For this tour, you should feel comfortable with the activity expectations associated with Activity Level 3.These represent the minimum physical requirements needed to enjoy the itinerary. 

The activity details listed below highlight only specific activities/days of the tour. For any days or activities not mentioned, you can expect activity consistent with a standard Activity Level 3 tour. 

Tour Pacing

This is a physically active tour with a brisk pace. You should be prepared for full days and comfortable with significant walking and standing on uneven natural terrain. This includes navigating slippery paths near waterfalls, walking on rocky, black sandy beaches, and traversing trails at geysers and glacial lagoons. Most activities take place outside, with few places to stop and sit. Extremely cold temperatures (14°F) are common during winter, and daylight hours are limited, especially in December and January, making for very short touring days.

Northern Lights hunting is an active pursuit and may occur in the middle of the night, based on Aurora forecasts. Travelers must be prepared for nighttime excursions in cold, dark, and sometimes icy conditions, and be able to navigate uneven, slippery, and snow-covered terrain.

Altitude & Geological Features

Travelers should be aware that many activities take place on varied and uneven natural terrain. This includes slippery paths near waterfalls, rocky black sand beaches, gravel paths at geysers, and uneven trails at glacial lagoons.

Specific locations present additional challenges:

• Waterfalls may involve slippery paths and significant steps.
• Beaches such as Reynisfjara require walking on sand, which is strenuous and requires strong balance and stability.
• Geyser areas require walking across gravel paths between hot springs.

Transportation

Most of the touring is conducted by coach, with travel between multiple sightseeing stops throughout the day. While much of certain days is spent traveling on the coach, stops require disembarking and walking to fully experience each site.

In the majority of circumstances, travelers will not be able to remain on any coach or transport vehicle during stops longer than 15 minutes.

Street Conditions

Travelers should expect uneven and sometimes challenging walking conditions throughout the tour, including:

• Slippery paths near waterfalls
• Rocky and black sandy beaches
• Gravel paths at geysers
• Snow-covered and icy terrain during nighttime Northern Lights excursions

Sure-footedness and stability are required, particularly in dark or winter conditions.

Hotel Rooms

Hotel location in Vik is remote, with limited taxi service and no public transportation available. Any traveler choosing to skip included touring will most likely need to remain at the hotel without any alternative options for independent travel.

Refund Policy

Refunds will not be provided for any activity a traveler chooses to forgo. We encourage you to participate in as many experiences as you are comfortable with to make the most of your journey.

Additional Information

Inclusions and the schedule of activities listed are subject to change and may not reflect your specific departure.

Travelers may opt out of the Northern Lights hunt by notifying the Tour Manager; however, participation requires readiness for late-night activity in cold and potentially icy conditions.

Daily Activity Details

Day 2 – Reykjavik, Iceland / Northern Lights Cruise

• Reykjavik Walking Tour: covering the walking distances of approximately 1.5 – 2 miles, within an average of two hours.
• Northern Lights Cruise: Approx. 2 hours. The vessel has indoor and outdoor areas for viewing. Complimentary thermal gear is available to borrow. The cruise is not suitable for travelers prone to motion sickness.

Skip options:

• Yes, remain at the hotel or explore Reykjavik city on your own at your own pace.
• Yes, remain at the hotel.

Day 3 – Reykjavik - Golden Circle - Vik

• Full day: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
• The Golden Circle tour is moderately active and requires a good level of mobility. While most of the day is spent on the coach traveling between the sites, the exploration at each stop involves a significant amount of walking on varied and often uneven terrain.
• Gullfoss: Visit includes a significant series of steps.
• Thingvellir National Park: Walking distance of approximately 0.8 miles from coach drop-off to pick-up point. Travelers can choose to only visit the viewpoint and remain on the coach.
• Geysir: The area is largely flat and accessible but requires walking on gravel paths between the hot springs and geysers.

Skip option:

• No, this is a transfer day.

Day 4 – Vik - Reynisfjara - Vik

• Reynisfjara Beach: is moderately physically demanding and requires a high degree of caution, attentiveness, and sure-footedness. Walking on the sand is strenuous. This visit is suitable for travelers who are physically agile, have excellent balance, and can remain constantly vigilant.
• Skogafoss Waterfall: Falls can be viewed with little walking, but travelers have the option to climb 460 uneven steps to a higher viewpoint.

Skip option:

• Yes, remain at the hotel or participate partly.

Day 5 – Vik - Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon - Vik

• Full day: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
• The activity on this day is generally easy to moderate. The physical demand comes less from strenuous exertion and more from the environment and the terrain underfoot.

Skip option:

• Yes, remain at the hotel.

Day 6 – Vik – Blue Lagoon – Reykjavik

• The Blue Lagoon: is designed for maximum relaxation and is one of the least physically demanding activities. The walk from the changing facilities to the lagoon is short and on paved and non-slippery surfaces.

Skip option:

• Yes, stay in Reykjavik for independent exploration.

In rare cases, if continuing the tour affects your safety or its integrity, Collette may advise that a traveler cannot remain on the tour. Should this occur, any costs associated with returning home would be the traveler’s responsibility—but we want to work together now to prevent that situation.