AACI Kosher Iceland
JuLY 8-18, 2024
Join us on an unbelievable adventure of a lifetime – Iceland, the “Land of Ice and Fire”, which lies in the North Atlantic Ocean, is located between Greenland, Norway and Scotland, northwest of the Faroe Islands, is a spectacular scenery site, fascinating in its beauty, beyond imagination. It is a masterpiece of ice caves, glacial lakes, ash-spewing volcanoes, hot springs, waterfalls of white foam inside the black rocks, geysers spewing steam from the earth.
Sparkling and stunning color contrasts. Besides a “galactic” view, it will also give you blue lakes, dreamy and mesmerizing lagoons. Between sea and sky you can find horses with winter cows, whales, sharks, colonies of birds – among them, seagulls, ducks, terns and of course the puffin, a small bird with a colorful beak that looks like a combination of a parrot and a penguin and is considered a bird
Day 1 Monday: Tel Aviv – Keflavik
Meet at the airport and fly to Keflavik in Iceland. After landing, transfer to the hotel.
Day 2: Tuesday: Keflavik – whale watching – Snapefelsens
Today we will go on a whale watching cruise from Reykjavik. Cruises usually depart from the Old Port. Those who want the opportunity to watch the biggest animal of the sea, the Icelandic capital is one of the best places. There is a fair chance of catching sight of them and, indeed, the whales are seen near the city’s beaches all year round.
After that, we will travel to the Snæfellsnes peninsula where the small villages of Hellnar and Arnarstapi are located. The villages lie at the foot of the Snaefellsjökull glacier, the famous volcano in Iceland. The glacier and the area around it are considered one of the energy centers of the earth, and this is where the legend was forged that Snapefelsens is the gateway to the center of the earth.
Day 3. Wednesday: Snaiplesens – Kolugljúfur Canyon – Bati Desha Farm – North Iceland
After breakfast and Tefilla we will travel north. On the way we will visit the Kologliofor canyon, a hidden gem along the main road, the Ring Road of Iceland, Kolugljúfur canyon houses many beautiful waterfalls. Sculptured perfectly with a cluster of numerous small waterfalls, Kolugljúfur or Kolugil, is a gorge in the great salmon river Víðidalsá which runs through the valley of Víðidalur.
The Kolugljúfur canyon is about 40-50 meters deep and 1 kilometer long. There you will find a group of about 7-8 small waterfall known as Kolufoss waterfall. The sheer view is filled with green and brown landscape surrounding the foamy white waters in the gorge. This ancient site was inhabited until 1947, when it was declared a protected area and became the property of the National Museum of Iceland.
We then travel further Glaumbær an open-air museum featuring a traditional turf farm and timber buildings that showcase 18th and 19th-century life in Iceland. The Glaumbaer turf farm is a historical site and museum in North Iceland’s Skagafjordur fjord. Its history traces back to the 11th century, but the houses currently standing on the farmland were built in the 18th and 19th centuries. They’re notable examples of traditional Icelandic architecture from that period.
Today, Glaumbaer is part of the Skagafjordur Heritage Museum, one of the best museums in Iceland. The farm offers insight into the daily life of Icelanders, including living conditions and farming practices, along with Iceland’s architectural evolution and cultural heritage.
Day 4: Thursday: North Iceland, Lake Myvatn, Dimborgir, Jokulsa-a-Piolum basalt canyon, Datipus Falls
Today we will visit one of the most fascinating geological and geomorphological sites in Iceland – Lake Myvatn, ‘the mosquito lake’ – a name that is not particularly attractive, given to it due to the huge number of summer visitors. It is a shallow lake rich in organic matter, formed 2,300 years ago following a volcanic eruption during which a large amount of basaltic lava was ejected and groups of craters were formed that stretch along its shores and also in some of the islands in its center. This type of lava formation is known as “pseudo craters”.
We will continue on to Dimmuborgir which was formed in an eruption that occurred in the area 2,300 years ago; the Lake Mývatn area is highly volcanic, as can be further seen in nearby locations such as the geothermal Námaskarð Pass, the hot spring cave Grjótagjá, and the dramatic Krafla fissure.
As lava flowed across the area, it passed over a lake, causing it to boil. This both quickened the cooling of the lava and caused pillars of steam to shatter parts of it. After it solidified, Dimmuborgir area became defined by large stacks of rock and many caves and caverns, caused by bubbles of intense steam.
As such, many have compared Dimmuborgir to a medieval castle, with its many hidden chambers and its rising towers.
We will continue our journey along the huge “Yokulasa a Piolum” river, and later, we will walk along it Yukolsa Canyon, whose name means “glacier river canyon” and in which flows the Detyphos waterfall (Detfoss (considered the most powerful in Europe and falls from a height of about 44 m and the strength of its flow reaches 210 tons of glacial water for a second!). We will visit the bubbling mud site “Habrir” (Hverir).
Day 5 Friday: North Iceland – Akureyri – Reykjavík, hot springs
After Tefilla and breakfast we will travel to Akureyri, which is a town in northern Iceland and is the fifth most populous municipality and the largest outside the Capital Region. The municipality includes the town’s neighbourhood at the head of Eyjafjörður and two farther islands: Hrísey at the mouth of Eyjafjörður and Grímsey off the coast.
Nicknamed the “Capital of North Iceland”, Akureyri is an important port and fishing centre. The area where Akureyri is located was settled in the 9th century, but did not receive a municipal charter until 1786. Allied units were based in the town during World War II. Further growth occurred after the war as the Icelandic population increasingly moved to urban areas.
The area has a relatively mild climate because of geographical factors, and the town’s ice-free harbour has played a significant role in its history. We will enjoy a panoramic tour through the picturesque streets of this beautiful city and visit the local botanical garden. At the end of the tour we will go to the airport and fly to beautiful Reykjavik, which is the northernmost capital city in the world, and its name means “the smoking bay”, of course due to the volcanic activity around it. Upon arrival we will walk around the city which is surrounded by mountains and located in a wide bay, in the heart of a geothermal area of hot water springs, which erupt from the ground and are used for natural central heating that prevents air pollution. Therefore, beyond her name, what binds her to the natural phenomena of Iceland, is the air which is actually clear and clean
We will tour the city and stop for an observation from the “Partlan” water reservoir, which supplies hot water to the entire city. We will also pay a visit to the Halgrimson church towering above the city and finish at the port complex and the new cultural center building “The Harp”. At the end of the visit we will return to our hotel to prepare for Shabbat.
Day 6 Saturday: Reykjavik
After prayers and our Shabbat meal we will go on a walking tour of the hotel area.
Day 7 Sunday: Reykjavík – Golden Triangle, snowmobiles – Selfos
After Tefilla and breakfast we will head towards the “Golden Circle” where we will visit three very impressive sites. The first site is Gullfoss – “Golden Waterfall”, consisting of two huge and beautiful waterfalls. Not far from here is the famous Great Geysir geyser, which erupts to great heights. At the same site is also the Strokkur geyser that erupts every five minutes. The third site we will visit in the Golden Circle is the Thingvellir National Park, which, in addition to its natural beauty, is the place where the Althing – the Icelandic Parliament – was founded in 930 considered the oldest parliament in the world and one of the most important attractions in Iceland. Evidence of these heroic days is a natural bedrock on which the representatives of the tribes on the island used to sit for their meetings. Here they made their historic decisions, including giving up their pagan religion, trying law-breakers, carrying out executions by tying heavy stones to the convicts’ necks and throwing them into the nearby river. The Parliament site is right on the fault line across the Icelandic island from southwest to northeast. The walk between the upright basalt walls along the fault line gives an understanding of the drama that took place in the depths of the earth, resulting in the separation between the continents of Europe and America.
Our Golden Circle leads us to the next magical destination – a visit and bathing in the “Secret Lagoon”, not far from Gullfoss, located in the town of Fludir where about 400 people live. Steam fumes rising around, already mark the way to this pool, which is actually a natural thermal spring. The warm water, the fresh air and the view of the surrounding lava fields give bathers a feeling of relaxation and serenity. The small geyser that erupts from time to time is part of the magical atmosphere of the bathing experience. This geyser is the source of water that seeps into the pool and thus helps fill it up and keep the water warm.
Towards the end of our days tour, we will hop on a snowmobile, and explore the stunning landscape around us. This is a fun activity; you just need to show your driving license. Those who don’t will be the back-seat driver!
Day 8 Monday: Salfos, South Coast: Scaptaple Nature Reserve, Glacier Lagoon, Deerhuley
After breakfast we will go to the largest glacier in Iceland which is also the largest glacier in Europe Vatnajökull The glacier covers 8,100 square kilometers and covers about 8% of the entire island. Attesting that on a trip to the peak of the glacier you can hear the sounds of moving and falling glaciers.
Skaftafell is where you can see the breathtaking range of natural forms that Iceland has to offer—from the volcanic to the glacial—all in one place. It’s a place not to miss. Spectacular mountains, waterfalls and ice spurs that almost touch the sea. We will reach the “black waterfall” – Svartifoss, is one of the most popular sights in the park. It is surrounded by dark lava columns, which gave rise to its name. The base of this waterfall is noteworthy for its sharp rocks.
From the park we will continue and reach the Yukolsarlon glacier lagoon; amazing in her beauty. The area of the lagoon is 20 square kilometers and its depth is over 300m.This is the largest glacier lagoon and the deepest in Iceland. The lagoon is the result of the accelerated melting of the Vatanyukol glacier, which created other floating glaciers in the lake where you’ll view many shapes and sizes. It is difficult to describe in words the special colors, the size of the glaciers, the silence and the rare beauty. This is one of Iceland’s natural wonders.
Hopefully we will meet seals (in an amphibious boat), among the floating icebergs.
Day 9, Tuesday: Salfos, sailing to the Westman Islands, boating around the island for observations
This morning we will set sail south on the ferry to the Vestmannaeyjar Islands which are a group of 14 islands, with a total area of 17s square kilometers, located near the southern coast of Iceland. Of these, only the large island of Heimaey is inhabited, with about 4,000 inhabitants, most of them in the city of Vestmannaeyjar. Westman Islands are located on a volcanic area of about 800 square kilometers with about 80 volcanic craters, of which only 17 or 18 are above sea level. In 1963 one of the underwater volcano erupted, and the raging lava raised its summit above sea level. Thus was born the island of Surtsey. The eruption lasted until June 5, 1967. Surtsey is considered the “youngest” island on Earth being only 56 years old, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A dramatic-historical landmark of the island of Heimaey and its inhabitants is 2 a.m. on January 23, 1973. For more than 100 years,its mountain erupted from a depth of 100 m from the Earth’s mantle. Suddenly, without prior warning from seismographic systems, the awful sight of lava jets leaping into the sky and gliding through rivers of fire everywhere terrified the inhabitants. The eruption continued for more than 5 consecutive months, and the residents only returned to the island months after the eruption ceased, to begin the restoration work. The date of the eruption is a traumatic one for the inhabitants, and any event is described as being “before” or “after” the eruption.
We will sail around the Heimaey Island to beautiful and hidden corners and basalt cliffs along the shores, and for birdwatching. In the afternoon, we will return by ferry to the shores of Iceland and immediately continue to visit the impressive Selfoss and Zealand waterfalls.
Day 10 Wednesday: Salpus – Landmanlauger Nature Reserve Colored Rocks Reserve, Lava Museum – Keflavik
Landmannalaugar is a unique and breathtaking region in the highlands of Iceland. Nestled in the heart of the highlands’ unforgiving volcanic landscape, Landmannalaugar is something of an oasis.
On the edge of the Laugahraun lava field, which formed back in the fifteenth century, the vast valley of Landmannalaugar is historically famed for its inviting and soothing geothermal hot springs— hence the name the “People’s Pools”. When navigating the arduous routes across the volcanic Laugahraun, travelers would stop here to bathe, rest, and recharge. Beside the beguiling pools themselves, Landmannalaugar is a jewel in an otherwise harsh landscape. While the dried magma of Laugahraun is an awe-inspiring and desolate black, Landmannalaugar is a flash of color. The mountains that flank this valley are made of volcanic rock that appears in pink, yellow, blue, green, and red.
Today, its charm shows no sign of fading. Visitors come to Landmannalaugar for the hot springs, the marvelous colored mountains, and for the miles of hiking trails that traverse the area.
We will finish the day with a bath in the hot springs, a natural thermal spring in the form of a pool, fed by the hot springs of the island.
Day 11 Thursday: Keflavik – Tel Aviv
Our fascinating trip in Iceland is over. We will drive to Keflavik airport, and fly back to Israel.
| Price without flights: €6,599 per person in a double room for AACI members €7,870 single person in a room Flights from Israel are approximately $900 (subject to fluctuation) |
| Flight details: Departure flight: LY0327 (El Al) Monday, July 8th, 2024: Departing Ben Gurion, Tel Aviv at 12:10. Arrival in Paris: 16:00, Monday, June 8th, 2024 FI 0541 (Fin Air) Departing Paris at 22:20. Arrival to Keflavik Airport, Iceland; 23:55, Monday, July 8th, 2024 Return flight: FI 0548 (Fin Air) Thursday, July 18th, 2024: Departing Keflavic Airport, Iceland at 00:45. Arrival in Paris: 06:10, Thursday, July 18th, 2024. Depart Paris LY0222 at 13:10. Arrival in Tel Aviv at 18:55, July 18th, 2024 |
Terms of payment:
Registration- May 5, 2024 – 1000 Euro – 600 Euro nonrefundable per person
May 6, 2024,– second payment due -50%
Balance due-June 16, 2024 100%
Cancellation Policy:
From registration until May 6, 2024- Euro 600 pp
From May 7-June 16, 2024 – 50%
From June 17, 2024- 100%
Price includes:
- International flight including port and fuel taxes.
- Accommodation in farms and hotels
- A tourist bus rests to perform the route.
- Half board and the possibility to make sandwiches at lunch.
- Round-trip ferry to the Westman Islands including a cruise on the Westman Islands for observations.
- Tours and entrances to sites as described in the itinerary.
- Cruise in the glacier lagoon
- Entrance and bathing in the secret lagoon including towels.
- Snowmobile riding experience – on one of the glaciers (2 passengers on a snowmobile)
- Israeli guide
- Logistic person from the team “Shi Bar Ilan”
- Tips
Price does not include:
- Personal expenses
- Travel, health and baggage insurance.
- Extreme sports insurance
- Porter services – (there is no porter service in the places where we will stay)
Itinerary subject to change
Interesting articles: Iceland is the No. 1 most peaceful country in the world
For more details, contact Carole at AACI 972-2-5661181 ext. 310