The Women’s Travel Tribe Iceland (Oct) – Final Details

The Best of Iceland

October 8th – 16th, 2023

Important Details

Tourist Visas

Citizens of the USA, EU countries, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are allowed to enter Iceland without a visa. Iceland is a part of the Schengen Zone, a European zone consisting of 26 countries. As a citizen of any of the mentioned countries, you are allowed to spend 90 days out of any 180-day period in the Schengen Zone as a whole.

Complimentary Visit to the Blue Lagoon

For the guests who are arriving on the morning of October 8th (or in the days prior), we have been able to arrange a visit to the Blue Lagoon.

This activity is complimentary, and will include transportation from the airport to the Blue Lagoon, premium admission into the Blue Lagoon and transportation to our hotel in Reykjavik in time for check-in at 3:00pm. For those arriving before October 8th, we will book you spots on a shuttle from Reykjavik to the Blue Lagoon to meet the group and enjoy this excursion.

Airport Arrival

→ Arrivals – October 8th (morning arrivals only)

Please follow the below instructions upon arrival at Keflavík International Airport in Reykjavik:

• After exiting the plane, walk through the terminal building to the immigration inspection
• Pass through immigration in order to receive your entry stamp
• Follow the signs for the short walk to the baggage area where you can pick up your luggage
• Collect your luggage and walk through the customs inspection before entering the Arrivals Hall
• Once in the Arrivals Hall, proceed to Bakað (Bakar) Café, which is a bakery and a coffee shop.
• Your tour leader Liz will arrive at approximately 7:30am to meet incoming passengers at this cafe. Please wait at this cafe until she arrives with a sign that says “The Women’s Travel Tribe Iceland”.
• Once everyone has arrived, off you’ll go to the Blue Lagoon.

→ Arrivals – (all other days/times)

If you’re arriving before October 8th or in the afternoon of October 8th, we’ve arranged your FlyBus transfer to the Hilton Nordica.

• After exiting the plane, walk through the terminal building to the immigration inspection
• Pass through immigration in order to receive your entry stamp
• Follow the signs for the short walk to the baggage area where you can pick up your luggage
• Collect your luggage and walk through the customs inspection before entering the Arrivals Hall
• Once in the Arrivals Hall, proceed directly to the FlyBus counter
• Exchange your transfer confirmation (which we will send to you via email) for your tickets
• You will be directed to your FlyBus. When you board, please inform the driver that you’ll be going to the Hilton Nordica
• After a 45-minute ride, you’ll arrive at the BSI City Bus terminal
• Upon arrival, simply let the FlyBus staff know which hotel you are going to and they will show you which shuttle bus will take you for the short ride to the hotel

Your tour leader, Liz, will be reachable on WhatsApp at all times. You can always call her or send her a WhAtsapp message at +52 984 156 3855

Please note: When arriving into Iceland, you are sometimes required to fill out a landing card or tell the immigration officer where you will be staying in Reykjavik. Here are the details:

Hilton Reykjavik Nordica (Suðurlandsbraut 2, 108 Reykjavík, Iceland)

Arrival / Departure Airport

Please note that the arrival and departure airport for this tour is the Keflavík International Airport (KEF) and your flight to/from Iceland should be for this airport only.

WhatsApp Group

We will set up a WhatsApp chat 2 weeks prior to the start of the tour that will include all of the participants as well as your tour leader. This will allow everyone to get to know each other in advance, ask questions and communicate with your tour leader both before and during the tour. It will be very useful for you to have WhatsApp available to you during the tour as this will be the main method of communication.

Tour Leader

Your tour leader for this trip is Liz Aceves. Liz started traveling at 18 and hasn’t stopped exploring new destinations since. With a great deal of travel experience and a genuine love for nature, local interaction and unique activities, Liz is the kind of leader you want by your side. She’ll introduce herself in more detail and provide additional information about the trip when we create the WhatsApp group chat approximately 2 weeks prior to the tour.

**Our tour leader will be there to ensure the trip runs smoothly and our local guides are there to share the wonders of their country!

Local currency

The local currency in Iceland is the Icelandic Krona (ISK). The current exchange rate is $1 USD = 140 ISK.

Iceland is mainly a cashless society, with credit cards serving as the primary method of payment. As a result, you will be able to use your credit cards almost everywhere. However, it’s always a good idea to carry some cash with you as well. The best method to get local currency is via ATM machines which are abundant in Iceland.

However, check with your bank at home as some banks charge high foreign transaction fees every time you withdraw money overseas.

If using an ATM is not an option, or the fees are too high, simply bring USD, Euros or GBP to exchange at money exchange offices that are located all over the country.

Tipping

Tipping in Iceland is not generally a part of the culture, but it is always appreciated. Here’s a general guideline:

➜ Restaurants – 5% – 10% if a service charge is not already added to the bill
➜ Hotel staff – 400 ISK if someone helps you with luggage or anything else
➜ Our drivers – We recommend that each person gives a $50 USD tip that we will split among the 2 drivers that we will use during the tour
➜ Tour leader – If you wish to tip your tour leader, they will always be greatly appreciative

*Tips for local guides and waitstaff at included meals are already included.

Staying Connected

Iceland has generally strong internet throughout the country and all of our accommodations will have WiFi.

For those who wish to have a data connection on their phone throughout the tour, the easiest way will be to purchase an E-SIM before the trip, as this will allow you to stay connected from the moment you land at the airport.

We can also set up local SIM cards upon arrival for those who wish. Just make sure you have a GSM-enabled unlocked phone in order to use a foreign SIM card.

Another option is to activate your home network’s ‘international plan’ which will allow you to continue using your phone as you would at home, with access to a data connection, for a fee that usually ranges from $5 – $10 per day.

Itinerary

October 8th: Reykjavik / Arrival day

• Everyone who arrives early will meet in the KEF Airport
• We will depart the airport and head to the spectacular Blue Lagoon for a visit with a premium access pass
• Lunch at the Lava Restaurant at the Blue Lagoon (not included)
• Transfer to our hotel in Reykjavik and check-in
• Orientation meeting
• Welcome dinner

➜ Accommodation: Hilton Nordica
➜ Included meals: Dinner

October 9th: Reykjavik

• Half-day private walking tour of the city
• Visit local handicraft workshops and a women’s knitting association
• Free afternoon with options such as visiting the Kattakaffihúsið (the local cat cafe), the Perlan Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Contemporary Art or enjoying a concert at the Harpa Concert Hall
• Optional group dinner
• Board the ferry to Videy Island for the annual lighting of the Imagine Peace Tower, a moving memorial to John Lennon, created by his wife, Yoko Ono 

➜ Accommodation: Hilton Nordica
➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

October 10th: Reykjavik ➜ Golden Circle ➜ Reykjavik

• Private 8-hour tour of the Golden Circle
• Visit the Gullfoss Waterfall, the Geysir Geothermal area, the Kerid Crater and the Pingvellir National Park
• Visit to a local tomato farm and stop at a horse farm, where we’ll be introduced to the beloved Icelandic Horse
• Return to Reykjavik in the afternoon
• Optional group dinner

➜ Accommodation: Hilton Nordica
➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

October 11th: Reykjavik ➜ South Coast

• Morning drive along the Ring Road up to the spectacular Seljalandsfoss waterfall
• Continue to the majestic Skógafoss waterfall, one of Europe’s tallest at over 200ft
• Stop in local villages along the way
• Group lunch
• Check-in to our hotel located near the edge of a spectacular glacial lagoon
• Group dinner

➜ Accommodation: Hótel Klaustur
➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

October 12th: South Coast ➜ Reykjavik

• Morning zodiac boat tour of the Glacier Lagoon, starting from the tiny town of Jokulsarlon
• Return to Reykjavik in the late morning
• Afternoon at leisure

➜ Accommodation: Berjaya Natura
➜ Included meals: Breakfast

October 13th: Reykjavik ➜ Akureyri ➜ Northern Lights ➜ Akureyri

• Morning 45-minute flight from Reykjavik to the town of Akureyri, in the north of the country
• Introductory tour of this quaint coastal town, with visits to the impressive 1940 Akureyri Church (known for its stained-glass windows), the lively and colorful town center, and areas that offer idyllic views of the nearby fjords
• Optional group lunch
• Free time to wander through town
• Optional horse-back riding experience
• Group dinner
• Northern Lights photography tour

➜ Accommodation: Hótel Kjarnalundur
➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
➜ Optional horseback riding: 15,000 ISK per person

October 14th: Akureyri ➜ Dettifoss ➜ Lake Myvatn ➜ Akureyri

• Morning visit to the Dettifoss Waterfall, the most powerful waterfall in all of Europe
• Continue to Lake Myvatn, known for its boiling mud, lava formations and diversity of flora and fauna
• Lunch at a local produce farm set among this breathtaking scenery
• Return to Akureyri in the evening to enjoy some free time

➜ Accommodation: Hótel Kjarnalundur
➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

October 15th: Akureyri ➜ Reykjavik

• Akureyri food and artistic culture walking tour
• Visit local eateries and food vendors
• Admire the city’s street art and traditional workshops
• Afternoon flight to Reykjavik
• Farewell dinner

➜ Accommodation: Hilton Nordica
➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

October 16th: Reykjavik / Departure day

• Transfers to the airport for your departure flight (via FlyBus)

➜ Included meals: Breakfast

What’s Included?

➜ Expert tour leader
➜ Small group (maximum 12 participants)
➜ Accommodation (8 nights – 3* and 4* hotels)
➜ Transportation in Iceland (private Ford Transit and internal flights)
➜ Local guides in each destination
➜ All mentioned activities and entrance fees
➜ Breakfast every day, 5 lunches and 4 dinners
➜ Water throughout the trip
➜ Gratuities at hotels/included meals
➜ All airport transfers (via FlyBus)

What’s Not Included?

➜ Flights to/from Iceland
➜ Passport/visa fees
➜ Meals and activities not mentioned
➜ Travel insurance (mandatory)
➜ Other gratuities

Covid-19 Disclaimer

Please note that in the event of any interruption to your tour experience as a result of your testing positive for Covid-19, our staff will be on hand to assist with making any arrangements that need to be made. This could include accommodation booking, transportation, scheduling additional Covid-19 tests, etc. However, it is important to understand that you would be fully responsible for all expenses incurred related to interruptions to the trip and/or medical treatment needed as a result of a positive Covid-19 test before, during or after the trip. We highly recommend having a travel/health insurance policy that covers Covid-19 related situations. By participating in the tour, you are confirming your understanding of the above.

That’s all for now! If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to send us an email at team@wanderingearl.com.