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Icelandic horses
Jökulsárlón glacier
Itinerary
DAY 1 • Depart U. S. Fly overnight from the U. S. to Keflavik, Iceland.
DAY 2 • Keflavik, Iceland • Selfoss Arrive in Keflavik, where an O. A. T. representative will assist you with the transfer to your hotel in Selfoss. Later, enjoy a Welcome Dinner to toast to the journey ahead. Meals: D | Hotel Selfoss
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DAY 3 • Wool studio • The Golden Circle Visit a local wool studio for an interactive session on wool-dying, spinning, and knitting. Because of our small group size, we’ ll be able to help craft wool products using traditional techniques and speak openly with the studio owner about the Icelandic wool industry. Then discover Iceland’ s Golden Circle, a ring of natural highlights. First, we’ ll visit Gullfoss waterfall, which features two tiers of rushing white water that flow into a hundred-footdeep crevice. Next, we’ ll drive to Geysir, the geyser from which all others take their name. Geysir is silent these days, but we’ ll witness the columns of water that shoot into the air from nearby Strokkur geyser. In this area of intense geothermal activity, puddles of water on the ground literally boil.
Our Golden Circle tour concludes at Thingvellir National Park. The park sits in a major rift between two tectonic plates— the Eurasian and North American. This rift creates
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a valley in the land, ringed by rocky cliffs and fault lines. The mountains surrounding this plain, dotted with canyons, caves, streams and springs, form a natural amphitheater, which was home to the world’ s oldest Parliament. This afternoon, return to Selfoss. Meals: B, L | Hotel Selfoss
DAY 4 • Seljalandsfoss Waterfall • Super Jeep tour Begin your day with a visit to Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, a 180-foot thundering cascade shrouded in great clouds of mist. Later, travel to Vik Village and experience the rugged Icelandic landscape by Super Jeep, an off-road driving experience led by a local guide. We may drive to the dormant glacier of Kotlujokull, or alternatively, we’ ll head to Hofdabrekku Heidi Mountain. Meals: B, L, D | Hotel Near Vik
DAY 5 • Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon This morning, we’ ll embark on a cruise of Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, the deepest lake in Iceland. Located at the head of Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, the lagoon was formed at the turn of the 19th century as the glacier began receding. During your voyage, you’ ll get an up-close look at the massive skyblue icebergs that have broken off the glacier and now pepper the lagoon. Then, we’ ll continue our journey eastward toward the cozy fishing village of Höfn. Meals: B, L, D | Hotel Near Höfn
DAY 6 • A Day in the Life of an Icelandic horse farm Travel to a family-run farm in Daeli for our A Day in the Life overnight experience. Meet members of the owner’ s family and learn about their small businesses. You’ ll also have the opportunity to meet Icelandic horses first brought to the country by Viking settlers, who venerated the horses in North Germanic mythology, as they were crucial to the survival and advancement of their civilization. As most horses would not thrive in Iceland’ s harsh climate, the Icelandic Horse developed unique characteristics that make it suitable for the often severe environment through centuries of selective breeding. Historically, they were intended to assist local farmers with sheepherding; however, today, they are also used for leisure, showing, and racing. Meals: B, L, D | Hotel Near Egilsstadir
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DAY 7 • Namafjall • Dimmuborgir lava field • Godafoss Waterfall • Home- Hosted Dinner Discover the Lake Myvatn area, a mythical region shaped throughout the ages by volcanic eruptions and known for its diverse bird population. We’ ll explore hot mud springs of Namafjall, the pseudo-crater field at Skutustadir, and the“ black castle” lava formations of Dimmuborgir, where a lonely troll is said to have lived. Later, we’ ll visit Godafoss(“ waterfall of the gods”), where the current carries rushing water along a glacial river and over the rocks, falling 40 feet into the pool below. It is said to have gained its name when one of the leaders of the country’ s parliament disposed of his statues of Norse gods here upon the adoption of Christianity as the official religion in the year 1000.
Then, we’ ll drive to our hotel in Akureyri. Later, we’ ll break into smaller groups and share a homecooked meal featuring traditional Icelandic foods during a Home- Hosted Dinner. Meals: B, L, D | Berjaya Akureyri Hotel or similar
DAY 8 • Fly to Reykjavik • the Blue Lagoon Fly back to Reykjavik and embark on a walking tour of the capital city. Despite its small size, Reykjavik feels remarkably cosmopolitan. From hip bars to extensive art galleries and a rich culinary scene, there’ s much to see, do, and discover. Afterwards, visit the Blue Lagoon, one of Iceland’ s most famous natural wonders. Enjoy a soak in the mineral-rich waters, or explore the massive complex, which features restaurants, a spa, steam rooms, a sauna, and even a waterfall that provides a hydraulic massage.
Meals: B, L, D | Berjaya Reykjavik Marina Hotel or similar
DAY 9 • Return to U. S. Transfer to the airport for your flight home to the U. S.
Meals: B
Want to know more? Find the full itinerary and dates & pricing at www. oattravel. com / ikl
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