2022 Summer Solstice Tour of Iceland
Arrival City: Reykjavik
This trip will be from June 19 -26, 2022.
Here is an idea of what’s in store on your 8 days in Iceland:
- Midnight adventures on an ATV
- Culinary adventures in its capital
- Afternoon soaks in geothermal pools
- Visits to glacier-filled beaches
- Lunch in an Icelandic greenhouse
- Hikes to steaming rivers & secret waterfalls
Blue Lagoon
On this trip, you will have the opportunity to soak in Iceland’s most famous thermal pool, the Blue Lagoon. These healing waters will soak all your worries away and are a great Icelandic tradition.
Akureyri & The North
No trip to Iceland is complete without spending a couple of days in the southwest corner near Iceland’s 2nd largest city Akureyri. This city is missed by many on their 1st trip to Iceland. It is nestled in the North among Iceland’s ski slopes and the best whale watching. The city is compact & adorable. We have only a little time to take in its charm before making our way to the famous Lake Myvatn region.
Akureyri
Diamond Circle & Lake Myvatn
The Diamond Circle area encompasses 160 square miles and is the north’s answer the south’s Golden Circle. It has a wealth of natural sights to take in such as the waterfall of the Gods, the best whale watching in the world, and an island full of puffins.
Lake Myvatn (pr: mee-vatn) is another spectacular area only an hour’s drive from Akureyri. We are staying in the heart of this area for 2 nights. This puts us in the center of the action and primed for a laundry list of things to do and see such as volcano hikes, visits to lava caves, and a large geothermal field with boiling mud pots and steam vents.
Highlights
- Goðafoss – Waterfall of the Gods
- Húsavík – Renowned for being the whale-watching capital of Iceland.
- Voladalstorfa peninsula – Orange lighthouse excellent for puffin watching.
- Dettifoss – Most powerful water in Europe.
- Myvatn Nature Bath – A local thermal pool with a much different feel than Blue Lagoon with epic views over the valley.
Goðafoss
Along the Ring Road
After departing Lake Myvatn, we have a couple of days of rugged, tourist light Iceland. These days have a bit of driving but once you see the natural landscapes, you won’t mind at all. We enter into the East Fjords on our way to the coastal town of Hofn where I happen to know a great pizza place.
The next day is when the action hits. Our destination is Vik but on the way, we pass Jökulsárlón Glacier otherwise known as Diamond Beach before a nice hike at Skaftafell to a basalt waterfall called Dettifoss and a stop by Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, a 5 million-year-old natural wonder.
With the destination of Reykjavik in mind, we still have a couple of hours of serious sights to catch along the southern ring road such as Skogafoss & Seljalandsfoss waterfalls plus a secret pool called Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool.
Diamond Beach
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Diamond Glacier Beach
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Eyafjallajokull volcano
- Waterfalls, waterfalls, waterfalls
- Steaming valley hike
Reykjavik
Don’t worry, we have not forgotten about Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. The city is one of my favorite’s in Europe and is so incredibly easy to navigate. The city has a beautiful glass concert hall on the harbor, hundreds of restaurants, Nordic-inspired shops, and lots of places to buy Icelandic-designed clothing & gifts. One suggested site is the Hallgrimskirkja church, famous for its spectacular views of the city and bay. Get there early and avoid the lines!
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Hallgrimskirkja Church
- Iceland’s Most Famous Hot Dog & Food Walk
View from Hallgrimskirkja Church
Golden Circle
Only a 45-minute drive from Reykjavik is one of Iceland’s most visited regions, the Golden Circle. This area is the MVP of ‘must sees’: Thingvellir (birthplace of Icelandic democracy), Gullfoss waterfall & the twin geysers to name a few.
Plus, as an added bonus, will weave throughout this beautiful landscape and seek out a unique greenhouse that serves homemade tomato soup for lunch. And yes, it tastes amazing!
Highlights
- Homemade tomato soup lunch in a working greenhouse
- Gullfoss waterfall (below) & 2 active geysirs
- Meeting of 2 continental plates – America and Eurasia
Gullfoss
Megan is your guide for this trip. She has been to Iceland over 14 times. She ran her first 10k in 2016 and a half marathon in 2018. She wandered in Iceland 6 times in 2018 alone. She knows where to eat in Reykjavik, what waterfalls to see (there are hundreds), the best city pools, and the most interesting hiking trails.
2022 Summer Solstice Tour of Iceland
The price of this trip is $3950 for each wanderer sharing a room. The price for couples is $7750. Single occupancy is $1000.
This 2022 Summer Solstice Tour of Iceland is designed for active wanderers. There will be walking and hiking along Iceland’s varied terrain. If you have questions about the physical specifics of this trip, please contact us. Trip prices are based on accommodation (4-star hotels) and an American tour guide for the duration of the trip. All trips will have an orientation (in person if geography suffices) for all guests approximately 4 weeks before departure.
Deposit Requirement: A deposit is required immediately with each booking request. A booking cannot be guaranteed without a deposit.
Deposits can be paid by check, Venmo or credit card. All credit cards are processed through Stripe.
Trip Costs: This trip must be paid in full prior to 4 months start of trip. If trip fees are not paid within this time frame, trip deposits will be forfeited.
Refund Policy: We are issuing 100% money-back guarantees for all reservations booked until July 2021 so if you change your mind or travel plans change, you can cancel your trip worry-free. All reservations after this date will incur a 10% non-refundable fee per person. This trip is only 50% refundable if the request is made within 4 months of departure. If a cancellation request is made after, no refund will be issued. This is due to the strict booking policies for hotels & transportation.
We apologize for any inconvenience of this policy. You can, however, transfer your reservation to another willing participant in the event you need to cancel. Just notify us if this is the case.
Tour Cancellations: Big Fat World Tours reserves the right to cancel any trip for any reason and will notify each guest as soon as possible. All deposits and monies paid will be refunded 100% in such an event. This also applies to any cancellations due to Covid19.
These policies are strictly enforced due to logistical partners in-country and reservations made with local hotels and providers.
How active will this trip be?
We consider this to be a very active trip. There will be lots of walking and opportunities to go hiking & do other physical activities. If you have trouble walking more than 2 miles, this trip may not be the best for you.
What if I catch Covid-19 and can’t go?
We are not offering refunds for any tour participants who catch Covid-19 before the trip departs. No tour participants who have tested positive for Covid-19 at the time of departure are eligible to go on this trip. Please refer to our cancellation policy for the refund information.
Iceland requires proof of vaccination.
What if I catch Covid-19 on the trip?
We are not responsible for any tour participant catching the Coronavirus while on this tour. It is the responsibility of each person to take proper precautions before and during this tour with a face covering, hand sanitizer and other PPE.
Is there really no darkness in June?
Yes, believe it or not, June has near 24 hours of light.
Can I stay an extra day?
Yes. Please contact us if you have any questions about extra days.
Will I see Northern Lights on this trip?
No, because of the amount of light, the Aurora Borealis is not visible. The best months for viewing are late September to March.
Why is alcohol so expensive in Iceland?
Due to high taxes (50%), it’s very expensive to drink in Iceland. Here are some average alcohol prices:
- Beer: $9 (happy hour: $4)
- Wine: $14+
- Bottle of wine: $50+
- Shots: $8+
It is recommended for wanderers to buy alcohol they want to consume at the airport duty-free shop where prices are 50% cheaper. Iceland and Reykjavik in particular also have a very robust happy hour, where drinks are usually 1/2 off from 4-8 at most restaurants.
Can I drink the water in Iceland?
Tap water is safe to drink in Iceland and it has some of the cleanest water in the world. Icelanders look at foreigners strangely because of our proclivity to purchase bottled water. Please bring an empty water bottle for your trip.
Why does the hot water smell like sulfur?
This is because the hot and cold water come from two different sources. It is true that the hot water sometimes smells of sulfur, which is due to the geothermal origins of the hot water, making it excellent for bathing, but not drinking.
Once you run the water on the cold setting for a minute, the smell dissipates.
Why is alcohol not included in the trip price?
Alcohol is very expensive in Iceland, more so than most other places in the world. For the reason that a beer can cost up to $8 a pint and wine $12+, a night of drinking could end up 1/2 the cost of the trip. For that reason, we have to exclude alcohol from the all-inclusive nature of the tour. But, that is why duty-free exists and I encourage all wanderers to grab a bottle or 2 of your favorite spirit before we leave the airport. Plus, we have the inside scoop on all the happy hour spots in Reykjavik.
What should I wear in Iceland?
Temperatures in the summer months are cool, rainy, sunny & windy. Expect weather from the mid 50’s to high 60’s. Bring layers, long sleeves and a light jacket. We also recommend a waterproof shell in case of a rainy day. Tennis shoes and other walking shoes will be fine and flip flops for use at any thermal pools are recommended.
Temperatures in the winter months are cold & rainy. Expect weather from the mid 20’s t0 low 30’s. Bring layers, a long sleeve, long johns, and a heavy, waterproof jacket. A hat that covers your ears & a scarf is also recommended. The ground is generally frozen, so shoes like hiking boots with thick soles are also recommended. Wearing tennis shoes or other thin-soled shoes will not protect your feet from the cold – BFW learned this the hard way.
Iceland is famous for its wool products so you can always buy clothing there to meet your needs, just know this is on the pricier side as wool coats can cost anywhere from $125 to $300. They do make great souvenirs.
How much does a flight to Iceland cost?
Flights can vary from $400 to $800 depending on the airline and the time of year you fly. Icelandair is an Icelandic-based airlines and is one of your better options going to Iceland. They depart from NYC and Boston.
Of course, there are other airlines that fly to Iceland so please check all available options before booking.
Is Iceland safe?
Yes, Iceland is considered to be a safe country but like any place, please take precautions when going. Keep valuables locked up and have copies of your passport and credit cards in case of theft.
This trip includes a fully immersive photography experience. Leave those cell phones in your bags and absorb yourself in a 360-degree Icelandic experience. Lindsey Miller of Lindsey A Miller Photography is coming on this trip as your personal photography sherpa. Armed with professional photography skills and a sweet top-of-the-line camera, she will catch all the action from sunrise to sunset (which is around 2 am) so you can take home authentic and professional photos of this amazing country.
More details coming soon.
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IncludedHotels for 7 Nights7 (B), 5 (L), 5 (D)Entrance to Blue Lagoon & Myvatn Nature BathMidnight ATV RideAmerican GuideTransportation w/in IcelandFlight to Akureyri$200 towards Future BFW Trip
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Not IncludedFlights to/from IcelandEvents, Meals or Activities Not StatedTickets to Secret Summer Solstice Concert
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Maps