Details

Trip Notes & Expectations

ACCOMMODATION

Our program fees are based on double-occupancy accommodation (see "Single Travelers" below if you do not have a travel companion and would be interested in a private room). Our accommodations are chosen to provide a safe, conveniently located place to sleep. While you may be pleasantly surprised, please don't expect luxury, as we prioritize keeping our programs affordable. Private/Single Rooms: Single room accommodations in European hotels are often smaller, and may not be to the same service level as double-occupancy rooms. Hotel Cabin (Reykjavík): If the start/end hotel for your program is Hotel Cabin, "Standard" will be booked for single occupancy requests (i.e., My Own Room) and "Superior" rooms will be booked for Twin/Double occupancy, including any pre/post night bookings.

TRANSPORTATION

We use a mix of transportation that gets our guests from location to location safely. The tour is fast-paced and covers a lot of ground in a short amount of time, so you should be prepared for a good amount of daily bus time. Our transportation is designed to be scenic, with frequent stops to allow for photo opportunities and exploration of the highlights on our route.

LUGGAGE

Your main luggage will remain at our hotel in Reykjavík while we go on our day excursions. Therefore, it is important to pack a daypack with everything you will need for our daily outings. While in Reykjavík, your main luggage will be stored at the hotel. We recommend using a backpack or a soft-sided duffel bag for your main luggage, as it is easier to store on the bus and in hotel rooms. You must be able to easily carry or roll your luggage, so do not over-pack. Carrying your luggage remains your responsibility at all times.

ACTIVITY LEVEL & PACE

This is a very fast-paced tour with a busy daily schedule. You should be prepared for long days and a lot of daily walking, as we get off the bus to explore various natural attractions. While the paths are generally well-maintained, you should be prepared for uneven terrain. The pace is considered suitable for travelers with a good level of physical fitness. Please make sure you have thoroughly read the itinerary and can handle the group activities, which sometimes include day hikes with your daypacks.

NORTHERN LIGHTS

The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and sightings will be dependent on weather conditions. We cannot guarantee that travelers booked on this tour will experience the Northern Lights.

WEATHER

The landscape of Iceland is unique and unlike most things you've seen. So is the weather. It is unpredictable and prone to fast changes, so be prepared to experience a variety of conditions during your time in Iceland. It's not uncommon to experience rain, sun, wind, and snow all in the same visit, so please pack accordingly. Make sure you pack insulated rain pants and a good waterproof raincoat!

ITINERARY FLEXIBILITY

Weather near the Arctic Circle can be variable. Occasionally this will mean that we need to amend our itinerary to keep you safe. We will always endeavor to deliver a tour as close to the itinerary described as possible and ensure you see as much as possible, despite any bad weather.

WATERPROOF

Our packing list suggests a waterproof raincoat, pants and shoes. Previous participants have stressed that waterproof items are much better than water-resistant items for this trip.

BLUE LAGOON

If you wish to visit the Blue Lagoon, please know that this activity must be done before or after your tour. As this activity is very popular and limits admission, we recommend booking it online well in advance.

MEALS

Food and drinks in Iceland may be considerably more expensive than what you are used to. Meals can easily cost double or more what you might expect to pay in the United States. While our itinerary includes all breakfasts, you will be responsible lunches and dinners. We recommend that you budget accordingly, and consider bringing some non-perishable snacks from home to help manage costs. Your tour leader can also provide advice on the best value-for-money options.

GROUP LEADER

All GEEO/G Adventures trips are led by a Chief Experience Officer (CEO), whose role is to take the hassle out of travel and help you get the most from your trip. They’ll share information about the places you visit, suggest activities and restaurants, and introduce you to our local friends. While not traditional guides, CEOs have broad knowledge of the region’s history, culture, and daily life. On some excursions, local guides are used for deeper insight—giving you the best of both worlds.

---

PROGRAM DETAILS

Single Travelers

Traveling solo? You’re in good company—about half of our participants do the same. Shared room by default. The program fee covers one person in a twin room. We’ll pair you with a roommate of the same gender if you don’t have a travel companion. Want a private room? Most trips offer a “My Own Room” (single-supplement) upgrade. Check the price in the Extra Services section, then email travel@geeo.org to reserve it. You pay the single-supplement only if you request it.

Emergency Contacts

If you need urgent help during your trip, call the local G Adventures office first. If no one answers, leave a detailed message with your name and contact information so they can return your call as soon as possible. EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS: G Adventures Berlin office: +44 185 837 8000 If you are unable for any reason to contact the local office, please call the numbers listed below, which will connect you directly with the 24-hour Sales team, who will happily assist you. Toll-free, from calls within North America only: 1 888 800 4100 Calls from within UK: 0844 272 0000 Outside North America and the UK: +1 416 260 0999 For absolute emergencies after office hours please contact +44 7817 262559

Packing List

See our blog post of staff recommended gear to help you pack for your upcoming travels. You must be able to carry your own luggage—up stairs, on and off of transport, and during 15 to 20 minute walks. Bring one small or medium backpack or rolling bag (22-30lb) and one daypack for daily items. Space is limited on transportation, so oversized bags cannot travel. As you prepare your packing list, we recommend checking average weather conditions for your destination on a site like Weather Spark for the time of year you will be traveling. *Laundry: We recommend bringing enough clothes so you don't have to do laundry during the trip. You won't be sweating much, so it should be pretty easy. Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge. You can also use a local laundromat, if necessary.

Passports and Visas

Travelers are responsible for securing all required travel documents and meeting the entry requirements for every country on their itinerary, including applicable transit/layover countries. 

• → Read GEEO's Guidance for Europe (detailed instructions with official links and resources)

PASSPORT  All travelers must have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your trip dates with enough blank pages for stamps. Need to apply or renew? Start here. ENTRY/VISA REQUIREMENTS  Visa rules change frequently—always verify the latest requirements on the U.S. State Department Country Information Pages. Non-U.S. passport holders should verify requirements with your country's official government resources. Use the tool below to see entry requirements for your specific itinerary.  Entry information below is provided by Sherpa, a third-party service and trusted G Adventures partner. You must search each of your destination countries separately; “Add connection” solely searches transit visa requirements. Additional fees apply if you choose to purchase any services through Sherpa.

Money Exchange

Currency: The local currency in Iceland is the Icelandic krona (ISK). For current exchange rates, visit www.xe.com. Credit/Debit Cards: Credit cards (especially Visa and Mastercard) are accepted at many hotels, shops, and restaurants, but not everywhere. Some vendors may also charge an international transaction fee, so check with your bank before you travel. Cash: For small purchases, tipping, or places that don’t take cards, we recommend using ATMs to withdraw local currency while traveling. If you bring U.S. dollars to exchange, the bills must be new, unmarked, and in excellent condition—damaged or older notes are often rejected. Emergency Funds: Bring at least $200 USD (or the equivalent in local currency) in cash for emergencies in case of ATM or card issues. Always carry more rather than less to avoid feeling short of funds while traveling. See the Estimated Trip Costs section at the bottom of this page for budgeting guidance. For more advice, see our post, Smart Travel Finances: Your Guide to Money, ATMs, Fees, and Safety Abroad

Tipping

Tipping is optional but appreciated and goes a long way for the people who look after you on the trip. If you are happy with the service, use these ballpark amounts and adjust as you see fit: - Service providers/Waiters: 10% of the bill. - Local guides and drivers: €3-5 EUR (450-750 ISK) per person per day. - Tour Guide (CEO): €30-40 EUR (4,500-6,000 ISK) per person per week.(We suggest pooling contributions in an envelope and presenting it as a group) Tipping Kitty: On some trips, your CEO may suggest a “tipping kitty” where everyone contributes at the start of the tour, and the CEO uses that pooled amount to tip service providers for the group as a whole (not including your CEO). If your CEO doesn’t mention it and you’d like to use a kitty, we recommend asking about it early in the trip. Your CEO will advise the suggested amount and preferred currency for the kitty.

Flights

Wait for official trip confirmation via email from GEEO before booking your flights. Prices tend to be lowest 90–120 days out, but that window varies by route and year. Neither GEEO nor G Adventures bear responsibility for any flights purchased before the trip is confirmed. This program begins and ends in Reykjavík. Please double-check our itinerary for the date by which you must arrive in Reykjavík. You may want to arrive in Iceland one or more days early in case you have flight disruptions. You can arrive at any time you choose, but try to make it in time for our 6:00 p.m. Welcome Meeting on Day 1. You can depart from Reykjavík any time on the final day of the program, or stay later to see more of the city.

Plugs and Converters

Iceland uses Type C plugs and the voltage is 220-240V. To use your electronics safely, you’ll need to consider: 1. Adapter (plug shape) Adapts your U.S. plug to fit another type of socket. See our recommended all-in-one travel adapter in our Gear Recommendations post. 2. Converter / transformer (voltage) Steps the outlet voltage down to 120V for U.S. appliances that can’t handle higher voltage. How to know which you need: Look at the fine print on the plug or power brick. An “Input 100-240 V” means the device is dual-voltage and works worldwide with only an adapter—phones, laptops, and most camera chargers fall into this category. If the label shows “Input 120 V” (hair dryers, curling irons, some shavers), it could be damaged on high voltage. Pack both an adapter and a travel voltage converter. Converters are inexpensive and sold online or in the travel aisle of many stores.

Weather and Geographic Conditions

December in Iceland is magical. Cities glow with holiday lights, and there's an electric anticipation as locals prepare for Christmas—one of the country's most celebrated times. Daylight Iceland's high latitude means short winter days. Expect about 5 hours of daylight in early December, shrinking to just over 4 hours by the Winter Solstice on December 21st. The length of the day is probably the biggest thing you’ll notice in Iceland during this time of year. Temperature Average lows hover around 28°F, with highs near 40°F—milder than you might expect. The Gulf Stream brings warm water north, moderating Iceland's climate. Many people who visit Iceland, experience much colder temperatures in winter back home. Precipitation The average rainfall in Reykjavík is approximately 32 mm (1.25 inches) in December. This precipitation can come in all forms: snow, rain, or sleet. In general, you can expect fairly windy conditions, persistent cloud cover, and light precipitation in some form. There you have it. And, as Sir Ranulph Fiennes said, “There is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.” So, bring lots of warm clothing and enjoy this most special time in Iceland.