At the Edge of the World

Iceland and Greenland

7 nights, 3 June – 11 September 2012, from £1,699

Combine the natural phenomena of Iceland with the natural grandeur of Greenland. As well as an excursion-packed five days in Iceland, this one-week trip gives you the opportunity to explore the rugged coastline of Eastern Greenland during an overnight stay in Kulusuk. At the edge of the habitable world, this remote village is home to just a few hundred Inuit, ready to host your exploration of Greenlandic culture. From glistening fjords scattered with drifting icebergs to imposing mountains dotted with traditional Inuk-inspired buildings, Greenland offers scenery like nowhere on earth.

Day 1:

Upon arrival in Keflavik, Iceland, you will be transferred to your city-centre hotel in Reykjavik, from where you can enjoy an evening in the world's northernmost capital city.

Day 2:

On your first morning in Iceland you will be shown around your host city on a Reykjavik sightseeing tour, taking in the city's most significant places including the Perlan observatory platform, which offerings sweeping views of Reykjavik. Following your morning tour, you will have an afternoon at leisure in which to explore Reykjavik's rich, chic culture.

Day 3:

This action-packed day begins with a three-hour whale watching experience, sailing from Reykjavik to the southern part of the Faxafloi. In the afternoon you will be guided around the famous Golden Circle, with the opportunity to see erupting geysers, cascading waterfalls, bubbling mud pools and colliding tectonic plates. After viewing Iceland's celebrated natural wonders, you will be returned to your hotel.

Day 4:

Departing for Greenland in the morning, you will fly from centrally-located Reykjavik Airport to Kulusuk in Eastern Greenland - a tranquil land of glaciers and fjords surrounded by a ring of imposing mountains. Originally discovered in 1884, Kulusuk is home to just a few hundred Ammassalik Inuit and is situated on the entrance of the ice-filled Ammassalik fjord. After enjoying a walk around the area with a local guide, you will return to your hotel for an evening meal. Your overnight stay will be at the Hotel Kulusuk, a small, locally-run hotel offering an authentic Inuit experience.

Day 5:

During your second day in Greenland you can independently explore East Greenland at leisure or opt for some of the excursions and activities provided by your hotel. Why not sail across the fjord and get close to the passing glaciers or be driven by a guide to the best places to see panoramic views of the stunning landscape? Excursions should be booked at the hotel reception upon arrival. In the evening you will be transferred to Kulusuk Airport for your return flight to Reykjavik.

Day 6:

Day at leisure. Why not take advantage of some of our optional activities or excursions around Iceland? From riding across lava fields on a Viking horse to snorkelling in a National Park, Iceland has so much to offer...

Day 7:

On your final full day in Iceland you can bathe in the milky, blue-green waters of the Blue Lagoon. If not relaxing in the naturally-warmed waters, you can relieve the stress from your shoulders under the Lagoon's waterfall. With frequent transfers running to your hotel, you are free to spend as short or as long a time in the Lagoon as you wish.

Day 8:

Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. Enjoy a morning at leisure if returning to Heathrow.

At the Edge of the World: At A Glance

 Included:

• Flights from London Heathrow, Stansted, Manchester or Glasgow
• Transfers
• Seven nights’ hotel accommodation (inc. breakfast)
• Golden Circle tour
• Whale Watching experience
• Guided Reykjavik sightseeing tour
• Blue Lagoon
• Admission to the Blue Lagoon
• Return flights from Reykjavik to Kulusuk
• One night full-board accommodation in Greenland
• Taxes and government air passenger duty 

At the Edge of the World: Your Included Highlights

Whale Watching

Duration:Three hours
The bays surrounding Reykjavik are home to diverse and abundant numbers of whales, making Iceland one of the best places in the Northern Hemisphere to see these majestic animals. The summer months offer the best chance of seeing the whales since the ocean current and long hours of daylight create excellent feeding grounds. On this three-hour tour you may see humpback and minke whales, harbour porpoise and white-beaked dolphins. The 2011 season returned a 94.5% sighting success, but in the event of no sightings on your trip, you will be offered another complimentary tour.

Golden Circle

Duration: From four hours
The popular Golden Circle tour includes visits to some of the most celebrated natural phenomena in Iceland. The Thingvellir National Park was granted UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2004 and offers views of the Great Atlantic Rift, a rift which is slowly pulling Iceland apart along the Eurasian and American tectonic plates. The National Park is the site on which the Althingi Parliament was founded in 930AD – the oldest known parliament in the world. From there, you will visit the spectacular Gullfoss, the queen of Iceland’s waterfalls, which tumbles in a double cascade. The final stop of this tour will be the Geyser geothermal area where you can see spouting geysers, hot springs and bubbling mud pools.

 

 

Blue Lagoon

Duration: From two hours
The world-famous Blue Lagoon is a naturally-heated geothermal spa situated amongst young lava fields offering dramatic views of a volcanic landscape. After bathing in the milky green-blue waters, you can enjoy a geothermal steam bath, sauna, or walk around the scenic surroundings. The Lagoon’s six million litres of mineral-rich water are naturally renewed every 40 hours and originate 2,000 metres beneath the ground where it is heated by the earth’s natural forces. With shuttles returning frequently to your hotel in Reykjavik, you are free to spend as long or as short a time at the Lagoon as you wish.

 

 

Reykjavik

The world’s northernmost capital city offers something for everyone. There is a lively cultural scene, with many galleries, museums, concerts, parks and gardens. The city is an ideal location for shopping, fashion and nightlife, earning Reykjavik its notorious chic reputation. Strolls along the waterfront can be the perfect way to unwind. The most dominant landmark is the Hallgrimskirkja Church (the tallest building in the city) and a lift to the top of the central tower will provide you with panoramic views across Reykjavik. Your Reykjavik hotel will be centrally located, ensuring that you are never far from the action.