THE BEST OF ICELAND 2012

Experience the north and south with plenty of free time

This twelve day tour focuses on guided day tours from Akureyri in the north and Hella in the south, you will stay five nights in Akureyri and six in Hella - staying in only two hotels means a lot less packing and more free time to enjoy yourself. With a choice of accommodation from tourist class hotels to superior class hotels, you will have the perfect stay in Iceland.
You can decide when you meet the tour, which activities you would like to do, where you would like to dine and if you would prefer some time on your own. It is possible to book just the North Iceland tour or the South Iceland tour making an ideal short break. These tours offer an excellent experience combined with exceptional value for money - the choice really is up to you!

THE BEST OF ICELAND 2012 - ITINERARY

Experience the north and south with plenty of free time

Day 1, MO: WEST ICELAND
We explore Hraunfossar waterfalls, Europe's most powerful hot spring and climb the Grábrók volcano crater in West Iceland. After a visit to Glaumbær Turf Farm we travel along fjords and over mountains to Akureyri - the capital of North Iceland, our base for the next five nights.

Day 2, TU: AKUREYRI AND OPTIONAL TOUR TO HRÍSEY ISLAND
Morning walk in Akureyri and a visit to the botanical garden. The rest of the day is free for leisure or an optional afternoon excursion by bus and ferry to Hrísey Island.

Day 3, WE: LAKE MÝVATN
Full day excursion to Goðafoss waterfall and Lake Mývatn, known for its rich bird life and extraordinary volcanic lava landscapes.

Day 4, TH: LEISURE DAY OR OPTIONAL DAY TOUR TO SIGLUFJÖRDUR
Explore Akureyri on your own or join our optional day excursion to Iceland's most northern town, Siglufjörður, known as the herring capital of Iceland and spectacular fjord landscape.

Day 5, FR: HÚSAVÍK, ÁSBYRGI AND DETTIFOSS WATERFALL
Húsavík is a picturesque small fishing town in Northeast Iceland where you can join an optional whale watching cruise or visit some of the many museums. In the afternoon we travel to Jökulsárgljúfur National Park and visit the horseshoe shaped canyon of Ásbyrgi and Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall.

Day 6, SA: KJÖLUR HIGHLAND ROAD
We travel through the interior of Iceland, between the glaciers Langjökull and Hofsjökull. We experience the vast desert landscapes and the hot springs of Hveravellir, where you have the opportunity to take a natural hot bathe. Hella in South Iceland is our base for the next six nights. The Best of North Iceland tour ends today in Reykjavik.

Day 7, SU: SOUTH SHORE
We visit the glaciers, waterfalls, bird cliffs and lava beaches of South Iceland. You have free time for an optional glacier walk or visit the area of Skógar together with our guide. The Best of South Iceland starts this morning from Reykjavik which joins the group for the rest of the tour.

Day 8, MO: ÞJÓRSÁRDALUR
We travel alongside the Hekla volcano and visit the Hjálparfoss waterfall, the Viking farm ruins at Stöng and enjoy a leisurely hike to Gjáin which appears  to be like an oasis in this moon landscape.

Day 9, TU: LEISURE DAY OR OPTIONAL DAY TOUR TO VATNAJÖKULL NATIONAL PARK
Today is a leisure day or you can join an optional day tour to Skaftafell National Park,  travel alongside Iceland's highest mountains and Europe's largest glacier to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon with floating icebergs.

Day 10, WE: WESTMAN ISLANDS
Ferry trip to the Westman Islands where we explore, on foot, the village of Heimaey. You then enjoy the afternoon on your own exploring the island. 

Day 11, TH: GOLDEN CIRCLE
Today we visit the Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir hot springs and Thingvellir National Park.

Day 12, FR: REYKJANES PENINSULA, BLUE LAGOON AND REYKJAVÍK
Hot springs, lava fields, amazing bird cliffs and moon landscapes are on today's itinerary. After an optional visit to the Blue Lagoon we return to Reykjavík for a city tour.

It is possible to book just the North option, days 1-6 with five nights in Akureyri or the South option, days 7-12 with five nights in Hella. See here:

• Best of North Iceland
• Best of South Iceland

THE BEST OF ICELAND TOUR 2012

Experience the north and south with plenty of free time; tour GJ/30D-30L

Type: Hotel/Bus Tour for West Iceland, North Iceland, Interior and South Iceland

Duration: 12 days / 11 nights

Departure and Return: From our office at Borgartún 34 on Mondays at 09:00 returning Fridays between 16:00-18:00

Pick up for tour: Between 08.15-08.45 from any accommodation in Reykjavik

Language: All tours are guided in English and German

Group size: From 8 to 35 passengers

Accommodation: We only stay at 2 hotels during the tour.
5 nights in Akureyri, North Iceland with the following accommodation choices:
* Edda Hotel Akureyri with shared facilities
* Edda Hotel Akureyri with private facilities
* Hotel Kea as superior accommodation
6 nights in Hella, South Iceland with the following accommodation choices:
* Fosshotel Mosfell with shared facilities
* Fosshotel Mosfell with private facilities
* Hotel Rangá as superior accommodation

Meals: 11x breakfast included. Lunch stops will be made at restaurants or café-shops en route. Dinner: we will provide the group members a list of restaurant options in Akureyri and Hella. For guests staying at Hotel Rangá the only dining option is the excellent a la carte restaurant at the hotel (not included in tour price).

Included on tour: 11 nights accommodation, 11x breakfast, bus and guide for 12 days and ferry to/from Westman Islands and entrance to Glaumbær folk museum. Please note, that afternoon program on day 2 and full day program on day 4 and 9 are optional and not included in the tour price.

On tour: This is an easy tour and suitable for everybody. Best of Iceland offers more free time and independet accommodation, dining and touring options than other escorted Iceland round trips. Museums and activities are not included in tour price and can be paid on spot if interested to participate.

Optional tours:
Day 2: Hrisey Island including ferry, 4-5 hours for EUR 60 per person
Day 4: Siglufjörður, Iceland's most northern town, 8 hours for EUR 100 per person
Day 9: Vatnajökull National Park, 12 hours for EUR 140 per person
Optional tours can be booked in advance through your travel agent or through us. Optional tours can also be booked and paid while on tour directly with our tour guide.

.

Other optional activities that can only be booked and paid during the tour:

* Different museums: between EUR 5 to EUR 10 entrance fee

* Whale watching in Husavik (day 5): EUR 54

* Glacier hike during South Shore Tour (day 7): EUR 43

* Boat Tour on Glacial Lagoon (day  9): EUR 21

* Blue Lagoon entrance & towel (day 12): EUR 35

.

Other highlights: You will explore the best of Iceland with the concept off less packing, more free time, tour options and choosing your own room and hotel category. You can decide on spot for which activities you like to participate, where you like to dine, what you like to eat and if you prefer some time on your own. It is possible to book just the North Iceland or the South Iceland option. A new concept for escorted round trips in Iceland and a brilliant combination of independency, convenience, comfort and attractive price while visiting the best that Iceland has to offer.

Pre & post nights in Reykjavik: Are not included in tour price and must be added subject to your arrival and departure flights. GJ-Travel offers a wide selection of accommodations & hotels in Reykjavik. Contact us for further information and prices.

Airport Transfers: are not included in tour price and can be bought through us if required.

THE BEST OF ICELAND 2012 - DEPARTURES

All tours depart at 09:00

.

Duration: 12 days / 11 nights Best of Iceland Tour

Code: GJ30
Accommodation: Option of rooms with shared facilities, tourist class with private facilities and superior class with private facilities. Locations are Akureyri in North Iceland and Hella in South Iceland.
Group Size: From 8 to 35 passengers
Languages: English and German
Meals: Daily breakfast included
Optional tours: Can be bought in advance or during the tour with our tour guide

Rates:

Tourist class hotel with shared facilities
per person in Twin rooms: EUR 1.370 / Single room supplement: EUR 220 / Triple room not available
Tourist class hotel with private facilities
per person in Twin rooms: EUR 1.695 / Single room supplement: EUR 400 / in Triple room: EUR 1.695
Superior class hotel with private facilities
per person in Twin rooms: EUR 2.355 / Single room supplement: EUR 740 / Triple room not available

Included on tour: 11 nights accommodation, 11x breakfast, bus and guide for 12 days and ferry to/from Westman Islands and entrance to Glaumbær folk museum. Please note, that afternoon program on day 2 and full day program on day 4 and 9 are optional and not included in the tour price.

.

Bookings to be sent:

I just wanted to let you know that that we had a great time in Iceland. Everything unfolded very nicely. I want to pass along especially that our guide Petur was terrific. He went out of his way to be helpful, and when time allowed (as it did on several occasions) he took us for sight seeing that was extra to the itinerary.
Horses North / Iceland Adventure USA
----------------------