Although very close in distance, the unique landscapes and cultures differ greatly between Iceland and Greenland. The easy access to Greenland directly from Iceland makes this a perfect and fascinating combination.
Day 1: Keflavik - Reykjavik
Arrival Arrive at Keflavik airport and transfer on your own to the Hilton Reykjavik Nordica Hotel for a 2 night stay. Round-trip airport transfers may be pre-paid, add $44.00 per person.
Day 2: Reykjavik Sightseeing - Reykjanes Peninsula - Blue Lagoon
Morning sightseeing tour around Reykjavik City, to the old town centre, the harbour, the Pearl. Next travel to the Reykjanes Peninsula, a geothermal field with hot springs, steaming vents and mud pots. Visit the famous Blue Lagoon, set in the middle of a black lava field. Enjoy welcome dinner at your hotel in Reykjavik.
Day 3: Geysers - Gullfoss Waterfall - Thingvellir UNESCO heritage site
Passing volcanic landscape with impressive views and geothermal fields where plumes of steam rise to the sky on the way to Thingvellir National Park. The Park is an ancient site of the original parliament and a geologically fascinating area. Walk down the rift valley caused by the separating North-America and Eurasian tectonic plates.
Then head to the famous Geysir hot spring area and view boiling mud pools and one of the most active geysers in the area, Strokkur, spouting up to 30 meters. Continue to Gullfoss, the Golden Waterfall, one of the most impressive waterfalls in Europe. Visit a horse breeding farm with a geothermally heated greenhouse, learn about the Icelandic horse and its special qualities. Overnight in Fludir area for the next 2 nights.
Day 4: Thjorsardalur, valley of the Saga age farms - Mt. Hekla - Landmannalaugar
Travel to the valley of the Saga Age farms, Thjorsardalur, an area greatly affected by the 1104 eruption in Mt. Hekla, Iceland´s most famous volcano. We stop at the reconstructed farmhouse of Thjodveldisbaerinn, the original farm being buried by the ashes from the Mt. Hekla eruption. Travel on through this valley with its extensive birch woods, to the dramatic scenary and untouched wilderness of the highlands. Arrive in Landmannalaugar, an area with an amazing range of colors, where the landscape is made from the beautiful multi-shaded rhyolite. You have the option to bathe in a natural warm pool.
Day 5: Ilulissat, a UNESCO heritage site
Transfer to Reykjavik domestic airport in the morning and fly to Ilulissat, Greenland. Arrive around noon to this picturesque town. It has a beautiful location at the mouth of a long ice fjord, filled with enormous icebergs from the most productive glacier in the northern hemisphere. After check-in, enjoy a walking tour in the centre of the town with your local guide. Learn about modern life close to the Arctic Circle and join in the feeding of a sled-dog team, where the owner will demonstrate dog-sledding and tell about the nature of sled-dogs in Greenland.
Day 6: Boat tour to Eqi Glacier
Very few places in Greenland are as beautiful as the Eqi glacier, which squeezes out in a fjord north of Ilulissat. Sail to the very edge of the glacier's frontline rising 80-90 meters above the surface of the sea. While enjoying lunch on board the boat, you may be lucky enough to watch a big chunk of heavy ice break off the glacier and tumble intensely into the sea. The crashes are enormous and the sight of the ice falling into the water to create a new iceberg, not to mention the sound, is impressive.
Day 7: Old Settlements
In the morning hike to the remains of the old settlement, Sermermiut, which is situated by the Icefjord. Listen to the story about the life and the customs of the Greenlanders before the Europeans´ arrival, while enjoying incredible views of the icebergs in the fjord. The afternoon is open for your own activities, such as visiting the museums in the town or participate in optional excursions (not included but pre-bookable), such as a boat tour to view the icebergs or a helicopter flight to the icefjord.t the tiny settlement Oqaatsut or Rodebay. With only about 45 inhabitants it has its own school, church, shop and small restaurant called "H8", which is located in one of the old buildings from the colonial time.
Day 8: Optional Tours and Travel Day
Use the morning at your own leisure or participate in optional excursions (not included, but prebookable). You might want to visit the museum in the town or use the time to do any final shopping for tupilaks or other handicraft souvenirs. Transfer to the airport in Ilulissat and fly to Reykjavik, followed by a transfer to Hilton Hotel.
Day 9: Departure
After breakfast check-out of your hotel and have your luggage ready for pick up by the bus for transfer (not included) to Keflavik airport for your flight home.
