2019 Wilderness Travel Catalog of Adventures

Iceland’s Northern Lights SNOWSHOEING, HIKING, AND SKY GAZING

HIGHLIGHTS • Hunt for the elusive northern lights in Iceland’s prime viewing locations • Snowshoe and hike in Iceland’s otherworldly landscapes—glaciers, waterfalls, volcanic craters, moss- covered peaks • Explore the geological wonders of Thingvellir National Park, a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site • Savor fresh Icelandic cuisine, relax in the mineral-rich hot springs of the famous Blue Lagoon DETAILS • 8-day trip begins and ends in Reykjavík • 7 nights hotels • All meals included

The northern lights put on a great show, but Iceland is also a place to hike in spectacular landscapes. PHOTO: SASCHA KILMER

DATES Nov 10-17, 2018 Nov 12-19 Feb 16-23, 2019

We’ve designed an Iceland adventure brimming with winter escapades and wonderful chances to see the sublime northern lights—and timed it to give us plenty of daylight

Mar 9-16 Nov 9-16

“I can’t say enough about how much fun this trip was. The food was outstanding, as were all of the hotels.” Sue B. Lighthouse Point FL

TRIP COST $7895 (9-12 members) $8495 (4-8 members) Single supplement: $1060

to enjoy great outdoor activities in spellbinding landscapes. We snowshoe across lava fields, cross a glacier with crampons (no experience necessary!), walk down into a giant

TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 + 4 5 6 7 Moderate to steep snowshoeing and hiking, 3-7 hours a day

Our countryside hotel gives us great viewing prospects far from the city lights.

Days 3-5 Great Geysir / Snowshoeing / Thingvellir We watch for the spouting plumes of Great Geysir, which gave its name to all the world’s geysers, then hike and snowshoe in Thingvellir National Park—and right between the dramatic rift between the North American and European continental plates. By night, we enjoy soaks in geothermal pools at our hotel (the “Northern Lights Lounge” has floor to ceiling windows and is our cozy spot for viewing). Days 6-8 Mt. Strútur / Surtshellir Lava Tube / Reykjavík / Blue Lagoon Snowshoeing brings us up Mt. Strútur and onward to the Hallmundarhraun lava field, with its giant lava tube. We also hike to hidden Glymur waterfall, one of Iceland’s highest. Our hotel’s location has the clearest skies in Iceland, perfect for our prospects of seeing the lights. After a soak in Reykjavík’s famous Blue Lagoon, depart on Day 8.

lava tube, and hike to some of Iceland’s most legendary waterfalls, including Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. As night falls, we search for the spectacular blue, green, and violet arcs shimmering across the sky above us. We’ve selected hotels in the best spots for seeing the aurora! Days 1-2 Snowshoeing / Skógar / Skógafoss / Glacier Walk Heading to the Blue Mountains outside Reykjavík, we snowshoe across an ancient crater (no experience is necessary—it’s just like hiking) and hike to Skógafoss, a waterfall that bursts out of the mighty Myrdalsjökull Glacier and plunges 200 feet off a sheer rock shelf. At night, we’ll be on “northern lights alert.”

FOR A DETAILED ITINERARY: 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL EUROPE@WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM 77