Discover the hidden wonders of west Iceland and immerse yourself in its untamed beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture while upping your chances of seeing the mesmerising Northern Lights.
Our Secret Northern Lights of the Westfjords tour will take you on an extraordinary adventure, exploring the remote and lesser-known parts of Iceland. Discover remote villages, beautiful waterfalls, dancing lights, and colourful lava fields.
Get ready to be captivated by the magical sky and landscapes of the Westfjords, where each day promises exciting experiences and unforgettable moments.
Overview
Highlights
- Get the best chance of seeing the captivating northern l ights
- Experience authentic culture in small villages and local museums
- Discover some of Iceland’s most iconic natural reserves and enchanting waterfalls
- Embark on gastronomic journeys to discover hidden culinary gems
- Hike up a volcanic crater in a picturesque lava field
- Behold the magnificent Dynjandi waterfall, the true crown jewel of the Westfjords.
- Visit one of the last standing traditional turf houses
- Visit Flateyri’s avalanche protection fences – learn about history and the might of nature
- Small groups, maximum 22 people
What’s included
- 6 nights accommodation, in rooms with shower/WC
- 5 days escorted tour with English-speaking guide/driver-guide
- Arrival and departure airport transfer by Flybus shuttle (no guide)
- 6 x breakfasts & 5 x lunches
- Hike Grábrók crater
- Dynjandi waterfall
- Tjöruhúsið
- Ósvör Maritime Museum
- Gamla bókabúðin or “The Old Bookstore”
- Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft
- Settlement Center
A note on flights
While flights are not included in the holiday price, our team will happily provide a quote and arrange them for you. Simply ask one of our Travel Experts for details of the available options.
Day by Day Itinerary
Arrive in Iceland
Individual transfer by Flybus shuttle bus from Keflavik airport to your accommodation in Reykjavik. You may explore Iceland’s capital city on your own if time allows.
Volcanic craters, fjords and museums!
Meet our tour guide early morning and travel west. The first stop of the day will be at Grábrók, a 3.400-year old volcanic crater, where a 360-degree view of the entire valley can be enjoyed. We then stop for lunch at the charming coastal town of Búðardalur before travelling along the fjords of Ísafjarðardjúp, where more incredible views can be enjoyed. If you are lucky, you might even spot a whale!
After a scenic drive we visit Litlibær, one of the very few turf houses still standing in Iceland, which has been turned into a charming café and museum. Enjoy delicious home-made waffles and coffee in this historical landmark overlooking the fjord and sea. In the afternoon, arrive to the largest town in the Westfjords, Ísafjörður, which will be our resting spot for the next three nights. Once darkness falls, get ready to hunt for the Northern Lights across the night sky! We will immerse ourselves in this magical phenomenon while listening to interesting facts from our guide and learning how to photograph them.
Waterfalls, Beaches and Northern Lights Tours
Begin the day at Dynjandi waterfall, widely regarded as one of Iceland’s most impressive and beautiful waterfalls in Iceland. Dynjandi features a tiered structure which creates an ethereal stream of small cascades that is truly breathtaking to behold. We will continue to travel by the coastline and fjords to the captivating pier of Önundarfjörður. Jutting out from a stunning golden beach well into the water, the pier is a perfect place for panoramic views of the imposing mountains.
After an energizing stroll in nature, we head to Tjöruhúsið, a quaint family-owned restaurant for a delicious fish buffet offering fresh and varied treats straight from the sea! Afterward, we take a stroll around the beautiful town of ísafjörður, filled with colorful houses and cobblestone streets. This town is not only full of history, but it is also a cultural hub with many festivals and celebrations taking place throughout the year. As the day comes to an end, we dress up and head outside for another chance at seeing the magical Northern Lights.
Fishing villages and Northern Lights
Start the day at the restored fishing hut at Ósvör Maritime Museum, to learn about the old days of rowboat fishing and the challenging life in isolated fishing villages in the 19th century. Afterwards we drive to the village of Suðureyri, where we will enjoy an informative walk around town and have the opportunity to savour delicious seafood sourced from a local producer, which promises to acquaint you with Iceland’s rich heritage and fishing traditions.
Next, we visit the village of Flateyri where we will stop at a hidden gem, Gamla bókabúðin or “The Old Bookstore”. In operation since 1914, this charming little store is a great place to browse for unique souvenirs and appreciate traditional Icelandic design at its finest. We will learn more about the history of Flateyri and the devastating avalanche in 1995, venturing out to the avalanche protection fences built to protect the locals from future tragedies. In the evening, we go for a stroll in search of the celestial wonders of the Arctic sky, the Northern Lights.
Witchcraft and Rhubarb cake
Today takes us to the picturesque village of Hólmavík and its Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft. Learn about the history and folklore surrounding witchcraft and sorcery in Iceland, in a vast collection of artifacts such as ancient grimoires, ritual objects, and the remarkable Icelandic magical staves which were believed to possess protective and magical powers.
Next, we stop for lunch to taste the exquisite traditional Icelandic meat soup followed by irresistible rhubarb cake. After an exciting day of discoveries, we travel to the remote Vogur Country Lodge in West Iceland. This overnight location is a truly peaceful and pristine place perfect for Northern Lights hunting, so be sure not to go to bed too early!
Visit to Reykjavík
As a week of adventures in the stunning west slowly comes to an end, we head toward the town of Borgarnes, where we stop at the Settlement Center. Featuring an exhibition encompassing a warehouse, a merchant house, and reception hall, you’ll learn about the fascinating and challenging days of early human settlement in Iceland.
We continue south to the capital city of Reykjavík, learning about its history and stopping by its many landmarks such as the popular church of Hallgrímskirkja, The University campus and Reykjavík’s charming harbour to observe the colourful fishing vessels, the beautiful mountain backdrop, and the spectacular concert hall and conference centre of Harpa. We end the day at the Icelandic Bar, where we get to taste the famous fermented shark and toast to an unforgettable journey with a drink of Brennivín.
Return Home
Individual transfer by Flybus shuttle from your accommodation in Reykjavik to Keflavik airport.
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See what our clients say
An amazing trip and excellent service provided by all involved. Great value for money too. Food was excellent. Accommodation was wonderful and the trips booked were outstanding. An amazing trip
What a fantastic trip! I booked this for myself and my husband to celebrate my 40th birthday and it didn’t disappoint! Booking was simple and we were kept up to date with all the details from the office team in the UK.
From the moment we arrived at Kiruna airport all the staff we encountered were so friendly and couldn’t do enough for us. We opted for the upgraded room at the Abisko Mountain Lodge which I would highly recommend. The cold weather clothing which was supplied was fantastic and kept us really warm in the sub-zero temperatures. The dog sledging, snowmobiling and the Northern Lights photography were all superb and the staff leading the trips were really friendly and so knowledgeable. Even though we weren’t able to do the sky station trip because of the weather, there was a lovely alternative evening organised for us which included a traditional dinner and a walk to the lake where we were able to see the lights. The food at the lodge was also exceptional and showcased some lovely traditional dishes using Moose and Reindeer which were wonderful to try.
I would like to send a massive thank you to all the staff at The Abisko Mountain Lodge as well as the guides we used for our guided walks, dog sledging and snowmobiling. I’d highly recommend the trip, it was our first visit to Sweden and we would definitely return. Thanks again to everyone (including the huskies) who made it so memorable!
My daughter and I had an amazing time on our trip, we didn’t want it to end! Everything went according to plan, each excursion was well organized and everyone involved with each activity, as well as everyone at the lodge was kind, friendly, positive and happy, which makes such a difference to your whole experience. The food at The Abisko Mountain Lodge was also incredibly good. Our room was large, comfortable and well-furnished. The bathroom too was also spacious and well-equipped. The outdoor clothing provided was of very good quality which kept us warm, and the staff members are happy to change items if they are not quite the right size for you. This is my second trip with Weekend a la carte and I’m sure there will be more as I have complete trust in them. I highly recommend Aurora Nights, it was fabulous.
Brilliant short break. Hotel Ranga was lovely, excellent food. Managed to see the Northern Lights as well! Iceland on the whole was quite expensive but a lovely place to visit, the people were very friendly.
I appreciate the fast response to my inquiries regarding my trip. It would take decision making faster on my part, and plan my itinerary and activities being offered by the company accordingly.
A fantastic short break which fulfilled all expectations. Well organised with a polished delivery, we could not have asked for more. The accommodation was perfect for us and the guides knowledgeable and helpful. Every day was packed with adventure, each lasting longer than scheduled but we were never rushed; the guides took pride in showing and explaining their beautiful country. We would certainly use Weekend a la carte again and recommend them to others.
We had the most fabulous time and everything worked like clockwork. The guides were extremely knowledgeable and extremely competent. The food was excellent and the experiences, especially Husky Homes, were brilliant. We saw the aurora lights at the mountain top in Abisko where the photography tour will be an enduring memory of a wonderful time. I would very much recommend Weekend a la Carte as a proficient tour operator.
A well organised trip which was tailored to our specific requests. The arrangements all ran perfectly and any queries prior to the holiday were handled very quickly and professionally. The standard of accommodation and organised tours was very high. I would use this company again and recommend them.