If the northern lights never appeared, would you still be glad you went to Iceland?
That is a question I would ask anyone considering a winter trip. The aurora may be what first catches your attention, but the rest of the journey should give you plenty of reasons to go.
Collette’s Iceland’s Magical Northern Lights brings together waterfalls, geothermal landscapes, black-sand beaches and glacial ice. The evenings offer opportunities to search the sky, but the days are just as much a part of the appeal.
I have been to Iceland before, and I am looking forward to returning to experience this particular tour myself. I will be on the departure beginning February 23, 2027, ahead of the Tradecraft Travel group departure in January 2028. I want to see how the itinerary feels in practice, from the pace of the days to the practical details that are difficult to judge from a brochure.
A winter journey beyond the northern lights
The itinerary combines Reykjavík, the Golden Circle and Iceland’s south coast. Along the way, travelers visit Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall. The journey also includes Skógar Museum, Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon and the Blue Lagoon.
What appeals to me about the route is the variety: water, ice, volcanic landscapes and geothermal energy, often within the same day. The tour also spends three nights near Vík, offering a chance to explore the south coast without packing up for a different hotel every morning.
There are multiple opportunities to look for the northern lights, including a northern-lights cruise from Reykjavík and evenings in the countryside. Nature, of course, does not work on a tour schedule. Cloud cover, solar activity and local conditions all play a role, and sightings can never be guaranteed.
A photograph can make the aurora look like an appointment. Iceland has made no such commitment.
Why experience the tour first?
An itinerary tells me where a tour goes. Traveling it will help me understand what the days feel like.
During my February departure, I’ll be paying attention to the questions travelers should consider before booking: How does the pace feel? How much time is spent traveling between stops? What clothing and footwear are most useful? Where does the guided format make the experience easier?
Those observations will help me advise travelers considering the January 2028 departure. Conditions and arrangements can change between trips, but firsthand experience can add useful perspective to the planning conversation.
What does Collette’s Activity Level 3 mean?
Collette rates Iceland’s Magical Northern Lights Level 3: Active. That is worth a closer look when deciding whether the trip fits you. Collette says Level 3 travelers should be comfortable walking or standing for two to three hours, covering around four miles in a day, navigating hills and uneven surfaces, and climbing three flights of stairs. Iceland’s winter conditions can add cold, wind and potentially icy footing.
Collette’s current system has four levels:
| Level | General guide |
|---|---|
| 1 — Light | Easy-paced independent walking, boarding a coach and managing at least one flight of stairs. |
| 2 — Moderate | Generally two to three miles of walking a day, with some hills, uneven surfaces and stairs. Some days may require more. |
| 3 — Active | Longer periods of walking or standing, hills and uneven ground, and the ability to manage several flights of stairs. |
| 4 — Very active | Longer, steady-paced walks, steeper or uneven terrain, and potentially full days with early starts or late nights. |
These are general guides, not a promise of the distance or conditions on any particular day. Collette says Levels 3 and 4 are not suitable for travelers who require mobility-assistance devices. If you have questions about your own needs or the pace, let’s talk through the specific itinerary before you decide.
See Collette’s complete activity definitions.
Two opportunities to go
I’ll be on the departure beginning February 23, 2027, and there is space available for travelers who would like to join me on that departure. If you are interested, reach out to me for current availability.
Tradecraft Travel also has a January 15–21, 2028 group departure. The January 15 departure includes the overnight flight from the United States, with arrival in Reykjavík on January 16. You can explore the itinerary and package details on the January 2028 Iceland page.
Whether you would like to go sooner or are planning ahead for 2028, send me a note. Tell me which date interests you, who would be traveling and what you most want from the experience. We can talk through the options and decide whether this is the right fit.
The northern lights may be on your list. Let’s make sure the rest of the journey belongs there, too.
