New Year’s Eve in Reykjavik is a wonderful high energy celebration with all the locals setting off fireworks throughout the night with a crescendo at midnight. Spend your last evening of the year celebrating and viewing these stupendous fireworks.
We have worked up an exclusive break that combines 2 nights staying in the vibrant capital Reykjavik including New Year’s Eve, with a 2 night stay at Hotel Fljotshlio Smaratun in the heart of a superb area for Northern Lights in the countryside. So a perfect combination of New Year’s Eve celebration and energy with the wilderness adventure and Northern Lights that the countryside offers.
Hotel Fljotshlio Smaratun is also in the heart of SuperJeep Adventures and we would heartily recommend you add one of the optional extras for a thrilling day off-roading. You also have time to self-explore the many aspects of Geysers, Black Beaches, mini rift valleys, Waterfalls and volcanic landscapes at your own pace during the day.
Fly from London Heathrow to Reykjavik, where on arrival you will pick up your 4 WD hire car to drive to Hotel Reykjavik Centrum (@ 1 hr) to overnight.
Reykjavik has some fabulous fish restaurants and we would recommend you try one tonight.
Hunting the northern lights from the ocean is an amazing experience. Sail away from the coastline of Reykjavik and see the Aurora Borealis out on the North Atlantic ocean with beautiful mountains and the city lights in the background.
This 2-3 hour Northern Lights cruise includes warm overalls to wear, heated seating areas inside, expert guide on board to explain the Northern Lights.
Meet the Guides & Captains from the boat tours you will be on
Price per person: From £80
This evening you will be taken out from Reykjavik in a Super-jeep into the wilderness for a search for the Northern Lights. Given cloudless skies, sightings can occur from autumn to early spring. The elders say that the colder the nights the more vibrant & intense the colors will be. Swirling and swaying overhead, displays are usually greenish yellow but white, red and pink lights also frequently appear.
Your guide will be steadfast in his Northern Lights search for you, though of course we cannot guarantee that you will see them. This tour is about 3 hours long.
Please note the maximum number of passengers in the SuperJeep is 6 in order to give you a very personal and individual tour. This is in sharp contrast to the coach tours that are available through other companies, or the very large SuperJeep Tours with 12 people in.
Price Per Person: From £150
Day at leisure to explore Reykjavik; there are plenty of museums/activities and quirky shops to keep you interested, as well as the old town and harbour. Follow link for Things to do in Reykjavik
Tonight you will dine at @ 8.00pm at the Forrettabarinn restaurant near the harbour.
Forréttabarinn restaurant is owned and run by head chef Róbert Ólafsson who has worked in hotels and restaurants in Iceland, Germany, USA and France and brings this experience to his own restaurant.
Forréttabarinn’s menu focuses on fresh, Icelandic ingredients with a Southern European influence. Vegetarian and Vegan meals can be catered for if pre-advised.
The restaurant’s is known for it’s vibrant funky feel with a modern interior with minimal Scandinavian influence. It is decorated with artworks, high ceilings and an open kitchen. The main bar is crafted from timber from the old harbour.
You will have a 5 course set menu (Beverages not included and payable locally), and tables are shared to create a more party atmosphere. Ranked 14th out of 337 restaurants in Reykjavik this restaurant has wonderful feedback.
It is located very close to the harbour and so it is less than a 5 min walk to join the Firework Cruise.
Afterwards cruise to see Reykjavik´s World Legendary Fireworks Display, and if you are lucky the Northern Lights too! The boat will leave the harbour at 11 pm and returns approximately half an hour after midnight. The view from the sea gives you the chance of seeing ALL the fireworks over the city.
You will receive a complimentary glass of Bubbly as midnight approaches and, as the clock hits 12, raise a toast to the New Year.
Find a spot in the cosy indoor saloon or on the open-air deck wearing the warm overalls provided. Then, enjoy the views over the glittering lights of Iceland’s capital as your boat cruises out into Faxaflói Bay. There is a pay bar on board as well.
Keep checking for Northern Lights as well as it is not just the fireworks that you are hoping to see! This option is particularly popular for families, though 8 is the minimum age.
Overnight in Reykjavik
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Early afternoon you have yourWhale Watching trip. The boats offer comfort, a warm interior and a large outside viewing deck. The captain and crew, point out where to spot the whales and give interesting information about the different kinds of whales and seabirds you can expect to see.
The guides also take specimens from the ocean on each tour and show them to our passengers on an on-board screen using special microscopes. Here the ocean comes to life as you get to see and feel objects such as baleen plates, whale teeth and whale bones.
Warm overalls are provided to keep you warm and dry and there is a bar where drinks and snacks can be purchased. The trip leaves at 13.00 and lasts about 3 hrs.
Meet the Guides & Captains from the boat tours you will be on
Price per person: From £80
Today explore the Golden Circle at your own pace using your own car. The day is packed full of surprising landscapes and geological marvels.
You will walk in a dramatic mini rift valley created by Tectonic plate movement, gaze at the thundering Gullfoss waterfall which can totally freeze in winter, and marvel at the Strokkur Geyser which erupts every 5 mins.
We would also recommend you visit the spot where the first democratic parliament was established in 930 AD overlooking the stunning plains of Pingvellir.
Afterwards continue to Hotel Fljotshlio Smaratun, a hotel retreat exclusive to Weekend a La Carte guests, situated on a traditional working farm run by the same family for 3 generations.
This “home to home” hotel has a wonderful relaxed atmosphere which will make you feel very welcome. With great feedback on their restaurant quality and in a superb area for Northern Lights this has been a popular choice, with the tractor in the middle of the restaurant causing much amusement!
This hotel has strong ecological credentials which they are rightly very proud of, and continues to focus on how they can improve further. They have been awarded the coveted Nordic Swan award.
Our personal experience of this hotel
For our local insider top tips of things to add to your trip when self driving
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
After breakfast this morning head off in your self-drive car along the South coast with the dramatic Glaciers and Volcanoes of Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull to your left and the Atlantic Ocean on your right.
Continue to the charming small village of Vik to visit the Black Beaches and dramatic rock formations.
Visit Seljalandsfoss where you will be mesmerised as you walk behind and stare out through the falling water across the flat landscape towards the South Beaches. Also visit the dramatic and thundering Skogar Waterfall!
Finally the new Lava Eruption Centre is an engaging exhibition that grabs the enthusiasm of young and old alike and is a fascinating way to spend an hour.
Alternatively as an optional extra you have a choice of 2 incredible SuperJeep adventures!
We work only with local guides who have lived their whole life in this area, belong to the Mountain Rescue Team and all have fascinating stories to tell of their experiences during the 2010 volcano eruption!
We always have fabulous feedback on how much our clients enjoy the personalised, relaxed guided experience.
Your off road Super jeep takes up to 8 people, in sharp contrast to the coach tours offered by other companies, who also cannot access many of the areas we take you to. This is serious off-roading!
3 course dinner and overnight at Hotel Fljotshlio Smaratun (Beverages not included and payable locally).
Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner
EITHER
This tour will take you close to the large crater in Eyjafjallajökull volcano from the 2010 eruption and where no hire car can go.
We drive up the slopes of the glacier in a highly equipped Super-Jeep and on our way take in the astonishing view over the whole South coast of Iceland with its glaciers, and back across the Atlantic including the Westman-Islands. This tour gives you the perfect glacier experience; an exciting Super Jeep drive in the snow, walk on the glacier and the magnificent view over the south. This is real adventure and a very memorable trip.
OR
On the Porsmork valley guided tour your SuperJeep will take you up between the three glaciers; Myrdalsjokull, Eyjafjallojokull and Tindfjallojokull. You will be driven in specially adapted SuperJeeps through glacial rivers and across tracks and the flood plain to see the effect of the 2010 eruption filling the previous Glacial Lake. You will be surrounded by an imposing mountain ridge and see spectacular landscapes. Afterwards you will stop at the stunning Seljalandsfoss waterfall , which you can walk behind and be mesmerised looking through the falling water. You will also visit the 60M high thundering Skogar Waterfall – one of the highest in Iceland . If you wanted to see the “Raw Iceland” this is hard to beat!
See Feedback we receive on these Super Jeep Adventure days
Price Per Person: From £195
This morning you will be taken to the glacier Gígjökull where the Ice Cave that nature has grown locally this winter is to be found.
It is a moderate 20 min hike to the cave which the guide will take slowly and you will have about 40 minutes in this stunning natural phenomenon.
The shapes and colours are just breath-taking, and have to be seen to be believed ! This is one of Icelands wonders and does not appear every season, and so is a real once off opportunity to see ! Please note the break is only available from 15th Nov.
Price Per Person: From £145
We want to give you the very best chance possible so tonight you will be picked up for a 3 hour adventure to hunt out the Northern Lights with one of the local mountain guides.
In a specially adapted 4WD super jeep you will be taken inland off-road to the back of the famed Mount Helka to try and see if you can find the Northern Lights. This volcanic area is near Tindfjallajökul Glacier whose cooling effect creates clear skies critical for spotting the Northern Lights. This area also has very few artificial lights to spoil your viewing as many of the farms in the area were abandoned due to a previous volcanic eruption.
The beauty of this tour is that the guide will take you to the best area based on the forecast to see the Northern Lights and so give you the best chance of seeing them.
Stop for a warm up by a campfire and a hot drink in a cave , or on the black volcanic beaches with a campfire and a hot drink whilst your guide tells you about both the Northern Lights Phenomenon and some of the folklore and local superstitions!
Price per person: From £115
We are very excited with this new offer which we have worked up with our “local man” on the ground. Tonight he will take you up to 1600 M on top of the glacier on top of Eyjafjallajökull volcano in a SuperJeep to hunt the Northern Lights.
The glacier cools the air creating clear skies which is what you need for the Northern Lights giving you an excellent chance of seeing them ! Even if they don’t show you will have an incredible evening gazing at thousands of stars above you – crystal clear in the darkness. The snow reflects the moonlight and the tiny lights of the villages can be seen well below you.
This is a 4 hour trip as it will take you 90 mins each way as you climb in your superjeep up the steep volcano – an adventure in itself.
Price per person: From £195
On this buggy tour you will drive around the area between Fljótshlíð and Eyjafjallajökull volcano, which erupted in 2010 shutting down Europe’s air-space. Visit waterfalls, drive on a mix of gravel tracks and tundra sand fields, cross small streams and stop at a viewpoint looking over Seljalandsfoss waterfall and the Westman Islands in the Atlantic.
This two-hour buggy tour is a unique way to enjoy Icelandic nature. This is a stunning natural playground, as your test out your buggy surrounded by amazing scenery that only Iceland can offer.
Arctic waterproof overalls and a helmet are provided.
These two-seaters, 4×4 ATVs are fully automatic, fully inspected and road legal. They are also bursting with excellent safety and design features, such as the roll cage, safety belts, and double A-arm front suspension. You will need to show a drivers license to drive.
Price per person: From £180
You will be picked up and taken to the Snowmobile Meeting Point. Here you will transfer to a Super Jeep to go on rough tracks up to the Snowline of the Eyjafjallajökull glacier to take an exhilarating 1 hour’s snowmobile ride with superb views back down to the Atlantic Coast.
While the south is certainly spectacular from “below” nothing beats experiencing it from “above”! Snowmobiling on top of Eyjafjallajökull glacier is an extraordinary experience. This snowmobile tour is the perfect length of time for first-time riders and individuals looking for a scenic, fun ride, exploring and experiencing the wilderness, the glacier and the breathtaking views over South Iceland in good weather.
After a short safety briefing you will be dressed in the warm arctic thermals and helmet that are provided– but please wear very warm socks and hiking boots. You will snowmobile for about an hour on a shared snowmobile, but don’t worry there will be time to swop so you both get the chance to drive (2 people per Snowmobile).
Price Per Person: From £180
Self drive to join the small group visiting the magnificent frozen glacial tongue Seimajokull and hike on the glacier. Explore the crevasse riddled outlet glacier with its amazing ice formations, sinkholes and jagged ridges.
You will be on the ice 1 ½ – 2 hrs and the pace is leisurely with plenty of stops to talk about the formation of Glaciers and Global warming etc. The Glacier is a 20 min walk from the starting point.
We will provide all the tools you need: crampons and safety lines but you must wear Hiking Boots for the Crampons to fit onto.
Price Per Person: From £85
A purebreed descendant of its Viking ancestors from the 9th century, the Icelandic horse is a product of isolation and a thousand years of breeding for good riding qualities, resulting in a gentle, friendly disposition and calm manner that make them a delight for anyone to ride. Whilst small in size they are hardy animals that have an unusual gait called a tolt. As fast as a trot but it is much smoother- indeed there are competitions where people hold full glasses of unspilt beer as they ride the tolt!
You have a choice of a 1hr or 2 hr ride by Irafoss Waterfall, or a 3hr ride which takes you up steep tracks towards the Eyjafjallajökull Volcano. Here you will be able to enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the glacier behind you and in front of you the Atlantic Ocean in all its glory.
Finally there is the option to take a 2 hour ride through farmland , followed by a choice of a Jacuzzi or Sauna and a light lunch.
Price Per Person: From £75 to £245 (Dependent on tour taken)
This morning drive yourselves to the Blue Lagoon (@ 2 hrs), Iceland’s leading attraction, to experience this geothermal wonder. Bathe in the warm bright blue waters which are particularly good for your skin, put Silica mud on your face or try out the Sauna and Steam rooms which are carved into the lava.
You can easily while away a couple of hours and there is also a choice of restaurants with lovely views of the lagoon. We would also recommend the in-water massage treatments which are just heaven!
Drive onwards (20 minutes) to the airport for your flight home.
Meals Included: Breakfast
If this is not quite the Northern Lights New Year Break you were looking for, take a look at some of our other New Year and Christmas Aurora Breaks.
We have an extensive Northern Lights Information Hub if you need further information on anything from What are the Northern Lights? to Where can I see the Northern Lights? and when is the best time to see the Northern Lights?
Hotel Fljótshlíð Smáratún is based on a working traditional family farm of around 300 hectares that has been managed by the same family for 3 generations. This charming hotel offers a real "home to home" environment with a really quirky and fun feel - including a tractor in the middle of the restaurant, and partly finished jigsaws put out for you to finish!
As it is in an isolated area it is great for Northern Lights as there are no artificial lights around to spoil the show.
This small hotel has a lovely personal feel and we are particularly pleased that the hotel has agreed to offer it exclusively to Weekend a La Carte Aurora Nights guests for our New Year Break.
The meat and produce produced on the farm are served in the restaurant, and the hotel is certified by the Nordic Swan Eco Label meaning it is a role model for sustainability in Icelandic tourism. The hotel takes its ecological credentials very seriously with some wonderful initiatives such as being able to plant your own tree yourself to help offset your carbon footprint from your trips, though sadly practicalities mean this is only possible in the summer.
Hotel Reykjavik Centrum is a relatively new hotel in the heart of the city, opened on April 1st 2005. It is located on one of Reykjavik’s oldest streets, Adalstraeti, right in the heart of Reykjavik in a newly renovated building, the oldest part of which was built in 1764.
The hotel has 89 rooms, each fitted with modern amenities, such as satellite TV, telephone, Internet access, mini-bar, radio, iron and board, hair dryer, safe and tea & coffee set. All rooms have ensuite bathroom with either a shower or a bath.
During its construction, the remains of a Viking longhouse from the Settlement Period were found. Among the finds excavated at the site were Iceland’s oldest human remains, dating from approximately 870 AD.
Hunting the northern lights from the ocean is an amazing experience. Sail away from the coastline of Reykjavik and see the Aurora Borealis out on the North Atlantic ocean with beautiful mountains and the city lights in the background.
This 2-3 hour Northern Lights cruise includes warm overalls to wear, heated seating areas inside, expert guide on board to explain the Northern Lights.
Meet the Guides & Captains from the boat tours you will be on
Price per person: From £80
This evening you will be taken out from Reykjavik in a Super-jeep into the wilderness for a search for the Northern Lights. Given cloudless skies, sightings can occur from autumn to early spring. The elders say that the colder the nights the more vibrant & intense the colors will be. Swirling and swaying overhead, displays are usually greenish yellow but white, red and pink lights also frequently appear.
Your guide will be steadfast in his Northern Lights search for you, though of course we cannot guarantee that you will see them. This tour is about 3 hours long.
Please note the maximum number of passengers in the SuperJeep is 6 in order to give you a very personal and individual tour. This is in sharp contrast to the coach tours that are available through other companies, or the very large SuperJeep Tours with 12 people in.
Price Per Person: From £150
Early afternoon you have yourWhale Watching trip. The boats offer comfort, a warm interior and a large outside viewing deck. The captain and crew, point out where to spot the whales and give interesting information about the different kinds of whales and seabirds you can expect to see.
The guides also take specimens from the ocean on each tour and show them to our passengers on an on-board screen using special microscopes. Here the ocean comes to life as you get to see and feel objects such as baleen plates, whale teeth and whale bones.
Warm overalls are provided to keep you warm and dry and there is a bar where drinks and snacks can be purchased. The trip leaves at 13.00 and lasts about 3 hrs.
Meet the Guides & Captains from the boat tours you will be on
Price per person: From £80
EITHER
This tour will take you close to the large crater in Eyjafjallajökull volcano from the 2010 eruption and where no hire car can go.
We drive up the slopes of the glacier in a highly equipped Super-Jeep and on our way take in the astonishing view over the whole South coast of Iceland with its glaciers, and back across the Atlantic including the Westman-Islands. This tour gives you the perfect glacier experience; an exciting Super Jeep drive in the snow, walk on the glacier and the magnificent view over the south. This is real adventure and a very memorable trip.
OR
On the Porsmork valley guided tour your SuperJeep will take you up between the three glaciers; Myrdalsjokull, Eyjafjallojokull and Tindfjallojokull. You will be driven in specially adapted SuperJeeps through glacial rivers and across tracks and the flood plain to see the effect of the 2010 eruption filling the previous Glacial Lake. You will be surrounded by an imposing mountain ridge and see spectacular landscapes. Afterwards you will stop at the stunning Seljalandsfoss waterfall , which you can walk behind and be mesmerised looking through the falling water. You will also visit the 60M high thundering Skogar Waterfall – one of the highest in Iceland . If you wanted to see the “Raw Iceland” this is hard to beat!
See Feedback we receive on these Super Jeep Adventure days
Price Per Person: From £195
This morning you will be taken to the glacier Gígjökull where the Ice Cave that nature has grown locally this winter is to be found.
It is a moderate 20 min hike to the cave which the guide will take slowly and you will have about 40 minutes in this stunning natural phenomenon.
The shapes and colours are just breath-taking, and have to be seen to be believed ! This is one of Icelands wonders and does not appear every season, and so is a real once off opportunity to see ! Please note the break is only available from 15th Nov.
Price Per Person: From £145
We want to give you the very best chance possible so tonight you will be picked up for a 3 hour adventure to hunt out the Northern Lights with one of the local mountain guides.
In a specially adapted 4WD super jeep you will be taken inland off-road to the back of the famed Mount Helka to try and see if you can find the Northern Lights. This volcanic area is near Tindfjallajökul Glacier whose cooling effect creates clear skies critical for spotting the Northern Lights. This area also has very few artificial lights to spoil your viewing as many of the farms in the area were abandoned due to a previous volcanic eruption.
The beauty of this tour is that the guide will take you to the best area based on the forecast to see the Northern Lights and so give you the best chance of seeing them.
Stop for a warm up by a campfire and a hot drink in a cave , or on the black volcanic beaches with a campfire and a hot drink whilst your guide tells you about both the Northern Lights Phenomenon and some of the folklore and local superstitions!
Price per person: From £115
We are very excited with this new offer which we have worked up with our “local man” on the ground. Tonight he will take you up to 1600 M on top of the glacier on top of Eyjafjallajökull volcano in a SuperJeep to hunt the Northern Lights.
The glacier cools the air creating clear skies which is what you need for the Northern Lights giving you an excellent chance of seeing them ! Even if they don’t show you will have an incredible evening gazing at thousands of stars above you – crystal clear in the darkness. The snow reflects the moonlight and the tiny lights of the villages can be seen well below you.
This is a 4 hour trip as it will take you 90 mins each way as you climb in your superjeep up the steep volcano – an adventure in itself.
Price per person: From £195
On this buggy tour you will drive around the area between Fljótshlíð and Eyjafjallajökull volcano, which erupted in 2010 shutting down Europe’s air-space. Visit waterfalls, drive on a mix of gravel tracks and tundra sand fields, cross small streams and stop at a viewpoint looking over Seljalandsfoss waterfall and the Westman Islands in the Atlantic.
This two-hour buggy tour is a unique way to enjoy Icelandic nature. This is a stunning natural playground, as your test out your buggy surrounded by amazing scenery that only Iceland can offer.
Arctic waterproof overalls and a helmet are provided.
These two-seaters, 4×4 ATVs are fully automatic, fully inspected and road legal. They are also bursting with excellent safety and design features, such as the roll cage, safety belts, and double A-arm front suspension. You will need to show a drivers license to drive.
Price per person: From £180
You will be picked up and taken to the Snowmobile Meeting Point. Here you will transfer to a Super Jeep to go on rough tracks up to the Snowline of the Eyjafjallajökull glacier to take an exhilarating 1 hour’s snowmobile ride with superb views back down to the Atlantic Coast.
While the south is certainly spectacular from “below” nothing beats experiencing it from “above”! Snowmobiling on top of Eyjafjallajökull glacier is an extraordinary experience. This snowmobile tour is the perfect length of time for first-time riders and individuals looking for a scenic, fun ride, exploring and experiencing the wilderness, the glacier and the breathtaking views over South Iceland in good weather.
After a short safety briefing you will be dressed in the warm arctic thermals and helmet that are provided– but please wear very warm socks and hiking boots. You will snowmobile for about an hour on a shared snowmobile, but don’t worry there will be time to swop so you both get the chance to drive (2 people per Snowmobile).
Price Per Person: From £180
Self drive to join the small group visiting the magnificent frozen glacial tongue Seimajokull and hike on the glacier. Explore the crevasse riddled outlet glacier with its amazing ice formations, sinkholes and jagged ridges.
You will be on the ice 1 ½ – 2 hrs and the pace is leisurely with plenty of stops to talk about the formation of Glaciers and Global warming etc. The Glacier is a 20 min walk from the starting point.
We will provide all the tools you need: crampons and safety lines but you must wear Hiking Boots for the Crampons to fit onto.
Price Per Person: From £85
A purebreed descendant of its Viking ancestors from the 9th century, the Icelandic horse is a product of isolation and a thousand years of breeding for good riding qualities, resulting in a gentle, friendly disposition and calm manner that make them a delight for anyone to ride. Whilst small in size they are hardy animals that have an unusual gait called a tolt. As fast as a trot but it is much smoother- indeed there are competitions where people hold full glasses of unspilt beer as they ride the tolt!
You have a choice of a 1hr or 2 hr ride by Irafoss Waterfall, or a 3hr ride which takes you up steep tracks towards the Eyjafjallajökull Volcano. Here you will be able to enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the glacier behind you and in front of you the Atlantic Ocean in all its glory.
Finally there is the option to take a 2 hour ride through farmland , followed by a choice of a Jacuzzi or Sauna and a light lunch.
Price Per Person: From £75 to £245 (Dependent on tour taken)
"Had a fab break in Iceland over NYE. Reykjavik goes bonkers with fireworks and watching it from a boat in the harbour was the best way to view this spectacle. We were blessed with a cold clear night which allowed us to see the Northern Lights before the fireworks got going!! WALC planning was a great level of luxury / value for money so we look forward to booking with them again in the future"
“A great trip to Iceland over New Year …. The Super Jeep trip was good fun and a thrilling experience but the highlight was the fireworks across Reykjavik.”
Departure Airport