EXPERIENCE OVERVIEW
Dates: 15 – 20 August, 2022
Retreat Duration: 6 Days, 5 Nights
Group Size: 10 – 19 women
Accommodation: Twin share accommodation in a modern hotel, with private bathrooms and breakfast included.
Cost: €1295
Travel with Girl Gone International to discover the sheer beauty and breathtaking nature of Iceland – a truly bucket-list destination! Join us for a once in a lifetime experience, to explore the quirky capital Reykjavik, view Iceland’s most magnificent waterfalls, stroll along breathtaking black pebbled beaches with magnificent basalt formations, take in the otherworldly beauty of dramatic landscapes, walk in the shadow of larger-than-life mountains, soak in the relaxing and rejuvenating waters of geothermal springs, see majestic whales in Icelandic waters, and marvel at power of Iceland’s geysers! Iceland’s mystical otherworldly landscapes will leave you breathless and totally enchanted, creating lasting memories.
ITINERARY
DAY 1 – WELCOME TO ICELAND
Day
Arrival at the accommodation in Reykjavik, to settle in and meet your fellow travellers! Relax, get to know one another, and begin exploring the surroundings.
Optional Activities for Early Arrivals
Let’s explore the local neighbourhood together! Discover local flea markets to find the perfect pre-loved Icelandic sweater, marvel at Fagradalsfjall Volcano, view stunning public sculptures and street art, and maybe visit a museum or gallery!
Evening
Meet together in the evening for dinner, to get to know each other and for a trip introduction from your Girl Gone International Travel Guide.
Included: transfers from the airport to the accommodation.
DAY 2 - REYKJAVIK
Morning
Meet for breakfast together in the hotel breakfast room (included).
After breakfast uncover local secrets with a guided walking tour of the fascinating city of Reykjavik – let’s get to know this amazing city through the eyes of a local, as they share the history and culture of Iceland with us!
After the tour explore a local street food market for lunch together, with free time to relax and explore.
Afternoon
In the afternoon there are 2 incredible activity options to choose from:
Option 1: Experience the wildlife and nature adventure of a lifetime on a small group personal whale watching tour! Board a custom-made RIB fast boat for a private nature tour to view whales, dolphins and puffins, learning from our expert guide about Iceland’s whales and their importance to Icelandic culture. This unforgettable experience offers a fun and intimate chance to view these majestic animals as close as you can from sea level – great for those who love adventure!
OR
Option 2: Relax at the world-renowned Blue Lagoon for an otherworldly experience in the heart of a volcanic landscape, named one of National Geographic’s 25 wonders of the world! Treat yourself to an afternoon of relaxation and pampering at this truly unique geothermal spa. The Blue Lagoon’s geothermal seawater is enriched with silica, algae, and minerals that heal, rejuvenate, and nourish – all while surrounded by a breathtaking landscape.
Evening
Free time to relax together and perhaps share a meal at a local Icelandic restaurant.
Included: guided walking tour, and either a Whale Watching tour (subject to weather conditions) OR visit to Blue Lagoon.
DAY 3 - THE GOLDEN CIRCLE
Morning
Meet for breakfast together in the hotel breakfast room (included).
Depart Reykjavik for a guided tour of one of the most spectacular drives in the world – The Golden Circle.
Day
View the gorgeous Kerid Crater Lake – Kerid is an extremely colourful crater-lake formed in a volcanic eruption some 6500 years ago when former volcanic cone collapsed within it’s own magma chamber. The bright red volcanic rock and mesmerising green blue lake at the bottom are truly a beautiful and inspiring sight to behold, with hiking paths around the crater’s rim providing a full view of the phenomenon and surrounding landscape.
Marvel at the wonders of the Geysir geothermal area and discover the power of Strokkur – one of the most active geysers in the world.
After a lunch break in the area, head towards the Gullfoss “Golden Waterfall”, named for the golden glow that the glacial water creates as it roars over the cataract. Have your camera ready, this is one of Iceland’s most spectacular natural wonders and a truly spectacular sight.
Experience one of Iceland’s most fascinating geological wonders, Þingvellir National Park. This is the site where the world’s first parliament was formed (that is still active) in 930. Explore an epic Icelandic landscape and walk in the footsteps of the Vikings, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. Notorious for its outstanding natural beauty, Þingvellir National Park was one of the main filming locations of Game of Thrones in Iceland.
Late Afternoon
Take a dip in the Secret Lagoon, relaxing in the natural hot springs while surrounded by the rugged Icelandic countryside. Located in the peaceful region of Flúðir, soak in the natural hot springs while surrounded by rolling green meadows and summer wildflowers – the perfect end to the day.
Evening
Free time to relax at the hotel, or perhaps to share a meal at a local Icelandic restaurant.
Included: breakfast, private transport, private local guide, entrance to the Secret Lagoon, entrance to Kerid Crater Lake, and activities listed.
DAY 4 – THE SOUTH COAST
Morning
Meet for breakfast together in the hotel breakfast room (included).
Depart from Reykjavik for a private guided day tour of the South Coast with a local expert.
Day
The South Coast is rich in magnificent and diverse landscapes, ranging from vast farmlands, active volcanoes, numerous ice caps, glacier outlets and Glacier Rivers, amazing waterfalls, wide black sandy plains and beaches of black and fascinating basalt rock formations.
Stand below the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, both being amazingly beautiful and receiving their water directly from Eyjafjallajökull glacier.
Stroll also the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, which gets its name from the cool hardened lava that the sand was formed from. Its beautiful black sand, powerful waves, and the impressive Reynisdrangar sea stacks make Reynisfjara a truly unique and memorable place to visit.
Stop for lunch at the picturesque coastal village of Vik (Iceland’s southernmost village with only 300 inhabitants), which offers a glimpse of old Iceland with its beautiful wooden churches and old-world charm. Shop for handmade gifts crafter from local ingredients.
View the Sólheimajökull Glacier (The Home of the Sun Glacier), which is the southernmost glacier of Iceland and an outlet glacier from the main ice cap Mýrdalsjökull. The beautiful colour of the ice is ever-changing and the incredible scale of the glacier front shows the grandeur of nature.
Evening
Free time to relax at the hotel, or perhaps to share a meal at a local Icelandic restaurant.
Included: breakfast, private transport, private local guide, and activities listed.
DAY 5 – THE SNAEFELLSNES PENINSULA
Morning
Meet for breakfast together in the hotel breakfast room (included).
Depart Reykjavik for a guided private tour of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
Day
Drive to the northern coast of Snaefellsnes to visit the spectacular 4000 year old lava field named Berserkjahraun after one of the Icelandic Sagas, Eyrbyggja-Saga. The dramatic and alien landscape is filled with green moss-covered black lava stones and surrounded by pyramid-shaped mountains and fjords, making it a truly unique landscape.
Marvel at the peninsula‘s iconic landmark Kirkjufell, known as “church mountain” for it’s remarkable shape – the beautiful stop is the most photographed mountain in Iceland and it’s easy to see why! View the nearby Kirkjufellsfossar waterfalls to take in the picturesque beauty of the mountain. The waterfall is a three pronged waterfall alimented by glacial waters from Snæfellsjökull glacier. A small path leads around the area for a great view of the falls and Mt Kirkjufell from all angles.
Travel around the tip of the peninsula to enjoy the extraordinary landscape. Enjoy an amazing view of the volcanic crater Saxhóll, before arriving at Djúpalónssandur. This epic, black-pebbled beach offers stark views out to the ocean, hair raising rock formations and fascinating histories of shipwrecks.
Visit to the idyllic Arnarstapi fishing village to take a walk through the extraordinary landscape and admire the coastal rock formations. While in town visit the Miðgjá stone bridge, a natural stone arch off the coast. Just east of the town our next stop is by a tiny, 19th-century wooden church called Búðakirkja.
Heading back to Reykjavik there is one final stop to take in the view of the Natural Heritage Site of Gerðuberg, home to a beautiful belt of basalt columns in impossibly geometric shapes that run along a cliff on the southern side of the Snӕfellsnes Peninsula.
Evening
Free time to relax at the hotel, or perhaps to share a meal at a local Icelandic restaurant.
Included: breakfast, private transport, private local guide, and activities listed.
DAY 6 - REYKJAVIK AND DEPARTURES
Morning
Meet for breakfast together in the hotel breakfast room (included), followed by a relaxed morning preparing to leave.
For those with flights in the evening or following day there will be a chance to explore more of Iceland together.
Included: breakfast, transfers from the accommodation to the airport.
Please note that some of the activities included are subject to weather conditions, and the itinerary may alter.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Twin share accommodation in a modern hotel, with private bathrooms
- Breakfast daily (5 breakfasts)
- Return airport shuttle transfers.
- Breathtaking whale watching experience* OR Blue Lagoon experience (includes return transfers, spa entrance, Silica mud mask, Use of towel, 1st drink of your choice).
- Discover the Golden Circle – Faxi Waterfall (Vatnsleysufoss), Strokkur Geysir, Gullfoss Waterfall and the stunning Thingvellir National Park.
- Explore the South Coast – Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, visit the picturesque coastal village of Vik, see the Sólheimajökull Glacier.
- Experience the Snæfellsnes Peninsula – Berserkjahraun Lava field, Kirkjufell (Church Mountain), Kirkjufellsfossar Waterfalls, view the volcanic crater Saxhóll, Djúpalónssandur black pebbled beach, visit the idyllic Arnarstapi fishing village, see the basalt columns at the Natural Heritage Site of Gerðuberg.
- Soak in healing geothermal waters at the Secret Lagoon.
- Guided walking tour of Reykjavik with a local expert.
- English speaking local guide for the Golden Circle, South Coast and Snæfellsnes Peninsula private day tours.
- Transportation in private bus for Golden Circle, South Coast and Snæfellsnes Peninsula day tours.
- Hosted by a Girl Gone International Travel Expert to make your trip super fun and enjoyable!
* Whale Watching tours are dependent on weather and sightings cannot be guaranteed.
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Meals and drinks
- Any activities not listed on the itinerary
ACCOMMODATION
- Twin share accommodation in a modern hotel
- Private bathrooms with shower and hairdryer
- Breakfast daily (included)
- Free high speed Wi-Fi
- Free luggage storage on departure day
Please take the time to read our booking terms and conditions prior to booking with Girl Gone International
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS TRIP
- Discover the land of Fire and Ice, experiencing the ethereal and untamed beauty of Iceland’s landscapes.
- Chase waterfalls with us, including the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, and the Gullfoss “Golden Waterfall” – Europe’s second most powerful waterfall!
- Soak in Iceland’s oldest open-air geothermal natural spring as we take in the rugged charm of the Icelandic countryside.
- Witness natural wonders at the Geysir geothermal area, one of the most active geysers in the world.
- Experience the wildlife and nature adventure of a lifetime on a small group personal whale watching tour OR Experience the world-renowned Blue Lagoon for an otherworldly experience in the heart of a volcanic landscape, named one of National Geographic’s 25 wonders of the world.
- Explore Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Iceland’s most significant and beautiful place.
- Visit world renowned black pebble beaches, with amazing basalt rock formations and black volcanic sand.
- Create genuine connections and real friendships with your GGI travel companions!
GIRL GONE INTERNATIONAL
Have Questions about this trip?
If so, please contact us via this form.