Iceland and Arctic Norway Adventure

Set among snow-topped mountains and volcanic surrounds, Reykjavik is the energetic gateway city to a land of rugged adventures. As the planet's most northerly capital, Reykjavik greets you with a crisp, clean Icelandic breeze before charming you with its blend of small village feel and big city passion. Looking out across the sea to glacier views, this little city is split in half by the brilliant waters of Tjornin Lake and brims with highbrow museums, first-class geothermal pools and stylish restaurants.

Amble around these friendly and colourful streets before uncovering Iceland's more remote and isolated pockets that hold all-natural wonders of otherworldly lava fields and bubbling mud pools.

Reykjavik revels in its reputation as being one of the most modern, forward thinking societies in Europe. The city tour includes all the major landmarks. We visit Reykjavik’s spectacular coastline and harbour area including Harpa, the latest edition to the Icelandic and international cultural scene. The Höfdi house is the venue of the “end of the cold war” meeting in 1986 between President Reagan and General Secretary Gorbachev. We also visit Reykjavik’s colourful old quarter with its quaint wooden houses and narrow streets. This private city tour also includes a stop at the Perlan Museum, which opened in 2017. The first exhibition is the Glaciers and Ice Cave exhibition which features a man made ice cave and an interactive show on glaciers in Iceland.

Get to know the hardy, smart and characterful Icelandic horse on a half day's ride across the north's incredible landscape.

Drive to Thingvellir, the site of the oldest democratic parliament in the world, and the point where the slowly separating North American and Eurasian tectonic plates can be clearly seen. During the tour, visit Geysir, the geyser which gave its name to all other erupting hot springs, and one of the most active geysers in the area, Strokkur. Continue on to the breathtaking Gullfoss waterfall, then follow the main rift down to Lake Thingvallavatn.

Today you'll be taken to Solheimajokull glacier to walk on the ice field and discover ice sculptures, ridges, and deep crevasses. Then explore an extraordinary black lava beach with icebergs scattered along the strand on this private-led tour.

Spend your time in Iceland discovering a myriad of natural marvels. Explore active volcanoes and dancing geysers on scenic hikes and trek to the thundering Skogafoss Waterfall, black sand beaches, the jaw-dropping Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon and Europe's largest glacier, the immense Vatnajokull. The South is also Iceland's agricultural heartland and is strewn with charming traditional farms.

Venture to Landmannalaugar in the central highlands of Iceland, passing Laki volcano and across lava fields, black ash and scoria deserts. Landmannalaugar is an area of great contrasts with black ridges and colourful mountains of green, red, yellow and orange.

Aboard a heavily modified 4x4, safari into Thorsmork. This is one of the most beautiful areas of the country, surrounded by rugged and beautiful mountains, glaciers and glacial rivers, decorated with small birch woods and humming brooks. Here find some 170 plant, moss and lichen species in this lush area, which was a fjord some 12,000 years ago. Enjoy a barbecue lunch in the Land of the Gods before heading back to Reykjavik.

Visit Skaftafell National Park. The landscape here is almost alpine, but it has been formed in thousands of years by fire - volcanic eruptions - and water - from glaciers and rivers. Svartifoss waterfall is one of Skaftafell's best known attractions, mainly for the stark basalt column walls that flank it. The park is renowned in Iceland for its agreeable climate and the sunny days in summer, unusual for the area, and is home many species of birds and arctic foxes.

The Blue Lagoon geothermal spa is one of the most visited attractions in Iceland. Temperatures in the bathing and swimming area of the lagoon averages 37–39 °C (98–102 °F) and the waters, rich in minerals like silica, are reputed to help some people suffering from various skin ailments. The lagoon is man-made and fed by the water output of the nearby geothermal power plant Svartsengi, where superheated water is vented from the ground near a lava flow and used to run turbines that generate electricity. After going through the turbines, the steam and hot water pass through a heat exchanger to provide heat for a municipal water heating system. Then the water is fed into the lagoon for recreational and medicinal users to bathe in.

Sitting at the head of a fjord, with the forests behind it, the Norwegian Capital is gifted with a unique combination of vibrant city life and easy access to the outdoors. Although the most populous city in Norway, Oslo is the perfect size for exploring on foot. You'll be drawn in by an eclectic mix of old and new architecture, world-class museums, animated nightlife and plenty of outdoor activities. The trading roots of this ancient Viking city are reflected in the importance of the buildings surrounding its harbours. It's here that you'll find the Town Hall, The Nobel Peace Centre, the medieval Akershus Fortress and the National Opera House.

As you arrive in Tromso, ‘the arctic capital’, you experience a sudden rush of excitement: you're at the last outpost of civilisation before the wild icy sweeps of the Arctic Ocean. But while the streets and harbor may reflect a past of polar adventure, Tromsø is more than just a dropping off point for Arctic expeditions - it's a vibrant cultural centre for a region of small fishing villages.

Located on an island connected by bridges to the mainland, the center is famous for its charming, old wooden houses, cathedral and ancient cinema. The atmosphere is as lively as you'd expect of a bustling port town, which is also the site of the most northerly university on the planet, and you'll find many fine restaurants, cafes and bars here.

This evening, enjoy dinner at one of the best restaurants in the city, where you will taste Arctic specialties and excellent quality fish.

This morning head into Tromso to acquaint yourself with the vibrant city and visit some of its best museums. During the tour you will see the Polar museum and Polaria, the world's most northerly aquarium.

Head out with your mountain guide for a snowshoeing trek through the wilds of Kvaloya Island.

Sat in the Arctic Ocean halfway between Norway and the North Pole, the Svalbard archipelago an arctic wilderness half covered by glaciers and home to polar bears, reindeer, arctic fox, sea birds and whales. Spitsbergen with its main town Longyearbyen, is the largest and only permanently inhabited island of the archipelago. No roads connect its settlements, providing a unique opportunity for snowmobiling or traveling by boat.

Your experience will differ depending on the season you decide to visit. In summer, animals and fauna thrive during the long stretch of constant light and it’s the best time for exploring fjords and glaciers, kayaking and trekking. The polar winter night means that the Northern Lights are bright and the freezing conditions are great for snowmobiling, skiing, husky sledding and visiting ice caves.

On this trip we will enjoy the exotic midnight sun from the back of a snowmobile. Driving in the middle of the night in full daylight is a special experience.

Today you will head out on an exciting husky sleigh ride. Learn how to prepare the sleighs following directions from your guide and choosing the appropriate dogs. Then go through the Bolterdalen valley in a crossing of about six hours. Surrounded by the Svalbard mountains and with the silence as a companion, hear the sound of your skis as they slide over the snow before arriving at frozen caves. Enjoy an expedition lunch and then return to the farm for a hot cup of tea or coffee around the bonfire as you share your stories from the day.

In the evening, from around 6 to 11pm, sail out into the arctic wilds on an expedition boat. The focus will be on finding wildlife and seeing spectacular glaciers under the midnight sun, with a chance of spotting maybe seals, whales, polar bears and thousand of birds. En route there will be a warming expedition dinner at a scenic place.

Discover the remote wilderness of the tundra on an exciting hike through a wide range of landscapes. Rugged, barren mountains, often covered with ice and snow, sit alongside miles and miles of gentle tundra, making this area a joy for hiking. The more serious minded hikers can go on full day hikes further into the wilderness of Spitsbergen, which has been seen by more reindeer and polar bears than people.

This evening enjoy a delicious dinner on your final night in Svalbard.