Iceland·16 - 21 October 2023

Discovery & Wellness in Iceland

The land of fire & ice amazes travelers at every turn with breathtaking landscapes found nowhere else on Earth.

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geyser

Overview

We’ll discover Iceland on a road trip that will take us to its most iconic spots, from thundering waterfalls to exploding geysers. Nature puts on a real show here, and we'll have front-row seats. This isn’t your stock trip to Iceland; this is a restorative wellness trip to one of the last places on the planet to be settled by humans. Your wellness adventure couples the world-famous Blue Lagoon and traditional Icelandic sights with daily yoga and meditation to soothe the soul and start each day with a positive outlook. This unique trip is befitting of a place like no other. You’ll walk away amazed and restored.

Highlights

Explore the Golden Circle including the Gulfoss waterfall, UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park & the Geysir Hot Spring Area

Explore the Golden Circle including the Gulfoss waterfall, UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park & the Geysir Hot Spring Area

Luxuriate in the Blue Lagoon natural hot spring

Luxuriate in the Blue Lagoon natural hot spring

Skogafoss waterfall

Skogafoss waterfall

Icelandic horse farm visit and demonstrations

Icelandic horse farm visit and demonstrations

Organic greenhouse farm tour

Organic greenhouse farm tour

Reynisfjara black sand beach and Reynisdrangar basalt stacks

Reynisfjara black sand beach and Reynisdrangar basalt stacks

Possibility of spotting the Northern Lights

Possibility of spotting the Northern Lights

Itinerary

Here's a day-by-day itinerary of the trip

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Reykjavik

Day 1 – Monday, October 16th, 2023

Arrive in Reykjavik and take a taxi to your hotel, Blu 1919, located close to the harbor and the famous Harpa music hall. Most flights to Iceland from the US are overnight, so take the day to relax, walk around Reykjavik a bit, and recover from your travels.

Tonight, we’ll take a walking tour on the way to dinner where we will enjoy local cuisine along with a wine pairing.

Included

Dinner

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Reykjavik

Day 2: Tuesday, October 17th, 2023

After a morning yoga session and breakfast, we’ll meet our driver and start our first day of exploration visiting the lava fields left by the most recent volcanic eruption in Fagradalsfjall. Lava fields are created when flowing lava cools off and forms artistic designs on Iceland’s landscapes. With time, the lava fields are covered in green moss and integrate into Iceland’s landscapes.

We’ll walk on, around, and along the most recent lava fields while we practice a walking meditation technique that you can use on your own for the rest of the week. Afterward, we’ll drive to a nearby fishing village to indulge in a warm bowl of lobster soup (vegetarian options available). This meal is often remembered as one of the highlights of a trip to Iceland.

After lunch, we’ll continue to what is perhaps the most famous thermal pool in the country, The Blue Lagoon. It's a geothermal pool of seawater mixed with freshwater that is generally between 37°C and 40°C. There's something very special about immersing yourself in the warm thermal hot spring waters when it is chilly outside, as it usually is in October in Iceland. The Blue Lagoon contains silica, algae, and minerals, thought to cleanse, heal and rejuvenate, and we’ll do just that thanks to the three face masks included in our Premium Package.

Our package will also include a bathrobe, towels and slippers, and your drink of choice at the swim-up bar. Take a toast to the fabulous experience with a glass of bubbly before rinsing off and getting ready for dinner at Lava Restaurant, right at the Blue Lagoon.

Dinner will start with a glass of sparkling wine followed by a seasonal Icelandic dinner made from the finest local ingredients.

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Premium package at The Blue Lagoon

Reynisfjarablackbeach

The Black Beach

Day 3: Wednesday, October 18th, 2023

After an invigorating yoga session at the hotel followed by breakfast, we’ll start our road trip. Today we’ll head all the way to the south shore to explore some of the mightiest waterfalls and most striking landscapes. In Iceland, the journey is often just as spectacular as the destination. The landscapes are so majestic that you can spend hours mesmerized by the abruptly changing weather, the otherworldly lava fields, the moss-covered hills, and the volcanic rocks.

Our first stop of the day will be at Seljalandsfoss waterfall, the famous waterfall you can walk behind thanks to the large caverns behind the tall but narrow drop. Dressing in waterproof clothing is key because the force of nature is apparent the moment you approach the waterfalls.

Here we’ll enjoy a refreshing waterfall meditation, practicing mindfulness to soak up the moment.

After Seljalandsfoss we’ll continue towards another waterfall, perhaps the most impressive of them all, Skogafoss. Skogafoss is famous because of the sheer amount of water that pours off the cliff right in front of you. The water spray here is at its strongest and often results in beautiful rainbows - sometimes double or even triple rainbows! You can admire Skogafoss from the bottom or walk up the 400 steps to get to the top.

We’ll continue driving to Reynisfjara black beach where we'll enjoy a simple yet hearty, freshly prepared lunch at a local cafe. After lunch, we have free time at this mythical black sand beach, flanked by the Reynisdrangarbasalt cliffs on one side and the wild ocean waves on the other. The area, and the beach in particular, are steeped in legends about trolls frozen by the morning sun. Look out for the rock formations in the ocean.

After exploring the area and trying to capture its raw beauty, we’ll drive back toward Reykjavik and stop for an early seasonal dinner at a cozy restaurant. 

We’ll arrive back in Reykjavik in the evening, on time to catch the Auroras in the streets of the city as they are often spotted in October.

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

IONVertical

Thingvellir National Park

Day 4: Thursday, October 19th, 2023

Today we’ll wake to another fantastic yoga session followed by breakfast and a more relaxing day. We’ll leave Reykjavik a bit later than usual to allow for a bit of free time to do last-minute shopping in town, and then we’ll head over to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO-listed site and the heart of Iceland’s birth.

Thingvellir is known as the place where the annual Parliament convened from the 10th century to the end of the 18th century. Today, it's a pleasant and very well-maintained park with a network of trails and well-marked paths.

We’ll enjoy some free time, then continue to the beautiful ION Adventure Hotel. ION is located far away from any nearby urban development and enjoys the peace and quiet that makes Iceland so special. The outdoor pool is a favorite spot, as is the glass observatory lounge from which you can enjoy sprawling views of the area surrounding the hotel and relax with a book. Ask for a hiking trail map. The map allows guests access to various trails on the lava fields around the hotel. 

We’ll head to the restaurant for lunch. We'll have some time in the afternoon to discover the nearby hiking trails, soak in the heated thermal outdoor pool or book a massage at the spa.

We’ll reconvene for a group dinner at the hotel’s premium restaurant. Here, beautiful locally sourced meals are served with a side of the same panoramic views.

After dinner, why not enjoy one last dip in the thermal pool?

If the Northern Lights are spotted, the hotel will wake you to let you know to head over to the observatory lounge, so you don’t have to wait outside in the cold.

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

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Golden Circle

Day 5: Friday, October 20th, 2023

We have saved perhaps the most famous day of the trip for the last. Wake up to a wonderful morning meditation session at ION’s beautiful yoga room then enjoy a leisurely breakfast by the window to start the day on the right foot.

Today is all about finishing the rest of the Golden Circle. We’ll start the day off at the strongest of all the waterfalls, Gulfoss, which you can enjoy from above. Water drops around 31m here and passes through raids and a narrow canyon that truly shows you the force of nature. You can see the waterfall from the main drop off point or walk a few steps up to a viewing platform for a wider view.

After Gulfoss, we’ll continue to see the Great Geysir and Strokkur Geysers. On a good day, and depending on the weather, the geyser can explode high into the air surprising all those around it. 

A visit to Iceland could not be complete without learning more about two uniquely Icelandic things: its horses and its greenhouse agriculture. We’ll enjoy lunch and a tour at an organic farm housed inside a greenhouse. Because of the weather, growing vegetables and fruits in Iceland can be a challenge so the local growers have designed a system of greenhouses that allow them to grow the kind of vegetables and fruits that grow in warm climates with the help of bumblebees.

Lunch will consist of a soup buffet with plenty of creamy butter and bread and a separate a la carte menu you can order from. The tomato beer is an intriguing choice.

After lunch, we’ll be graced with a private Icelandic horse demonstration of this indigenous horse breed not found anywhere else in the world. You can also stroke and get up and close with the horses at the stables.

We’ll return back to ION with free time to enjoy the outdoor pool or hiking trails before our final farewell drink and dinner.

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

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Reykjavik

Day 6: Saturday, October 21st, 2023

After breakfast, we’ll drive back to Reykjavik and will be dropped off at the Radisson Blu 1919 around 11am where our lovely time together in Iceland will end. Depending on when your flight back home is, this day can be a final exploration day.

You'll Be Staying Here

Blu 1919

Blu 1919

This hotel is in the fashionable 101 District, close to Reykjavík Harbor. It's also walking distance from the main shopping streets and bars in downtown Reykjavik.

ION Adventure

ION Adventure

ION Adventure Hotel is an unforgettable experience. Whether you are seeking a quiet, soulful soak beneath the Northern Lights, a challenging trek across an ancient glacier or a day of fly-fishing in plentiful icy rivers. 

Hosts

Thorey Sigthorsdottir

Thorey Sigthorsdottir

Thorey has been a certified tour-guide since 2000, and has great experience in creating inspirational journeys through the wonderful nature of Iceland. She enjoys sharing her love of this beautiful and unique country with guests, and also gives tailor-made workshops for individuals and companies. Thorey also studied shamanic healing "Walking the Wheel of Awakening” with Patricia Whitebuffalo and weaved that into her working method as a teacher. 


In addition to being a certified tour guide, Thorey also works as an actor, director and voice coach, since she graduated from the Acting School of Iceland in 1991. 

If it's not at the top of your bucket list, it should be.

Incredible Iceland

Iceland is a place like no other you’ve ever been - a land of thundering waterfalls, exploding geysers, rugged coastline and colorful towns.

Incredible Iceland

What's Included

What's Included

Everything stated in itinerary above including meals (except otherwise noted) plus wine or beer with your evening meal

Lodging at unique hotels

All guides, experts and entry fees

All in-country transport

2 glasses of wine with dinner

Roundtrip airfare to Iceland

Additional wine, beer, or spirits beyond what is offered at meals

All personal souvenir purchases

Travel and Medical Insurance (required)

Airport transfers

Reviews

"OMG - all of the Iceland sites were amazing, the waterfalls, the volcano, the black sand beach, etc... We got to see so much - so kudos to organising all of that" - Dale C, New Zealand

Post-Trip Survey

"Elizabete ... was wonderful, very smart and knowledgeable, I learned so many wonderful things. I can't imagine that trip without her! Also her meditation sessions were exactly what I needed!! The yoga instructor we had was also wonderful." - Carol C, Columbus OH

Post-Trip Survey

FAQs

Since many people arrive at various times, there is no group transfer. Instead, you can choose one of the 2 options below for an easy transfer from the airport to the hotel. Transport between Keflavik International airport and Reykjavik city is 50 km and usually takes less than an hour.

FLYBUS - https://www.re.is/flybus/ The buses are operated by Iceland Excursions' Airport Express and Reykjavik Excursions Kynnisferdir's Flybus services. They both have a timetable adapted to the arrival and departing flights' schedule (you can book directly to here on your reservation). This is how most visitors arrive from the airport to city center, and tickets are around €30. It's a big, nice coach with wifi onboard and plenty of luggage storage.

TAXI - Taxis are available at Keflavik International Airport 24 hours a day. They can be found at the terminal and can bring guests to the hotel in good time.

Here are some idea of sights to see in Reykjavik.

Our concierge, can help you book hotel accommodations. 

Inquire about this trip

Discovery & Wellness in Iceland

Iceland· 16 - 21 October 2023· 5 nights