The Arctic. Energy - Magic - Tranquillity. #NorthIceland. Arctic Circle

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1 Arctic Circle The Arctic Energy - Magic - Tranquillity #NorthIceland

2 Winter Magic Northern Lights In North Iceland, the northern lights can be viewed from the end of August till April. Under clear skies, you can often watch these dancing, flickering veils of greens, whites and reds, and guided northern lights tours will provide explanations and bring you to excellent observation and photography locations. Such tours may include little-travelled locations, geothermal bathing areas or evening boat tours. Super-Jeep and Snowmobile Tours Super-jeep and snowmobile tours allow you to access the magnificent North Iceland highlands at nearly any time of the year. Such adventures may include guided trips through rough mountainous terrain or to famous attractions like Dettifoss waterfall. The breathtaking Northern highlands offer scenes you are likely never to forget, as well as fresh air in unspoilt nature and even adrenaline-sparking excitement if you wish. Off-Piste and Heli-Skiing Tröllaskagi, the huge peninsula between Skagafjörður and Eyjafjörður, is a fantastic venue for off-piste, snowcat and heli-skiing, as well as alpine ski touring. Here you can test virgin slopes all the way down to the Atlantic Ocean, with not a single tree blocking your way. The Icelandic Horse North Iceland has riding tours for all ability levels. There are a number of horse shows and exhibitions, not least in the equestrian destination Skagafjörður. You should definitely experience the tölt, a unique gait of many Icelandic horses, or even observe the extraordinary autumn roundups of wild-range horses. Right at the corral fence, you can join in the excitement, singing, and happiness on every face. Snow Fun Depending on the weather, North Iceland s seven well-equipped, floodlit skiing areas often stay open from November into May. Each area offers ski and board rental, in addition to lessons for various levels of skill. The ski resort above Akureyri, only a five-minute drive from town, is the most popular one in the whole country. Whatever areas you try, and whether you are only a beginner or long hooked on extreme sports, you will definitely get to enjoy some marvellous landscapes.

3 Fantastic Nature Seal Watching Seals can be easily observed throughout the year. At Hvammstangi, you can choose whether to view them by land or boat, together with more of the beautiful Vatnsnes coast and the amazing Hvítserkur basalt dyke rising above the sea. Bird Watching Birdwatching hides and trails, guides and exhibits are distributed throughout North Iceland. Depending on the season, some locations have tallied up to 80 species of birds. A few of the most significant species found year round are the Barrow s goldeneye and harlequin ducks, gyrfalcon and rock ptarmigan. The optimum time for bird watching is the last two weeks of May and first two weeks of June. Whale Watching You can probably get close to dolphins, humpbacks, minkes or even blue whales off North Iceland. Vessel options include oak or RIB boats, schooners and various other craft which have been especially renovated for spotting whales. On Iceland s north coast, Húsavík has long established itself as a whale-watching capital, while the calm seas within Eyjafjörður fjord provide a great alternative. Highland Excursions Whether to Kverkfjöll, Hveravellir or Herðubreið, which is crowned the Icelandic Queen of Mountains, highland excursions are extremely popular. Trout fishing in the wild lakes of Arnarvatnsheiði, south of Húnaflói bay, is equally unforgettable. River Rafting The Austari-Jökulsá has earned a reputation as one of Europe s most exciting rafting rivers. Enjoy either its white-water excitement or a more relaxed family tour down the nearby Vestari-Jökulsá. Lake Mývatn Located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Mývatn lake offers numerous volcanic and geothermal features including the Skútustaðir pseudocraters, Höfði peninsula, Dimmuborgir lava cliffs, Hverfell crater, the Hverir/Námaskarð hot springs, the Krafla caldera and lava fields, and the Mývatn Nature Baths. Moreover, the lake is considered one of the best bird-watching locations in Iceland, with more duck species breeding here than anywhere else on earth.

4 Culture and Sagas Yule Lads The Dimmuborgir lava cliffs at Mývatn are home to the 13 Icelandic yule lads. Thirteen days before Christmas, these cheeky sons of Grýla and Leppalúði begin to arrive one by one, bringing presents in the night to the children who behave well. At Mývatn, they happily receive visitors in November and December. Geothermal Bathing Try a dip amidst the volcanic scenery of North Iceland s favourite pool, the Nature Baths at Mývatn. In Skagafjörður, you can relax warmly in the historic pool of the saga hero Grettir, while looking over black sandy beaches and ocean waves towards the bird cliffs of Drangey island. Not least, the Icelanders themselves love visiting North Iceland s 32 outdoor geothermal swimming pools, each with its own character and a chance to talk to natives in relaxing warm water after your day of skiing or hiking. Local Culture and Historic Sites The culture of past centuries, including traditional handcrafts and agricultural and fishing practices, is clarified in heritage museums. Natural science museums present the characteristics of Icelandic geology, flora and fauna. Finally, historic sites relate the visitor to folktales, poetry and sagas reaching back to Viking times. Towns and Villages Akureyri is quickly accessed by a short flight from Reykjavík. Variously called the Capital of North Iceland or the Little Big City, Akureyri offers a diversity of accommodation and food. On the other hand, each of North Iceland s 25 villages and coastal towns has its own personality, types of services, and lively residents, so why not come and explore?! Local Food North Icelanders are known as gourmets and have developed a long culinary history. Diverse restaurants emphasise a variety of dishes spotlighting fresh local produce, variously prepared according to local or international traditions.

5 How to get there? Direct flights between Akureyri and the rest of Europe, as well as to the USA, are offered by Icelandair from June to September. From Reykjavík, two airlines offer scheduled flights to Akureyri ( and Húsavík ( From Akureyri, you can also fly to Grímsey island (www. norlandair.is) and to Þórshöfn ( Within the North, scheduled buses and bus tours are available every day. If you wish to rent a car, road conditions are generally good, though snow and ice may occasionally hinder driving in winter, and highland roads may remain closed through early summer. What s it like outside? Even in winter, North Iceland temperatures remain fairly mild. Daylight hours can be amazingly light, and even the long nights are often magically illuminated by the snow, moon and northern lights. From May into August, you can enjoy bright summer nights with constant light. Akureyri Int. Airport Europe - Akureyri: hours Reykjavík / Keflavík Int. Airport Grímsey Raufarhöfn Kópasker Þórshöfn Skagaströnd Hofsós Siglufjörður 1 hour Ólafsfjörður Hrísey Dalvík Grenivík 0.5 hour 0.5 hour Húsavík 1 hour Ásbyrgi Dettifoss Bakkafjörður Blönduós Sauðárkrókur Hólar Varmahlíð Svalbarðseyri Hrafnagil Laugar Mývatn 1 hour Hvammstangi Borðeyri

6 Unique North Iceland With mild winter temperatures of -15 to +10 C, North Iceland is the country s leading winter destination. Look forward to its snow, ice, winter sports and northern lights, topped off by geothermal bathing. Akureyri, Iceland s biggest town outside the capital area, is itself often called the Capital of the Shining North, meaning both the midnight sun of summer and northern lights of winter. Raufarhöfn, the Arctic Circle Village, is home to the Arctic Henge and Hraunhafnartangi, the northernmost tip of Iceland s mainland. Farther west, at Grímsey island, you can step over the Arctic Circle. Dettifoss, Europe s most powerful waterfall, is in Vatnajökull National Park. The Park s northern region also contains the Askja caldera, which is close to Bárðarbunga volcano and Iceland s freshest lava field, Holuhraun. Hvítserkur sea stack, where you can often spot seals, stands an impressive 15 m high just off the eastern shore of Vatnsnes peninsula. While Arctic North Iceland is inhabited by only 36,000 people, it is rich in culture, offers varied activities whether summer or winter, and provides easy access to the vast Icelandic highlands. Lonely Planet thus ranked it in 2013 as one of the Top 10 European Travel Destinations. Photo: Holuhraun By: Hörður Finnbogason Visit North Iceland - Hafnarstræti Akureyri - ICELAND - Tel info@northiceland.is