tel. 01737 218 800 | discover- the- world. co. uk Spend 7 nights exploring the majestic North; take in immense thundering waterfalls, pretty fi shing villages, see amazing birdlife and grab the chance to go whale watching. Watch the sun barely set below the horizon as you stay at a location just kilometres below the Arctic Circle - this is an itinerary including stunning areas ' off the beaten track', as well as the better- known locations of Lake Myvatn and Iceland's ' second city' of Akureyri. OUTLINE ITINERARY 910 km ( approx) Day 1 fl y on a Monday direct from London Gatwick to Akureyri. Take a taxi to your hotel ( payable locally) for an overnight stay. Day 2 pick up rental vehicle and head out deep into the Icelandic countryside, stopping at one of north Iceland's spectacular waterfalls, Godafoss. Continue north with a chance to visit the turf farm museum at Grenjadastadur before arriving in Husavik, known as the whale watching capital of Europe; perhaps even take an afternoon or evening trip out into beautiful Skjalfandi Bay in search of cetaceans. Check in for a 2- night stay. Day 3 follow the Tjornes Peninsula to Asbyrgi, the entrance to a huge horseshoe- shaped gorge and located within the Jokulsa Canyon National Park; perfect for hikers, with a variety of walks available to some outstanding places of natural beauty. Day 4 travel north along the mighty Oxarfjordur Bay, where puffi ns breed during the summer months. Wander along deserted beaches, amongst driftwood washed ashore from Siberia, to Iceland's most northerly point at Hraunhafnartangi on the Melrakkasletta Peninsula. Being so close to the Arctic Circle, this is one of the most stunning places in Iceland to experience the midnight sun. Spend the next 2 nights at Hotel Nordurljos in nearby Raufarhofn. Day 5 explore the north east coast of Iceland, stopping for a walk at Raudanes, where close to a dozen natural rock arches line a wave-lashed shore. Continue to Langanes, a remote peninsula, known for its bird colonies ( a 4WD, high clearance vehicle is needed to access the outer reaches of the peninsula). Day 6 drive across Oxarfjardarheidi to Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall. Continue into the uninhabited highlands, skirting the northern edge of the vast Odadahraun lava desert - in clear weather the views stretch south to the Vatnajokull icecap. Take a stroll around the brightly coloured landscape of mud pools and steam vents at Namaskard before arriving at Lake Myvatn where you'll overnight. Day 7 spend the day exploring the volcanic wonderland of Lake Myvatn, with its craters and surreal lava formations. This is also a top bird watching spot, especially for wildfowl. After a wonderful day by the lake, return to Akureyri, drop off rental vehicle at the airport ( before 18: 00) and receive a complimentary transfer to your accommodation nearby for an overnight stay. Day 8 morning at leisure, take a 5 minute taxi ride ( payable locally) to the airport for the fl ight to London Gatwick. FLIGHT OPTIONS Direct fl ights between UK and North Iceland are Mondays only during the summer, and operate from London Gatwick airport. It is possible to travel on other days of the week and from other UK airports, travelling from the UK to Kefl avik then staying overnight in Reykjavik before taking a domestic fl ight up to Akureyri on day 2; please contact us for further information. th und d rriving t. ts Raufarhofn Oxarfjordur Raudanes SELF- DRIVE From £ 846 ( tour) + £ 218 ( UK flights)* B& B 7 nights Jun - Aug ARCTIC CIRCLE ADVENTURER A brand new tour for 2010! We are delighted to offer a unique week- long self-drive itinerary which encompasses the lesser- known and beautiful outer reaches of Iceland, thanks to the introduction of weekly direct fl ights from London Gatwick this summer. This new service from Iceland Express makes exploring North Iceland easier than ever before. Who for? Ideal for nature lovers and those who enjoy roads less travelled SELF- DRIVEICELAND Langanes Raufarhofn Raudanes Husavik AkureyriMyvatn Dettifoss Asbyrgi = Overnight stay 41 * Per person, based on 2 sharing a category A vehicle from June to August and lowest UK- Iceland return airfare

ICELANDSELF- DRIVE 42Why choose Discover the World - see page 4 If you'd like to see the best of what the north has to offer then this is the trip for you. With so many remarkable sights to see you'll be spoilt for choice! This area is blessed with an impressive variety of geological features and the rugged, dramatic scenery has a very different identity and feel to that of the southern landscape. Lake Myvatn is huge and dotted with islands and pseudocraters which can also be found around the south shore opposite Hotel Sel, one of the choices of accommodation on this trip. During the summer months this is a haven for bird watchers as the lake is covered with a wide variety of ducks and waders. Fishermen too come here to catch salmon in the Laxa River which fl ows out of the lake. When driving around the Myvatn area you'll fi nd plenty of places to pull over and investigate such as Dimmuborgir, a collection of weird and wonderful lava formations which resemble ' hidden people' frozen in time. There is the Cowshed Café where you might like to stop for lunch and watch cows being milked, even sample a glass of warm milk straight from the source - you can't get more organic than that! Krafl a is a sight you cannot miss - a lunar landscape of gaping fi ssures, sulphurous mud pools and a still- steaming row of craters set in black lava. The nearby geothermal power station is connected to enormous silver pipes that weave across, over and around land formations, channelling steam from the depths of the earth. This powerful geothermal activity has lead to the creation of the Nature Baths, the north's answer to the Blue Lagoon. Being smaller and less commercial than its southern cousin, the experience of taking a dip in naturally heated water, open to the elements year round is none the less special. But these are not the only things you can see: if travelling in high summer and you have a high clearance 4WD vehicle visit the famous caldera at Askja - used by NASA astronauts in the 1960' s prior to their moon landings. Namaskard with its bubbling mud pools, colourful steaming fumeroles and unmistakable smell of sulphur is a great place to walk around and photograph and it is easy to reach from the lake. Drive the striking coastal road of the Tjornes Peninsula which connects Husavik with Asbyrgi, a horseshoe- shaped, forested canyon and from here, during the summer months, carry on to Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall set deep within the Jokulsa Canyon. Road 87 from Reykjahlid on the north shore of Lake Myvatn provides an entertaining drive to Husavik with its many undulations! Husavik is a charming fi shing town on the north coast otherwise known as the European whale watching capital. Take a trip out into Skjalfandi Bay in search of humpback, minke and other cetaceans ( May to September). The remoteness of the north with its vast open skies makes it an ideal place to enjoy long golden days under the midnight sun. NamaskardLake MyvatnAsbyrgi SELF- DRIVE From £ 842 ( tour) + £ 218 ( UK flights)* B& B 7 nights Jun - Aug NORTHERN HIGHLIGHTS This trip exploring the volcanic and geothermal wonders of the north is a companion to our Southern Highlights tour. Fly direct to Akureyri for maximum exposure to nature in the raw or choose a 2- centre trip which includes Reykjavik. A great choice of accommodation, either hotel or summerhouse means a trip with wide appeal. Who for? A fl exible week long trip for anyone wishing to explore many wonders of Iceland's the scenic north oggodedaysudetedgtsu Reykjavik Husavik Dettifoss Asbrygi AkureyriMyvatn * Per person, based on 2 sharing a category A vehicle from June to August and lowest UK- Iceland return airfare