ICELAND
ROADTRIP-
NORTHERN LIGHTS EDITION
QUICK OVERVIEW
Date
Sep 21-30 ( 1F Slot left )
Oct 1-10 ( Full, WL 2 )
Octย 21 - 30 (1M Slot left)
Nov 1 - 10 ( Filling fast )
Arrival Airport
Keflavik ( KEF )
Accommodation
Homestay/Hostel
Duration
9 nights
Meals
9 breakfasts
Group size
8-10
SHORT ITINERARY :
DAY 01 : PICK UP FROM KEFLAVIK AIRPORT
So you have seen a lot of pics about Iceland, but let me tell you that no level HD wallpaper or high quality videos of Iceland can do Justice to what this wonderland actually is. We repeat nothing can come close to what it actually is in front of your eyes.
You will have a pickup at the airport around afternoon 3-4pm. We have linked the preferred flights to book below. At the airport exit buy a sim card(lebara, nova), alcohol if required. We will be traveling around Reykjanes peninsula, exploring local food, lava fields etc. Night we go out to shoot depending on the aurora ( Norther lights ) activity.
Accommodation at Keflavik.
Drive ~100 kms.
Duration: 3-4 hours.
DID YOU KNOW?
No TV on Thursdays and in July: Until 1986, Iceland had only one TV channel, and it didn't broadcast on Thursdays and in July. The broadcasting schedule expanded in subsequent years, adding Thursdays in 1987.
DAY 02 : Drive to Snรฆfellsnes. GAME OF THRONES
As we drive to Snรฆfellsnes, keep an eye out for Grundarfjรถrรฐur, a town with a population of just 900 people.ย
Fans of the Game of Thrones will recognise Kirkjufell ( 463 meter ) as a shooting location from Season 7 of Game of Thrones. The mountain is showcased in the โBeyond the Wallโ episode when Jon Snow, The Hound, and Jorah Mormont, amongย others, brave the wilderness in hopes of catching an undead wight.
Expect a short walk everyday outside to spot Aurora. This way you will have minimum 9 days of chance to spot Northern lights. We arent those tours to limit your northern lights hunting to just 2 days . We will be trying to catch a glimpse of Aurora everynight in Iceland
Accommodation at Grundarfjรถrรฐur.ย
Drive ~ 240 kms.ย
Duration: 6-7 hours.
DID YOU KNOW?
Traditional Icelandic Cuisine: Icelandic cuisine reflects the country's history and reliance on local ingredients. Unique dishes include fermented shark (hรกkarl), pickled ram's testicles (sviรฐ), and smoked lamb (hangikjรถt), providing a taste of Iceland's culinary heritage.
DAY 03 : Black lava pearls, Bรบรฐakirkja Church and Djรบpalรณnssandur Beach
Today we will start with a visit to Hellissandur Church, a historical landmark built in 1903 and Saxhรณll Crater, which offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean.ย
Talking about Atlantic ocean , did you know Iceland is, in fact, separating as you read thisโ from itself. Iceland exists because of diverging tectonic activity along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Roughly half of the island sits on the North American plate and the other half is a part of the Eurasian plate.
After Hellissandur , we will head to Djรบpalรณnssandur Beach, known for its black lava pearls and the wreckage of The Epine GY7, is a testament to Iceland's maritime history.
We will end the day with Bรบรฐakirkja Church, dating back to 1703, is a picturesque example of Iceland's architectural heritage.
Northern lights activity will be monitored and if we see higher chance today, we will be going today.
Accommodation at Grundarfjรถrรฐur.ย
Drive ~ 140 kms.ย
Duration: 6 -7 hours.
DID YOU KNOW?
Belief in Elves: A significant portion of Icelanders still believe in elves, or "huldufรณlk" (hidden people). In 1998, a survey revealed that 54.4% of Icelanders believed in elves to some extent, leading to the inclusion of elf considerations in road construction projects to avoid potential consequences.
DAY 04 : Seljalandsรก WATERFALLS
The day starts with a visit to Seljalandfoss, with a drop of 60 meters, is a stunning waterfall that you can walk behind, offering a unique perspective.ย
Next we will head to Gljufrabui,which is often overlooked but equally enchanting. Both waterfalls are fed by the Seljalandsรก River, which originates from the Eyjafjallajรถkull glacier.
In the night, we will try to shoot some Aurora photographs
Accommodation at Hvolsvรถllur.ย
Drive ~ 350 kms.ย
Duration: 8-9 hours.
DID YOU KNOW?
No McDonald's (except for a brief period): Iceland is one of only two European countries without a McDonald's restaurant. The lone McDonald's in Reykjavik closed in 2008 after operating for a few years, with local favorites like Hambรณrgarabรบllan preferred by Icelanders.
DAY 05 : ICELAND'S LARGEST WATERFALL & Black Sand Beach
Today we will leave after the morning breakfast by 8:30 am
First to Skogafoss, standing 25 meters wide and 60 meters tall, is one of Iceland's largest waterfalls.
Then we head to Kvernufoss, a lesser-known waterfall, requires a short hike but rewards visitors with its secluded beauty.ย
Followed by, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach is famous for its basalt columns and folklore about the Reynisdrangar sea stacks.
Reynisdrangar, the basalt sea stacks on the south coast of Iceland, are the result of a time-consuming process called hydraulic action. Hydraulic action is the force of the ocean or water crashing against the rock, which weakens cracks in the headland and causes them to collapse. The resulting stack formations are the ruins of the original Reynidrangar cliffs
If the weather hold good we will head to 1927 built Dyrhรณlaey Lighthouse for sunset. Northern lights activity will be monitored and if we see higher chance today, we will be going today.
DID YOU KNOW?
Shoes Off, Please: While not a law, it is customary for Icelanders to remove their shoes when entering homes. There is a designated area by the front door of flats and houses for removing shoes, reflecting both cultural practices and weather considerations.
DAY 06 : BLACK CHURCH-GAME OF THRONES CANYON-
Leave early after the morning breakfast by 8:00 am
Head to Reynivellir in the morning.
En route, stop at the viewpoint at Vik church.The history of Vik Church dates back to the 1930s when it was constructed using materials salvaged from a shipwreck that occurred nearby.
Next we head to the the Fjaรฐrรกrgljรบfur canyon:
The spectacular moss-covered canyon was carved out of palagonite rock by a glacial river over thousands of years, and is a popular spot amongst pop culture fans, having been featured in several TV shows and music videos, including the cult favorite 'Game of Thrones'
We will have a stop at Lรณmagnรบpur mountain and be at Svinafellsjokull glacier for sunset. Svรญnafellsjรถkull glacier is one of those glaciers that Iceland is known for all over the world
Northern lights activity will be monitored and if we see higher chance today, we will be going today.
Accommodation at Borgarhรถfn.
Drive ~ 300 kms.
Duration: 7-8 hours.
DID YOU KNOW?
Population Outnumbered by Tourists: With a population of around 375,000 people, Iceland receives a staggering number of tourists each year. In 2023 alone, nearly two million travelers visited the country, surpassing the resident population by about five times.
DAY 07 : DIAMOND BEACH and glacier caving
We will start our day withย Diamond Beach, adjacent to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, is named for the icebergs that wash ashore, resembling diamonds on the black sand.ย
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon itself covers an area of about 18 square kilometers and is the deepest lake in Iceland, reaching depths of over 248 meters. You can opt for caving in Jokulsarlon glacier . (This is extra and would be around 155-160 Euros per head. Note that this is extreamely sought after activity and only available for folks who book 2 months in advance )
And ofcourse as usual, today also we will try to get some Northern lights shots above the glaciers.
Accommodation at Hofn.
Drive ~ 100 kms.
Duration: 5-6 hours.
DID YOU KNOW?
Single Lane Bridges: Driving through the Icelandic countryside, one may encounter single-lane bridges spanning crystal-clear glacial rivers. These bridges, a relic from earlier times when cars were scarce, require drivers to yield to oncoming traffic, emphasizing the need for caution.
DAY 08 : DC PLANE WRECK AND TURF CHURCH FROM 1884
We start our day with Fjallsรกrlรณn Glacier, a lesser-known cousin of Jokulsarlon, offers a quieter glacier experience.
The DC Plane Wreck on Sรณlheimasandur Beach is a famous photography spot, marking the crash site of a US Navy Douglas Super DC-3 aircraft in 1973.
Hofskirkja, a turf church built in 1884, is a cultural heritage site.ย
Northern lights activity will be monitored and if we see higher chance today, we will be going today.
Accommodation at Hvolsvollur.
Drive ~ 360 kms.
Duration: 8-9 hours.
DID YOU KNOW?
Icelandic Naming Conventions: Iceland follows a distinctive naming convention known as patronymic or matronymic surnames. Instead of family names, individuals are identified by their father's or mother's first name, followed by "son" (son of) or "dรณttir" (daughter of).
DAY 09 : 70 M HIGH GEYSERS, VOLCANIC CRATER & BLUE LAGOON
The Golden Circle includes Bruarfoss Waterfall, known for its vibrant blue waters.ย
Geysir, from which the English word "geyser" is derived, erupts hot water up to 70 meters high. Strokkur, a nearby geyser, erupts every 5-10 minutes, delighting visitors.ย
Kerid Crater, a volcanic crater lake, is approximately 3,000 years old and offers stunning views from its rim.
We will explore downtown, Hallgrรญmskirkja church and dinner at a local restaurant.
You can end the day with a blue lagoon visit. ( This costs around 80 EURO ) . Here people can soak in 38ยฐC (100ยฐF) water. Most donโt realize they are soaking in waste water from an adjacent geothermal plantโsee smoke stacks in the distance! This plantโs location close to the ocean makes the water too mineral rich to be used directly in homes. So the naturally hot water is used to heat other water for homes and the mineral-rich water is pumped into the lava field, which accidentally created a lagoon that has become quite a money maker. They also extract minerals from the water to make beauty products sold in the gift storeโmaking lemonade out of lemons!
Accommodation at Reykjavรญk.ย
Drive ~ 200 kms. Duration: 6-8 hours.
DID YOU KNOW?
Arctic Fox as the Sole Native Mammal: Iceland's only native mammal is the Arctic fox, which arrived after the last Ice Age when the sea between Greenland and Scandinavia froze over. The arctic fox's coat changes color with the seasons, allowing it to blend into the surroundings.
DAY 10 : HVOLSVรLLUR - REYKJAVIK
We drop everyone to the Keflavik airport for your departure. Usually direct flights are available in the morning around 6-7 am. Our tour ends here.
You may choose to stay longer if required, we shall help you with accommodation recommendations.
Let us share a few things to get the vibe of this trip and with that we can help you make a decision quicker .
Crowd :
We are assuming you are in your 30s / 40s . You have seen a few countries but havenโt seen the northern lights yet . Expect the crowd to be a mix of Indian from all over India , UK and US.
Money :
Iceland isnโt cheap. Period. Even for Americans and Europeans, itโs expensive. ( Read about cost of living in iceland )
So expect this not to be a budget trip but that doesn't mean this a luxury trip either.Nope . We are focusing more on experiences , culture and landscape.
Team lead Experience :
You will have 2 trip leads . Our main lead is also a professional photographer who have led 6 Iceland trips before.
Photos :
You can expect multiple photographers in the group so if you are nice to them ๐ , you probably can go home with 5-6 world class shots . But please know this isnโt their job , they might just do it for fun for you . We could easily charge extra for having a professional photographer trip lead for the group but we donโt want to do that . Come, have fun and go back with great roadtrip memories and let the photos be just a by product.
Weather :
Please note that Iceland is a very windy and can have drastic weather changes quickly. Keeping that in mind, trip locations and dates can change for safety reasons and we reserve the right to modify accordingly.
Northern light probability :
The Northern Lights in Iceland in September tend to be good thanks to the autumn equinox and less cloud cover. It also has the least rainfall of any month in Iceland's Northern Lights viewing season.
DID YOU KNOW?
Dogs Forbidden in the Capital: In 1924, Reykjavik imposed a complete ban on dogs due to concerns about fatal tapeworms. While rules have since changed, Reykjavik remains a cat-centric city with an estimated one cat for every ten residents.
SLOTS AVAILABLE :
FLIGHTS CONSIDERATION :
COST ( excluding 5% GST )
2500 EURO/Pax (Before Aug 1 )
2600 EURO/Pax( After Aug 1 )
You are loosing 50 EURO by not referring this trip to your friend ( Refer to 2 friends who haven't travelled with us who might join you & all of you gets 50 EURO off each while you book together )
HOW TO BLOCK A SLOT ?
Step 1 : Block the slot
You can block the slot by paying a token amount of 20000 INR for this trip either by UPI , credit card/ EMI or by Bank transfer.
Be Proud Of You. A Trip Is Gift To Self. When Was The Last Time You Gifted Yourself ?
Step 2 : Refer 2 people to get a Discount
You are loosing Rs.1000 by not referring this trip to your friend ( Refer to 2 friends who might join you & all of you gets Rs.1000 off each while you book together )
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- All accommodation from Keflavik - Keflavik inside Iceland
- All transport from Keflavik - Keflavik inside Iceland.
- Entry fee to all parks, parking fees, entry tickets.
- Fuel costs.
- 9 breakfasts.
- Air Travel to and from Iceland or any other travel costs.
- Food - lunch and Dinner
- Visa Cost.
- Travel Insurance.
- Blue lagoon/ Silfra diving visit.
- Ice cave visit.
- Additional costs due to change in itinerary on account of flight cancellations due to bad weather, health issues & roadblocks.
Food for the whole trip costs around ~30,000 INR depending on whatโs your taste(per day around (2k-2.5k). We usually have lunch outside and buy food from the supermarkets.
- Before 45 days of trip, there will be 10% cancellation charge
- Before 30 days and within 44 days of arrival, there will be 25% cancellation charge
- Before 15 days and within 29 days of arrival ,there will be 50% cancellation charge
- Within 14 days of trip there will be 100% cancellation charges
Note that the cancellation charge is on the trip amount. All this been said if you or me can find a replacement for the slot. I will be happy to refund the entire amount. ๐
- *Mandatory : Original ID Proof
- You need to bring your voters ID / Passport (with at least 6 months validity remaining)
Clothing:
- Waterproof Jacket
- Thermal Leggings
- Waterproof Pants
- Down Jacket
- Wool Socks
- Warm Hat
- Fleece Jacket or Wool Sweater
- Warm Scarf
- One Pair Of Jeans
- Light Layers (non-cotton tank tops and long sleeve shirts)
- Gloves
- Swimsuit (if you count it as clothing)
Footwear:
- Waterproof Hiking Shoes
- Flip Flops (optional)
Accessories:
- Small Umbrella
- Polarized Sunglasses
- Headlamp
Other Essentials:
- Snacks
- Insulated Water Bottle
- Day Backpack (20 L)
- Power Bank + USB Cord
- Camera Gear
- Moisturizing/Hydrating Beauty Products
- Quick Dry Towel
- A Foldable And Washable Bag For Dirty Items
- European Or Universal Travel Adapter
- Forex Card
- Undergarments
Yes. We will guide you entirely with the process but you have to get it done yourself via VFS Directly or an Agent.
Flights: Yes, we will help you with exact flights to be booked for the trip .
Its a valid question. But think about it , with such crazy landscapes and possibly changing weather every half day, With 30 something year olds who have conciously chosen to do an Iceland roadtrip. Do you really think you have hit such dopamine levels already that even this can feel monotonous . We dont think so .
Nope. Please bring your own chakna ( BYOC ) ๐
Most people come alone for my trips. About 25% of the people bring a friend or partner.Honestly It really doesn't matter. I have seen on all the batches I have lead. Most people really gel with everyone, even the ones who thought wouldn't gel up, surprise themselves always with the way they got comfortable with everyone.
As long as you aren't wearing shorts , You are fine.ย
Each trek/ trip is rated according to the number of days we spend outdoors . If you aren't sure where to start, go with an easy trip or trek.
FOR ICELAND SPECIFIC ,
This is'nt just any other group trip where you will be sitting in bus and taken from one point to another. The roadtrip is driven by our own trip leads and we will be stopping at multiple places that the trip leads would mutually agree and decide to stop as the scenery keeps getting better .
For trips,
I dreamed of trips where we could go out hike , get exhausted , come back to hotel and have a great evening. This is exactly why some of my trips have Day hikes in it. It is a perfect chance for people who have never hiked in their entire life. Don't worry, We are there :).
If you don't have that freedom in a country like Iceland, I dont know what freedom is ๐
For treks,
you can start with Sandhakphu or Chandrashila . You can also benchmark yourself for the treks.
- If you can run for 30 mins and cover around 3-3.5 km , then you can go ahead with an easy trek
- If you can run for 30 mins and cover around 3.5-4 km , then you can go ahead with an moderate trek
- If you can run for 30 mins and cover around 4-5 km , then you can go ahead with an difficult trek
If you have never done a high altitude trek, then start with a easy or Easy- moderate trek. That way you will understand how your body reacts to high altitude and you can check you cardio strength too.
Usually, most batch sizes are between 12-20 people who are aged between 16-38. Most people come alone or with a friend. The trip would feel like you are travelling more with college friends than strangers. We tend to do more outdoorsy things than regular trips .
For example : If we find a very pretty waterfall/ a beautiful sunset / Rainbow on the way. We would stop the vehicle right away to catch the beauty of it.
We usually sleep very late on these trips as we play a lot of group games and most people feel they will miss the precious time with the group members and decides to stay awake.
Here are few places you can read more about the brand and trips
DID YOU KNOW?
Icelandic Horses Forbidden to Return: Once Icelandic horses leave the country, they are not allowed to return. This measure is to preserve the purity of the breed, which has been isolated for over 1,000 years, and to prevent the reintroduction of diseases.
