The Daily Itinerary
This tour runs from Sunday to Friday in Iceland. Our tour package gets travelers to Reykjavik early on Saturday morning and gives them a day to rest up before taking The Viking Challenge.
Saturday:
Welcome to Iceland!
You'll arrive at Keflavik Airport early Saturday, take the "Flybus" shuttle into Reykjavik where you'll be met by your guide, who will get you to your guesthouse. You can rest or go exploring in the world's most northerly capital. We'll give you a list of things to see in town and some restaurant suggestions for lunch and dinner on your own.
Sunday:
Walking through History
After breakfast you'll head to Thingvellir National Park. Here is the North Atlantic Ridge where the tectonic plates of Europe and North America are slowly spreading apart. This is the place where Iceland's Parliament - the Althingi, considered the oldest representative government - met for hundreds of years. You'll have a walking tour through the historical and geological sites, and of the geothermal area at Nesjavellir. You’ll have a choice between snorkeling in the clear waters around Thingvellir or kayaking on them. This evening you’ll settle into your cabin at Selfoss, where you'll spend the next three nights.
Monday:
Rafting the White River
Ever wonder where the word geyser came from? You'll see a water spout, at the Geysir site this morning, and also see the River Hvita thundering through Gullfoss, the double Golden Falls. Then below Gullfoss, you'll get on the River Hvita, in rafts and protective gear, and spend a few hours traveling through deep gorges and exciting rapids. The day ends with an Icelandic barbecue!
Tuesday:
Iceland's Nature & Bird Life
Iceland's interesting South Coast will be your goal, in the morning, as you visit impressive waterfalls, glaciers, and black sand beaches formed as lava makes its way to the sea. After lunch, there will be a visit to the folk museums at Skogar, considered one of Scandinavia's best. Then back to Stokkeseyri, for a Lobster Feast at a beach-side restaurant.
Wednesday:
Viking Horses and The Blue Lagoon
The group leaves Selfoss and heads towards Reykjavik to meet Icelandic horses for the next part of your adventure. Horses are suited both for beginners and experienced riders. After a light lunch it’s on to the Blue Lagoon, for a good soak in Iceland’s most famous hot springs. You’ll spend the next two nights in Reykjavík. While here, only breakfast is included so as to give you the opportunity to visit some of the capital’s many interesting restaurants.
Thursday:
Whale Watching & Mountain Bikes
The day begins with a 3 hour cruise that takes you in search of the whales and dolphins and seabirds of Iceland. Following the cruise, mountain bikes are ready for a journey into Heiðmörk, a beautiful wooded area not far from the capital. Then you can choose how to spend your last night of the tour.
Friday:
Time to say good bye ...
The morning will be free to explore Reykjavik to see museums, shops and galleries. Then the Flybus shuttle will return you to Keflavik International Airport for late afternoon departure, OR, if you're very lucky, you can take on more of Iceland after meeting the Viking Challenge!
There's a PDF of both Viking Challenges to dowload and print
Accommodations in Selfoss are modern wooden chalets with private facilities and a nearby hot pot to relax in after a day's activity. In Reykjavik you will stay in the at the Guesthouse Borgartun, near Reykjavik's biggest [warm-water] swimming pool. Accommodations during the Viking Challenge tour are clean, warm and comfortable, with private baths and showers, but they are not hotels. They don't offer room service, in-room phones or television. We can upgrade you to hotels during your Reykjavik nights if you'd like. Double occupancy is standard, single occupancy must be booked in advance.
Prices
See the charts below for reduced prices for two or more travelling together.
The price for one person on the Viking Challenge is $3580*. Price includes round trip airfare on Icelandair from Baltimore, Boston or NYC (Minneapolis, San Francisco and Orlando available for an extra $75) all aiport transfers, all accommodations in double rooms in guesthouses and chalets with private facilities, all breakfasts, 3 dinners, 1 light lunch, all equipment and safety gear for all the activities, and ground transfers to and during the tour. Single supplement of $344 is included in the price for single travelers. *Not included in the prices: aiport departure taxes and fees of about $85, lunches (except Wednesday), dinners on Saturday, Wednesday and Thursday; meals before the tour starts, and any additional travel you choose while in Iceland.
