Active Tour of Iceland & Norway

(11 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Reykjavik, Husafell & Langjokull Glacier, South Iceland, Blue Lagoon, Bergen & Sognefjord

This private luxury tour combines active and cultural touring in stunning landscapes in Iceland and Norway.

First, with your own private guide, enjoy insider touring of the highlights of Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. See iconic buildings such as historic Hallgrimskirkja Church and Harpa, the contemporary concert hall designed in conjunction with renowned artist Olafur Eliasson. Explore the colorful backstreets of the town, walk along the scenic harbor and stop at renowned culinary spots. Visit Perlan, a landmark building on a hill, for views over Reykjavik. If desired, visit the National Museum of Iceland or Reykjavik Art Museum to gain further insight into Iceland's history and contemporary culture. Also enjoy time to browse top boutiques for Icelandic crafts such as hand-knit wool sweaters and blankets. Other options include visiting the Arbaer Open Air Museum, the Viking Village, the Imagine Peace Tower or FlyOver Iceland to enjoy a simulated flight ride over Iceland's spectacular scenery. Tickets can be arranged to enjoy a whale watching or puffin spotting cruise.

Continue to Husafell for the Into the Glacier experience at Langjokull Glacier, including driving across a glacier and venturing into a tunnel carved into the blue ice. During private touring, see Hraunfossar and Barnafoss, interesting waterfalls that stream through lava fields and ravines. Also enjoy a tour of local lava tubes and a guided hike to open-air geothermal baths.

Next, enjoy private touring in the iconic Golden Circle, one of Iceland’s most popular regions. See Gullfoss, Iceland's most famous waterfall, and watch Strokkur and other geysers erupt. Visit Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the Althing (Icelandic assembly) met for more than 850 years in a spectacular rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Enjoy a private tour and lunch at a geothermally heated greenhouse and a snorkeling excursion in Silfra fissure. Also see other highlights of the area, such as Kerid crater lake, and soak in open-air hot springs at the Secret Lagoon or at Laugarvatn Fontana, including a visit to its geothermal bakery.

Continue along the spectacular southern coast to see some of Iceland’s most impressive and dramatic scenery. Visit Reynisfjara Beach to see its unusual black sand and basalt columns, and take in views of monumental sea stacks off the coast. Also see the amazing Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, and tour cultural highlights such as the Skogar folk museum and the Lava Center, a fascinating interactive museum dedicated to Iceland's geological forces. If desired, also visit an Icelandic horse farm. During winter, this region is an ideal base for hunting for the Northern Lights (aurora borealis).

One day, enjoy a scenic 4WD excursion and optional hiking and soaking in hot springs in a beautiful location such as Thorsmork, a region of rugged peaks and glacial river valleys. Another day, enjoy a thrilling ATV ride or go horseback riding.

Next, relax at the luxurious Retreat Hotel at Blue Lagoon Iceland, affording plenty of time to soak in the enormous geothermal pool among lava fields—a quintessential Icelandic experience—and enjoy the hotel’s spa, architecture and restaurants.

Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange hiking and biking excursions, Northern Lights (aurora borealis) excursions, tickets to performances, Icelandic cooking classes, food tours, art and architecture tours, snow adventures, the Inside the Volcano experience, scenic helicopter flights, reservations at top restaurants and more.

Next, fly to Bergen, a historic port city and the gateway to Fjord Norway. During private touring, explore the picturesque Bryggen wharf district, a former Hanseatic trading post that's now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the bustling fish market, and tour the Hanseatic Museum and Schotstuene to learn about life in medieval Bergen. Walk through the pretty backstreets of the town, and venture up the Floibanen funicular for panoramic views of Bergen and the harbor from the top of Mount Floyen. Other options include delving deeper into the city's history at Rosenkrantz Tower and the Bryggens Museum and shopping for local handicrafts. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange optional excursions to Troldhaugen (Edvard Grieg's home), Old Bergen or the Bergen Aquarium. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange tickets to performances at Grieg Hall and other venues around Bergen.

One day, enjoy a full-day excursion with your private guide through some of Norway's most spectacular mountain and fjord scenery. Ride the renowned Flamsbana train on one of the world's most scenic rail journeys through a glacier-carved valley past small farms, tumbling waterfalls and high peaks. Cruise the most dramatic sections of beautiful Sognefjord, including impressive Aurlandsfjord and breathtaking Naeroyfjord, the narrowest fjord in Norway and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Another day, enjoy a hiking or kayaking excursion, and ample time at leisure.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Keflavik – Reykjavik Private arrival transfer to hotel for 1 night, with VIP access at the Blue Lagoon en route. Afternoon private city touring and optional tickets for whale or puffin watching cruise by RIB later today Day 2 Reykjavik – Husafell & Langjokull Glacier Private transfer to hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon "Into the Glacier" experience and scenic private touring Day 3 Husafell Guided hike to remote geothermal pools in a canyon, including time to soak, and/or excursion into lava cave Day 4 Husafell – Golden Circle – South Iceland Private touring of Thingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss waterfall, geothermal farm and snorkeling in Silfra Fissure en route to hotel for 2 nights Day 5 South Iceland Full-day private excursion to Thorsmork, including hiking Day 6 South Iceland – Blue Lagoon Private horseback riding or private ATV tour en route to hotel for 2 nights Day 7 Blue Lagoon Day at leisure Day 8 Blue Lagoon – Keflavik – Bergen, Norway Private transfer to airport (flight to Norway not included). Private arrival transfer to hotel for 3 nights. Afternoon private touring of Bergen Day 9 Bergen, Flamsbana & Sognefjord Full-day privately guided excursion on Flamsbana train and cruise on Aurlandsfjord and Naeroyfjord Day 10 Bergen & environs Morning private hiking or kayaking excursion. Afternoon at leisure Day 11 Depart Bergen Private airport transfer

Hotels

Reykjavik: Konsulat Hotel, Canopy by Hilton or Hotel Borg *The Reykjavik EDITION can be booked, upon request (supplement applies) Husafell: Hotel Husafell South Iceland: Hotel Ranga or Hotel Grimsborgir Blue Lagoon: Retreat Hotel at Blue Lagoon Iceland Bergen: Solstrand Hotel & Bad

Cost

$25,990 Per person (based on four travelers/two rooms) $31,525 Per person (based on two travelers/double occupancy)