Natural Wonders of Iceland

Day 1 - Wednesday 14 September 2022

Melbourne - Reykjavik (Meals Inflight)

Welcome to Sisterhood Womens Travel!  Meet your Sisterhood Tour Hostess and fellow travellers at the Melbourne airport for your flights to Iceland.  Sit back, relax and enjoy the airline inflight entertainment as we head towards our next adventure.

Day 2 - Thursday 15 September 2022

Welcome to Iceland (D)

Welcome to Iceland. An underpopulated island marooned near the top of the globe, Iceland is, literally, a country in the making. It's a vast volcanic laboratory where mighty forces shape the earth: geysers gush, mudpots gloop, ice-covered volcanoes rumble and glaciers cut great pathways through the mountains. Its supercharged splendour seems designed to remind us of our utter insignificance in the greater scheme of things. Crisp clean air, an eyeful of the cinematic landscapes and everyone will be transfixed. Upon arrival into Reykjavik we'll be met by our local guide and transferred to our hotel.  With the remainder of the day at leisure we'll regroup for our Welcome Dinner at our hotel restaurant.

Overnight - Centerhotel Midgardur, Reykjavik

Day 3 - Friday 16 September 2022

Reykjavik (B,D)

The city centre is a maze of narrow alleys framed with old timber houses from the late 19th to early 20th centuries punctuated with more recent buildings. We will learn about life in the city from the very beginning of settlement in Iceland to the present day. We stop by the church of Hallgrímskirkja and drive through the university district, past the Nordic house and the National Museum. In the very city centre, we stop by the City hall, which juts into the small lake of Tjörnin. Nearby are the Lutheran Cathedral and the House of Parliament and monuments to Jón Sigurðsson (19th century Independence hero) and also a sculpture of Skúli Magnússon, the father of the town itself. On the lake are lots of birds: many kinds of ducks, whooper swans and various seagulls and arctic terns (depending on the season). We also drive by the harbour to observe fishing vessels of different sizes, whale hunters and whale watchers. In Reykjavík are many public works of art, mainly sculptures. The latest addition to Reykjavík is the concert/conference hall of Harpa (the Harp) built on the northern waterfront of the town centre whose dramatic design captures and reflects the light of the city, ocean and sky with a thrilling effect. In the afternoon we visit the Blue Lagoon, one of Iceland’s most popular attractions, a natural geothermal pool in the middle of a large and dramatic lava field and an oasis that owes its existence to a nearby geothermal power plant. We stop for 1½ – 2 hours for a relaxing bath or a swim in the inviting, rejuvenating and pleasantly warm mineral-rich water (36°C-38°C), famed for its reputed healing properties. An indoor pool and geothermal sauna are also on the site. Bathing in this surreal environment is a unique experience no one should miss. The Blue Lagoon’s warm water and natural active ingredients like mineral salts, silica and blue-green algae help you relax and escape the stress and strain of daily life. Included are silica mud mask, use of towel, bathrobe, and slippers, and first drink of your choice.

Overnight: Centerhotel Miðgarður, Reykjavík / Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 4 - Saturday 17 September 2022

Golden Circle - Thingvellir - Fridheimar - Geysir - Gullfoss (B,L,D)

By a scenic route, we reach Thingvellir National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We stroll around the country’s most sacred site, home of the oldest existing national parliament in the world, the Alþingi, and major events in the history of Iceland. Thingvellir is a place of fascinating natural beauty, a spectacular geological vista, set on a vast plain flanked by large fissures, right by Iceland’s biggest lake, Thingvallavatn. The Mid-Atlantic rift is clearly visible; a rift that is forming as Iceland is being pulled apart by tectonic forces. Here the North-American and the Eurasian continental plates drift apart by about 2 cm a year and a rift valley is forming. Next we reach Fridheimar, where you learn about the Icelandic horse, its special qualities and history and visit a geothermal greenhouse. The light lunch in the greenhouse restaurant includes tomatoe soup and bread. Next, we drive to the mighty waterfall of Gullfoss – the Golden falls – perhaps the most beautiful in the country. Here the glacial river of Hvítá (white river) tumbles 32 meters in a double cascade. Then we explore the active geothermal area of Haukadalur which contains the geysers Geysir and Strokkur, and many other hot springs. Most active nowadays is Strokkur, erupting hot water and steam to an elevation of 25 metres every 5-7 minutes.

Overnight: Stracta Hotel, South Iceland / Meals: Breakfast, light lunch, Dinner

Day 5 - Sunday 18 September 2022

Seljalandsfoss - Skogafoss - Reynisfjara - Skaftatell (B,D)

Today we travel along the South coast. First stop is at the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall which plunges over the mountain. There is an interesting trail that goes behind the fall – if you are prepared to get wet! We continue to Skógafoss waterfall which is 60 meters high and one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country. Next, we take a stroll on the black lava beach and along bird cliffs at Reynisfjara in South Iceland. We pass the glaciers Mýrdalsjökull and the infamous volcano Eyjafjallajökull. In the village of Vík, we attend the stunning Iceland lava show; the only exhibition in the world where you can experience actual flowing lava! By melting lava and pouring it on ice in a room full of people, you will be able to see the lava flowing, hear it sizzling, and feel the heat that radiates from it. We pass the region of Skaftafell that is nestled below Iceland’s highest mountain and the second biggest stratovolcano in Europe, the 2.110-meter high Hvannadalshnúkur. The overnight is in Southeast Iceland.

Overnight: Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon, Vatnajökull / Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 - Monday 19 September 2022

Jokulsarlon Glacier - Hofn - East Fjords - Egilsstadir (B,D)

We visit Vatnajökull National Park which covers about 14% of Iceland, making it Europe’s 2nd largest national park in terms of area. We stop for a boat ride amongst the floating icebergs on the magnificent Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, considered one of the highlights on tours around Iceland. Next, we walk along the black sands of the socalled Diamond beach. Our tour continues east, passing the small town of Höfn and admire the dramatic fjord landscape and its tiny fishing villages at the end of twisty roads in the East Fjords.

Overnight: Icelandair Hotel Hérað, Egilsstaðir / Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 7 - Tuesday 20 September 2022

Moorudalsoraefi - Myvatn (B,D)

We continue to Northest Iceland through the bare and sometimes deserted landscape with mountains all around. Möðrudalsöræfi is defined as a part of the Icelandic highlands. We reach Mývatn Nature Baths and relax in the geothermal waters with a fantastic view over the whole area. Rest of the day free for leisure.

Overnight: Fosshotel Mývatn, Lake Mývatn / Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 - Wednesday 21 September 2022

Asbyrgi - Dettifoss - Husavik - Geo Sea (B,D)

Ásbyrgi is one of the wonders of nature, a well forested horse-shoe shaped canyon, part of Jökulságljúfur region, within the Vatnajökull National Park. We continue to Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall, in the northern part of Vatnajökull National Park. Our next stop is the charming town of Húsavík. Geo Sea is not only a worldclass geothermal bathing mecca - it is an experience that taps into the historical roots of a small fishing town that has harnessed the earth's geothermal waters for centuries. It is a rare union of mineral-rich seawater and heat from the Earth's core. Perched along a western-facing cliffside that overlooks the Skjálfandi Bay and the Arctic Circle to the north, at the Geo Sea baths you cam reconnect, decompress, and enjoy Icelandic nature in a unique way.

Overnight: Fosshotel Mývatn, Lake Mývatn / Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9 - Thursday 22 September 2022

Namaskaro - Dimmuborgir - Godafoss - Akureyri (B,D)

This morning we visit the hot spring area of Námaskarð with bubbling mud pools and steaming solfataras. We explore Lake Mývatn, known as a geological wonderland and for its abundant birdlife. We see the strange lava formations at Kálfaströnd, the pseudo craters at Skútustaðir and the tephra cone Hverfjall. Our next stop is Goðafoss – the waterfalls of the Gods. In the afternoon, we explore the town of Akureyri, also called the capital of North Iceland, and admire the panoramic view over the Eyjafjörður fjord.

Overnight: Icelandair Hotel Akureyri / Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10 - Friday 23 September 2022

Akureyri - Hauganes (B,D)

In the morning enjoy some time for leisure in Akureyri, before we travel the tiny village of Haugarnes where we go whale watching for 2-3 hours in Eyjafjörður – Iceland’s longest fjord right below the Arctic Circle. You will see humpback and minke whales, harbour porpoises and dolphins. The success rate to spot whales is 99%! Back on the bus we travel along spectacular fjord landscapes while touring to Siglufjörður, Iceland’s northernmost town and known as the herring capital of the North Atlantic. Siglufjörður is located on the mountainous Tröllaskagi Peninsula. On the way, we pass small fishing villages and stop at a deserted valley that even most Icelanders have not seen. Included is a visit to the Herring Era Museum in Siglufjörður. It is Iceland’s largest maritime museum and the only Icelandic museum who has won the European Museum Award. Herring tasting and Icelandic schnaps is included.

Overnight: Icelandair Hotel Akureyri / Meals: Breakfast, early dinner in Siglufjörður

Day 11 - Saturday 24 September 2022

Akureyri - Reykjavik (B,,D)

Our journey continues back to Reykjavík. The first stop is at the turf church of Víðimýri. Further south take an easy hike on Grábrók volcano crater in the middle of a greenish lava field. We continue along the scenic Hvalfjörður fjord to Iceland‘s capital.

Overnight: Centerhotel Miðgarður, Reykjavík / Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12 - Sunday 25 September 2022

Reykjavik (B,D)

A relaxing day today enjoying half a day at the Perlan Wonders of Iceland Exhibition including access to the Aurora Show, where you learn about the magical Northern Lights. The latest science and the best museum curators and technologists have joined forces to create a truly amazing exhibition. 

Afterwards we'll have time to stop and shop at Kringlan Mall.

Tonight is our last night as a group, we'll enjoy a Farewell Dinner and celebrate great times shared with new friends.

Overnight -  Centerhotel Midgardur Reykjavik

Day 13 - Monday 26 September 2022

Reykjavik (B,D)

In the morning, we visit the FlyOver Iceland (in lieu of the closure of the Omnom Chocolate Factory), where the film whisks you away on an exhilarating journey across Iceland. 

Next we will visit the Skylagoon, where we will be able to relax and enjoy the warm waters before transferring to our hotel.

Early dinner is at the hotel restaurant.

Overnight - Centerhotel Midgardur, Reykjavik

Day 14 - Tuesday 27 September 2022

Reykjavik - Home (B)

Today we farewell Iceland as we make our way to Reykjavik Airport to begin our flight home.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the infight entertainment as we head towards Australia.

Day 15 - Wednesday 28 September 2022

Welcome Home!

Welcome Home!  Thank you for travelling with Sisterhood Womens Travel and we look forward to welcoming you back to your next adventure!