Natural Wonders of Iceland

Day 1 - Thursday 12 September 2024

Melbourne - Iceland (In-flight meals)

Welcome to Sisterhood Womens Travel!  Meet your Sisterhood Tour Hostess and fellow travellers at the Melbourne Airport for your flights to Iceland!

Sit back, relax and enjoy the airline inflight entertainment as we head toward our next adventure

Day 2 - Friday 13 September 2024

Welcome to Iceland (D)

Welcome to Iceland!

An underpopulated island marooned near the top of the globe, Iceland is literally, a country in the making. It's a vast volcanic laboratory where mighty forces shape the earth: geysers gush, mud pots gloop, ice-covered volcanoes rumble and glaciers cut great pathways through the mountains. Its supercharged splendour seems designed to remind us of our utter insignificance in the greater scheme of things. Crisp clean air, an eyeful of the cinematic landscapes and everyone will be transfixed.

Upon arrival into Reykjavik, we'll be met by our local guide and transferred to our hotel. 

With the remainder of the day at leisure, we'll regroup for our Welcome Dinner.

Overnight - Grand Hotel, Reykjavik (or similar)

Day 3 - Saturday 14 September 2024

Reykjavik (B, D)

After breakfast, today's activities include:

Reykjavík City tour - Reykjavík is the northernmost capital in the world, learn about the rich history and culture that shaped Iceland by visiting the main landmarks and attractions including the Reykjavik Cathedral.

Blue Lagoon - The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s most popular attractions, with a geothermal pool in the middle of a large and dramatic lava field and an oasis that owes its existence to a nearby geothermal power plant. We stop for 1½ - 2 hours for a refreshing bathe or a swim in the inviting, rejuvenating, and pleasantly warm mineral-rich water (36°C-38°C/100-110°F), famed for its reputed healing properties. An indoor pool and geothermal sauna are also on the site. Bathing in this surreal environment is a unique experience no one should miss. The Blue Lagoon’s warm water and natural active ingredients like mineral salts, silica and blue-green algae help you relax and escape the stress and strain of daily life.

Dinner tonight at our hotel or local restaurant.

Overnight - Grand Hotel, Reykjavik (or similar)

Day 4 - Sunday 15 September 2024

Golden Circle - Þingvellir - Friðheimar - Geysir - Gullfoss (B, Light Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast, today's itinerary includes:
 
Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home of the oldest existing national parliament in the world, the Alþingi, and major events in the history of Iceland. Þingvellir is a place of fascinating natural beauty, a spectacular geological vista, set on a vast plain flanked by large fissures, right by Iceland’s largest lake, Þingvallavatn. The Mid-Atlantic rift is clearly visible; a rift that is forming as Iceland is being pulled apart by tectonic forces. Here the North American and the Eurasian continental plates drift apart by 19mm (¾”) a year and a rift valley is forming.

Friðheimar geothermal greenhouse, learn about how tomatoes are grown all year round despite Iceland‘s long dark winters, in greenhouses under artificial lighting. This introduction ends with a soup lunch made from the tomatoes grown on the spot.

Horse show -This show provides an insight into the story of this remarkable horse breed, which was brought to Iceland by the first settlers from Scandinavia around 900 AD. Whether on the farm or for overland transport, the horse has been the trusty companion of the Icelanders through the centuries, and even today farmers ride into the highlands to round up their sheep in autumn. In modern times the horse has become the Icelanders’ favourite leisure companion. The Icelandic horse is a small, sturdy breed, famed for its five gaits: in addition to the walk, trot and gallop, Icelandic horses may have the tölt (a smooth run) and skeið (flying pace). The display is followed by a visit to the stable, where visitors can enjoy a hot drink, meet the riders and their steeds, and take photographs.

The active geothermal area of Haukadalur contains the geysers Geysir and Strokkur and many other hot springs. Most active nowadays is Strokkur, erupting hot water and steam to an elevation of 25 metres (82 ft) every 5-7 minutes.

The mighty waterfall of Gullfoss - the Golden Falls is perhaps the most beautiful in the country. Here the glacial river of Hvítá (white river) tumbles 32 meters (105 ft) in a double cascade. On a sunny day, a rainbow is very likely in the massive spray.

​Dinner tonight at our hotel or local restaurant.

Overnight: Stracta Hotel (or similar)

Day 5 - Monday 16 September 2024

Seljalandsfoss - Skógafoss - Reynisfjara - LAVA show - Skaftafell (B, D)

After breakfast, today's itinerary includes:

Seljalandsfoss is a graceful ribbon-like waterfall, which drops from an overhanging lava cliff. It is possible to walk behind it, but do not expect to stay dry!

Skógafoss waterfall is 62m, 203 feet and is among the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland, followed by entry into the Skógar Folk Museum

Reynisfjara is a black sand beach where the Atlantic Ocean shows its power with its cruising waves beating on the shores. Here are interesting caves and impressive rock formations, including columnar basalt.

The Icelandic LAVA show is the only place in the world where you can safely experience hot molten lava in close proximity! The show recreates a volcano eruption, similar to what Eyjafjallajökull and Katla volcanoes are famous for, by pouring molten lava (1100°C / 2000°F) into the showroom and over ice. It is an epic battle between the elements and a unique opportunity to get close to red-hot lava, see it flowing, hear it sizzling, and feel the intense heat that radiates from it.

Skaftafell is a part of the Vatnajökull national park. Skaftafell contains some of the most precious natural pearls of the country, rugged landscapes, mountains and glaciers. Skaftafell is a place of contrasting scenery with flora growing between sands and glaciers.

​Dinner tonight at our hotel or local restaurant.

Overnight: Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon Hotel (or similar)

Day 6 - Tuesday 17 September 2024

Jökulsárlón - East Fjords - Egilsstaðir (B, D)

After breakfast, today's itinerary includes:

Jökulsáárlón Glacier Lagoon is a lake that is filled with melted water from an outlet glacier. Icebergs break off the glacier and fall into the lagoon and float around before getting washed down to the ocean. Many of the icebergs end up clear on the beach giving the beach the nickname Diamond Beach.

Drive along the East Fjords of Iceland passing small fishing villages on the way.

​Dinner tonight at our hotel or local restaurant.

Overnight: Hotel Hérað by Berjaya (or similar)

Day 7 - Wednesday 18 September 2024

Dimmuborgir – Námaskarð – Skútustaðir (B, D)

After breakfast, today's itinerary includes:

Dimmuborgir - The Dimmuborgir area consists of a massive, collapsed lava tube formed by a lava lake flowing in from a large eruption in the Þrengslaborgir and Lúdentsborgir crater row to the East, about 2300 years ago.

Námaskarð - Geothermal area featuring a lunar landscape dotted with boiling springs & steaming fumaroles

The rest of the day is free.

​Dinner tonight at our hotel or local restaurant.

Overnight: Selhotel Mývatn (or similar)

Day 8 - Thursday 19 September 2024

Dettifoss – Ásbyrgi – GeoSea (B, D)

After breakfast, today's itinerary includes:

Dettifoss is a waterfall in Vatnajökull National Park in Northeast Iceland and is reputed to be the second most powerful waterfall in Europe after the Rhine Falls.

Ásbyrgi is one of the wonders of nature, a wide, horseshoe-shaped canyon with sheer cliff faces up to 100 m high. It is 3.5 km long and over 1 km wide. Ásbyrgi was formed by two or more catastrophic floods caused by glacial bursts from the northern part of the Vatnajökull ice cap, one between eight and ten thousand years ago and a second approximately three thousand years ago. Since then the bed of the river has moved eastwards. However, according to legend, Sleipnir, the Norse god Odin's eight-legged horse, put one of his hooves down as the god rode by.

Geosea is not only a world-class geothermal bathing mecca — it is an experience that taps into the historical roots of a small fishing town in North Iceland that has harnessed the earth's geothermal waters for centuries. It is a rare union of mineral-rich seawater and heat from the Earth's core. Perched along a western-facing cliffside that overlooks the Skjálfandi Bay and the Arctic Circle to the north.

​Dinner tonight at our hotel or local restaurant.

Overnight: Fosshotel Mývatn (or similar)

Day 9 - Friday 20 September 2024

Námaskarð - Dimmuborgir - Goðafoss - Akureyri (B, D)

After breakfast, today's itinerary includes:

Namaskarð earns its notoriety chiefly because of its sulphurous mud springs called solfataras and steam springs called fumaroles.

Dimmuborgir or Dark Cities is an area of randomly strewn lava rocks and cliffs, surrounded by vegetation such as low bushes and plants. Dimmuborgir is a place of surprises with its myriad forms and images, small caves, and towering volcanic rock, pierced by natural apertures. The most famous of these formations is the cave "The Church", aptly named for its dome-like ceiling.

The Goðafoss waterfall is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland. The water of the river Skjálfandafljót falls from a height of 12 meters over a width of 30 metres.

In the year 1000, the Lawspeaker Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði made Christianity the official religion of Iceland. After his conversion, Þorgeir threw his statues of the Norse gods into the waterfall.

A city tour of Akureyri is also included.

​Dinner tonight at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Sæluhús Hotel Akureyri (or similar)

Day 10 - Saturday 21 September 2024

Whale watching from Hauganes – Herring era museum - Siglufjörður (B, L)

After breakfast, today's itinerary includes:

Herring Era Museum - Herring is one of this century's principal shapers of Icelanders' destinies. Without herring, it is questionable whether the modern society that now exists in Iceland could ever have developed. At the museum, you learn about this important part of Icelandic history

Whale watching tour - The Northern part of Iceland is globally recognized as the best location to experience whales in the world. Here are sightings of Humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins and minke whales

Today, lunch is included and will be at Siglufjörður.

​Dinner tonight at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Sæluhús Hotel Akureyri (or similar)

Day 11 - Sunday 22 September 2024

Viðimýri Church - Kolugljúfur (B, D)

After breakfast, today's itinerary includes:

Viðimýri Church is one of the few preserved turf churches in Iceland. The church was built in 1834 and has turf walls, but timber gables both back and front.

Watch the calm waters of the river suddenly leap and tumble onwards over so many impressive falls into the Kolugljúfur gorge.

​Dinner tonight at our hotel or local restaurant.

Overnight: Fosshotel Stykkishólmur (or similar)

Day 12 - Monday 23 September 2024

Grundarfjörður - Kirkjufell - Arnarstapi - Hellnar - Gerðuberg (B, D)

After breakfast, today's itinerary includes:

Kirkjufell - Grundarfjörður's beautiful landmark is the most photographed mountain in Iceland. Its isolated position jutting out into the sea makes it a focal point for tourists and seamen alike.

Arnarstapi was an important trading post in the past and had a much bigger population than it has now. Columnar basalt, ravines and grottoes surround the Arnarstapi pier. There is quite a large arctic tern colony in the village itself. A walk along the coastline is recommended to watch the birds and the magnificent lava formations. The seaside and the cliffs between Arnastapi and Hellnar have been made a Natural Reserve in 1979. A very interesting old path follows the coastline where you can see old lending places of fishermen, lots of birds like the kittiwake, the Arctic tern and the fulmar and pass through a lava field.

Gerðuberg is a row of basalt columns almost perfectly hexagonal in a row.

Overnight: Hótel Varmaland (or similar)

Day 13 - Tuesday 24 September 2024

Grábrók - Hraunfossar - Barnafoss - Deildartunguhver - Krauma (B, D)

After breakfast, today's itinerary includes:

Hraunfossar - Lava Falls - are beautiful and unusual natural phenomena. Clear, cold springs of subterranean water seep through the lava and run as tiny waterfalls and rapids into the Hvita River.

Deildartunguhver is Europe's most powerful hot spring. It provides 180 l/sec of 100°C hot water.

Most of the water used for central heating in the towns of Borgarnes and Akranes is taken from Deildartunguhver.

The waters at Krauma baths originate in Europe‘s most powerful hot spring Deildartunguhver at a temperature of 100°C (212°F). Krauma has a total of six baths, five warm and one cold.  No extra chemicals are needed to keep the pools clean, as the water is constantly being replaced because of the rapid natural flow rate of the hot springs.

​Dinner tonight at our hotel or local restaurant.

Overnight: Storm Hotel, Reykjavik (or similar)

Day 14 - Wednesday 25 September 2024

Reykjavik (B, D)

After breakfast, today's itinerary includes:

The Wonders of Iceland exhibit is located at one of the most iconic landmarks in Reykjavík, Perlan (the Pearl). Originally it was a cluster of hot water tanks but in 1991 it was converted to a building. The balcony at Perlan gives one of the best views over the city in all directions.

At the Pearl is the Wonders of Iceland exhibit that provides deep insight into the unique nature of Iceland. Visitors can feel the power of volcanoes, geothermal energy and earthquakes and learn about the wildlife that calls the Island and its oceans home. Walk through the 100 m-long Ice Cave, the first of its kind in the world.

After this, we'll be dropped off at the Kinglan Shopping Centre, the largest mall in Reykjavik.

​Dinner tonight at our hotel or local restaurant.

Overnight: Storm Hotel, Reykjavik (or similar)

Day 15 - Thursday 26 September 2024

Reykjavik (B, D)

After breakfast, today's itinerary includes:

FlyOver Iceland utilizes state-of-the-art technology to give you the feeling of flight. You will hang suspended, feet dangling, before a 20-metre spherical screen while our film whisks you away on an exhilarating journey across Iceland. Special effects, including wind, mist and scents, combine with the ride’s motion to create an unforgettable experience.

Sky Lagoon is the ultimate experience, true of Icelandic bathing culture, at the oceanside geothermal lagoon. Located just minutes from Reykjavik center, in a setting where the sea and sky blend together. Sky Lagoon is about that Icelandic feeling of warmth and wonder. Designed to be a visual and spiritual experience, Sky Lagoon invokes all the senses: the salty scent of the Atlantic Ocean, the sounds of the wildlife and the ocean tides and the feel of the warm geothermal water. But perhaps the most powerful of all is the inspiring and captivating views from the 75-metre infinity edge of the lagoon.

A farewell dinner tonight to celebrate amazing memories with your fellow travellers.

Overnight: Storm Hotel, Reykjavik (or similar)

Day 16 - Friday 27 September 2024

Reykjavik - Copenhagen (B)

Today we farewell Iceland as we make our way to Reykjavik Airport for our flight  to Copenhagen.

Due to flight schedules we have an overnight stay in Copenhagen arriving in the late afternoon with free time to enjoy the hotel's facialities or take the metro into the city.

Overnight : Clarion Hotel Copenhagen Airport

Day 17 - Saturday 28 September 2024

Copenhagen- Melbourne (B, Meals in flight)

After breakfast check out of our airport hotel and make our way to the airport for our flight home to Australia.

Sit back relax and enjoy the in flight services of our airline.

Day18 - Saturday 29 September 2024

Welcome Home

Wow, what an adventure.

Thank you for travelling with Sisterhood Womens Travel and we look forward to welcoming you back.