5 Day All-Inclusive Vacation Package in Iceland
Description
Details
Description
Witness the most glorious highlights of Iceland over five days with this immersive, all-inclusive winter vacation. Those who wish to marvel over the Northern Lights, explore a crystal blue ice cave, and visit the country’s most famous attractions should look no further than this holiday.
Despite lasting less than a week, every day of this incredible Icelandic experience will provide unforgettable memories of the country. You’ll get to witness the hot spring areas, waterfalls, National Parks, glaciers, and volcanoes that make Iceland’s nature so world-renowned as you traverse the famous Golden Circle and South Coast sightseeing routes.
While every day will be packed with adventure, every night will be spent in the hunt of the aurora borealis. The country’s most breathtaking winter attraction, the Northern Lights, can appear at any time when the sky is dark and clear.
On the first night of your trip, you will either take a bus into the nature around Reykjavik or a boat from the harbor to search for the Northern Lights. Each subsequent evening, you can set out independently from your accommodation in the hope of witnessing a grand display, with your chances maximized on the night you spend in a countryside hotel in the remote southeast.
While in this spectacular part of the country, you will embark on an adventure that can only be taken at a few select places on earth, and even then only under very specific conditions: the exploration of a crystal blue ice cave. Ice caves, or glacier caves, are spectacular places of vivid color and surreal light that all winter guests should seek out.
Other than aurora hunting and ice caving, you will have the option to choose another Icelandic adventure: snorkeling, snowmobiling, or horseback riding. Furthermore, entrance to the luxurious Blue Lagoon is included in your trip.
After tailoring your action-packed 5-day all-inclusive winter holiday to your desires when booking, all administration will be done for you. You, therefore, don’t need to concern yourself with seeking out hotels, organizing excursions, or finding bus transfers. To make your vacation even more stress-free, you won’t even have to drive on Iceland’s wintry roads, as all of your adventures will be led by experienced, friendly guides.
Make the most out of 5 days in Iceland with this immersive winter vacation. Check availability by choosing a date and book your Iceland adventure.
Included
Map
Attractions
Activities
Daily itinerary
Day 1 - Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights
On the first day of your short winter getaway in Iceland, you will land at the country's only international airport, Keflavik. After making your way through customs, you'll find your bus transfer waiting to take you to your accommodation in Reykjavík.
On your way to Iceland's capital city of Reykjavik, you could choose to make a stop at the Blue Lagoon. This world-renowned spa is known for its healing waters, vivid azure colors, and luxurious treatments. It is located in the middle of a moss-covered lava field, giving it an otherworldly atmosphere. If you add the Blue Lagoon, it will be arranged according to your flights. If there is no time to visit the lagoon today, it can be added to another day. Your travel consultant will be able to arrange this for you. There is still plenty to see and do in Reykjavik if you have extra free time.
Once you reach your hotel in the capital, you may have a little time to explore before your Northern Lights tour and can check out the local architecture, public art, museums, and boutiques. When evening falls, you will set out to hunt the auroras on 1 of 2 unique adventures.
Firstly, you could embark on a bus tour that will take you out into the dark nature around the capital in any direction the sky is clear. You can thus marvel over the Northern Lights surrounded by spectacular landscapes.
Alternatively, you could head out from the harbor into the beautiful Faxafloi Bay. On the still waters, surrounded by the silhouettes of distant mountains and volcanoes, you will have minimal light pollution, providing conditions for the perfect show.
If you don't see the Northern Lights on your first night, you'll be able to try again until you do.
After a hopefully incredible display, you'll retire at your accommodation in Reykjavik.
Day 2 - The Golden Circle
On the second day of your winter holiday to Iceland, you will set out to explore the sites of the Golden Circle. This route holds 3 of Iceland's most iconic attractions, and as you travel around them, you'll have the choice of 3 exciting excursions to add to your day.
The first major attraction of the Golden Circle is Thingvellir National Park, the only UNESCO World Heritage site on the mainland of Iceland.
Though it has received its accolades due to its fascinating role in developing democracy, it is also a place of incredible natural beauty and geological wonder. Located directly between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, Thingvellir National Park is filled with dramatic ravines, sparkling springs, and abundant woodland.
The second major site you will visit is Strokkur, an active geyser in the Geysir Geothermal Area. Every 5-10 minutes, guests can marvel as it ejects water to heights that sometimes reach 40 meters (131 ft).
Between eruptions, there is plenty to admire, with many other bubbling hot springs and steaming vents; the earth surrounding the springs is also brightly colored due to the volcanic activity in the area.
Finally, you will visit one of the most magnificent waterfalls in Iceland, Gullfoss. Thundering with such power that it barely freezes over in winter, it pours down two steps into a magnificent canyon.
If you want to add an extra sense of adventure to today, you can elect to take a snowmobiling tour from Gullfoss, which will take you flying across the gleaming slopes of Langjokull glacier. Alternatively, you could choose to take a countryside horseback ride through the beautiful nature of southwest Iceland, tailored to both novices and experts.
Another choice is to embark on a winter snorkeling tour in the Silfra ravine in Thingvellir National Park. Protected by a drysuit, you'll be led through a crystal clear spring, able to see over 100 meters through the vividly blue waters.
After a day of breathtaking sightseeing and unforgettable adventure, you'll return to your hotel in Reykjavik. If you aren't too tired, seek out the city's dark spaces in the hunt of the auroras, or check out one of the acclaimed restaurants or bars.
Day 3 - South Iceland & Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
On the third day of your Iceland winter holiday, you’ll traverse the spectacular South Coast. This journey will introduce you to incredible, ever-changing landscapes, glittering seascapes, and some of this island’s most incredible attractions.
After being picked up in the morning, the first of these you will reach is Seljalandsfoss waterfall. This narrow cascade pours off a great cliff facing the ocean before a vast cavern that allows visitors to admire it from unique perspectives.
Continuing along the South Coast, you will get glimpses of the glaciers of Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull, which both conceal notorious volcanoes. The next major attraction, however, is a second waterfall, the much more powerful Skogafoss. Not only is this a spectacular natural feature, but it has fascinating associated folklore, said to conceal the treasure chest of a giant.
Next, you will come to Reynisfjara beach. This stretch of coast is stunning and ominous, with its black volcanic sands and enormous waves, earning it international recognition as one of the world’s most beautiful non-tropical beaches. The geology here is also breathtaking, with the great sea stacks of Reynisdrangar and the distant rock arch of Dyrholaey.
After refreshing at the nearby village of Vik, you’ll continue eastward, and tongues of the largest glacier of Europe, Vatnajokull, will dominate the scenery. You’ll get up close to one when stopping at the spectacular Skaftafell Nature Reserve, a paradise for hikers and photographers.
On your short trek here, you’ll also see the beautiful waterfall of Svartifoss, which tumbles down a cliff with hexagonal basalt columns.
Finally, you will reach Jokulsarlon, ‘the Crown Jewel of Iceland’s Nature’. This vast glacier lagoon is filled with icebergs of vivid blue and gleaming white, which tower as tall as multistorey buildings. Guests are welcome to walk along the shoreline and marvel at them as they rotate, groan and break apart on their long journey to the ocean.
When they finally make their way through a narrow channel from the lagoon to the sea, they wash onto the shores of the adjacent black sand shoreline, the Diamond Beach. The contrasts between the ice and sand are mesmerizing, particularly in the evening light.
If you are lucky, you’ll even see the auroras over one of these magnificent attractions before heading to your nearby countryside hotel.
Day 4 - Crystal Ice Cave under the Largest Glacier of Europe
On the penultimate day of your Iceland winter getaway, you will enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore a crystal blue ice cave. You will set out early with your guide to a remote nook of Vatnajokull glacier, be dressed in all the necessary safety gear, then follow them into one of the world’s most spectacular places.
The way light penetrates the caves, the vividness of the blues, and the spectacular textures and formations that nature has carved are so mesmerizing that they appear otherworldly. You will have plenty of time to explore and take photographs, as your guide tells you how they were formed and other fascinating facts about the glaciers.
After this unforgettable exploration, you’ll begin your return journey along the South Coast. This will provide a new perspective on the amazing sites you marveled over the day before, and you will make several stops to see some attractions under different conditions.
The sky will likely fall dark before you get back to the city, allowing you to keep a keen eye out of the window in the hope of catching another display of the magnificent aurora borealis.
Once you get back to Reykjavík, you can either continue your hunt by heading to one of the many natural spaces in the city or enjoy the lively nightlife of the world’s northernmost capital.
Day 5 - Departure
Today is the final day of your winter vacation in Iceland. If you have a late departure, this is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in Reykjavik. Iceland’s culture is as fascinating as its nature is beautiful, and there are many things to do that appeal to all guests.
The restaurants are internationally acclaimed, the museums are fascinating, the architecture is beautiful, and the streets are quirky and inviting. When dressed in its winter colors, the city has even more charm, becoming a festive wonderland.
For those who have a later flight and choose to visit the Blue Lagoon today, you will finish off your stay unwinding before you head to the airport. This is the perfect place to relax as you bathe in the warm, mineral-rich waters as you look back on the incredible adventure you have just taken in the land of fire and ice. If your flight is later, there are plenty of things to do in Reykjavik. If you have an early flight back home, we wish you a pleasant journey.
Be sure you get to Keflavík in good time and have a wonderful journey home. We hope you enjoyed your stay and come back soon!
What to bring
Good to know
The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and therefore cannot be guaranteed, but this itinerary is designed to maximize your chances to see them if the weather allows. Please be aware that your itinerary may have to be rearranged to better fit your arrival date and time.
Some optional activities might need a valid driver's license, or you might need to send additional information to your travel planner. Please note that you need to know how to swim and present medical documents should you choose to go snorkeling or diving.
It can happen, in the case of extreme weather, that an activity is canceled. If your chosen activity is canceled, we will assist you with rearranging or booking other activities when possible, and any potential price difference will be refunded to you.
Note that Icelandic roads and pavements can be slippery in the wintertime. We recommend you bring shoes with slip-resistant soles or ice-grip shoe covers. The covers can be purchased in most supermarkets and gas stations around the country.
Accommodation in Reykjavik
See our accommodation levels below and our preferred accommodation partners under each day in the daily itinerary. Super budget level accommodations will be arranged in hostel dorm beds. For budget and comfort levels, bookings for one person will be arranged in single rooms, and bookings for two or more people will share a twin/double or triple room(s). For quality level, odd number groups will always be allocated a single room. If you are travelling in a group, but prefer a single room, please make separate bookings. Teenagers and children will be arranged in the same room with parents. If additional room(s) is needed, additional costs will incur.
For multi-day guided tours, accommodation cannot be upgraded and the levels below do not apply. Guide to Iceland will provide you with the best available accommodation at the time of your booking from our preferred partners. If our preferred partners are fully booked at the time of your booking, we will find another suitable accommodation for you of similar level.
We always do our best to accommodate special requests, which may incur additional costs. Press choose a date to find availability.
Dormitory beds with shared bathrooms in guesthouses or hostels, such as HI Hostels. Located in the capital region. Breakfast is not included.
Private rooms with shared bathroom in guesthouses or hostels such as Capital Inn Guesthouse. Located in the capital region. Breakfast is not included.
Rooms with a private bathroom at three-star hotels such as Hótel Klettur, or quality guesthouses. Located in the city center or in close vicinity. Breakfast is included.
Rooms at four-star design hotels in the city center with a private bathroom at the absolute best locations downtown such as Hotel Alda. Breakfast is included.
