Trip Application Form:  Iceland Trip Application FINAL.pdf

Trip Terms Document:  Iceland 2027 Trip Terms.pdf

Trip Status:  Opens September 8, 2026

Number of Days:  7

Trip Overview:  Join SSC as we travel to a land and culture forged by fire and ice, where steaming lava fields and massive glaciers sculpt mountains and valleys, leaving thundering waterfalls and plunging fjords. In this land of many natural wonders, enjoy the rare opportunity to search for one of nature’s most dazzling light displays, also known as the northern lights.*

*Please note: the overall activity level of this tour is a level 3, which means you’re a traveler who can walk and stand for longer periods of time (2-3 hours) and join a moderately paced two and-a-half-hour walking tour that covers several miles, hills, and uneven surfaces. Because searching for the northern lights is an active pursuit, you must be prepared for nighttime excursions in cold, dark, and sometimes icy conditions. You must be sure-footed and able to navigate uneven, slippery, and snow-covered terrain in darkness. This level is not a fit for travelers who require mobility assistance devices.

After our overnight flight to Iceland, your hotel room in Reykjavík will be ready so you can take a shower, a quick nap or breakfast to get ready for our adventures. We’ll stay 2 nights in Iceland’s capital city Reykjavík, where we’ll take a walking tour with a local guide to see the vibrant harbor, City Hall, the Parliament building, and the iconic Harpa Concert Hall with its stunning geometric glass façade. We’ll enjoy an evening northern lights cruise on Faxaflói Bay to search for the aurora borealis.**

**The northern lights cruise is weather-dependent and may be postponed or cancelled in the event of adverse weather or sea conditions.  Please note: The northern lights are in the Northern Hemisphere from September through April and are only visible when the sky is clear and free of clouds. As this tour is weather-dependent, sightings of the northern lights are not guaranteed.

Next, we’ll travel the Golden Circle to see Geysir, the double-cascade Gullfoss Waterfall, and Thingvellir National Park, where we’ll stand on the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Next, we’ll visit the Lava Exhibition Center before continuing to Seljalandsfoss — a rushing waterfall you may walk behind for a unique inside-out view.   

We’ll stay 3 nights in Vík to continue searching for the elusive aurora borealis. While in Vík, we’ll journey to Reynisfjara to see the volcanic black-sand beach famous for its basalt columns and rugged sea stacks just offshore, visit the Skógar Museum, where its farm, domestic artifacts, and preserved turf-built houses bring rural Iceland to life. Later we’ll visit the impressive Skógafoss Waterfall, one of Iceland’s biggest and most beautiful waterfalls as well as Sólheimajökull Glacier, Iceland’s fourth-largest glacier. We’ll embark on a spectacular journey east along the coast to the world-famous Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon to see icebergs calving from a glacier and watch for seals. We’ll explore the “Diamond Beach,” where ice sculptures from the lagoon wash ashore and glitter brilliantly against the stark black sand. Next, we’ll drive along the south shore towards the Reykjanes Peninsula, which is known for its rugged landscape, lava fields, and numerous hot springs, and is home to the famous Blue Lagoon, where we’ll take a dip in the warm, mineral-rich waters of this geothermal pool.

Trip Itinerary: 

Day 1:  Friday, October 22, 2027. An overnight flight to Iceland, a land and culture forged by fire and ice — where steaming lava fields and massive glaciers sculpt mountains and valleys, leaving thundering waterfalls and plunging fjords. In this land of many natural wonders, enjoy the rare opportunity to search for the aurora borealis, one of nature’s most dazzling light displays, also known as the northern lights.

Day 2:  Saturday, October 23, 2027. Reykjavík, Iceland. Welcome to Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavík. Your room is available on arrival, so make yourself comfortable before refueling with breakfast. This afternoon, get acquainted with Old Town Reykjavík on a walking tour with a local guide to see the vibrant harbor, City Hall, the Parliament building, and the iconic Harpa Concert Hall with its stunning geometric glass façade. Gather with your fellow travelers at a popular restaurant for dinner featuring Icelandic cuisine. This evening, take an adventurous northern lights cruise and sail into the darkness of Faxaflói Bay in search of the aurora borealis. (B, D)

Day 3:  Sunday, October 24, 2027. Reykjavík - Golden Circle - Vík. Travel the Golden Circle to see Geysir, the double-cascade Gullfoss Waterfall, and Thingvellir National Park, where you can stand on the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. In the afternoon, visit the Lava Exhibition Center before continuing to Seljalandsfoss — a rushing waterfall you may walk behind for a unique inside-out view. Continue to Vík and begin three nights of aurora borealis searches in the countryside to increase your likelihood of seeing these elusive lights. (B, D)

Day 4:  Monday, October 25, 2027. Vík - Reynisfjara – Vík. Begin your day with a journey to Reynisfjara, the volcanic black-sand beach famous for its basalt columns and rugged sea stacks just offshore. Connect with the resilient spirit of Iceland at the Skógar Museum, where its farm, domestic artifacts, and preserved turf-built houses bring rural Iceland to life. Afterward, stand in awe before the impressive Skógafoss Waterfall, one of Iceland’s biggest and most beautiful waterfalls. Cap off your day with a visit to Sólheimajökull Glacier, Iceland’s fourth-largest glacier. After dinner, gaze at the sky in search of the northern lights. (B, D)

Day 5:  Tuesday, October 26, 2027. Vík - Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon – Vík. This morning, embark on a spectacular journey east along the coast to the world-famous Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Witness the breathtaking sight of an iceberg calving from a glacier and floating serenely towards the Atlantic Ocean. Keep an eye out for seals swimming in cold waters. Explore the “Diamond Beach,” where ice sculptures from the lagoon wash ashore and glitter brilliantly against the stark black sand. After soaking in this unforgettable landscape, return to Vík. Following dinner, continue searching for the northern lights dancing across the night sky. (B, D)

Day 6:  Wednesday, October 27, 2027. Vík - Blue Lagoon - Reykjavík. Drive along the south shore towards the Reykjanes Peninsula. Known for its rugged landscape, lava fields, and numerous hot springs, the peninsula is home to the Blue Lagoon. Take a dip in the warm, mineral-rich waters of the geothermal pool, located in the heart of a dramatic lava field. Return to Reykjavík for your farewell dinner and overnight stay. (B, D)

Day 7:  Thursday, October 28, 2027. Reykjavík - Tour Ends. Depart for home with many incredible memories of your time in Iceland. (B)

Lodging:  Nights 2 and 6, Center Hotel Plaza, Reykjavík; Nights 3-5, Hotel Dyrholaey, Vík. Please Note that alternate hotels may be used.

Airline:  TBD. Roundtrip from Dulles to Reykjavík, Iceland

Trip Size:  36

Features Included (Meals, Side Trips, Etc.):  Standard trip package includes roundtrip ground transportation between the Harrisburg area and Dulles airport (exact pickup location will be announced later), roundtrip air between Dulles and Reykjavík, Iceland, ground transportation via deluxe air-conditioned motor coach to and from hotels and included activities, 2 nights at Centerhotel Plaza in Reykjavík, 3 nights at Hotel Dyrholaey in  Vík , 11 meals (6 breakfasts, 5 dinners), baggage handling at hotels (1 bag per guest), services of a professional Tour Manager, gratuities for bus drivers and tour guides, 1 airline checked baggage fee, and all taxes and service charges. Meals not listed, extras at hotels and gratuities at hotel are not included.   

Trip Cost – Standard Package per person*** double occupancy:  $4,599.00; single occupancy: $5,399.00; triple occupancy: $4,549.00

*** These prices reflect a $100 discount per person for bookings made on or before April 23, 2027. Bookings made after that date are subject to availability and will be priced an additional $100 per person.

Trip Payments and Signup: 

1. No deposits will be taken with your application as all payments will be made through Collette’s (our tour operator) travelers’ portal. Mail completed application to Trip leader Nan Davenport, 5113 Pamela Road Harrisburg, PA 17112, or give to Nan at SSC’s September 8, 2026 membership meeting at Boomerang's. Once you are notified by Nan that you are on the trip, she will send you a link to the Collette travelers’ portal and instructions, where you will be able to sign up for the trip and make payments with a credit card. The initial deposit of $698 per person is due upon reservation. Reservations made after April 16, 2027 are based upon availability. Final payments are due before July 24, 2027. You may make monthly or additional payments on Collette’s portal, if you wish, in order to spread out the payments rather than have a large final payment. If you wish to purchase Collette’s Land & Air International Travel Protection Plan, you must include a $599 per person payment with your initial deposit on the portal. Payment of the Travel Protection plan fee guarantees a full refund of all payments (including deposit) except for the Travel Protection plan fee itself, in case of cancellation of travel plans for any reason prior to the day of departure.
2. Signup for the Iceland trip will be done through applications mailed via U.S. Mail or applications submitted at the September 8, 2026 membership meeting. For lottery purposes, the initial signup will run through Tuesday, September 15, 2026. All trip lottery policies will apply. Your postmark will secure your eligibility in a trip lottery should a trip over-sell within the initial sign-up period. We will allow adequate time for mail-in applications to be delivered to the trip leader and any needed lottery will be held on or after September 20, 2026.

Initial Deposit Amount:  $698.00   Due Date:  Due with application
Final Payment Amount:  Balance****    Due Date:  July 24, 2027

**** Additional payments may be made on the Collette portal prior to final payment due date in order to spread out the costs.

Reference Links:  https://www.centerhotels.com/en/hotel-plaza-reykjavik  --  https://www.dyrholaey.is/

Trip Leader:  Nan Davenport
Address:  5113 Pamela Road
City State Zip:  Harrisburg, PA 17112
Phone:  717-574-8950
Email:  nandavenport1@gmail.com