Around Iceland in 6 days!

A special trip for STC participants and guests

Program

Day 1:

June 5^th Reykjavík – Borgarfjördur  – Glaumbær Museum – Akureyri

Morning departure from Reykjavík to Borgarfjörður through the Hvalfjörður Tunnel. We cross the Holtavörðuheiði plateau to Skagafjörður, known for the breeding of the Icelandic horse that has its fifth gait – the tölt. In Skagafjörður we stop at Glaumbær, an old turf farm museum. Majestic mountains and narrow passes lead to Akureyri town, Iceland's main town in the north. Akureyri is only 100 km away from the Arctic Circle and is a surprisingly green community with lots of vegetation and a famous Botanical Garden. Overnight stay in Akureyri

Day  2:

June 6^th  Akureyri – Hospital visit – relax in the hot tub- sightseeing

We visit the hospital in Akureyri and use the morning for educational visits.

In the afternoon we take a sightseeing tour in town and end at the local swimmingpool that is nice and warm.

Overnight stay at in Akureyri

Day 3:

June 7^th Akureyri – Lake Mývatn

Today we drive eastwards to Lake Mývatn. On the way we stop at the scenic Goðafoss waterfall, where the legend says the ancient Nordic gods Óðinn and Þór still watch over the country's well being. Lake Mývatn is a famous bird sanctuary, boasting one of the largest concentrations of breeding ducks in the world, as well as hundreds of whopper swans. The magnificent surrounding landscape has many interesting geological and volcanic features. We will visit pseudo-craters, solfataras with boiling sulphuric mud-pools, and a lava-labyrinth where strange lava formations provide shelter for an unexpectedly rich vegetation, and Grjótagjá, a fissure which formerly was the public bathing place of the area.

Stop for an experience at Myvatns Nature Baths, Iceland´s newenst geothermal spa.

We depart from Lake Mývatn and drive Mörudalsöræfi to Egilsstaðir  where we spend the night.

Day 4:

June 8^th  Visit to Eastfjords healthcare center Egilsstaðir  - Höfn

Visti to the Eastfjords helthcare center in the morning and a short sightseeing tour.

From Egilsstadir we take the shortest way along the east part of the country to Höfn.  Dinner and Overnight at Höfn.

Day 5:

June 9^th Höfn – Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon – Skaftafell – Vík

From Höfn we drive south of Vatnajökull glacier, Europe's largest glacier, larger than all the rest of Europe's glaciers combined. We stop at Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon where huge icebergs float and grind together in the still, deep waters, providing a surreal atmosphere for a cruise with a difference. We continue to Skaftafell National Park, a unique nature paradise, and onwards over Skeiðarársandur, the biggest outwash plain of Iceland. We drive across Eldhraun, the largest mass of lava ever to flow on the face of the earth, before reaching the small village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, a former site of a 12th-century Catholic convent. From there we continue to Hótel Edda in the small town of Vík for an overnight.

Day 6:

June 10^th  Vík – Skógar –Ölfus– Reykjavík

First stop on this day is Reynishverfi from where we can experience the force of the Atlantic Ocean, see the columnar basalt and stacks arising from the sea, and on a clear day we also see the Dyrhólaey arch from the beach. Then we continue our travel through the farmlands of the south coast, which is sandwiched between mountains, glaciers and the sea. We stop at the mighty Skógarfoss waterfall, and then Seljalandsfoss waterfall.

Short stop in the town of Selfoss before we drive the coastline of Ölfus, final dinner at Fjörubordid a lobester restaurant in the village Stokkseyri before heading throug the mouintain pass to Reykjavik. Overnight stay at Park Inn hotel.

Prices for this program with half board

Included in the price:

·         Around Iceland  - 6  days in private coach with Professional guide

·         6 nights at hotels in the countryside including breakfast

·         6 x dinners in the countryside, 3 courses with cofee/tea

 Not included in the price:

·         Beverages

·         Other activities or museums than mentioned in “Included in price” section

Practical Information

Season and Climate:

The Icelandic climate is warmer than the name suggests, thanks to the Gulf Stream. Summers in Iceland are rather cool, while the winters are relatively warm. The average monthly summer temperature ranges from 10 to 13 °C. During the summer the climate is mild but unstable with possible rain and frequent weather changes. The daily temperature can fluctuate from a minimum 5 °C at night to a maximum of 25 °C during the day.

Business hours

Banks are open from 09:15 to 16:00. As general rule offices are open from 09:00 to 17:00, in some cases during the summer these hours are from 08:00 to 16:00. Shops are open from 09:00 to 18:00 on weekdays. Kringlan and Smáralind shopping malls as well as souvenir and some bookshops in the city centre are open on weekends.

Credit cards

They are accepted by most shops, restaurants and organisations and are widely used. The major credit cards in Iceland are Visa and Eurocard, although other cards are accepted as well in some places.

Tax free shopping/tax refund

A refund of the local Value Added Tax is available to visitors to Iceland. The refund will result in a reduction of up to 15% of the retail price, provided departure from Iceland is within 30 days after the purchase is made. The purchased amount must be no less than ISK 4.000,- (VAT included) per sales receipt, and all goods (except woollens) must be packed in sealed bags or containers.

Insurance and health care

Please note that individual travel insurance is not included in the tour prices. It is therefore important that clients arrange for their own travel insurance before visiting Iceland. Medical assistance and health care are, however, readily available in Iceland.