Countryside Odyssey

A lovely tour of North and South Iceland with Whale Watching.

Featuring some of Icelands most stunning scenery. Highlights in the north include Europe's most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss, and the surreal Lake Myvatn area. In the south there is the famous hot spring area of Geysir and the queen of Iceland's waterfalls, Gullfoss. Also included is a visit to the geothermal area of Landmannalaugar with its colourful rhyolite mountains.

NB. This tour includes an average of 2 hours walking per day.

Day 1

By air from the UK to Keflavik Airport. Transfer by airport bus (included) to Reykjavik bus terminal. Meet with Tour Guide during the evening (62 miles).

1 night REYKJAVIK - Guesthouse Borgartun (BB)

Day 2

Visit Þingvellir National Park (UNESCO), site of the world´s first parliament and where you can see the North American and European continental plates tearing apart. Then to magnificent Gullfoss (´Golden Falls´) and the world famous Geysir area nearby, where Strokkur spouts to a height of 30 metres.

1 night HELLA - Fosshotel Mosfell (HB)

Day 3

Travel inland to visit the vast geothermal area of Landmannalaugar, one of Iceland´s natural jewels. The surrounding rhyolite mountains have the feel of another planet, ranging in colours from beige to red and from blue to black. Opportunity to bathe in one of the geothermal pools.

1 night HELLA - Fosshotel Mosfell (HB)

Day 4

Northwards via the highland desert of Sprengisandur, the geographical centre of Iceland, with views of the distant ice caps Vatnajökull, Europe´s largest glacier, and Hofsjökull, the third largest. Visit the majestic Aldeyjarfoss and Goðafoss waterfalls. Picnic lunch included.

1 night HUSAVIK - Fosshotel Husavik (HB)

Day 5

To the high sea cliffs of the Tjörnes peninsula, rich in birdlife. Then to Hljoðaklettar (‘Echo rocks’) which gets its name from the strange echoes made by the many caves and strange rock formations. Onwards to impressive Asbyrgi canyon, 3.5 kms long with 90 metre high cliffs before arriving at Europe’s most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss, 44 metres high with a flow of 212 tons per second! Also a visit to the Namaskarð high-temperature field with its bubbling mud pots and solfataras.

1 night HUSAVIK - Fosshotel Husavik (HB)

Day 6

A 3 hours whale watching trip from Husavik, with a chance to see Minke, Humpback and Sei whales as well as dolphins and porpoises. Then to Lake Myvatn, a unique area which features strange lava formations, pseudo-craters and famous for its birdlife with more than a hundred species. Stroll through the Dimmuborgir lava field ending with a walk up to the rim of Hvergfjall (312 m), one of the world’s largest ash craters. To the outdoor Myvatn Nature Baths to bathe in the 38-40ºC waters and hot pots.

1 night HUSAVIK - Fosshotel Husavik (HB)

Day 7

Southwards via Akureyri and over the Öxnadalur mountan pass through ever-changing countryside to Skagafjörður where we will have an introduction to the unique Icelandic horse. Then to the interesting Glaumbær Folk Museum before heading back to the capital.

1 night REYKJAVIK - Hotel Leifur Eiriksson (BB)

Day 8

Airport bus(included) to Keflavik Airport for your return flight to the UK.

By Air: Sundays from London Heathrow Airport.
Departure Dates: 3 & 31 July; August 2011
Duration:  7 nights

Flight departures also possible from Manchester and Glasgow at no supplement.

Guesthouse Borgartun **

Fosshotel Mosfell **plus

Fosshotel Husavik ***

Fosshótel Húsavík is a friendly and well-equipped hotel, located in the heart of Húsavík and within walking distance to the harbour. The hotel has 70 rooms, all with shower/wc, satellite TV, radio and phone. Other facilities include a restaurant, Moby Dick Pub, a reception, elevator, internet station, rooms adapted for those with disabilities and free parking. The hotel is now probably the world's only whale-themed hotel, boasting unique features and exhibitions on these marine mammels in the form of pictures, paintings, sculptures and a large whale stamp collection. The Moby Dick Pub is based on the famous movie and book "Moby Dick" with unique sculptured whale stools, rocky chairs and tables. Moby Dick Pub is a popular location for cocktail parties, theme music lounge and sports TV bar. Since 01 June 2007 all guestrooms and restaurant/bar facilities are non-smoking.

Hotel Leifur Eiriksson ** plus

Family-run hotel since 1993. Impossible to get lost as the hotel is located opposite the 73m high Hallgrimur's Church which towers above Reykjavik. All rooms with shower/wc, telephone, radio and satellite TV. Reception open 24 hours for light meals and drinks.

Whale Watching

Includes one 3-4 hours whale watching excursion from Husavik.