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Type: Guided Self-drive Tour with podcast
Operated by: Exploring Iceland Duration: 7 days / 6 nights Area: South Iceland Accommodation: Fosshotel Saga****, Hotel Geysir**** and Hotel Ranga**** or similar Meals included: Breakfast Podcast: Exploring Iceland special - English and German Min: 6 guests Max: 12 guests Please contact us for further information |
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This tour is based on the concept of slow travel and regenerative tourism.
Regenerative tourism is an emerging approach within the tourism industry that aims not only to sustain but also to improve and rejuvenate the natural, cultural, and social environments of travel destinations. It goes beyond the principles of sustainable tourism, which primarily focus on minimizing negative impacts. Instead, regenerative tourism seeks to leave destinations in a better state than before, contributing positively to the local communities and ecosystems. Join us on our new guided self-drive tour with electrical cars where you will be driving in your designated car with your private party in between sites. Electricity in Iceland is produced by hydro and geothermal power. You will be accompanied by our local Exploring Iceland guide who will take the group around all the exciting sites, explaining the history and nature as we explore on foot. Every day easy guided hikes will be undertaken in wonderful, varying nature – often with a historical background. We will visit the Golden Circle including Þingvellir National Park, waterfall Gullfoss and Geyser Strokkur, explore the volcanic Valley Þjórsárdalur, learn about forestry and viking settlements and travel along the charming South Shore of Iceland with its numerous waterfalls, turf houses and amazing glacier views. Enjoy local food tasting, visit a Greenhouse Restaurant to get a glimpse into the life of the local farming community. Every day is theme based and will give detailed and personal insight into the life of Icelanders. We work with local stakeholders throughout to provide an important income to the communities we visit. To make this tour a truly sustainable one we will use electrical cars and will plant birch trees on our farm day outing to compensate our carbon footprint. Our guests get access to a tour-exclusive podcast with wonderful stories about Icelandic history, geology, literature, politics and the daily life of Icelanders. All the cars have bluetooth so our guests can pick from a choice of podcast stories to listen to while they are travelling from site to site to meet their guide! You are free to roam the country with your electric car after the official daily program is over. You might want to check out some of the geothermal bathing springs or go for a longer hike in the evening. Your local expert guide will advise you where to go and what to do! Good to know: The same theme day approach and itinerary can be done with group transportation with an (electric) bus. |
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Day 1: Arrival – Reykjavík Historical Walk
Welcome to Iceland! Take the flybus from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík and check into your hotel. If you arrive around noon or earlier you can book a stop at the Blue Lagoon on your way to Reykjavík. At 18:00 meet up with your guide for the next days in the hotel lobby. We set out for a 2 hour walk to the historical buildings and in the city center and enjoy a communal welcome dinner with the group where we will discuss the route and tour plan. You will be provided with maps and learn about our podcast!
Total walking time: 1 city walk, about 2 hours.
Meals included: Welcome Dinner
Optional: Blue Lagoon
Accommodation: Fosshotel Saga****
Day 2: Introduction cars – Þingvellir National Park - Sólheimar Eco Village
Short transfer to the car rental and introduction into the electrical cars you will be using. On route our first stop will be at Þingvellir National Park where we will go for an extended walk which will take us down the valley like rift that has opened up in between the diverging continental plates and to the historical sites where the Parliament was founded in 930.
Learn from your local guide about the parliamentary system, about the high office of the lawspeaker and the rule of chieftains (goðar). We might even set up a mock trial to get a true insight of the judicial system of the past!
On remote country lanes we drive to Sólheimar Eco Village to learn about their wonderful work using geothermal power and to set about for another lovely walk around the estate.
Check in at our lovely Country Hotel in the late afternoon right at the Geysir Geothermal area so you visit the spouting geyser Strokkur anytime you want! On the parking site there are charging facilities for your car. Dinner individually at the hotel restaurant with Geyser view or at one of the nearby restaurants.
Total walking time today: 2 walks, each approx. 1-2 hours.
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel Geysir**** for two nights
Day 3: Geysers, waterfalls and medieval times
We start the day by walking over the geothermal field near the hotel, learning about geysers, geothermal heating and a royal visit! We take a short walk along the deep canyon Brúarhlöð made by the “White” river Hvítá before we set out to explore the Golden Waterfall Gullfoss. For lunch we visit the absolutely charming Greenhouse Restaurant Friðheimar and learn about growing vegetables with the help of Geothermal energy.
In the afternoon you can either join your guide for a powerful historical walk in Haukadalur forest and learn about the influential Haukdælingar family or drive individually to one of the nearby geothermal bathing springs for a more relaxing afternoon! Dinner individually.
Total walking time: 2 short walks (each about 1-2,5 hours)
Meals included: Breakfast, Friðheimar Soup and bread & coffee
Optional: Visit to Fontana Spa/Secret Lagoon.
Day 4: Volcanic Þjórsárdalur Valley – Forestation - Planting trees
This day is all about forestry and the Viking times! Check out in the morning and prepare for a visit to the past as we go exploring in the volcanic Valley Þjórsárdalur. We visit the reconstruction of a settlement farm that went under ashes in 1104 in a volcanic eruption of Mt. Hekla and visit beautiful Hjálparfoss Waterfall. We go for a walk in the lovely forest Skriðufellskogur and pay our respects to a Mountain King while learning about the reforestation and erosion challenges in Iceland.
On the way to the valley we visit the private farm horse sanctuary at the home of our guide and will be planting trees to compensate for the carbon footprint of our tour. All equipment and trees provided! We will go for a short walk on a beautiful trail on the farm foraging for wild flowers such as thyme or horsetail for your tea. Learn about different wild flowers and the way they were used in the old days for dyeing clothes, for medical and even magical purposes! We continue up into the mountains to the highland. We stop for a walk to beautiful waterfall Þjófafoss before driving to our next hotel. Dinner individually.
Accommodation: Hotel Rangá**** for two nights.
Meals included: Breakfast, Food Tasting for lunch.
Total walking time: 3 walks, about 1-2 hours each.
Day 5: Fire and Ice - Glaciers and volcanoes
This day is about glacier, volcanoes and the ever changing architecture of the rural population.
After breakfast a we set off to new adventures along the South Shore. A short drive takes us to the mesmerizing waterfall Skógafoss and to our first walk around the old turf houses. We learn about the different building techniques that Icelandic people used to stay warm in throughout the centuries as we walk through the Open Air museum. The small but charming town of Vík with its beautiful black sands awaits us with a fascinating lava show . After lunch we drive to Sólheimajökull for a final guided glacier walk (all equipment provided). On the way back to the hotel we will take a short stop at waterfall Seljalandsfoss. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner individually.
Meals included: Breakfast, Soup for lunch.
Total walking time: 2 walks, one short and one approx. 2-3 hour glacier walk.
Included: Lava Show Vík, Skógar Museum.
Day 6: Lava Cave & Historical beach walk - Food and Fun - Sky Lagoon
We start the morning with a guided tour into a lava cave formed 5200 years ago in the Leitarhraun lava field. Joined by a local guide we will explore an easy accessible part of the almost 1400 m long lava tunnel. We continue towards Hafnarfjörður, a town build right into the lava before we walk along the beach of Álftanes town visiting historical sites with beautiful views to Bessastaðir, the Icelandic President´s official mansion and the Reykjavík Skyline. On this hike we will have an outdoor picnic with Icelandic delicacies, brought to us in a truly historical mode. A tasting of old Icelandic dishes will be served based on old recipes and made of Icelandic meat, fish and herbs. We finish our last day with a visit to the Sky Lagoon to watch the evening sun while enjoying a sauna with ocean view. After we returned the cars to the car rental station, a transfer bus will take us back to our hotel for a farewell dinner in Reykjavík downtown.
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic lunch and Farewell Dinner.
Total walking time: 2 walks, one short lava cave walk and one approx. 2-3 hour historical beach walk.
Accommodation: Fosshotel Saga****
Included: Sky Lagoon - Sky Package, Historical Food Tasting
Day 7: Departure
Depending on your time of departure you may have time to visit the Blue Lagoon (optional) on your way to the airport or to do some individual shopping or sightseeing in Reykjavík.
All guests return individually to the airport with the help of the flybus according to their flight schedule.
Exploring Iceland reserves the right to alter routes, itineraries or timetables should the necessity arise. The estimated duration of hiking tours as indicated timing can change according to weather conditions. Please note that the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and sightings can not be guaranteed.
Short time Forecast
The charging of the electrical cars is the responsibility of the driver. The cars are suited for these routes but please note that external factors such as wind, cold and the excess usage of electricity (heat, radio etc.) can impact the battery.
Included:
Not included:
Welcome to Iceland! Take the flybus from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík and check into your hotel. If you arrive around noon or earlier you can book a stop at the Blue Lagoon on your way to Reykjavík. At 18:00 meet up with your guide for the next days in the hotel lobby. We set out for a 2 hour walk to the historical buildings and in the city center and enjoy a communal welcome dinner with the group where we will discuss the route and tour plan. You will be provided with maps and learn about our podcast!
Total walking time: 1 city walk, about 2 hours.
Meals included: Welcome Dinner
Optional: Blue Lagoon
Accommodation: Fosshotel Saga****
Day 2: Introduction cars – Þingvellir National Park - Sólheimar Eco Village
Short transfer to the car rental and introduction into the electrical cars you will be using. On route our first stop will be at Þingvellir National Park where we will go for an extended walk which will take us down the valley like rift that has opened up in between the diverging continental plates and to the historical sites where the Parliament was founded in 930.
Learn from your local guide about the parliamentary system, about the high office of the lawspeaker and the rule of chieftains (goðar). We might even set up a mock trial to get a true insight of the judicial system of the past!
On remote country lanes we drive to Sólheimar Eco Village to learn about their wonderful work using geothermal power and to set about for another lovely walk around the estate.
Check in at our lovely Country Hotel in the late afternoon right at the Geysir Geothermal area so you visit the spouting geyser Strokkur anytime you want! On the parking site there are charging facilities for your car. Dinner individually at the hotel restaurant with Geyser view or at one of the nearby restaurants.
Total walking time today: 2 walks, each approx. 1-2 hours.
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel Geysir**** for two nights
Day 3: Geysers, waterfalls and medieval times
We start the day by walking over the geothermal field near the hotel, learning about geysers, geothermal heating and a royal visit! We take a short walk along the deep canyon Brúarhlöð made by the “White” river Hvítá before we set out to explore the Golden Waterfall Gullfoss. For lunch we visit the absolutely charming Greenhouse Restaurant Friðheimar and learn about growing vegetables with the help of Geothermal energy.
In the afternoon you can either join your guide for a powerful historical walk in Haukadalur forest and learn about the influential Haukdælingar family or drive individually to one of the nearby geothermal bathing springs for a more relaxing afternoon! Dinner individually.
Total walking time: 2 short walks (each about 1-2,5 hours)
Meals included: Breakfast, Friðheimar Soup and bread & coffee
Optional: Visit to Fontana Spa/Secret Lagoon.
Day 4: Volcanic Þjórsárdalur Valley – Forestation - Planting trees
This day is all about forestry and the Viking times! Check out in the morning and prepare for a visit to the past as we go exploring in the volcanic Valley Þjórsárdalur. We visit the reconstruction of a settlement farm that went under ashes in 1104 in a volcanic eruption of Mt. Hekla and visit beautiful Hjálparfoss Waterfall. We go for a walk in the lovely forest Skriðufellskogur and pay our respects to a Mountain King while learning about the reforestation and erosion challenges in Iceland.
On the way to the valley we visit the private farm horse sanctuary at the home of our guide and will be planting trees to compensate for the carbon footprint of our tour. All equipment and trees provided! We will go for a short walk on a beautiful trail on the farm foraging for wild flowers such as thyme or horsetail for your tea. Learn about different wild flowers and the way they were used in the old days for dyeing clothes, for medical and even magical purposes! We continue up into the mountains to the highland. We stop for a walk to beautiful waterfall Þjófafoss before driving to our next hotel. Dinner individually.
Accommodation: Hotel Rangá**** for two nights.
Meals included: Breakfast, Food Tasting for lunch.
Total walking time: 3 walks, about 1-2 hours each.
Day 5: Fire and Ice - Glaciers and volcanoes
This day is about glacier, volcanoes and the ever changing architecture of the rural population.
After breakfast a we set off to new adventures along the South Shore. A short drive takes us to the mesmerizing waterfall Skógafoss and to our first walk around the old turf houses. We learn about the different building techniques that Icelandic people used to stay warm in throughout the centuries as we walk through the Open Air museum. The small but charming town of Vík with its beautiful black sands awaits us with a fascinating lava show . After lunch we drive to Sólheimajökull for a final guided glacier walk (all equipment provided). On the way back to the hotel we will take a short stop at waterfall Seljalandsfoss. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner individually.
Meals included: Breakfast, Soup for lunch.
Total walking time: 2 walks, one short and one approx. 2-3 hour glacier walk.
Included: Lava Show Vík, Skógar Museum.
Day 6: Lava Cave & Historical beach walk - Food and Fun - Sky Lagoon
We start the morning with a guided tour into a lava cave formed 5200 years ago in the Leitarhraun lava field. Joined by a local guide we will explore an easy accessible part of the almost 1400 m long lava tunnel. We continue towards Hafnarfjörður, a town build right into the lava before we walk along the beach of Álftanes town visiting historical sites with beautiful views to Bessastaðir, the Icelandic President´s official mansion and the Reykjavík Skyline. On this hike we will have an outdoor picnic with Icelandic delicacies, brought to us in a truly historical mode. A tasting of old Icelandic dishes will be served based on old recipes and made of Icelandic meat, fish and herbs. We finish our last day with a visit to the Sky Lagoon to watch the evening sun while enjoying a sauna with ocean view. After we returned the cars to the car rental station, a transfer bus will take us back to our hotel for a farewell dinner in Reykjavík downtown.
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic lunch and Farewell Dinner.
Total walking time: 2 walks, one short lava cave walk and one approx. 2-3 hour historical beach walk.
Accommodation: Fosshotel Saga****
Included: Sky Lagoon - Sky Package, Historical Food Tasting
Day 7: Departure
Depending on your time of departure you may have time to visit the Blue Lagoon (optional) on your way to the airport or to do some individual shopping or sightseeing in Reykjavík.
All guests return individually to the airport with the help of the flybus according to their flight schedule.
Exploring Iceland reserves the right to alter routes, itineraries or timetables should the necessity arise. The estimated duration of hiking tours as indicated timing can change according to weather conditions. Please note that the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and sightings can not be guaranteed.
Short time Forecast
The charging of the electrical cars is the responsibility of the driver. The cars are suited for these routes but please note that external factors such as wind, cold and the excess usage of electricity (heat, radio etc.) can impact the battery.
Included:
- Private electric car for max. 4 guests that travel together including unlimited mileage for 5 days (24 hr rental)
- CDW, SCDW and Liability Waiver
- 6 nights in 4 Star hotels in Standard rooms with private facilities
- Bustransfers on day 2 & 6 to/from the car rental station
- Flybus on day 1 & 7
- Breakfast, Lunch (sometimes picnic lunch) 1x Welcome Dinner, 1x Farewell Dinner.
- Guided tour – guide drives in private car and meets the group on the sites to be visited and leads the group on the hikes
- Podcast with stories about Icelandic History, Geology, Literature, Farm Life, Modern Icelandic Life to listen to while you are driving
- Lava Cave Raufahólshellir
- Lava Show Vík
- Entrance to Turf house Museum Skógar
- Sky Lagoon
- Guided Glacier Walk (2-3 hours in total).
- Entrance to Settlement Farm Reconstruction
- Trees and equipment for our Carbon Compensation Event on a farm in South Iceland
Not included:
- Flight to/from Iceland
- Dinner except Welcome and Farewell Dinner
- Optional activities and SPA visits
- Fuel or electricity charges, road tax
- Parking fees
- Personal insurance
