SUNSET: 
Iceland's amazing geology, towering waterfalls, and dazzling northern lights are waiting for you!
Mike Harvey
Join Sky & Telescope for a one-week Iceland tour and the chance to see the Northern Lights! With our tour partner Spears Travel and a local Icelandic guide, we’ll explore this fascinating island’s unique culture and geology during the day, then each night we’ll scan the sky for Iceland's famed aurora borealis. Watching the fantastic colors of the Northern Lights dance across the arctic sky is an unforgettable experience, and Iceland is one of the best places to see them.
This year’s tour will be October 5–12, 2026, and it’s unlike other Iceland packages you’ll see advertised elsewhere. Late September to early October is an optimal time for aurora-watching, based on the Earth-Sun geometry. We’ve picked a week when moonlight won’t interfere with evening viewing, and our lodgings are far removed from the city lights to give you the best chance of witnessing this spectacular natural phenomenon. (Our main hotel even boasts its own on-site observatory!) You’ll simply need to step outside of the hotel and look up into the sky. Even during your evenings in Reykjavík, we’ll provide transportation to dark-sky sites outside the city.
Sky & Telescope
We’ll stay at premium hotels both in and outside the capital city of Reykjavík and sample delicious Icelandic cuisine. Iceland’s tourist infrastructure is modern, and the nation is one of the cleanest and safest in the world. Most Icelanders speak at least some English, so it’s very easy to interact with the local population. The friendly people of this island nation have a culture that’s a fascinating mixture of both ultramodern elements and customs that date back to the original Viking settlers more than 1,000 years ago.
During the trip, a Sky & Telescope representative will describe the science of auroras as well as detailed information on how to successfully photograph the phenomenon. Although the Northern Lights are elusive and unpredictable, this year’s tour will occur near the maximum of the Sun’s 11-year activity cycle. Your odds of seeing one or more displays will be excellent — in fact, we have seen them on all 11 Iceland expeditions that S&T and Spears Travel have offered!
Click below to get the full details:
• Itinerary for our 8-day/7-night tour of Iceland
• What is and isn’t included; what conditions to expect
• Pricing, Payments, and Terms
| Reserve your spot today! Register by completing this form. |
Accommodations for S&T’s Iceland Aurora Adventure 2026
A favorite of aurora-watchers, Hotel Rangá offers 4-star luxury in a remote setting. Located in southern Iceland, this property features gourmet dining, unique artwork, and incredible hospitality. It’s the perfect place to relax, indulge, and see the magical northern lights. Even better, the property maintains its own astronomical observatory, equipped with two high-quality telescopes and staffed by a local amateur astronomer!
Just a short drive from Reykjavík, Hótel Búðir sits on the westernmost tip of the Snæfellsnes peninsula and offers guests an impressive view of the breathtaking Snaefellsjokull glacier. Its restaurant has been called the “mecca of Icelandic cooking,” due to its unique and delightful cuisine that takes advantage of fresh local produce and seafood from neighboring villages. Hótel Búðir combines world-class service, fine food and drink, and luxurious rooms — all of which can be enjoyed in an indescribably beautiful environment.
This landmark hotel has watched over the scenic gardens and cafes of the parliament square for nearly a century. Set in the heart of Reykjavik, Hotel Borg exudes an historic gravitas in keeping with its illustrious neighbors — the national cathedral and the parliament building. From its elegant facade to the art deco interiors, Hotel Borg is the epitome of understated sophistication.
Itinerary for S&T’s Iceland Aurora Adventure 2026
| Date | Itinerary at a Glance | Accommodation | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday, Oct. 5 | Arrival in Iceland / Reykjanes Peninsula | Hotel Rangá | B, L, D |
| Tuesday, Oct. 6 | “Golden Circle” / Þingvellir National Park | Hotel Rangá | B, L, D |
| Wednesday, Oct. 7 | Southern Coast / Reynisfjara Beach | Hotel Ranga | B, L, D |
| Thursday, Oct. 8 | Heimaey (Westman Islands) | Hotel Ranga | B, L, D |
| Friday, Oct. 9 | Geothermal Park / Snaefellsnes Peninsula | Hotel Búðir | B, L, D |
| Saturday, Oct. 10 | Snaefellsnes Peninsula / Kirkufell Mountain | Hotel Borg | B |
| Sunday, Oct. 11 | Sightseeing in Reykjavík / Lava Show | Hotel Borg | B, D |
| Monday, Oct.12 | Depart for home | — | B |
Day 1 (October 5, 2026): Arrival in Iceland / Reykjanes Peninsula
Welcome to Iceland! Once you’ve landed at Keflavík Airport, head through customs and collect your luggage. Then proceed into the arrivals hall to meet your tour guide, who will escort you to a private coach waiting outside. We’ll head to the Viking World Museum for a group, buffet breakfast.
(IMPORTANT NOTE: If your overnight flight to Iceland arrives later than 8 a.m., you’ll need to arrive on an earlier date. You will be responsible for any additional hotel nights that may be required, as well as for your transfer back to the airport to meet the group. Spears Travel can arrange these for you, at an extra cost.)
We’ll explore some of the Reykjanes Peninsula, visiting the Bridge Between Two Continents, a footbridge over the rift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Then it’s time to relax at the world-famous Blue Lagoon spa. This artificial lagoon offers pleasantly warm, mineral-rich geothermal water in the middle of a black lava field — part of which has only recently erupted onto the surface! Don’t forget to pack your bathing suit in your carry-on luggage for easy access!
Sky & Telescope / J. Kelly Beatty
After lunch with your fellow travelers, the group heads to Hotel Rangá — our accommodation for the next four nights. Steep yourself in its rustic charm and indulge in the fine dining you’ll experience at dinner.
Situated far from any artificial lighting, it’s an ideal location for watching the curtains of auroral light dance overhead. Even better, the hotel features its own observatory, equipped with high-quality telescopes (including a 14-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain) in a permanent roll-off structure. If the skies are clear, you’ll be able to get in some serious stargazing — and, of course, aurora watching. Hotel Rangá (B, L, D)
Hotel Rangá
Day 2 (October 6): Iceland’s “Golden Circle” (Þingvellir / Geysir / Gullfoss / Kerið)
After breakfast, the group sets off on a full-day excursion to experience some of Iceland’s most amazing natural features — what’s known as the “Golden Circle.”
The first stop is Þingvellir National Park. (The “Þ” consonant is pronounced very similarly to “th”.) This remarkable geologic formation is the site of the world’s oldest democratic parliament, founded in 930. The beautiful canyon running through the park is actually the meeting point of two of Earth’s tectonic plates, literally the dividing line between North America and Europe. Þingvellir’s combination of natural phenomena and historical significance have made it a symbol of Iceland’s national identity.
Sky & Telescope / J. Kelly Beatty
Then continue to Gullfoss, the Golden Waterfall, one of the most impressive waterfalls in Europe. Its broad cascades have a total drop of about 32 meters (105 feet). Here you will see thousands of tons of icy water thunder majestically down in double falls into a deep canyon. Afterward, you’ll see one of the most active geysers in the area, Strokkur, which sends a jet of superheated water to heights of up to 30 meters (90 feet).
We’ll drive through some of the fertile farmlands of southern Iceland and have lunch amid the greenhouses at Fridheimar Tomato Farm. Our final stop will be the impressive Kerið caldera, a lake-filled volcanic crater. An estimated 6,500 years old, this caldera is 270 m (890 feet) across and 55 m (180 feet) deep. Then return to the hotel for a hearty group dinner and, with luck, brilliant aurora displays just outside your room. Hotel Rangá (B, L, D)
Day 3 (October 7): Iceland’s Southern Coast
Today you embark on a tour of Iceland’s southern shore, with breathtaking scenery and legendary stories. Stop to view the picturesque Seljalandsfoss waterfall, with a pathway leading behind it that gives visitors a chance to view the falls from within. Then, travel to visit Skógafoss, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland. Due to the amount of spray the waterfall consistently produces, a single or double rainbow is normally visible on sunny days.
Sky & Telescope
After a group lunch, continue on to view Dyrholaey, a massive arch that the sea has eroded from the headland and is also the southernmost point in Iceland. Following, set off to discover Reynisfjara’s black-sand beach and towering basalt columns along with the magical legend of its history. Afterward, you’ll visit a charming little church situated on top of a hill, which offers stunning views of the ocean and the small fishing village of Vík í Mýrdal. Hotel Rangá (B, L, D)
Day 4 (October 8): Westman Islands (Vestmanayaer)
Once we’ve had a good breakfast to start our day, we’ll head south to the port of Landeyjahöfn and board the ferry to Heimaey, the largest of the Westman Islands. We’ll tour this fascinating island and learn about the various volcanic eruptions that formed it — including the Eldfell eruption of 1973, which buried much of the main town (roughly 400 houses) under a thick blanket of ash and nearly filled in the town’s harbor. A visit to the Eldheimar museum, dedicated to the eruption, is included.
Following our group lunch on the island, we’ll board the ferry to return to the mainland and back to Hella one last time. Enjoy our group dinner at the hotel, then scan the sky for auroral displays. Hotel Rangá (B, L, D)
Terri Yee
Day 5 (October 9): Hellisheiði Power Plant / Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Following breakfast and check-out, you’ll enjoy the countryside scenery on the drive werstward toward the capital city of Reykjavík. A visit to Hverageri Geothermal Park is first on the day’s agenda! You’ll move on to the impressive Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant. Completed in 2006, Hellisheiði can deliver 200 megawatts of thermal power (for heating homes and businesses) and 303 megawatts of electricity — ranking as the second largest of its kind in the world. Watch with awe as an egg is boiled in its super-heated water!
Enjoy the scenery as your comfortable coach heads northwest to Snæfellsnes Peninsula and its national park. About 90 km (60 miles) long, this region to the north of Reykjavík offers breathtaking scenery, the glistening ice cap of the stratovolcano Snæfellsjökull, waterfalls, lava fields, and quaint fishing villages.
Drive on to Búðir, a small hamlet set amid lava fields along the peninsula’s southern coast. Settle in to your charming, isolated hotel for a delectable group dinner and, of course, more aurora watching! Hotel Búðir (B, L, D)
fotogro / shutterstock
Day 6 (October 10): Snæfellsnes Peninsula / Reykjavík
Following breakfast and check-out, the first stop is the village of Arnarstapi, situated on the peninsula’s southern coast. Enjoy a bracing walk along the cliffs overlooking the sea and breathtaking views of Snæfellsjökull, less than 2 miles away. After a leisurely lunch on your own, rejoin the tour bus for afternoon visits to Kirkufell mountain and Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall. Your last stop on the peninsula is Ytri-Tunga Beach — a hidden gem that boasts breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable seal encounters.
Head toward Reykjavík and settle in to your hotel, centrally located in the city and yet oozing with charm. Tonight enjoy dinner on your own. And if the sky is clear, your bus driver will take the group beyond the city for an optional northern lights viewing session. Hotel Borg (B)
imagebroker / shutterstock
Day 7 (October 11): Exploring Reykjavík
After breakfast, enjoy a morning-long bus tour of Reykjavík with stops at Perlan (with admission to its observation deck), the Lava Show, Hallgrimskirkja, and Harpa concert hall. Here are snapshots of these signature destinations:
After the guided tour, you have the rest of the afternoon free to explore the city, with lunch on your own. This evening, the group gathers at a local restaurant for a sumptuous farewell dinner. Afterward, if the sky was cloudy the previous night but clear tonight, your guide and bus driver will find a dark spot outside the city for a final hunt for the aurora borealis. Otherwise, enjoy a stroll on your own during the rest of the evening.
Day 8 (October 12): Depart for Home
All good things must come to an end, including your visit to Iceland. After breakfast and check-out, you’ll board a bus to Keflavík airport for flights home. We schedule this transfer to reach the airport 2½ to 3 hours before the earliest flight departure of the group’s members. Should you be leaving substantially earlier or later than the main group, individual transfers can be arranged for you at a small extra fee.
Góða ferð! (Have a good trip!)
WHAT THE TOUR DOES & DOESN'T INCLUDE
Included in S&T’s Iceland Aurora Adventure 2026:
- Private coach with English-speaking guide for the program as outlined
- Breakfast buffet at Viking World Museum*
- 4 nights’ accommodation at Hotel Rangá
- 1 night’s accommodation at Hotel Búðir
- 2 nights’ accommodation at Hotel Borg
- VAT on accommodation and lodging fee
- Breakfast daily at each hotel*
- Five 2-course group lunches including coffee/tea*
- Six 3-course group dinners including coffee/tea*
- All daily tours and entrance fees as described in the itinerary
- Free admission to Settlement Exhibition at Reykjavik City Museum
- Transfer Reykjavík to Keflavík Airport on day of departure
Not included in S&T's Iceland Aurora Adventure 2026
- International airfare
- Extended stay in Iceland (hotel, meals, activities) before or after the tour
- Drinks with lunches and dinners other than coffee/tea and any meals not mentioned
- Baggage handling
- Guide on day of departure
- Extra fees for porterage, grab-and-go lunches, room service, items of a personal nature
- Unexpected fees introduced for access to nature sites on private land
- Transfers for individual arrivals
- Entrance fees not mentioned above
- Access to hotel room outside of normal check-in/check-out times
- Personalized activities and/or additional nights of accommodation
- Tips and gratuities for tour director and bus driver (at your discretion)
- Travel insurance (highly recommended — Spears Travel can send you a quote)
- Medical insurance
- Medical or quarantine expenses
- COVID-19 testing before, during, or after the tour
- Anything else not mentioned under “included”
* Please inform us of any special dietary requirements including food allergies.
What to Expect on the Tour
This exclusive Sky & Telescope expedition is designed for travelers who are interested in experiencing nighttime displays of the aurora borealis, along with the geology and superb natural landscapes of Iceland.
October is late autumn in Iceland, with typical daytime temperatures near 50°F and evening temperatures near 40°F. So layered clothing suitable for cool-to-cold weather with occasional rain is recommended.
To enjoy this experience, participants must be in good physical and mental health and be able to keep up with the pace of the group. Participants requiring extraordinary assistance must be accompanied by someone who can and will provide all required assistance. Travel segments by private motorcoach will be up to 4 hours long. Daily activities will often involve walking over uneven terrain for distances of up to ¼ mile; a few locations are not suitable for traversing by wheelchair. In certain situations, such as near thermally active geysers or waterfalls, deviating from the marked pathways could put you at risk of injury.
PRICING, PAYMENTS & TERMS
| Tour Pricing (per person) | Two per room | One per room |
| Iceland Aurora Adventure 2026 (8 days, 7 nights) | $6,950 | $8,950 |
Pricing: All tour prices are based on costs and U.S. dollar exchange rates in effect at the time of posting. As such, prices listed here are subject to change. Spears Travel and/or AAS Sky Publishing LLC will inform clients of any changes prior to departure.
To make a reservation: A reservation request can be submitted by completing this form. Reservations are recorded and acknowledged in order of receipt. Spears Travel handles all invoicing.
Deposits and final payments: A deposit of US$2,000 per person is required to secure your reservation. Initial deposits may be charged to a credit card or by check payable to “Spears Travel” and mailed to: Spears Travel, P. O. Box 1256, Bartlesville, OK 74005. Final payment is due by July 3, 2026, and can be paid by credit card or by check payable to “Spears Travel” and mailed to the address above. Note, however, that when a credit card is used for final payment, a processing fee of 2.75% will be assessed. Reservations made after July 3, 2026, must include full payment at the time of booking.
Cancellations and Refunds: Deposits are fully refundable until May 15, 2026. Cancellations received after May 15, 2026, but on or before June 12, 2026, are subject to a penalty of US$1,000 per person. Cancellations received after June 12, 2026, but on or before July 3, 2026, are subject to a penalty of US$2,000 per person. No refunds of deposits or final payments will be made after July 3, 2026. Notification of cancellation must be received in writing by Spears Travel.
Terms and Conditions: In offering this tour itinerary or any other travel arrangements for sale, Spears Travel acts only as an agent. Spears Travel maintains no control over the personnel, equipment or operations of any supplier and assumes no responsibility for, and shall not be expected, asked, or required to pay for any financial loss, personal injury, property damage, other loss, accident, delay, inconvenience, or irregularity which you may experience either by reason of: (1) nonperformance by any supplier for whatever reason; (2) wrongful, carelessness, negligent or unauthorized acts or omissions on the part of any supplier or its employees or on the part of any other party not under the control of Spears Travel; or (3) any defect, breakdown or other failure of any aircraft , train, automobile, ship accommodations or other equipment or instrumentality owned, operated or otherwise used by a supplier. Spears Travel is not responsible for weather conditions causing difficulties in viewing astronomical events. Prices are subject to change without notice. Reasonable changes in the itinerary may be made where necessary or deemed advisable for the comfort and well being of the passengers by Spears Travel. Spears Travel reserves the right to cancel this trip for any reason and agrees to refund all monies paid by passengers less non-refundable deposits paid to suppliers and contractors. On advancement of deposit, the depositor agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions stated. All rates quoted by the tour company are based on double occupancy and do include taxes for air, hotel or other transportation unless otherwise stated.
Release: You hereby agree to release AAS Sky Publishing LLC, Spears Travel, and their respective affiliates from any liability for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or other irregularity which may be caused by the defect of any aircraft or vehicle or the negligence or default of any company or person engaged in carrying out or performing any of the services involved, and for losses, injury, damages, or expenses of any kind due to sickness, weather conditions, considerations of the safety of the transportation being used (for which the transportation operator shall be the sole judge), earthquake, strikes, local laws, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature, quarantine, force majeure, injury including: eye injury, animal or insect bites, altitude related sickness, or other such causes. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws of the country and jurisdiction in which they are provided.
Tour Note: In rare cases a change of itinerary may be necessary during our program in Iceland should weather or road conditions not allow operation of the scheduled itinerary. Certain outdoor activities may be canceled. In this case, no refund will be given but a reasonable alternative will be substituted where and whenever possible.
