanes Peninsula where you can enjoy a delightful dip in the famous Blue Lagoon, a unique wonder of nature with pleasantly warm, mineral rich water in the middle of the black lava field. Return to Reykjavík where your guide bids you a fond farewell at the hotel. The rest of the afternoon and evening is open for you to enjoy your own activities. Dinner is on your own tonight. Please Note: The Blue Lagoon visit depends on local conditions in the area. If it’s closed, a wonderful alternative will be arranged for you. Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast at your hotel transfer to the airport on your own for your onward journey. Meals: Breakfast
Tour Prices are per person twin share in Australian Dollars. Conditions apply and group tours are subject to change and availability. Prices are subject to currency fluctuations. (ic)
