Women-Only 1-Week Winter Christmas Tour from Reykjavik

Your second day in Iceland will be about experiencing Reykjavik's festive celebration of the Yuletide season. The Christmas season in Iceland is a magical time filled with festive traditions, snowy landscapes, and an enchanting atmosphere. The capital transforms into a winter wonderland, with twinkling lights adorning the streets and cozy cafes offering hot chocolate and pastries.

You'll explore Reykjavik's Christmas markets, which draw visitors with magical charm. The city's primary market is a hub of holiday cheer. Here, you'll find beautifully decorated wooden stalls selling everything from handcrafted gifts and woolen goods to Icelandic delicacies like smoked lamb and warm pastries. 

You'll also smell the aroma of spiced mulled wine and freshly baked treats filling the air. The market features a mix of local and international vendors offering unique Icelandic products. You can buy artisan jewelry, knitted sweaters, and Christmas ornaments. 

Strolling through the market, you'll hear the soft hum of Christmas carols, adding to the warm and inviting atmosphere. In addition to shopping, Reykjavik's Christmas markets entertain all ages with visits from Santa Claus, horse-drawn carriage rides, and live performances.

Laugavegur street in particular, becomes a festive paradise, combining the charm of Icelandic traditions with a magical holiday atmosphere. As Reykjavik's main shopping street, Laugavegur is adorned with sparkling lights and festive decorations. You'll see the shop windows transformed into creative displays showcasing Icelandic wool sweaters, handmade ornaments, and other unique gifts.

Laugavegur sparkles under festive lights at night, making it ideal for an evening stroll. You can also find pop-up Christmas markets along the street featuring handcrafted items and seasonal treats.

Finally, if you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the northern lights dancing across the dark winter sky. Seeing the aurora borealis, especially during Christmas, is an unforgettable experience to add to your Icelandic vacation.

For your third day in Iceland, the guide will take you through the Golden Circle to visit its iconic attractions.  The Golden Circle is one of Iceland’s most popular tourist routes, offering a perfect mix of stunning natural wonders and easy accessibility from Reykjavik. This iconic loop is known for its three key attractions: Thingvellir National Park, the Gullfoss waterfall, and the Geysir geothermal area.

The guide will first take you to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Geologically, Thingvellir National Park is one of the most fascinating places in Iceland. Here, you can walk between two tectonic plates, which only a few places on Earth offer. It’s also home to the beautiful Silfra fissure, where you can snorkel in crystal-clear waters between the continents.

Historically, Thingvellir is the site of Iceland’s first parliament, founded in 930 AD. It is here that early settlers gathered to make laws and settle disputes, laying the foundation for Iceland’s governance.

Next, you’ll head to Gullfoss, a breathtaking waterfall that drops 105 feet (32 meters) in two stages, creating a thunderous spectacle. The sight of water rushing down into a deep gorge, surrounded by mist, will leave you breathless.

You can explore several viewing platforms that provide stunning perspectives of the falls. Since you’re visiting in winter, you’ll see the icy formations and snow-covered surroundings, creating a magical, frozen wonderland.

Finally, you’ll visit the Geysir geothermal area, home to two of Iceland’s most celebrated geysers: The Great Geysir and Strokkur. The Great Geysir is known as the first geyser described in written records. 

Geysir was once a spectacular sight, shooting boiling water up to 230 feet (70 meters) into the air. Though its activity has waned due to natural changes in underground pressure, the surrounding landscape still offers a fascinating geothermal experience.

Meanwhile, Strokkur is known for its reliability and dramatic eruptions, shooting boiling water high into the air every five to 10 minutes. Strokkur’s eruptions typically reach heights of 65-100 feet (20-30 meters), which are a sight to behold.

You’ll then head to a greenhouse restaurant for a hearty lunch featuring locally grown vegetables and other fresh ingredients.

After witnessing the Golden Circle’s attractions, you’ll return to your hotel to recharge for another unforgettable day.

Today, you'll be heading to Iceland's South Coast, one of the most captivating places in the country. Stretching from the capital Reykjavik to the village of Vik, the South Coast features waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches, and rugged cliffs.

One of the highlights of the area is the Seljalandsfoss waterfall. With a height of 200 feet (60 meters), this majestic waterfall is easily recognized for its unique feature – a path that lets you walk behind its cascading water.
Seljalandsfoss is especially captivating during sunset when the golden light illuminates the falls. If you visit in winter, you'll see the waterfall transforming into a frozen wonderland, with icicles adding to its beauty.

You'll also visit Skogafoss waterfall. One of Iceland's most iconic waterfalls, Skogafoss stands at an impressive 197 feet (60 meters) tall and 82 feet (25 meters) wide. Its sheer power and beauty make it a standout attraction.

After marveling at the South Coast's waterfalls, you'll visit Reynisfjara, Iceland's most famous black sand beach. Located beside Vik, Reynisfjara is known for its striking basalt columns, roaring Atlantic waves, and eerie black sands.

The basalt columns, called Reynisdrangar, rise dramatically from the sea near the shore. According to local folklore, these rock formations were once trolls caught in the sunlight and turned to stone.

Your South Coast adventure wouldn't be complete without a trip to the captivating Solheimajokull glacier. Part of the larger Myrdalsjokull glacier, Solheimajokull is a favorite destination for glacier hiking, which you'll also experience today.

Before the glacier hike, the guide will give you crampons and other equipment to help you safely navigate the glacier. As you explore Solheimajokull, you'll see the glacier's surface with its striking blend of icy blues, glistening whites, and volcanic ash streaks coming from volcanic eruptions in the past.

Your fifth day in Iceland is all about exploring ice caves. Ice caves in Iceland hold profound significance, both as natural wonders and as symbols of the country's dynamic environment.

These mesmerizing caves, formed by glacial meltwater carving through ancient ice, reveal walls of vivid blue, white, and crystal-clear ice that shimmer like gemstones. Your journey begins with a thrilling ride on board a specially-equipped vehicle across Iceland's rugged landscape.

These powerful vehicles are equipped to handle the challenging terrain of Iceland's wilderness, including rocky trails, snowy plains, and icy river crossings, ensuring a safe and thrilling journey to the glacier.

Moreover, their height and power make them ideal for tackling steep inclines and deep snowdrifts, common obstacles on the way to Iceland's glaciers. These vehicles are also modified to include essential safety equipment, like GPS systems and radios, ensuring communication in remote areas.

Once you reach the entrance to the ice cave, the guide will make sure to equip you with the necessary safety gear. Formed by glacial meltwater carving through ancient ice, these mesmerizing caves reveal walls of vivid blue, white, and crystal-clear ice that shimmer.

Once inside the cave, you'll feel the temperature drop and hear the faint creak of the glacier, a reminder of its constant movement. As you explore the cave, the guide will share stories and fascinating details about the glacier's formation, age, and the science behind the stunning hues of the ice. 

You'll also notice the light dancing through translucent ice, casting reflections and shadows. Moreover, the contrast between the raw, rugged exterior and the delicate, intricate interior is striking. Interestingly, the caves vary yearly, making each visit unique, as no two formations are the same.

At the end of your ice cave exploration, you'll return to the vehicle and head back to the hotel for dinner.

Your last full day in Iceland is adventurous as you head to the country's icy landscapes on a snowmobile. Snowmobiling in Iceland offers an exhilarating way to experience the country's breathtaking landscapes. Riding across snowfields and glaciers, this adventure lets you enjoy awe-inspiring views while pumping your adrenaline.

Your journey begins with a scenic drive to one of Iceland's majestic glaciers. Upon arrival, the guide will provide insulated suits, helmets, and gloves to keep you warm and safe in the icy conditions. After a brief safety orientation and snowmobile driving instructions, you're ready to set off into the snowy expanse.

As you navigate the glacier's surface, you'll feel the thrill of the ride, with the powerful snowmobile gliding over ice and snow. You'll also feel the crisp mountain air and the crunch of snow under the tracks. 

You'll then be treated to the panoramic views of Iceland's volcanic peaks, frozen crevasses, and endless white vistas. If you ride on a clear day, the scenery stretches for miles, offering spectacular photo opportunities.

Beginners don't need to worry, as an expert guide will lead the way. They will also share fascinating insights about the glaciers' formation and their role in Iceland's ecosystem. Glaciers are a defining feature of Iceland, both geographically and culturally. Covering about 10% of the island's surface, these vast ice fields shape the country's landscape.

Glaciers play a vital role in Iceland's ecosystem and hydrology. As they melt, they feed numerous rivers that flow into the ocean, sustaining the country's fertile farmland. These glaciers also contribute to Iceland's unique geothermal systems, as the heat from volcanic activity beneath the ice causes some glaciers to melt, creating hot springs and geysers.

After an exhilarating snowmobile adventure, your guide will take you to a local pool to relax your mind and body. After a rejuvenating dip, you'll proceed to your farewell dinner in Reykjavik.

Before departing Iceland, you'll enjoy its majestic landscapes one more time while soaking in a geothermal pool. Iceland's geothermal pools are one of the country's most unique natural wonders. The hot springs are heated by volcanic activity deep beneath the Earth's surface, making them perfect for soaking in the chill of winter. 

The pools are also an integral part of Iceland's health and wellness traditions, believed to have healing properties for skin conditions and stress relief.

After enjoying the hot springs, your guide will take you to the Keflavik Airport in time for your flight back home.