Akureyri Aurora Escape

Make the most of complimentary airport lounge access before your direct flight from the UK to Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland. On arrival, take a shuttle transfer or a taxi to your hotel, which sits atop a hill just a short stroll from the town centre, with views of the mountains in one direction and Eyjafjörður (Iceland’s longest fjord) in the other. It’s a compact little town with a thriving local art scene and a plenty of cafes, restaurants and shops, mostly clustered in and around the main street, Hafnarstræti.

In the evening, you’ll be picked up for a Northern Lights photography tour, which will see you head away from the light pollution of Akureyri and out into the nearby nature to find an optimal dark sky spot while you wait for the aurora to make an appearance. Seeing the Northern Lights is never guaranteed, as it depends on the weather conditions and solar activity at the time, but if the skies are clear you will have a strong chance, as Akureyri is situated at 65.7°N, directly beneath the auroral oval. Your guide will explain the science behind the Northern Lights and, should they appear, they will provide expert tips on how to capture the spectacle on camera. 

Stay: Berjaya Akureyri Hotel (Standard)

This morning, you’ll head out on a whale watching tour from Akureyri harbour along the Eyjafjörður fjord. Travelling on a high speed, specially designed ship with spacious ‘cinema style’ observation platforms and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, you’ll be accompanied by expert guides who are highly skilled in spotting whales. Humpback whales are most frequently spotted in the waters of Eyjafjörður, but you might also spot minke whales, orcas, white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises. While the focus is mainly on looking out for these extraordinary marine creatures, the scenery along the way is also spectacular.

Later on, you’ll have the opportunity to experience one of Iceland’s newest and most idyllic geothermal spas: the Forest Lagoon. Tucked away on a wooded hillside on the opposite side of the fjord to Akureyri, it features two infinity pools heated to around 37-40°C, swim-up bars, a sauna and a bistro restaurant. It really is the ultimate relaxation spot. Should you choose to visit after dark, you might even be accompanied by the Northern Lights while you soak in steaming, mineral-rich waters.

Stay: Berjaya Akureyri Hotel (Standard)

After breakfast, it’s time to discover the awe-inspiring landscapes that lie just to the east of Akureyri on an all-day sightseeing tour in the Diamond Circle region. First up is Godafoss, a beautiful waterfall which holds an important place in Icelandic folklore, specifically for its role in Iceland’s conversion to Christianity around the end of the 10th century. Next up is Lake Myvatn, an awe-inspiring region of lava fields, volcanic craters, belching mud pots and hissing fumaroles, as well as the lake itself, which has been chosen as a filming location for the likes of Star Wars and Game of Thrones over the years. Here, you’ll swap vehicles and continue by Superjeep across rugged landscapes that are often beyond limits for ordinary cars.

Eventually, you’ll arrive at Dettifoss, one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe, which thunders into the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon from a height of 44 metres and stretching across a width of 100 metres. Its ferocity is such that you can hear it and even feel its spray from quite some distance away. You’ll have the chance to view it up close, as well as the smaller nearby waterfalls of Hafragilsfoss and Selfoss, before returning to Akureyri for the evening. 

Stay: Berjaya Akureyri Hotel (Standard)

Enjoy one last breakfast at the hotel before returning to the airport to catch your flight home.