Iceland Women’s Adventure Fire, Ice, Northern Lights (November 6-11, 2023)

►Lodging or Similar

• Night 1: Hotel in Reykjavik
• Night 2: Hotel in Hella
• Night 3: Hotel near Kirkjubaejarkluster
• Night 4: Hotel near Kirkjubaejarkluster
• Night 5: Hotel in Reykjavik

►Day 1: Arrival at the Keflavik International Airport (KEF)

Arrival at Keflavik airport by 11am. We will transfer as a group to Reykjavik. Drop your luggage at the hotel, and then head off to Reykjavik to explore and have an early lunch on your own or with your other adventure buddies. Return to the hotel to check in and refresh. Meet and greet. Welcome dinner. Overnight in Reykjavik. (D)

►Day 2: Fire – Erupting Geysers & Steaming Pools

Today we head out of the city to the famous Golden Circle to see some of Iceland’s popular and powerful treasures.
Our first stop is Thingvellir National Park, where we walk along the faults and through the fissures of the mid-Atlantic ridge to further your understanding of how Iceland is part of the North American and European tectonic plates. You will also hear about the major historic events that have taken place at this UNESCO world heritage site.

From there a short drive brings us to the famous greenhouse Friðheimar where we have their fresh tomato soup for lunch (included). After lunch, we visit two of Iceland’s most famous natural sites, Gullfoss Waterfall and the Strokkur Geyser. At geyser you will get video and photos of it exploding up to 120ft in the air every 10-15 minutes.

Later, we get a closer look at the hot springs. While snowflakes fall gently on your warm cheeks, you will sink neck deep in the hot water and float on pool noodles surrounded by steaming and bubbling hot springs all around.

Overnight near Hella. Dinner. (BLD)

►Day 3: Ice – Glaciers & Waterfalls

Our first stop today will be the beautiful waterfall Seljalandsfoss and we will walk behind it for stunning 360 photos. Then after a short drive east, we come to the massive cascade known as Skogarfoss. If you are lucky, there will be a beautiful rainbow at the base of the falls.

Afternoon we will be geared up and led onto the glacier known as Sólheimajökull (the Sun Home Glacier). Our glacier guide will teach us about the glacier and its ever-changing features. Then with ropes, harness, and ice axes, participants will sink into a crevasse or other opening in the glacier to try Ice Climbing. The glacier guides will choose a spot suitable for the skills of the participants. Note: participants can opt out of ice climbing and substitute for a longer ice hike.

We continue east toward the town of Vik, just before we reach there, we will stop at the black sand beach known as Reynisfjara. This is a fantastic place to photograph the towering basalt columns and to stretch your legs before the drive toward Kirkjubaejarklaustur.
Spend the next two nights from our country hotel looking for northern lights from the heated rooftop.

Overnight near Kirjubaejarklaustur. Lunch and dinner locations TBD. (B.L.D)

►Day 4: Ice – Blue Cave & Black Beach

On this ice-focused day we will get up close and personal with Vatnajokull glacier, Europe’s largest glacier in Skaftafell National Park.

The morning begins with a rugged 4WD ride to explore the other worldly underground landscape of this relic from the last ice age. Capture stunning photos of deep blue, glass-like ice, while meandering through of one of mother-natures endangered environments. When the glaciers are gone, your photos will be digital artifacts.

Afternoon, we will explore one of the glacier lagoons of Vatnajokul. Towering icebergs wash up on the beach. You might see seals and birds floating on the icebergs drifting out to sea. Icebergs and bergy bits wash ashore, glisten in the sunlight, and look like diamonds.

Overnight near Kirjubaejarklustar. (B.L.D)

►Day 5: Ice – Snowmobiling Over Iceland’s Largest Volcano 

This morning we head back west along the south coast, leaving Skaftafell in our rearview mirrow. Our destination is Mýrdalsjökull Glacier for a 2.5 hour epic adventure on top of the world. Mýrdalsjökull Glacier glacier covers Iceland’s largest volcano, Katla. We board a glacier truck and head up the mountain toward the glacier where the snowmobiles are located. Participants will explore the wilderness and breathtaking views from tandem (two person) snowmobiles, alternating between driving and riding. All drivers must have a valid driver’s license. A solo rider option upgrade may be available.

In the late afternoon we will tell stories and laugh about the last few days as we do what the Icelanders do, we swim in the outdoor local pools.

Farewell dinner in Reykjavik and last-minute shopping. (B.L.D)

►Day 6: Fire & Ice – Sky Lagoon

Group transfer to Keflavik airport.

But first, we stop at the Sky Lagoon, Reykjavik’s newest lagoon and spa. Participants will experience the 7 Steps Ritual that combines the healing powers of warm water, cold water, warm steam, dry heat, and fresh air! These natural elements are a traditional way to promote wellbeing, inside and out.

The spa has showers and blow dryers so that you can be fresh and rejuvinated for your flight back to the USA. Group airport drop off is 1:30pm. (B)