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On this unforgettable two-day tour, soak up the spectacular views of Snæfellsnes Peninsula, walk on the black pebble beach of Djúpalónssandur, witness Europe’s most powerful hot spring, and get in touch with diverse Icelandic nature.
And for an extra touch of magic during the winter months, we include a mesmerizing Northern Lights chase in your adventure!
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This compact two-day tour is a journey to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, along Iceland’s West coast.
Snæfellsnes is one of the best-kept secrets of Iceland, with diverse scenery topped by Snæfellsjökull Glacier as its crowning landmark. This ancient glacier volcano has sparked human imagination for centuries, most famously with Jules Verne commemorating it in his novel Journey to the Centre of the Earth. Our optional (extra fee) guided tour will offer a chance to step into the 8,000-year-old Vatnshellir Cave and feel closer to the core of the Earth!
On Snæfellsnes exploration, you’ll have many moments to admire towering peaks and cliffs, ghostly lava fields, black sand beaches, and traditional fishing villages. We’ll stop to snap great pictures of the famous Mount Kirkjufell and Djúpalónssandur, a black pebble beach dotted with fascinating rock formations.
Your stay will be at a cozy country hotel in the Snæfellsnes area, providing an ideal setting away from city lights. During winter, if the skies are clear and the forecast promising, you'll have the best chance to witness the Northern Lights. While their appearance can't be guaranteed, with some luck, you might be treated to the mesmerizing dance of multicolored lights across the night sky.
Your adventure begins from your chosen pick-up location in Reykjavik at 9:30 a.m. Please be aware that the entire pick-up process might take up to 30 minutes.
Your journey starts with a stop in Borgarnes, a village steeped in Viking history. Continuing on, you'll be captivated by the basalt columns of Gerðuberg before making your way to Ytri Tunga, a golden-sand beach known for its many seal colonies.
Next, you'll visit Búðir, a picturesque hamlet surrounded by the stunning landscapes of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Your journey then takes you to Arnarstapi, a fishing village renowned for its impressive eroded stone arch, Gatklettur. Here, you'll pause for a delightful lunch break.
Following Arnarstapi, you'll delve into the depths of Vatnshellir Lava Cave, an 8,000-year-old subterranean wonder that seems straight out of Jules Verne's novel, "A Journey to the Center of the Earth." If you opt out of the cave tour, you can explore the Malarrif visitor center and its lighthouse for no extra fee. Should time permit, the Lóndrangar rock cliffs await your discovery too!
Your day continues with a visit to the black sand shores of Djúpalónssandur beach, where you can marvel at the remnants of a 1948 shipwreck and test your strength with the traditional lifting stones.
Concluding your day, you'll check into Hellissandur Adventure Hótel for a restful night. If you're visiting during the winter months (from late September to early April) and the forecast is favorable, you will be able to see the mesmerizing Northern Lights, a natural spectacle that paints the night sky with vibrant hues.
After a hearty breakfast, you'll set out to the iconic Mount Kirkjufell, a favorite among photographers and known to many as a filming location for the TV show "Game of Thrones." Not far from this majestic mountain is a waterfall that completes the picturesque scene.
Your journey then takes you to Grundarfjörður, where you'll have a brief stop for snacks and necessities before heading to the gas station for another short break.
Next, you'll be enchanted by the cascading waters of Hraunfossar waterfall, where you'll also enjoy lunch amidst the breathtaking views. Your historical exploration continues in Reykholt, the homeland of the renowned Icelandic historian, poet, and saga writer, Snorri Sturluson.
Your adventure then offers a choice: for an additional fee, you can indulge in the rejuvenating waters of Krauma geothermal baths. These baths offer a unique blend of hot geothermal water and cold glacial water, providing an unparalleled relaxation experience amidst the stunning Icelandic landscapes.
If you opt not to visit Krauma, you'll be taken to Sturlureykir horse farm, where you can meet the friendly Icelandic horses and learn about the farm's geothermal heating. Nearby, you'll also visit the Deildartunguhver hot spring, recognized as the most powerful in Europe, where boiling water bubbles up from the depths, creating a steamy and surreal vista.
Finally, you'll make your way back to Reykjavik, with an expected arrival time of around 6:05 p.m.
Pick-up Information: Pick up is at 09:00 am from your hotel or a nearby meeting point in Reykjavík. Picking everyone up can take up to 30 minutes, your patience is much appreciated.
Available pick-up points: Arctic Adventures’s pick-up list.
Return time: After two days filled with sensational and extremely varied sights and experiences, we return to Reykjavík in the evening around 18:00 (6 PM).
What to bring: Warm layers and waterproof outdoor clothing, headwear, gloves. Good hiking shoes are recommended.
What if I don't own all of these clothing items?
Don't worry, you can always rent sturdy hiking shoes, waterproof jacket and pants when you book your tour. Please note, we do not rent gear from locations, it must be booked in advance.
We always recommend booking a multi-day tour starting at least one day after arriving in Iceland. If you’re flying in from the US or will be landing early (4-6:30 am) you should be able to join the tour, but some risks would follow (i.e if the flight gets delayed) and could, therefore, miss out on the tour.
Most of the hotels we use during our tours are remotely located and therefore ideal for spotting the northern lights. If the forecast is in your favor, then it is more than likely that you will be able to see the magical show put on by the dancing northern lights during your tour with us. Most of the hotels offer a Northern Lights wake-up call-up on request if the lights are spotted.
The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon; therefore, we can unfortunately never promise they will be seen. Their appearance depends upon atmospheric and weather conditions. The best time to see them is between September and March when it’s dark and clear. The sky needs to be as dark as possible, so the best places to see them are well away from city lights (that’s where we are going!).
For more information on the Northern Lights, please look at our blog about Northern Lights.
If you are not sure that you have suitable gear for your tour, we offer some necessary items for rent. For most of our multi-day tours, we rent out waterproof jackets and pants as well as hiking boots. You can book these items and more under the selection “Extras” in the booking widget when booking your tour on our website.
If you have already booked the tour and wish to add some rental gear to your booking, you can do so at least 24 hours prior to your tour starting by using our customer portal - My Adventures, or contacting our customer care.
We drive on average around 300 km (186 miles) per day on our multi-day tours. You will be spending approximately 4-5 hours in the car each day. We do of course stop on multiple locations throughout the tour for sightseeing, activities, bathroom breaks and lunch stops.
We do welcome participants of all ages older than the listed minimum age for each tour. We have people of ages ranging from 8-99 years joining our multi-day tours. Our average group usually consists of participants between the age 20-55 years. We do get a lot of solo travellers joining our tours, as well as families and friends.
If you have difficulties participating in any of the activities included in the tour, for example, a glacier activity, you are more than welcome to skip it. You can explore your surroundings in the meantime or wait elsewhere. Our guide should be able to drop you off at a nearby place where there are some services available.
For multi-day tours, each participant is allowed to bring a small backpack and 1 piece of luggage weighing a maximum of 20 kg (44 lbs). If you have more or heavier luggage with you, you will need to book storage for the surplus luggage before you arrive, there is a small fee for using this facility. Luggage storage in Reykjavík can be added during the booking process of your order in the extras section.
* The combined dimensions of each bag must not exceed 158 cm (62 in).
Breakfast is included at all the hotels we stay in during the tour. The breakfast will be a typical breakfast buffet, offering bread, toppings, cereal, yogurt, fruits, coffee, and tea etc.
Your guide will also find a good place for the group to eat lunch. We always try to choose places that have a wide selection of dishes on the menu, so there will be options available for everyone. The dinner is usually at the hotels we stay at for the night.
If your tour includes accommodation, breakfast is always included during the tour at the hotel/guesthouse restaurant.
Meals and beverages are otherwise not included on your tour. (Unless it’s specifically stated in the description of the tour)
On our multi-day tours, we will be making stops at restaurants and convenience stores where you will be able to purchase all necessities. Cash is not necessary, as credit cards are almost always accepted. Having a small amount of cash doesn’t hurt though.
A single supplement is available if you want to have your own room, but you are not required to pay a single supplement. If you are a single traveler and do not wish to book a single room, you’ll be roomed with another traveler of the same gender.
When booking with Arctic Adventures, you are guaranteed an accommodation at a nice country hotel and/or a guesthouse. The hotels we have partnered up with are all of the same standard and offer nice rooms with made-up beds and private bathrooms. The standard room is a twin room but it’s possible to request a double room or a triple room, with no extra charge.
If you are traveling solo, you will have to add the single room fee if you wish to have a single room.
All hotels have free Wi-Fi. Towels, a hairdryer and a kettle are accessible at all of the hotels. Hotel breakfast is included!
