
Overview
What's included?
ALL OF THE ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES LISTED BELOW ARE INCLUDED IN THE HOLIDAY PRICE
- Transfers: return scheduled airport transfers
- Accommodation: 4 nights at Hotel Island in a superior double/twin room
- Meals: 4 breakfasts
- The following activities are included in the holiday: Northern Lights chase by coach, Golden Circle tour and Northern Lights tour by boat (order subject to change)
- Fully qualified guides and instructors during activities
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A note on flights: flights are not included in the holiday price so that the best possible fares and schedule can be found at the time of booking. There are low cost and scheduled flights operating this route and our travel experts will happily provide a quotation and arrange the flights as part of the package
This four-night Northern Lights short break lets you hunt the Aurora, celebrate New Year in style and take in some of the island's incredible natural wonders. This holiday has been designed to help improve your Aurora viewing potential at night during two dedicated activities, whilst leaving you free time each day to tailor your stay. We do however include one of Iceland’s must-do activities, whale watching. This is a much more independent holiday than some others which you will find on The Aurora Zone as Iceland lends itself so wonderfully to our guests setting their own agenda and priorities.
Iceland has always had a great reputation for the Northern Lights, but to really capture the best displays you must get away from the light pollution of Reykjavik and head out in search of darker skies. Therefore, on two nights we have included Aurora hunting activities for you. Firstly, you will travel by coach to some of the best Northern Lights viewpoints, away from the city lights and hopefully allow your guide to outrun any localised cloud cover. Later in your holiday, you enjoy an Aurora boat trip which takes you out of Reykjavik harbour and out to sea, where there is no light pollution. With luck, your Aurora efforts will be rewarded with a show.
Whilst the Goldne Circle tour is included in your holiday, the days are primarily free for you to explore Iceland your own way. You can be as active or relaxed as you like. We have a range of tours available and more information can be found in the ‘Personalise’ section of the holiday page. You might like to ride an Icelandic horse, unwind in the idyllic Blue Lagoon, clamber and crawl on a blue ice glacier hike or try snorkelling in some of the clearest water in the world. Alternatively, you can sit back on a coach tour and take in the city’s sights or some of the best natural wonders that Iceland has to offer such as Gulfoss Waterfall and the amazing hot spring geysers.
To top it all off, as you are in Iceland for New Year, you can relish in the exciting New Year’s Eve celebrations that take place all over Reykjavik city. Book a mouth-watering dinner in one of the many restaurants, and make sure that you have a good view of the magnificent fireworks that will fill the sky in the evening.
©Iceland Pro Travel, Visit Reykjanes, Alan Middleton, Iceland.is, ThorirNK, Visit Iceland, Ragnar Th. Sigurdsson / ARCTIC IMAGES
Dates & Prices
Price Comparison Guarantee

Activities: please note that if you are travelling early in the winter season and there is not enough snowfall, then some activities may be adapted by the local team, or alternatives provided, to ensure everyone’s safety and comfort. For more information on this, please see our booking terms and conditions.
Prices
Dates | ||
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Fri 29 Dec 2023
to Tue 02 Jan 2024 |
Adults £ 995 To £ 1,475 |
Terms
For our full booking terms and conditions please click here
The Specifics
Holiday group size (approximate)
Minimum 1 person; maximum 200 during activities. Please note that the Blue Lagoon is also open to the public during your visit.
Group Size
We always try to provide an approximation of the group size you can expect to be with for the duration of each of our holidays. It may be that you are joined by others for parts of your holiday (such as transfers and particular activities) but the above number reflects those you can normally expect to be with from beginning to end. If group size is something which is particularly important to you, please speak to our Travel Experts and they can suggest the best holidays for you.
Tailor-made holiday group sizes will vary for all activities as will the group size for any additional activities you book.
Minimum numbers required for a holiday to operate
Some of our holidays require a minimum number of participants to operate (as listed in the ‘Group Size’ section). If your holiday departure has not yet reached the minimum number, you will be told at the time of booking. In the unlikely event that your chosen date is not guaranteed by nine weeks before your scheduled departure date, we will contact you to discuss the available options as per our booking conditions.
Minimum and maximum age
If a specific minimum age applies to this holiday, it can be found in the Key Facts box on the holiday Overview page.
Unless otherwise stated in the Key Facts box on the holiday Overview page, the minimum age for participation in an Aurora Zone holiday is typically 12 years old (there may be younger children in some destinations who have booked with other companies). If an adult-only environment is important to you, then please contact our Travel Experts and they will advise on the best dates and destinations for you. If you are looking for a holiday designed specifically for families then please see our sister company www.activitiesabroad.com.
Itinerary amendments
The order of activities listed in this agenda is provided for guidance only, your final and detailed itinerary will be provided either with your final travel documents (which are uploaded into your online account around a week prior to departure) or upon arrival.
Medical History and Advice
We want our holidays to be accessible as they can be and will do our best to accommodate any special requests and requirements where possible. We have a wide range of holidays and destinations and so our travel experts will help find the best holiday for you.
In order to give us the best possible chance to do this, we ask that if you or any member of your party has any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday or has any special requirements, that you tell us at the time of enquiry or booking. You must also promptly advise us if any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday develops after your booking has been confirmed. You may need to provide a doctor’s note and proof of insurance in some cases as the health and safety of our clients is absolutely paramount.
In providing this information you are allowing us to work with our expert local partners to ensure that your whole party can enjoy the holiday. By letting us know in advance we can discreetly work with you to adapt any part of the holiday which may potentially be challenging. Being able to prepare for this in advance makes an incredible difference to what we can offer and minimises any impact on your party and the rest of the group.
Unfortunately, if you choose not to share this information with us in advance then it may limit some or all of the itinerary you have booked, and we cannot be held accountable for any additional costs or missed activities resulting from this.
We want our holidays to be accessible as they can be and will do our best to accommodate any special requests and requirements where possible. We have a wide range of holidays and destinations and so our travel experts will help find the best holiday for you.
In order to give us the best possible chance to do this, we ask that if you or any member of your party has any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday or has any special requirements, that you tell us at the time of enquiry or booking. You must also promptly advise us if any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday develops after your booking has been confirmed. You may need to provide a doctor’s note and proof of insurance in some cases as the health and safety of our clients is absolutely paramount.
In providing this information you are allowing us to work with our expert local partners to ensure that your whole party can enjoy the holiday. By letting us know in advance we can discreetly work with you to adapt any part of the holiday which may potentially be challenging. Being able to prepare for this in advance makes an incredible difference to what we can offer and minimises any impact on your party and the rest of the group.
Unfortunately, if you choose not to share this information with us in advance then it may limit some or all of the itinerary you have booked, and we cannot be held accountable for any additional costs or missed activities resulting from this.
Insurance
Insurance is not included in your holiday, but it is a pre-requisite to travelling with us. You will need to ensure that you have cover for all the activities that you will be participating in during your holiday.
It is extremely important that you take out a suitable travel insurance policy at the time of booking. Plans do sometimes change, and you will need this policy should you need to cancel your holiday.
If you are struggling to find a suitable policy then details of our preferred provider, who will cover you for all the activities we offer, can be found on our website by clicking here. Please note that this policy is available to EU residents under the age of 75 only.
Booking Activities Locally
Additional activities can be booked locally in almost all our destinations. However, as per our booking conditions, we cannot be held responsible for any injury or loss incurred through participation in activities which are booked at your destination outside of our holiday itinerary (see our ‘Terms and Conditions’ for further details).
When arranging any such activity please always ensure that safety is your primary concern.
In some of our destinations, you can borrow or hire equipment for use in your free time. You do so entirely at your own risk. You must ensure that you are properly prepared, have the necessary equipment and knowledge (maps, etc) and ensure that where applicable, you follow marked routes. We recommend discussing your plans with the local teams who will be able to advise on the most suitable options for you.
Always let the reception/guide know where you are planning to go and take a torch and mobile phone (with the hotel/guide’s phone number stored). It is also a good idea to leave your contact number and the time you expect to return to the hotel should the hotel need to contact you.
The UK Foreign Office Advice
Our clients’ safety is at the centre of everything we do, and our operations team continually assesses and monitors the destinations we feature. We carry out thorough risk assessments and work closely with all of our suppliers to continually follow best practice. For up to date travel advice the UK government offers its Travel Aware website as well as the advice detailed below.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice
We receive all updates from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) with regards to travel advice and we always ensure that we follow this advice in our operations. The FCO issues travel advisories for countries based on a very wide range of factors. They may provide notification about things as simple as a football match and crowds, or they may go so far as to advise against all travel to a region. We ask all our clients to refer to the relevant Travel Advice by Country for the destinations they are visiting in order to make an informed decision on the safety of the destination based on the details provided. It also provides vital information regarding entry requirements, embassy information, local laws and customs as well as specific safety and health. Guests should take responsibility for keeping themselves up to date with this advice. Please also ensure that, if you are transiting through another country, you have read the advice and meet the entry requirements for that destination too.
The FCO travel advice is applicable to British Passport Holders. Most governments will issue their own travel advice for a region and, if you are not a UK resident then you can find some helpful links below:
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade https://www.mfat.govt.nz/
Canadian Consular Affairs Bureau http://voyage.gc.ca/
The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html
If the FCO deems that there is an unacceptable level of risk for UK citizens then, together with the government, they may issue an advisory against all travel to a region or country. If such an advisory is published, then we will act accordingly, and this may require the cancellation, curtailment or amendment of a holiday itinerary. These decisions are made on the basis of ensuring our clients’ safety and will affect all clients on the holiday, regardless of their nationality.
If one of our local experts suggests an amendment due to a situation which develops locally then we may also take the decision to amend an itinerary appropriately.
If we have to cancel your holiday prior to departure you will be offered the option of an alternative trip (where any price difference will either be refunded to or covered by you) or a full refund of the monies paid.
If we have to curtail a holiday, then you will be refunded for any costs for the elements we have been unable to deliver, where we have been able to secure a refund from our suppliers. If we must reroute a holiday, then any basis for refund is determined on a case by case basis and dependent on whether the central holiday experience was provided or not.
Brexit information for British Passport holders
Information for British Passport Holders
It is your responsibility to ensure that your passport and/or any required visas are up to date for your holiday. Please take special note of rules relating to passport validity as these have changed since Brexit. You can find more general advice from the UK government on their Passport rules for travel to Europe and then country specific advice on the Foreign Travel Advice page under the entry requirements section.
Please also check the UK Governments ‘Get Travel Smart’ campaign for up to date information on travel advice by country, information on Travel Insurance and information on how to renew your passport if required.
The government have released the following guidance on passport validity for travel to Europe should the UK leave the EU without a deal. Please read the guidance on the link below carefully if you are travelling over or after the 29th March 2019.
The government have released the following guidance on passport validity for travel to Europe should the UK leave the EU without a deal. Please read the guidance on the link below carefully if you are travelling over or after the 29th March 2019.
The government have released the following guidance on passport validity for travel to Europe should the UK leave the EU without a deal. Please read the guidance on the link below carefully if you are travelling over or after the 29th March 2019.
Flight schedule changes and connecting transportation
On your documentation, we will confirm your flight schedule. Sometimes the flight number, routing and timings might change prior to your departure. If the change is classed as a significant change then we will contact you to discuss this. Please see our booking conditions for details.
Flight schedule changes can impact on your pre and post-holiday travel arrangements if these have been booked separately to your holiday. We strongly recommend that you do not book transport (such as trains or transfers), car parking or non-connecting flights to the departure point for your holiday until you have received your final confirmed travel times when your final travel documents are issued. We are not responsible for the effect of any schedule change on your pre or post travel arrangements. We strongly recommend that you do not purchase non-flexible or non-refundable tickets to avoid cancellation and penalty charges.
Booking your own flights - cancellation disclaimer
If you have chosen to book your own flights, then you will need to wait until we confirm to you that the holiday departure has met the minimum numbers required to run (if applicable to your chosen holiday). Once the holiday is guaranteed to run, you will be informed and you can then make your arrangements.
If transfers are included in your holiday, please ensure that any potential flights will be met by our standard transfers (speak to one of our Travel Experts for advice) otherwise private transfer supplements may be applicable. Once your flights are booked, please send us a copy of your detailed flight itinerary.
Please be aware that most tickets are non-refundable in the case of cancellation. For this reason, we strongly advise you check the rules of the ticket and check the limitations of your cancellation insurance before booking. We cannot be held liable, in the unlikely eventuality that we should be forced to cancel or amend your trip, for losses incurred relating to any flight booking you have made.
Terms and Conditions
Our full booking terms and conditions can be found on our website: https://www.theaurorazone.com/booking-conditions
Payment and Cancellation Terms
CANCELLATION TERMS
Please note that the following cancellation terms supersede those mentioned in section 7 of our general booking terms and conditions.
- More than 84 days prior to departure - loss of deposit
- 84 to 43 days prior to departure - 50%
- 42 to 29 days prior to departure - 75%
- 28 to 14 days prior to departure – 90%
- 13 days or less – 100%
Agenda
Agenda
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DAY 1
Arrival and Northern Lights Coach Tour
Upon arrival at Keflavik Airport, you will make your way to the transfer bus to be taken into central Reykjavik where you will check in to your hotel.
Tonight, you will plunge straight into a Northern Lights adventure as you take a Northern Lights coach hunt. Relax in a warm coach as you are taken from viewpoint to viewpoint, searching the skies for the Aurora. Your expert guide will use the latest forecasts in order to ensure your route offers the best possible Aurora potential. If a display does appear then it will be a truly memorable start to your holiday.
If you would like to “supersize” your Aurora prospects why not consider upgrading your Northern Lights tour to one in a super jeep? This smaller group tour in a guide-driven all-terrain jeep is an adventure in itself and the jeeps can get to locations that a coach cannot in the search for clear skies and signs of the Aurora. Due to the smaller group, it also has a streamlined pick-up process so you will spend more time out actively hunting the Lights.
Please note, this is a much more independent holiday than some others which you will find on The Aurora Zone as Iceland lends itself so wonderfully to our guests setting their own agenda and priorities.
Included Meals: None -
DAY 2
Golden Circle Tour
Following breakfast, you will be taken out on a scheduled day tour of Iceland’s Golden Circle via minibus or coach, made up of some of the country’s most well-known sights.
You will begin with a trip to the Geysir Geothermal Area, named after the now mainly dormant geyser called ‘Geysir’, which has lent its name to all such exploding hot springs around the world. The biggest geyser here is Strokkur, which erupts every few minutes, shooting water 30 metres into the air.
You will then be taken to see the ‘Golden Waterfall’ of Gullfoss, which rushes down from a height of 32 metres. Great sections of ice cover parts of Gullfoss during the winter, giving a wonderful display of ice formations.
Lastly, you will head to the beautiful Thingvellir National Park, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you can see the Mid-Atlantic Ridge above ground and get a sense of the power of Nature at work. The Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are pulling the island apart by a couple of centimetres each year. Iceland’s ‘Althingi’, one of the world’s oldest existing national parliaments, was founded at Thingvellir in 930 AD, making it a place of much historical significance.
Included Meals: Breakfast -
DAY 3
Free Day and New Year’s Eve
Following breakfast, you can book one of the optional activities listed in the ‘Personalise’ section, or simply take yourself into Reykjavik for some exploration. You might decide to take a guided tour of the city to ensure that you don’t miss any of the best sights, or you may prefer to take in the city independently. There is simply so much to see and do here that the hardest thing will be knowing where to start.
Tonight, there will be a great number of celebrations around the city to bring in the New Year. There will be firework tours, but we have found in the past the firework displays can be enjoyed from pretty much anywhere in the city. Your evening meal is not included tonight but we are able to offer guests the chance to pre-book a wonderful New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner at a renowned central restaurant, full details of which can be found in the ‘Personalise’ section of the holiday page. If you would rather arrange an alternative, then we recommend that you make restaurant reservations at the earliest opportunity after booking to secure your preference.
Included Meals: Breakfast -
DAY 4
Free Day and Northern Lights Tour by Boat
This morning, you are once again free to choose from our range of activities. You might like to relax after last night’s celebrations, in which case we recommend a visit to the famous Blue Lagoon hot spring and spa. Unwind in the misty blue waters as you admire the striking volcanic landscape. More active exploits are also available.
This evening you will be transferred to the harbour and travel out into the North Atlantic Ocean. Watching the twinkling lights of Reykjavik fade into the distance as you head out to sea is a really special sight. On a clear evening, you can even see the mountains outlined above the city. Few places are less impacted by light pollution than the ocean, so fingers crossed there will be clear skies, good solar activity levels and you will be rewarded with a wonderful Northern Lights display on your final night in Iceland.
Included Meals: Breakfast -
DAY 5
Departure
After a final breakfast in your hotel, you will end your trip and be transferred to the airport ready for departure.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation
Accommodation
Included in price
Hotel Island
Nights: 1-4
This hotel is situated close to Iceland’s largest outdoor thermal pool, Laugardalslaug, as well as the Reykjavik Botanic Garden, which are both open all year round. It is within walking distance (approximately 30 minutes) of the city centre, where many shops and fantastic restaurants can be found.
The hotel is a dedicated wellness and spa hotel, with comfort and well-being central to its character. It has 128 rooms, many of which offer views of the mountain range that surrounds Reykjavik.
Hotel facilities
- The modern restaurant Hekla prides itself on quality, nutritious food and its menu is designed to make the most of the delicious local produce available
- The Silfra Spa is the perfect place to relax and unwind, with hot tub, cold tub and a pool. Access to the spa and gym are included with our superior rooms.
- Free WiFi is included so that you can stay connected
Hotel rooms
Our trip is based on superior rooms, which can fit up to four people, with either two double beds, or one double and two single beds. The en-suite rooms are decorated in a modern, Scandinavian style and equipped with coffee and tea making facilities, hair dryer and mini-fridge. Free spa and gym access is also included.
Other room options are available for a supplement. Please speak to our Travel Experts for a quotation.
Other options
Hotel Midgardur
Hotel Midgardur offers a comfortable and convenient stay in a central location with modern amenities and clean, contemporary design. Located at one end of the city’s main shopping street, the hotel has easy access to the vibrant downtown and nearby attractions. On Thursday nights the lively Jörgensen Kitchen & Bar celebrates both local produce and talent with live music performances. For a real treat check out the hotel spa and take a dip under an Icelandic sky in the thermal-water hot tub.
Hotel facilities
- Jörgensen Kitchen & Bar offers contemporary Nordic cuisine and wines from around the world. Guests can enjoy 10% discount off the á la carte menu.
- Heated and open every day of the year, the highlight of the Miðgarður spa is the open-air hot tub. If you’re lucky you might catch the Northern lights as you bathe. Additional features include indoor hot pool, sauna, cold water shower, and a range of massage therapies. The gym also has areas for cardio and weights.
- Free WiFi is available
Hotel rooms
Standard double/twin room: Standard double/twin rooms are both bright and spacious with hardwood flooring and have views out to the city, or of the internal atrium. The rooms are equipped with a comfortable double bed and a private bathroom with a shower and bathtub. A satellite TV, hairdryer, coffee and tea-making facilities and free Wi-Fi are all included.
Personalise
Personalise this tour
Our pick
Day 3 - Upgrade Northern Lights Coach Tour to Super Jeep Tour
With an experienced guide (and expert photographer) behind the wheel of your all-terrain super jeep, you will find this one of the most personal and adventurous ways to hunt the Lights from Reykjavik. Following a stress-free pick-up from your hotel, you will head outside the city and deep into the remote countryside in your pursuit of the Aurora. Iceland’s notoriously challenging terrain (and weather) are no problem for the super jeep so all the best Northern Lights spotting locations are an option. Once at a location, your guide will be on hand to give you personal assistance with your camera if required and can even provide you with a tripod.
Please note that the organisers do monitor weather and solar activity levels closely and may cancel the tour if they believe there is no chance of an Aurora display on a given evening. You would be entitled to a full refund under these circumstances.
Duration: approximately 4 hours
©Iceland Pro Travel
Other options
Activities

Visit to the Blue Lagoon
A visit to the Blue Lagoon is an unforgettable experience, as you can relax and soak in the soothing, milky blue waters, and enjoy the incredible, mountainous scenery that surrounds the lagoon. The pools are filled with geothermal seawater from deep below the lava, which proves perfect for bathing and unwinding.
If you want to go the extra mile and truly treat yourself, there are a range of luxurious massages to choose from here, in the Blue Lagoon itself and in their special spa.
Availability: daily every hour from 8 am – 6 pm (dependent on availability)
Transfers: you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the Blue Lagoon (approximately 1-1.5-hours)
Price: the price will vary depending on the date and time of your visit and will be confirmed at the time of booking
©Blue Lagoon

Whale Watching
This tour will begin at Reykjavik’s old harbour, which is only a short walk from all of the possible accommodation for this trip, or for an additional charge you can add a pick-up service from your hotel. From here, you will head onto the boat and stand on its safe viewing deck, ready to admire the ocean’s wildlife. Expert guides will point out the best places to spot the whales, and with any luck, you will see a variety of magnificent whales emerging from the water.
Read more about this activityThere is also an array of other wildlife to look out for, including a variety of seabirds that scale the waves. Life jackets are provided on this tour.
Duration: 3 - 3.5 hours (approximately)
Group Size: No min, no max
Availability: 1pm daily
Image copyright: Special Tours
Little Extras

New Year's Eve Gala Dinner
There is a huge range of truly fantastic restaurants in Reykjavik, but we are thrilled to be able to offer this celebratory menu at the renowned Kopar Restaurant. It offers such a warm welcome and the chefs work extremely hard to create a wonderful four-course set menu (vegan option available) which incorporates the freshest local ingredients. They always try to reflect Icelandic cultural heritage and local culinary traditions.
Speak to our Travel Experts for the detailed gala menu being offered exclusively on New Year’s Eve.
Please note: the price does not include drinks.
Misc

Visit the Sky Lagoon
Relax your mind, body and soul at the Sky Lagoon, just a few kilometres from downtown Reykjavik.
The traditions of bathing culture are integral to the Icelandic way of life, and they’re at the core of the Sky Lagoon experience.
Step into the warm waters and breathe in the refreshing ocean air and float through a breathtaking canyon. Enjoy the magnificent view over the Atlantic Ocean from the infinity pool and cleanse your body and soul in the 7-step spa ritual.
Availability: Monday 11am-10pm, Tues-Thurs 12pm-10pn and Fri-Sun 10am-10pm (dependent on availability)
Transfers: not included but please speak to our Travel Experts for a private transfer quotation.
Reviews
Traveller Reviews
The jeep trip to see the Northern Lights was fantastic. It felt like we were really away from all civilisation on the lava flow, looking up at the stars.
The Northern Lights Super jeep tour was cold, clear and beautiful - the guide, Clemmie, was great - friendly helpful and knowledgeable and the lights came out to play. We had a great time.