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Birding Watching Tour
Depart Reykjavik 9 May, 12 June Price GBP 2635.- 15% extra for single supplement
Day 1: 8.5 or 21.5.
Arrival at Keflavik international airport and transfer by Fly Bus to your Reykjavík hotel.
Day 2: 9.5. or 22.5.
After pickup from your hotel, we visit the City Hall where we take a look at the three dimensional map of Iceland and familiarize ourselves with the landscape and distances of our tour. The City Hall is situated on Lake Tjornin in the centre of town, where we have the opportunity to see usually 15-20 species of birds, including sometimessome interesting strays.
We drive along Road no. 1 to Husavik, passing sights like Hvalfjordur, Húnaflói and Skagafjordur, and stop to visitAkureyri, the Capital of the North. On our way we will see birds like Plovers, Purple Sandpipers, Dunlins, Snipes, Black-tailed Godwits.
From Akureyri it is only a one-hour drive to Husavik, and this is broken up with a stop waterfall Godafoss.
At Husavik we will lodge in nice cottages, equipped with WC and shower. Two people stay in each cottage. The cottages have a great view over Skjalfandi bay and the surrounding fields and heights are crowded with Wheatears, Meadow Pipits, Whimbrel, Redwings and Wagtails.
In the evening we set out for whale watching (optional) on the bay of Skjálfandi and we can expect to see Dolphins, Minke whales, Porpoises and even Humpback whales.
Day 3:10.5. or 23.5.
We will set out in the early morning for a tour of Tjörnes peninsula, starting with a visit to Mánarbakki to see the Puffins, then to Asbyrgi in Axarfjordur. Gannets are frequently seen plunging into the sea for their catch, and Fulmars and Terns are common in the Tjörnes cliffs.
Our next stop will be at Dettifoss, Europe´s most majestic waterfall. On our way back to Husavik, we will observe the small lakes to look for the pair of Great Northern Divers living in the area.
Same overnight
Day 4: 11.5. or 24.5.
The whole day will be spent around the lake Myvatn, looking out for the lake’s 14 species of ducks, among them the Barrow´s Goldeneye, the Harlequin, the Horned Grebe and the Long-tailed Duck.
We will also visit sights like Grjótagjá, The Dark City, and see the false craters at Skutustadir. There will also be the option to bathe in the recently formed lagoon (Jardbod) with temperature around 38¨C.
Same overnight.
Day 5: 12.5. or 25.5.
Today we head out for Melrakkaslétta, not only for the birds but also for the heaps of driftwood on the beaches, the open space and wilderness.
We hike to Raudinúpur where we can see birds like Black Guillemot, Gannets and Razorbills nesting on the cliffs. On the beach we can spot Turnstones, Knots and Purple Sandpiper.
Same overnight.
Day 6:13.5. or 26.5.
After an easy morning, where people can either look for birds like Phalaropes, Merlins and Gyr Falcons or explore the Whale Center at Husavik, we leave these beautiful surroundings for our next overnight in Jökuldalur.
On our way we shall visit the newly deposited lava at Krafla, and visit the ancient farm of Sænautasel, where we will accept an invitation of coffee and home-baked waffles.
We will stay at Hotel Svartiskógur and hopefullysee a Wren or two.
Day 7: 14.5. or 27.5.
At the seaside on the East Fjords we once again will have the opportunity to spot different species of Gulls, Eider, Barn Swallow, Tern and Jeager, to name a few. We will visit the stone collection of Petra and the Museum Langahus at Djúpivogur where we can gain more information about Iceland.
Overnight at Hotel Framtid situated in the village, down by the harbour. Sea angling in the evening can be arranged but is not included. Alternatively, you can visitprobably the best collection of stuffed birds under one roof, which is situated in Djúpivogur!!
Day 8: 15.5. or 28.5.
FromDjupivogura short walk takes us to one of the best places to watch the birds in theirnatural surroundings. I have seen there owl and Red-breasted Merganser as well as one pair of Shelduck, of which there areonly 5-10 pairs in the whole country!!! We spend the day in the shelters near to the lakes - good quality stuff I must say.
Before it gets too late we drive down to Hofn,to visit to the Glacier Exhibition and arrive at our next destiantion, Hotel Smyrlabjorg well in time for dinner.
Day 9: 16.5. or 29.5.
Early morning of this eventful day we visit to the glacialr lagoon, Jökulsárlón, where we take a cruise among the floating icebergs (included). On the lake we will not only witness the beautiful play of the nature with colours, but will also have the chance of seeing the Great Skua. Seals often happen to swim into the lagoon to please the observers!!
After the cruise we visit the black beach at the rivers mouth, where little ice cubes are played with by the North Atlantic waves.
Our next task is a tour to cape Ingolfur for the cliff birds. On the small island on the South coast birds like Puffins, Black Guillemot, Fulmar, Gannet, Brunnich´s Guillemot, Kittewake, Little Auk, Leach´s Petrel and Razorbill lay their eggs, not to mention the Great Skua, Black Backed Gulls, Terns and Redshanks.
If there is time, we will take the short hike to Svartifoss waterfall in Skaftafell, before heading to our next accommodation, Hotel Laki near Kirkjubæjarklaustur.
Day 10:17.5. or 30.5.
A day of rest, walks in amongst the small hills on the farm, a game of golf, or bird-spotting around the farm - Wooper Swan, Water Rail, Whimbrel, White Wagtail, Starling, Oystercatcher, Meadow Pipit, Golden Plover and Wheatear.
Same overnight.
Day 11: 18.5 or 31.5.
Today we head westwards, crossing the deserts of Myrdalssandur and Solheimasandur. On our way will be sights like Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Laufskálavörður, Reynisfjara, and the waterfalls of Skógar and Seljalandsfoss.
Arrival early afternoon for those who are interested in shopping or exploring Reykjavik´s museums or galleries.
Hotel accommodation.
Day 12:
Departure by Fly Bus to Keflavík Airport.
Name of tour: Bird watching 1 and Bird watching 2
Minimum number of passengers 6; maximum 10
Duration of tour: 12 days, 11 nights.
Departure out of Reykjavik 2009: 9 May, 22. May
Vehicle: Minivan for 14 passengers.
Tour leader: Mr. Olafur B. Schram, ( Ollie), the owner of Fkaææafaro-Highlander and a very experienced guide, tour leader and birdwatcher in Iceland.
Single room supplement of 15%
The price does not include airfare, travel insurance, drinks, meals in Reyjavik and other items of a personal nature.
• Price 2,635 pounds sterling per perso,n based on 2 people in a double room, includes11 overnights in double rooms with private facilities,
• 11 breakfasts, 9 dinners,
• cruise on iceberg lagoon,
• entrance fee to museums at Petra and Skógar,
• visit to Sænautasel
• tour to Ingolfshöfdi cape
• English guiding.
Note: The tour may come momentarily to a halt for reasons of flooded roads, bad weather or other unforeseeable “force majeure” causes. We can not accept any responsibility for inconvenience or extra cost incurred because of such events.
You may expect to see the following birds: Skua, Arctic Tern, Atlantic Murre, Barnacle Goose, Goldeneye, Gullemot, Black-tailed Godwit, Brunnich´s Guillemot, Common gull, Common Loon, Common Scoter, Cormorant, Dunlin, Eider, Fulmar, Gadwall, Gannet, Great Cormorant, Great Northern Diver, Great Skua, Red Phalarope Guillemot, Gyrfalcon, Harlequin, Horned Grebe, House Sparrow, Kittiwake, Pipit, Merlin, Northern Phalarope, Ptarmigan, Puffin, Sandpiper, Razorbill, Redshank, Red-throated Diver, Scaup, Shag, ,
We have spotted 76 species of bird altogether on a 10 day tour.
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