Iceland - Chase the Northern Lights

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1 #Trekking Iceland - Chase the Northern Lights 5 Days 4 Nights Overview From a distance, Iceland seems like an utterly surreal and mysterious land that could be mistaken for existing only between the pages of a coffee-table book. On closer inspection, we realise that this unique island is profoundly real. Iceland is sprinkled all over with unimaginable visions such as the brightly-dancing Northern Lights, the snow-capped glacier of Solheimajokull, the extensive mountain ranges in Reykjadalur Valley, the breathtaking waterfalls of Skogafoss, and the most magically formed lava caves straight out of a dream. A visit to Iceland is enough to make you feel as though you are participating in a very significant experience of the planet's essence. For this reason, you should take a trip with us to Iceland - a country that is quite possibly the most ravishing part of the world. Start of Tour End of Tour Reykjavik Alftroo

2 Your Itinerary in Brief Trip Highlights Uncover the story behind the birth of Iceland by exploring the intriguing lava caves Visit Geysir, the world's oldest recorded hot-water spring Visit Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site Dramatic views of the Eyjafjallajokull Volcano while trekking the Solheimajokull glacier Days Description Distance Meals Day 1 Arrive Reykjavik - None (Meals on your own) Day 2 Reykjavik - Blue Mountains - Thingvellir National Park - Gullfoss Waterfall - Geysir - Alftroo - Breakfast, lunch and dinner Day 3 Alftroo - Breakfast, lunch and dinner Day 4 Alftroo - Solheimajokull Glacier - Seljalandsfoss - Skogafoss - Reykjavik - Breakfast and lunch Day 5 Depart Reykjavik - Breakfast We will try our best to stick to the above itinerary. However, sometimes due to situations out of our control (political situations, weather conditions, excessive snowfall or others), we may have to amend it to ensure safety of the group.

3 Your Itinerary in Detail Day 1 Arrive Reykjavik Make it to Reykjavik, the capital city of Iceland, for an orientation, where you will be introduced to the details of the tour. If we have some free time prior to the welcome meeting, we can embark on an exploration of Harpa, a landmark concert hall next to the Reykjavik Harbour. The appearance of the building is sharply defined by a facade of coloured glass. Another option is to explore the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa set in the centre of the Icelandic landscape. Bathe in the mineral-rich water that works wonders for rejuvenating your skin. Meals: None (Meals on your own) Day 2 Reykjavik - Blue Mountains - Thingvellir National Park - Gullfoss Waterfall - Geysir - Alftroo After eating a delicious breakfast, we will start our second day with a trip in the private vehicle to Golden Circle, a 300-kilometer route that will take you through many of the beautiful landmarks of Iceland. Of these, we will halt to explore those we absolutely cannot afford to miss. Our first halt will be at the beautiful Blue Mountains where we will explore the lava caves below the surface. On our underworld adventure, we will marvel at the incredible rock formations left behind by the previous volcanic eruptions. The most popular cave here is the colourful Leioarendi Cave which was formed by eons of cooled lava. Move on to the Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site which attracts visitors due to its geological, cultural and historical importance. Don't be too surprised if you find yourself walking alongside Icelandic horses and sheep which are a common sight here. The entire experience is dreamy and surreal. Located within this park is the former Althing, the first parliament of Iceland which started way back in 930 AD. Afterwards, we will make our way to Gullfoss Waterfall which is a spectacular sight to behold as it is counted amongst Iceland's most impressive waterfalls. The water here originates from a glacier lake which can be dark grey in colour owing to the sediment pushed through the river. We will stop by Geysir, the oldest recorded hot-water spring in the world. Later in the evening, we may get the opportunity to view Northern Lights, a natural phenomenon that appears only at high latitudes on dark nights from the months of September to March. Marvel at the ethereal glow across the sky. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

4 Your Itinerary in Detail Day 3 Alftroo Start the day on an adventurous note as we go for a hike around the valley of Reykjadalur. Our path is set against the backdrop of dizzyingly beautiful scenery where you can click amazing photographs. While hiking, you will be able to see cascading waterfalls and steam rising up from the boiling hot pools. Depending on the month, we may spend another evening capturing the Northern Lights in the Arctic skies. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Day 4 Alftroo - Solheimajokull Glacier - Seljalandsfoss - Skogafoss - Reykjavik Another memorable day awaits as we head out for a trek to the Solheimajokull glacier. The trail is characterized by dramatic views of the glacier and the Eyjafjallajokull volcano. Your guide explains the area's volcanic history, including the volcano's most recent eruption in Next, we will move towards the beautifully-high falls at Seljalandsfoss in southern Iceland after which we visit the dramatic Skogafoss Waterfall. Originating from the Skoga River, the waterfall topples from a height of 62 metres. The feeling you get when you witness the water falling over the rocky cliff is deeply overwhelming. Meals: Breakfast and lunch

5 Your Itinerary in Detail Day 5 Depart Reykjavik An air of sorrow dawns upon us as this is the last day of our tour of dreamlike Iceland. Bid farewell to your fellow travellers and spend the onward journey reliving each moment spent in this remarkable country. Please share your feedback on adventure@trip360.com. Meals: Breakfast

6 Inclusions and Exclusions with Costs Your Holiday Price Hub Twin Sharing Accommodation Reykjavik 1,03,972* *All the services quoted are subject to availability and prices are dynamic and may change. If a service is not available, an alternative will be presented with a revised price.

7 Inclusions and Exclusions with Costs Your Holiday Price Includes 04 nights' accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary. Meals as mentioned in the itinerary. Sightseeing as mentioned in the itinerary. Transfers as mentioned in the itinerary. Travel insurance. Your Holiday Price Excludes Cost of your International round trip airfare. Airport taxes. Visa charges. Any transportation to / from Reykjavik. Your tour price starts Ex Reykjavik. Optional activities. Any meals not mentioned in the itinerary. Personal expenses, tips, laundry, telephone calls, personal medicines, alcoholic beverages, etc. Costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, landslides, road conditions and any other circumstances beyond our control. Evacuation charges and damage of any nature. Any items / services not specifically mentioned under inclusions. Equipment rentals if any. Snacks, bottled water, beers, or any other drinks. Goods and Services Tax of 5%.

8 Tips for Travellers Category name Type of Accommodation Type of Food Clothes to carry Equipment Checklist Details During the course of this tour, you will be staying at hotels and a farmhouse on a twin-sharing basis. Eating is a big part of traveling. G Adventures understands the importance of breakfast to start your day, we strive to include a basic breakfast wherever possible. A typical breakfast may include toast, coffee and tea, however this may vary depending on the city. Should breakfast not be included, your CEO can suggest some local options. Travelling with G Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your CEO will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. While trekking in remote regions etc. food is included, plentiful and made of fresh local ingredients. For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets. IMPORTANT NOTE: INDIAN MEALS ARE NOT AVAILABLE ON TOUR. Cold Weather: Long-sleeved shirts or sweater Scarf Warm gloves Warm hat Warm layers Essentials: Binoculars (optional) Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries) Cash, credit and debit cards Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights) Ear plugs First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking) Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal) Fleece top/sweater Footwear Hat Locks for bags Long pants/jeans Moneybelt Outlet adapter Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.) Reusable water bottle Shirts/t-shirts Sleepwear Small travel towel Sunglasses Toiletries (Preferably biodegradable) Watch and alarm clock Waterproof backpack cover Windproof rain jacket Note: The landscape of Iceland is unique and unlike most things you've seen. So is the weather. It is unpredictable and changeable, so be prepared to experience a variety of conditions during your time in Iceland. It's not uncommon to experience rain, sun wind and snow all in the same visit, so please pack accordingly. An Icelandic summer is also not what most people consider as summer temperature and in the highlands it can get quite cold. Documents: Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border) Insurance info (required) (With photocopies) Passport (required) (With photocopies) Required visas or vaccination certificates (required) (With photocopies) Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)

9 Tips for Travellers Category name Our Crew Flight Information Medication & First Aid Luggage Info Details This G Adventures group trip is accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting - we think it's the best of both worlds. You can arrive at the joining hotel anytime on the first day. Try and arrive by afternoon as the group will be catching. Do let us know your flight details in advance. Once you arrive at the hotel, look for a note or bulletin board in the reception with a note from your CEO. This note will give the details of your Welcome Meeting on day 1 (usually between 5pm and 7pm), where you will get a chance to meet your CEO and other travellers, as well as learn more about how the tour will run. If you don't see a note, please ask reception for details! If you are arriving later and will miss the Welcome Meeting, your CEO will leave a note at reception for you with any information you may need, and with morning instructions for the next day. Getting to your hotel from Keflavik International Airport: Upon exiting the airport, there are shuttle bus services such as the Flybus which cost around 2500ISK. The bus will drop you off anywhere in Reykjavik. A shuttle or a taxi can also be arranged. Health Please note inoculations may be required for the country visited. It is your responsibility to consult with your travel doctor for up to date medical travel information well before departure. You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit and hand sanitizers / antibacterial wipes as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that quite often we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities, and for legal reasons our leaders are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. When selecting your trip please carefully read the brochure and itinerary and assess your ability to cope with our style of travel. Please refer to the Physical and Culture Shock ratings in this dossier for trip specific information. For travellers over 70 years a completed Medical Form is required. G Adventures reserves the right to exclude any traveller from all or part of a trip without refund if in the reasonable opinion of our CEO they are unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group. Safety and Security Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers' cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewelery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. When travelling on a group trip, please note that your group leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it deemed necessary, due to safety concerns. Your Chief Experience Officer (CEO) will accompany you on all included activities. During your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy and explore at your leisure. While your CEO will assist you with options available in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Although the cities visited on tour are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering throughout any major city at night. It is our recommendation to stay in small groups and to take taxis to and from restaurants, or during night time excursions. Water based activities have an element of danger and excitement built into them. We recommend only participating in water based activities when accompanied by a guide(s). We make every reasonable effort to ensure the fun and adventurous element of any water based activities (in countries with varying degrees of operating standards), have a balanced approach to safety. It is our policy not to allow our CEOs to make arrangements on your behalf for water based activities that are not accompanied by guide(s). Swimming, including snorkeling, is always at your own risk. Read more about travel safety for ways to further enhance your personal safety while traveling. Medical Form Our small group adventures bring together people of all ages. It is very important you are aware that an average level of fitness and mobility is required to undertake our easiest programs. Travellers must be able to walk without the aid of another person, climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and carry their own luggage at a minimum. Travellers with a pre-existing medical condition are required to complete a short medical questionnaire, which must be signed by their physician. This is to ensure that travellers have the necessary fitness and mobility to comfortably complete their chosen trip. While our leaders work hard to ensure that all our travellers are catered for equally, it is not their responsibility to help individuals who cannot complete the day's activities unaided. Please refer to the physical ratings in this Trip Details document for more information. Please note that all passengers traveling to Antarctica are required to fill out this questionnaire. The medical questionnaire can be found online at We recommend using a backpack for your convenience, or a medium-sized suitcase if you prefer. A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person. You will be responsible for carrying your own luggage. You must be prepared to carry your luggage up and down stairs, on and off transportation, and to hotels (max mins) Dressing in layers is recommended as weather can change dramatically, without notice.

10 Tips for Travellers Category name Books to Read Approximate Group Size Money to carry Tipping Details The Blue Fox - by Sjon,Victoria Cribb is set against the stark backdrop of the Icelandic winter, an elusive, enigmatic fox leads a hunter on a transformative quest. The Tricking of Freya - by Christina Sunley tells a story of a young woman obsessed with uncovering a family secret is drawn into the strange and magical history, language and landscape of Iceland. 8 to 16 people Spending Money: Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip. Money Exchange: The currency in Iceland in the Icelandic Krona (ISK). It is recommended to bring a combination of cash, credit and debit cards. Emergency Fund: Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster) require a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence! Tipping in Iceland is not customary. In many cases, a service charge is added to the bill which means that it is not necessary to add a tip. If you wish to express your satisfaction with the service in a bar or restaurant, then a gratuity of 10% or to round up the amount of the bill is perfectly acceptable. Tipping during the tour program is similarly not expected, but it can be a way to express satisfaction with the persons who have assisted on your tour. Recommendations for tipping local guides would range from the equivalent of $3-5 per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your CEO for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. At the end of each trip if you feel your G Adventures CEO did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline per person, per week can be used.