Iceland and Greenland Arctic Adventure

Enjoy time based in the Golden Triangle exploring some of Iceland's most impressive sights. Three main attractions form the dazzling Golden Circle: Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall and the geothermally active valley of Haukadalur, which contains the geysers Geysir and Strokkur. The region also serves a fantastic base from which to explore other areas in southern Iceland.

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.

Snorkel in some of the clearest water on the planet in Silfra, a tectonic rift valley in Þingvellir National Park, down a narrow canyon in the lava field located between the continents of America and Europe. The water in Silfra is a mixture of ground water from the surrounding area and melt water from Langjökull glacier in the highlands. It takes the glacial water decades to filter through the massive lava field before it enters the fissure. This makes the water in Silfra one of the purest and clearest in the world, the underwater visibility, in the heavenly blue water, is normally 70-80 meters, better than anywhere else in the world.

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.

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.

Jökulsárlón is the most famous glacier lagoon in Iceland. It is located at the end of Breidamerkujokull, an outlet glacier of the great Vatnajokull glacier. Due to glacial retreat, huge pieces of ice break loose from the glaciers and end up floating in the Jökulsárlón lagoon. Here you will get the chance to see some of Iceland’s most stunning scenery with huge icebergs floating in the vast lagoon.

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.

Enjoy your days in the colourful town of Ilulissat, one of the most beautiful settings for a Greenlandic adventure. Spectacularly situated in a bay that harbours immense icebergs, some rising more than a hundred meters above sea level, that are products of the Jakobshavn Glacier. The vast glacier is a a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most productive in the northern hemisphere with around 35 billion tonnes of icebergs breaking off and passing out of the fjord every year.

Explore the ever changing backlands or, depending on weather conditions, the city. On this tour you'll go in depth with the Sermermiuts 4000-year-long history and the different Inuit cultures and traditions. The area's natural beauty along with the exciting stories is bound to fascinate everyone.

Begin at the old cemetery, where people are still buried today, then follow the walkway to Sermermiut and Nakkaavik - the place to fall (Old Ladies Gorge). Instead of returning, continue along the track to Seqinniarfik 'Where we welcome the sun' (Holms Hill), where every year, on the 13th of January, the people of Ilulissat hike to welcome the sun after the long dark winter. Along the way, your guide will point out the historical sites, which can be hard to find, especially the old Inuit graves which lay hidden a little offtrack. Beautiful icebergs are the setting for the old settlement Sermermiut, located 1.5km south of Ilulissat. For 4000 years, different Inuit cultures lived in the settlement and today you can still see many remains that indicate their presence. A trip to Sermermiut is an absolute must when visiting Ilulissat, hear the guide tell stories about Inuit people's life and traditions before the Europeans came to Greenland. See turf hut ruins and touch the permafrost with your own hands.

Today you shall embark on a closed heated boat, and sail south passing large icebergs towards the settlement of Ilimannaq which is situated in the southern banks of the ice fjord. On the way, be sure to look out for whales swimming close to the boat. Lunch is served on board before reaching the small settlement. Here you can really get a sense of settlement life in the 21st century before you sit down to dinner in a newly opened settlement restaurant. Then you'll be picked up by Helicopter and returned to Ilulissat.

Embark on a private kayaking adventure in the Disco Bay, from the old town. Here, guided by your professional instructor you shall see the city from the sea and truly immerse yourself in the beauty of this landscape via the native's favourite mode of transportation.

Take a boat trip between the gigantic icebergs, some of which tower up to 100m above the surface of the water. No matter the weather they are beautiful to see, but their blue shades are best observed when it is cloudy and the midnight sun casts its glow on their forms during the night. The sun creates a unique array of colors across the surfaces of the icebergs. The midnight sun in Ilulissat lasts from May 21 to July 24. Remember to wrap up warm as it can get very cold on the boat trip. Coffee and tea will be served on board.

Return to Reykjavik for a night.