Untamed Iceland July 9-20, 2019 or July 10-21, 2019 Travel to Iceland, a world away yet tantalizingly close. This special travel adventure showcases Iceland s natural beauty and Viking heritage from a truly Icelandic perspective through its inhabitants. Meet hardy locals who carve a living from both the land and sea in farming communities and fishing villages. Discover the history of this isolated nation preserved in a series of enchanting medieval tales known as the Sagas. In the beautiful capital city of Reykjavik, witness the creativity of a city. Explore the Reykjanes Peninsula on an ATV, watch for whales, and journey to within 40 miles of the Arctic Circle at Akureyri. Icelandic culture and traditions, together with the power of nature, combine for an unforgettable adventure in an unspoiled land of stark beauty. Best of all, you ll travel in style with your friends from Southern Exposure. Join us! REMINDER: Space for this special journey is available on a first-come, first-serve basis and is truly limited. To reserve your place today, please call the Southern Exposure office at (269) 962-1255. If you haven t experienced a Southern Exposure travel adventure before, feel free to ask questions or meet with our staff. 1
Snapshot Itinerary: Untamed Iceland Travel Dates: July 9-20, 2019, or July 10-21, 2019 Day 1 Depart U.S. Day 2 Arrive Reykjavik, Iceland Day 3 Explore Borgarfjordur / Travel Overland to Stykkisholmur / Hike Mount Helgafell Day 4 Discover Snaefellsnes Peninsula / Visit Arnarstapi Lava Field Day 5 Explore Eiriksstadir Museum / Horse Farm Visit / Travel overland to Akureyri Day 6 Explore Godafoss Waterfall & Lake Myvatn / Home-Hosted Dinner Day 7 Dalvik / Whale-Watching Day 8 Fly to Reykjavik / Explore the Golden Circle Day 9 Explore South Iceland / Super Truck Tour / Seljalandsfoss Waterfall Day 10 Hellisheidi Power Plant / ATV Tour / Blue Lagoon / Overland to Reykjavik Day 11 Explore National Museum Day 12 Return to U.S. 2
Detailed Itinerary: Untamed Iceland 2019 Day 1 Depart U.S. Depart from the U.S. Day 2 Arrive Reykjavik, Iceland After an overnight flight from the U.S., you ll arrive in the early morning at Keflavik Airport in Reykjavik to begin our Iceland travel experience. You ll be met by an travel representative, and transfer to our hotel, then enjoy breakfast. Begin getting acquainted with Reykjavik on an orientation walk in the neighborhood around the hotel with your Trip Leader this afternoon. Later, gather for a Welcome Dinner with your fellow travelers, including those from our Worlds of Fire: Iceland s Westman Islands pre-trip extension. Day 3 Explore Borgarfjordur / Travel overland to Stykkisholmur / Hike Mount Helgafell We ll depart Reykjavik after breakfast and head into the rolling meadows of the verdant Borgarfjordur agricultural district. We ll view the magic waterfalls of Hraunfossar, a 2,900-foot stretch of lava where crystal-clear springs splash through the volcanic rocks. As we continue through the unspoiled landscape, we enjoy views of colorful mountain cliffs, pristine fjords, and fertile valleys where horses graze. This is the region that inspired 13th-century poet and native son Snorri Sturluson, the most celebrated figure in Icelandic/Nordic literature. In a country known for its thermal hot springs, the Deildartunguhver thermal area is in a class by itself. Emitting nearly 50 gallons of boiling water per second, it has the highest flow of any hot spring in Europe. Then, we ll discover some of Iceland s Saga-like history at the Settlement Center in Borgarnes. This award-winning center retells the Norse settlement of Iceland, giving us an insight into the country s founding. After lunch at the Settlement Center, we drive to Helgafell ( holy mountain ), a sacred hill about 250 feet high. After our hike up Helgafell, we continue to Stykkisholmur, the largest REMINDER: Space for this special journey is available on a first-come, first-serve basis and is truly limited. To reserve your place today, please call the Southern Exposure office at (269) 962-1255 during business hours. Welcome! 3
town on the scenic Snaefellsnes Peninsula. The town s location makes it an ideal jumping-off point for many of Iceland s highlights, including Snaefellsnes Peninsula National Park. Enjoy dinner tonight at our hotel, followed by a vicinity walk to familiarize ourselves with our surroundings. Day 4 Discover Snaefellsnes Peninsula / Visit Arnarstapi Lava Field This morning in Snaefellsnes Peninsula, we ll explore the area that marks the entry point to Jules Verne s Journey to the Center of the Earth. We ll continue to the fishing village of Arnarstapi, known for its constantly changing weather. The village is situated along a coastline punctuated by fascinating geologic features like arches, basalt cliffs, and blowholes. We ll hike along the dramatic rocky coastline followed by lunch in the Hellnar valley. Then we ll discover another side of Icelandic culture on a visit to a shark farm. Here we ll have the opportunity to taste a national delicacy hákarl, made from aged shark meat. It s not for the faint of heart, but our host will help us understand the Icelandic legacy of processing shark meat, as well as the country s maritime history. Dinner will be on your own this evening in Stykkisholmur. Day 5 Explore Eiriksstadir Museum / Horse Farm Visit / Travel overland to Akureyri After breakfast this morning, we ll depart Stykkisholmur for the Eiriksstadir Museum, once the site of the home of Erik the Red, father of the legendary Viking Leif Eiriksson. Known as Leif the Lucky, Erik s famous son discovered America around AD 1000. We ll learn more about their story from historic interpreters at this living museum. Then we ll visit a local horse farm to meet affable Icelandic horses first brought to the country by Viking settlers. We ll learn more about these horses, and their place in Icelandic cul- 4
ture, as we hear firsthand from the family that owns the horse farm. We ll also enjoy lunch at the horse farm. Afterward we ll continue to Akureyri, Iceland s second largest urban area. Situated on the northern fjords near the Arctic Circle, Akureyri is improbably sunny and enjoys a mild climate in spite of its location. This evening, we ll have dinner together at our hotel. Day 6 Explore Godafoss Waterfall & Lake Myvatn / Home-Hosted Dinner Today we begin with a visit to 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 at this waterfall upon the adoption of Christianity as the official religion in the year 1000. Later today, we ll discover the Lake Myvatn area, sculpted throughout the ages by volcanic eruptions and renowned for its diverse bird population, with ducks, gyrfalcons, plovers, ptarmigans, and more. We ll explore the pseudocrater field, formed by steam explosions when lava flowed over wet earth, at Skutustadir. Afterward, we ll visit the whimsical black castles lava formations of Dimmuborgir, where a lonely troll is said to have lived. After lunch at a local restaurant, we witness some of Iceland s more recent volcanic activity during a stop at a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the Námaskard geothermic area. Then we travel overland back to Akureyri. Then, we ll take a tour of the Laufas turf house, which unlike most Icelandic turf houses, was made for the wealthy, and at one time, housed from 20-30 people. Back in Akureyri, you ll have some free time to relax before enjoying a Home-Hosted Dinner this evening. Day 7 Dalvik / Whale-Watching After breakfast, we head for the picturesque fishing village of Dalvik, where we ll set sail on a restored fishing vessel from the harbor for a whale-watching excursion. The onboard staff members are experts on local marine life, and with their help, we hope to spot minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises and humpback whales in the waters of the Northern Atlantic. Please note: Whale watching is weather dependent and relies upon the cooperation of migratory patterns, which can be difficult to accurately predict. This boat is not exclusive to our travelers. If necessary, an alternate activity will be provided. After lunch on our own in Akureyri, we ll explore more of the city with our Trip Leader. Dinner tonight is on your own. What to Expect: Untamed Iceland 2019 We will make every effort to accommodate your travel needs and make sure you have a pleasant, memorable experience. At the same time, it is important to note the following advisories: Physical Requirements: 4 locations in 11 days; one 1-night stay. One 45-minute internal flight. Not appropriate for travelers using wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility aids. You must be able to walk at least 3 miles unassisted over the course of each day, participating in 6-8 hours of daily physical activities and standing unassisted for 30 minutes at a time. We reserve the right for Trip Leaders to restrict participation, or in some circumstances send travelers home, if their limitations impact the group s experience. Terrain & Transportation: Travel over some rugged paths, as well as bumpy, gravelly, slippery, and sometimes icy roads by motorcoach and on foot. One short hike up a small mountain. Travel by 19-passenger motorcoach and whale-watching boat. Climate: Daytime temperatures in Reykjavik range from 44-57 F in the warmer summer months to 35-50 F in the fall. Evenings can be chilly, even in summer. Iceland is sometimes subject to harsh weather, but the summer months are quite mild. Passport & Visa Information U.S. citizens do not need a visa for this trip. Do bring along your valid U.S. passport, however. Vaccinations Information Generally speaking, vaccinations are not needed for this trip. However, for the latest list of vaccinations that may be recommended for this trip, please visit the CDC s Traveler s Health website at www.cdc. gov/travel. We strongly recommend that you have an annual physical checkup and any dental work done well in advance of your departure. For more information, please contact the Southern Exposure office during regular business hours at (269) 962-1255. 5
Day 8 Fly to Reykjavik / Explore the Golden Circle We transfer to the airport for our flight to Reykjavik after an early breakfast this morning. Today we ll discover more of Iceland s marvels as we circumnavigate the Golden Circle, a ring of natural highlights: Thingvellir National Park, Geysir hot spring area and Gullfoss waterfall. First, we ll stop at Thingvellir National Park, the location of a major rift between two tectonic plates the Eurasian and North American which creates a dramatic fissure in the land. The snowcapped mountains surrounding this plain, dotted with canyons, caves, streams and springs, form a striking natural amphitheater. It s not surprising that the world s oldest Parliament was formed here. Lunch is on our own after the visit at Thingvellir. Then we ll visit Geysir, the geyser from which all others take their name. Geysir is silent these days, but we ll witness the dramatic 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. We end our Golden Circle tour with a visit to the stunning Gullfoss waterfall, which features three tiers of rushing white water that flow into a hundred-foot-deep crevice. We ll continue overland to Selfoss and check into our hotel. Selfoss is the largest town in South Iceland and the gateway to all that this area of rich farmland and natural wonders has to offer. Located on the banks of the Olfusa River, it is home to around 6,300 inhabitants. We ll have dinner at our hotel this evening. Day 9 Explore South Iceland / Super Truck tour / Seljalandsfoss Waterfall After breakfast this morning, we ll journey to the south coast, where we ll stop at iconic waterfall Skogafoss and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Then, in Vik, the southernmost village in Iceland, we ll go off-road driving for an included Super Truck Tour, introducing you to the black sandy landscapes. Dinner is on your own tonight. Day 10 Hellisheidi Power Plant / ATV Tour / Blue Lagoon / Overland to Reykjavik This morning, we ll visit the geothermal power plant at Hellisheidi, which is the largest geothermal power station in Iceland and the second-largest in the world. It is a combined heat and power plant developed to meet increasing demand for energy in an environmentally friendly way. We ll learn more about Iceland s progressive approach to sustainable resources as we tour the plant. 6
Next, we ll venture onto the rugged Reykjanes Peninsula. The landscape here is vast and has been shaped through the centuries by dynamic volcanic forces, as we ll discover on an exciting ATV tour in the lava fields. To wind down after our adventure, we ll stop at the nearby Blue Lagoon for a dip in the famed, mineral-rich waters. Afterward we ll travel to Reykjavik, the world s most northerly capital, and choose from one of the city s many restaurants for dinner on our own. Day 11 Explore National Museum Called the biggest little city, Reykjavik and its suburbs are home to more than 200,000 people, more than half the country s population. Its aptly chosen name means smoky bay, and it is the site where Iceland s first settler, Ingolfur Arnarson, built a farm in AD 874. This morning, we ll gather together for a visit to the National Museum of Iceland. Afterward, you will have the option of joining a discovery walk with your Trip Leader, or spending the afternoon at leisure. Lunch is on your own. Then, later this evening, we ll enjoy a Farewell Dinner at our hotel with our fellow travelers. What s Included in the Package International round-trip airfare from Detroit Metro Airport to and from Iceland. All land transportation and 1 internal flight. Accommodations for 10 nights, plus 1 night in the U.S. on trips that return in September and October. 22 meals daily breakfast, 5 lunches, and 6 dinners (including 1 Home-Hosted Dinner). Exclusive services of local Trip Leader. 22 small group activities. Gratuities on your main trip for local and motorcoach drivers. Traveling in style with your friends from Southern Exposure! Day 12 Return to U.S. 7
Pricing Summary & Trip Dates Trip Name: Untamed Iceland 2019 Trip Dates: July 9-20, 2019 or July 10-21, 2019 Base Price: $5,095 Rd. Trip Airfare: $1,200 (DTW) Trip Insurance: $699 (highly recommended) Trip Cancellation Coverage Trip cancellation insurance for Untamed Iceland 2019 is not required but is highly recommended. For details and coverage information, please contact Southern Exposure at (269) 962-1255 during regular business hours. Reservation Deposit: The deposit to reserve your space on this trip is $350 per person, fully refundable until 65 days prior to departure. Need Help? For personal assistance or more information about this trip in the meantime, please call the Southern Exposure office during normal business hours at (269) 962-1255, Monday - Friday. TOUR RESERVATION POLICY: Reservations can be made by calling Southern Exposure Farm at (269) 962-1255. A $350 deposit is required to guarantee your place (check, cash or credit card accepted), fully refundable until 65 days prior to departure. Remaining balance due 90 days before departure. Note: The information, dates and prices provided in this document are estimates only based on currently available information. Pricing and itinerary are subject to change. Pricing Disclaimer: Every effort will be made to provide accurate pricing information. Operator reserves the right to correct promotional or pricing errors at any time, or to increase the trip price in the event of cost increases due to changes in airfares, cruise fares, currency fluctuations, venue fee increases, taxes, or fuel surcharges, or other reasons, unless you pre-paid according to the terms of the Good Buy Plan prior to the cost increase going into effect. For more information, please contact Southern Exposure at (269) 962-1255. 8