Northern Lights Winter Iceland Adventure
Overview
See the Northern Lights in Iceland while embarking on incredible multisport adventures on our Women Only, Small Group Tour in Iceland. The cold winter days won’t keep us indoors! Instead, you’ll go to the world of Fire and Ice to venture out on experiences unique to Iceland’s cold winter temperatures.
Four of your nights will be spent in remote guest houses away from big city lights to increase your chances of catching the dancing green beams. Every night your eyes will be cast to the skies to spot Aurora Borealis.
We’ll make the most of every ounce of daylight. You’ll wander inside an enchanting ice cave with it’s vibrant blue hues. You’ll strap on crampons and grab an ice axe to traverse a glacier and ice climb. You’ll search for seals as you kayak along the sea coast. You’ll soak in a hot springs wearing your favorite beanie at the end of a 45 minute winter hike. You’ll tour the famous sites of the Golden Circle. You’ll re-energize in the soothing waters of the Blue Lagoon. You’ll see the iconic sights of Iceland’s south coast including icy waterfalls, black sand beaches, mountains, and glaciers!
Adventure Highlights
- Chase the Northern Lights in Iceland while staying in remote accommodations.
- Explore an enchanting glacial Ice Cave that can only be accessed during the cold winter months.
- Walk and Ice Climb on Sólheimajökull Glacier with all technical gear provided.
- Hike 45 minutes into the wintery wilderness to relax in a natural hot spring.
- Kayak along the scenic coast of Stokkseyri searching for seals.
- Soak in the geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon and soften your skin with a silica face mask.
- Tour the three destinations that comprise the famous Golden Circle – Þingvellir National Park, Geysir, and Gullfoss.
- Enjoy the iconic sights of Iceland’s southern coast including Skógarfoss Waterfall, Dyrhólaey, Glacier Lagoon, and Seljalandsfoss with private transportation.
- Embark on your adventure with an encouraging and supportive group of Bad Ass women! – Private Explorer Chick, small group, women only tour.
- 2 nights Reykjavik Guesthouse (Shared – 2 per Room) – Basic lodging centrally located and within walking distance to pubs, shops, and sites.
- 4 nights Guest House accommodations (2 nights in Selfoss, 2 nights in the Southeast) – Shared – 2 per room. No frills, standard rooms – not hotel rooms. Free Wifi.
- Ice Cave tour with all technical equipment required
- Kayaking tour including water proof gear
- Standard Entrance to Blue Lagoon
- All technical glacier walking and ice climbing equipment including ice axe, crampons, harness, helmet belay devices, and carabiners
- All entrance and parking fees to sites
- Meals as outlined in itinerary
- Local English speaking guide(s) throughout the full itinerary
- Private Explorer Chick land-transportation throughout itinerary including departure airport transfer only.
- A commemorative Explorer Chick shirt
- One experienced Explorer Chick Leader ensuring your trip is seamless and unforgettable!
- Small Group experience! Your Explorer Chick Adventure is exclusive and limited to 10 women
*We require a minimum of 5 Explorer Chicks for this trip. Please confirm this trip is guaranteed before booking your airfare.
*Packages do NOT include your airfare, arrival airport transportation, alcoholic beverages, travel insurance, Explorer Chick Leader Tips, meals exclusive of itinerary, or costs for additional activities.
*A passport that is valid for at least 6 months past your arrival date is required.
Day 1 – Arrivals to Reykjavik, Iceland
Velkominn Explorer Chicks to Iceland! You’ll be greeted by your Explorer Chick Leader upon arrival to our hotel. Your day is free to enjoy Reykjavik on your own. We will officially kick off your Northern Lights Adventure with a Welcome Dinner at 7pm. Plan to arrive to Iceland before 6pm.
Accommodation: Reykjavik Guesthouse (Shared – 2 per Room)
Meals: Welcome Dinner
Day 2 – Exploring the Golden Circle
You’ll start your morning with a relaxing breakfast before we begin our road trip to the Golden Circle. The Golden Circle is comprised of three of Iceland’s most popular destinations. First is Þingvellir National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage site is steeped in geology and history. You’ll walk through the rift where Europe and North America are tearing away from one another. You’ll learn the importance of this site as the world’s first democratic parliament.
The next stop is Geysir, the original spouter that gave the name to all other geysers. Eruptions from the Great Geysir are rare, but the neighboring Storkkur is very dependable spouting every 5-10 minutes! Our final stop to complete the Golden Circle is Gullfoss, the Golden Waterfall. The illusion that the falls vanish into the Earth add to its wonder and beauty. From there it is on to the town of Selfoss, where we will spend the next two nights.
Accommodation: Selfoss Guest House (Shared – 2 per Room)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3– Coastal Kayaking and Hot Springs
Today is all about water! Yes, in the winter! We’ll start our day with a kayaking trip along the scenic shores of Stokkseyri. You’ll be outfitted in water proof gear to explore the shores and hopefully spot a seal. Our next adventure will be to a natural hot spring. A 45 minute winter hike will bring us to the Reykjadalur valley where you’ll enjoy a soak in the geothermal waters. Need to adjust the temperature? Just move up or down stream! We’ll spend one more night in our guest lodge in Selfoss.
Accommodation: Selfoss Guest House (Shared – 2 per Room)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4– Glacier Walking and Ice Climbing
You’ll start your morning with a relaxing breakfast before we begin our road trip along the south coast of Iceland. Our first stop is the short hike up to Skógarfoss waterfall. Standing roughly 200 feet high and over 80 feet wide, it is one of Iceland’s largest waterfalls. The “Forest Fall” produces enough spray that on sunny days, single and double rainbows are visible and vibrant!
Afterwards we’ll strap on crampons, harnesses, helmets, and grab ice axes to venture out onto Sólheimajökull Glacier. You’ll explore the majestic landscapes of the glacier, including water cauldrons, ridges, and deep crevasses. We’ll find a suitable location to rig up gear for a short introduction to ice climbing.
Our final destination for the evening is a small family run guest house in the south east, located perfectly in the middle of nowhere for Northern Lights hunting. On the way, we’ll make a quick stop to walk the black sand beach of Reynisfjara.
Accommodation: Southeast Guest House (Shared – 2 per Room)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 5– Glacier Lagoon and Exploring an Ice Cave
Your morning will be spent sight seeing with the highlight being Jökulsárlón, better known as Glacier Lagoon. The lagoon hosts brilliant blue icebergs that float for up to 5 years in the waters that reach a depths over 800 feet. During our hike, you’ll want to keep an eye out for seals swimming between the icebergs!
Afterwards, we’ll jump into a 4×4 and drive to an ice cave. Iceland’s ice caves form under the ice caps as the summer rivers shrink to creeks or disappear all together. The cold winter months stabilize the caves enough for safe travel. Each year new caves are formed, so no two caves are ever the same. Inside, you’ll enjoy the striking blue hues of the ice.
We’ll spend one more evening at our remote guest house enjoying the dark skies.
Accommodation: Southeast Guest House (Shared – 2 per Room)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 6– Stunning Views from Dyrhólaey and Seljalandsfoss
Today we make our way back to Reykjavik, but not without enjoying the scenery along the way. The first stop is Dyrhólaey – the “hill island with a door hole.” The views from the plateau are incredible with a glacier to the north, black lava columns to the east, and black sand beaches to the south. You’ll feel the force of the Atlantic when we walk down to the black sand beach. Afterwards, we’ll stop to admire the 197 foot Seljalandsfoss waterfall. If conditions are favorable, you’ll be able to walk behind the falls. On our arrival back to Reykjavik, we’ll check into our hotel and then reconvene for a final celebration dinner.
Accommodation: Reykjavik Guesthouse (Shared – 2 per Room)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Farewell Dinner
Day 7 – Relaxing at Blue Lagoon and Farewell Iceland
No trip to Iceland is complete without a trip the famous Blue Lagoon. You’ll spend a couple of hours marinading in the soothing geothermal waters of the spa. The warm temperatures ranging from 98-102°F will be the perfect ending to your winter adventure in Iceland. You’ll have full access to the spa’s saunas, steam rooms, locker rooms, and showers. You’ll be able to securely store your luggage and shower before our departure. We’ll then have one group transfer to the airport after saying our “Good Byes.”
Meals: Breakfast
*Explorer Chick reserves the option to modify trip itineraries at the discretion of your tour director as necessary due to weather, conditions, illness, injury, group dynamics, or other unforeseen incidents.
We require a minimum of 5 Explorer Chicks for this trip. Please confirm your trip is guaranteed before booking your airfare.
Your trip begins and ends in Reykjavík, Iceland.
Arrival: Plan to arrive on Day 1 in Reykjavík, Iceland prior to 6pm. (KEF)
Departure: Plan to depart Reykjavík, Iceland after 1pm on Day 7. (KEF)
Your arrival airport transfer in Reykjavík is NOT included with your package. There are several options for booking your transportation including public shuttle services.
You will receive a travel guide attached to your booking confirmation with all the information you’ll need to prepare for your epic trip!
Your Northern Lights Winter Iceland Adventure is geared toward viewing the Northern Lights, seeing the south coasts best landmarks, and enjoying the best of what Icelandic winter’s have to offer. Although we rate this trip as easy to moderate, you will still spend quite a bit of time on your feet – including in crampons! We highly recommend training prior to your trip in all conditions to arrive with a base level of fitness. Train how you play!
All Explorer Chicks will be required to sign an Acknowledgement of Physical Demands as part of their waiver upon booking.
To protect your travel investment and your hide, we highly recommend purchasing travel insurance. World Nomads is our trusted travel insurance provider. Receive an no-hassle, online quote in less than 2 minutes.
Trip Price:
From $4,299
Save $300 with Early Bird Pricing!
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Non-Refundable Deposit: $500 due at booking to secure your spot
