From the majestic roar of the stupendous Gullfoss waterfall to the eruptions of the hyperactive Strokkur geyser and the awe-inspiring spread of Þingvellir National Park, where Iceland’s first Parliament was established in 930, Iceland is one country steeped in jaw-dropping wonders – and those are just the sights of the deservedly famous Golden Circle route. Other musts in an Iceland tour package include a soak in the surreal Blue Lagoon geothermal spa and a northern lights tour to hunt for the elusive auroras. Customise your very own Iceland tour package with Chan Brothers Travel Private Tours today.

The majority of the Icelandic population lives in Reykjavík, its surrounding areas and other pockets of urbanity. As much as 80 per cent of the country is uninhabitable – it hits you once you leave the capital and are surrounded by lava fields, volcanoes, mountains, glaciers, lakes, ocean, desolation and endless tranquility. Visit in summer for the spectacular midnight sun and extended daylight hours – all the more time for activities like horse riding, cycling, glacier hikes – and in winter for the eerie snowscape that’s beyond stunning.

On top of the Golden Circle, not to be missed are a glacier walk or two.  Sólheimajökull or Svínafellsjökull, along with a Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon boat ride, are popular favourites. Also worth a visit is the tiny coastal village of Vík, for its unique basalt columns and folklore-ridden sea stacks, as well as its brow-raising location. Sandwiched between the explosive Katla volcano and the Atlantic Ocean crashing relentlessly onto a gorgeous black sand beach, Vík is slowly being eroded by the fierce waves and ironically, an eruption may be what is needed to add land mass.  

Visitors have reported spotting aurora borealis along the waterfront extending from Reykjavík’s most famous building, the Harpa concert hall. (This is also where you can see the sky-reaching beam from the Imagine Peace Tower, Yoko Ono’s memorial to John Lennon, which is lit at selected times through the year.)

Absolute darkness and clear skies will improve your chances significantly, so a better bet may be to go on a northern lights tour. On top of bus trips, you can also opt for jeep tours – the latter vehicles are better suited for rugged terrain and can go where buses have no access.

Alternatively, stay overnight at establishments such as Hotel Rangá or ION Luxury Adventure Hotel, which are situated away from city lights and bustle. The staff are on alert for the northern lights and will wake guests up on request.

As cities go, Reykjavík has a small hub that can even be covered on foot if you enjoy long walks. That said, Reykjavík tour packages are far from boring. Besides the iconic Harpa, landmarks include the magnificent Hallgrímskirkja church, designed to resemble basalt lava columns, and Perlan, also called The Pearl. Perched on a hill, the dome-shaped structure used to house hot water storage tanks and is now home to a revolving restaurant and offers stellar views of the city and endless lava fields.

For a slice of Iocal life, pop by the Kolaportid weekend flea market. It’s well-worth a visit for Icelandic oddities and weird foodstuff like fermented shark and pickled lamb testicles. Reykjavík also has plenty of cafes for when you’re sated with nature and need to tend to the stomach. Mokka Kaffi is one of the oldest from the 1950s and its unintentionally retro design is as much a highlight as its waffles. The quirky and homely Cafe Babalú serves a mean hot chocolate and is great for leisurely lounging, while you’ll find plenty of hip locals nursing great cups of joe at Reykjavík Roasters.

The city also houses a number of geothermal pools but for the ultimate pool experience, be sure to visit the Blue Lagoon, which many visitors do before flying off as it’s on the way to Keflavík International Airport. There’s no better way to bid Iceland farewell.

Looking for other Nordic adventures? Try:

• Norway tour package 
• Oslo tour package
• Bergen tour package
• Finland tour package
• Gothenburg tour package
• Copenhagen tour package
• Kiruna tour package
• Lofoten Islands tour package
• Stockholm tour package

So, pack your swimsuit and a sturdy pair of non-slip walking shoes. You’ll need them for Iceland’s spectacular sights, ranging from the splendid Blue Lagoon to the Golden Circle’s highlights, which include Gullfoss, one of the most sensational waterfalls in the world. Given Iceland’s vantage geographical location for viewing the ephemeral aurora borealis, be sure to throw in a northern lights tour. Find out from Chan Brothers Travel Private Tours how you can customise your very own Iceland tour package. Call 6212 9935 or email privatetours@chanbrothers.com.sg for details.