AH61 The Saga Trail

Try reliving the Icelandic sagas

Let us take you on tour along the shores of the fjord of Hvalfjordur and then to Borgarnes in the Borgarfjordur area to introduce you to the settlement history of Iceland. We take the old Ring road like it used to be before the Hvalfjardargong tunnel was built, driving along the shores of Hvalfjordur. On the northern shores of Hvalfjordur, we visit the Whaling Station, which is still in operation.

Our next stop is the Settlement Center in Borgarnes, where we will visit one of the ongoing exhibitions. In two exhibitions The Settlement Centre tells the Saga of The Settlement of Iceland and Iceland´s most famous Viking and first poet Egill Skallagrimsson. Our lunch break will be in Fossatun, from where we drive to Reykholt. Our last stop will be at the geothermal area of Deildartunguhver, where we also say goodbye to our guide.

We return to Reykjavik through the tunnel underneath Hvalfjordur.

Reykholt in Borgarfjordur is one of Iceland's major historic sites, a cultural centre of past and present. The cultural heritage of the place is mainly based around the residence of saga writer and historian, Snorri Sturluson, who lived in Reykholt between 1206 and 1241.

People, not least foreign visitors, visit Reykholt mainly for its history. The greatest attractions are Reykholt's famous antiquities (pool, passageway, old farmstead and hot water and steam channels dating from Snorri's time), which Snorrastofa and the National Museum of Iceland supervise and introduce to visitors.

The main buildings at Reykholt are the old church, built in 1887; the old district school, built in 1931; the hotel facilities, built in the years 1965-88 as student quarters; the new church; and Snorrastofa.

Snorrastofa, the annual Music Festival and other concerts held all year round in the church, conferences throughout the year and archaeological excavations, together make Reykholt a remarkable cultural centre. The opening of the Hvalfjordur tunnel in 1998 has been a big help for the progress in Reykholt, as transport from Reykjavik has been made easy.

Also available as a combination tour:

AH63 The Silver Circle

AH65 The Platinum Circle - Three in one !

Guidance: Thursday departures are also guided in German from June 12 to Sept 11.

Departure: 08:00

Duration: 8 hours

Pick-up: 07:30

Operates: June 10 - August 31

Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

Complimentary hotel pick-up service.

Adults fares: 13.300 ISK

Children fares:

Child (0 - 11): Free

Youth (12 - 17): 50%

Max 2 children / youth per full paying adult.

Included: Bus, English Guidance, Settlement Exhibition & Entrance to Snorrastofa.