Family Iceland Yurt Adventure

Our trip begins at Keflavik Airport at 4:30pm. If you would like to join the complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Keflavik Airport (KEF), with your flight arriving by 4pm. The transfer to the city takes approximately 45 minutes and follows a pretty road along the coast. There are no other activities planned today. Should you wish to arrive at another time you can obtain a ticket for the FlyBus service locally with regular departures to Reykjavik.

Reykjavik is the world's most northerly capital was established by the Norse chieftain Ingolfur Amarson around the year 874AD. It is a wonderful mix of traditional houses clad in corrugated iron and modern architecture. There are plenty of green spaces but the highlight is walking along the waterfront. Fishing has long been Iceland's main industry and watching the ships coming in and out of the harbour shows us the lifeblood of this small island nation. The city has numerous options for children to enjoy, including the fly over Iceland 4D experience and Saga Museum.

This morning after breakfast the adventure begins. Our Leader plans to meet us in the hotel reception at 9am for the welcome meeting, before we check out and head into town.

Driving out past the university, drive to a viewpoint to get our first orientation of Reykjavik and its natural harbour. Continue to the 'white beach' and take a stroll along the waterfront to blow away the cobwebs. Later in the morning we head downtown on foot, visit Reykjavik's striking cathedral and stroll around the lake known as Tjornin where duck, geese, swan and arctic terns can be observed at close quarters.

Following our walking tour there is time to explore the city centre under our own steam and get some lunch. An Icelandic speciality is a hot dog served on a warm, steamed bun and topped with raw and crispy fried onions, a sweet brown mustard called pylsusinnep, and remoulade; a sauce made with mayo, capers, mustard, and herbs. Just ask for a hot dog with 'all the works.'

Leaving the capital after lunch we make a brief stop at the harbour, which is always busy with trawlers and other vessels. Continue to Thingvellir National Park, with Lake Thingvallavatn bordering it on the south side and a mountain range to the north. The setting is spectacular, being featured in the popular TV series Game of Thrones. Thingvellir National Park is of great interest to geologists, as it sits astride the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the great cleft in the Earth's crust that separates the Eurasian tectonic plate from the North American plate. We take a walk along the rift valley separating the two continental plates and learn about the Viking history of this ancient land.

En-route to our yurt camp, make a stop at Laugarvatn to witness traditional bakery, where rye lava bread is pot baked for 24 hours using ovens powered by geothermal activity. Next door is a warm lake, a local swimming pool with hot tubs heated geothermally and the upmarket Fontana Spa. There is time for a swim before we continue.

Our base for the next three nights is Nattura Yurtel, built in 2019 and set on a working farm, close to Gullfoss Falls. The accommodation comprises of 10 custom-made yurts, which are traditionally Mongolian in structure but have been designed and furnished with an Icelandic twist. These round tents are comfortably furnished with twin beds, toilets and sinks with the added comfort of under-floor heating. Showers are located in a separate block and there are two large communal yurts to relax in.

Today we have a packed day exploring the best of southern Iceland.

Start the day driving through the Eyjafjallajokull region, where in 2010 a volcanic eruption caused the now-infamous ash cloud, disrupting worldwide air travel for several days. The volcano is now quiet again and your Leader will be able to talk about the impact the eruption had on the local community.

We'll spend time at Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Weather permitting, we'll have the chance to walk behind the curtain of water! The pathway shows off the falls from the front, then circles around the back and emerges on the other side. Continue to one of Iceland's tallest waterfalls, Skogafoss. Standing at 62 metres tall it's an impressive sight, and if we are lucky with the light we should spot rainbows in the spray.

Our final stop this morning is Vik I Myrdal, a rocky beach with incredible basalt cliffs. The beach is often incredibly windy and there are great photo opportunities of the waves crashing against the cliffs.

After some lunch drive to Solheimajokull glacier. Rather than view the glacier from the windows of our bus, we have the opportunity to get up close and personal. Heading out to the glaciers terminal moraine we put on a set of crampons and are given an ice axe, to allow us to walk on the glaciers surface. After a full safety briefing head onto the glacier with our experienced local guide to wander through a dazzling landscape of ice sculptures, ridges and deep crevasses made by glacial melt-water. Witnessing the power of nature first hand is a magical experience and a great fun educational experience for the whole family.

We'll make our way back to our yurts for the evening to relax and make the most of the beautiful, rural setting.

Why not end the day with a optional visit to the Secret Lagoon natural hot springs just down the road from our yurt camp. Unlike the Blue Lagoon, this pool has been kept to its natural surroundings. The warm water holds 38-40 Celsius year round and there are several geothermal spots and a little geysir which erupts every 5 minutes. Opening hours are 11am-8pm Oct-May and, 10am-10pm Jun-Sept. See the budgeting section for entry prices to the Secret Lagoon.

After a long day touring yesterday, all the activities today are located close to our yurt camp. After a leisurely breakfast our first stop is Haukadalur, home of the Great Geysir. With the claim-to-fame of being the first spouting spring known to Europeans, Geysir has given all such springs their name. However, it is the Strokkur, meaning 'The Butter Churn', which is the main attraction these days, due to its impressive 30 metre eruptions every few minutes.

Its a very short drive to our next activity and one of the highlights of the trip, whitewater rafting on the Hvita River. Please note that a strict minimum age of 11 applies to this activity.

After a comprehensive safety briefing at the rafting centre head onto the water with our experienced river guides, and begin rafting down the glacier river that feeds off Langjokull Glacier, Iceland's second-biggest glacier. Wetsuits and all equipment is provided and no previous experience is needed. One of the highlights is passing through the rapids of Bruarhlo canyon, at the end of which we get to take a dip in the water.

At the end of the raft relax in the sauna or hot tub. There is the option (at additional cost) to enjoy a delicious lamb BBQ and enjoy a beer or soft drink at the bar, for the adults in the group there is also there is also the chance to taste some locally produced beer.

Mid afternoon return to the yurt camp. The changing weather in Iceland gives a great excuse to relax and watch the changing light on the landscape from the comfort of your yurt. Alternatively spend time wandering around the farm, which is home to over 100 horses.

Late evening we drive the short distance to Gullfoss, the Golden Waterfall, regarded by many as one of the most beautiful falls in the world. It cascades into a deep gorge with tremendous force, its spray forming colourful rainbows in the soft evening light. Visiting late into the evening allows us to enjoy this magnificent waterfall without lots of other tourists.

We'll have an early start this morning. After a light breakfast we'll say farewell to our hosts and travel back to Keflavik Airport (KEF) where the trip ends at 9:30am. The earliest time your flight can depart is 11:15am.

If you would like to add more time to explore Reykjavik we encourage you to book additional nights after the tour. If you decide to do this we will drop you in the city centre at 9am today to save you an unnecessary journey back out to the airport. The FlyBus shuttle offers a convenient way for you to travel back to the airport at the end of your trip, and you can buy tickets directly from the driver.