NEW! Iceland - Birds, Volcanoes and a Solar Eclipse

Join us on this special ‘one-off’ trip to Iceland which coincides with a total solar eclipse. This short break embodies all that is best about this magical wildlife destination with lots of geology and, of course, the eclipse as well.

Iceland in late summer is a very good time to encounter cetaceans and we have a good chance of seeing some as we cross to the Westman Islands as well as looking for them from the land. 

The birds' breeding season has come to an end and several species are getting ready to depart for the winter. Nevertheless, we expect to see Red-necked Phalarope, together with many of the other species of breeding waders for which Iceland is justly famous. There’ll be seabirds aplenty including Puffin and Great Skua and  there’s a chance of White-tailed Eagle and Gyrfalcon. Harlequin Ducks are found around the coast and we expect to have great views of this special species.

Another aspect of this tour is the vigorous nature of Iceland’s volcanic geology and we’ll learn about the processes that created the island. We’ll visit several volcanoes including seeing some of the new landforms created during the recent eruptions on the Reykjanes peninsula and have the chance to explore the lava field and ascend the crater from the 1973 eruption on the Westman islands.

However, it’s the total solar eclipse that we’re sure will appeal to many of our travellers and west Iceland is one of the best places to witness this amazing phenomenon. The maximum eclipse is forecast for the late afternoon and early evening of 12 August and we shall be in our viewing location long before that. We shall keep a close eye on the weather forecast and travel to the area which has the best chance of clear skies. We’ll be telescope projecting the eclipse onto a viewing screen and, as long as the clouds behave themselves, expect to have a great view.

We stay in the same comfortable hotel in a very historic part of Iceland throughout the trip and all meals are included.

Enjoy your complimentary pre-flight overnight hotel before your holiday begins. Full details from our office! Read more about our Pre-flight Service here!

Day 1: Monday 10 August 2026
After relaxing in our complimentary VIP Airport Lounge, we fly to Keflavík, expecting to arrive in the afternoon. Our birding starts with visits to several sites for waders, seabirds and that Icelandic speciality, Harlequin Duck as we transfer to our hotel in the glorious countryside of Iceland. We shall also learn something about the volcanoes of this part of Iceland and visit the geothermal area at Hveragerði

Day 2: Tuesday 11 August 
We explore the area around the ice-covered volcano of Eyjafjallajökull before taking the ferry to Heimaey, one of the Westman Islands. There will still be puffins about (it’s the world’s largest puffin colony) and we will get good views of many other seabirds including Great Skua as we cross to the islands. The journey also produces cetaceans and we have seen Humpback Whale, White-beaked Dolphin, Orca and Harbour Porpoise on this trip in the past. On the island we will see the lava flow from the eruption of 1973 which led to the island’s evacuation and there’s also the chance to walk up the crater and feel the still hot ground from this amazing event. 

Day 3: Wednesday 12 August - Eclipse Day!
It’s eclipse day today and our itinerary will depend on which area of west Iceland has the best weather forecast for the late afternoon when the eclipse is due to begin. Wherever we go we will travel via the national park of Þingvellir and expect to find Great Northern Diver on the lake. As we head westwards we have a chance of seeing White-tailed Eagle, Gyrfalcon and Arctic Fox. We also want to spend some time exploring lava fields and coastal areas where the botany is exceptional and should provide us with some wonderful stands of several different gentian species. We aim to be in our eclipse viewing location an hour or so before the eclipse is due to start to allow time to set up the equipment. We will be telescope projecting the sun onto a viewing screen which is the best way of observing an eclipse. As the moon appears to slide across the face of the sun the skies begin to darken and when the moon covers the entire sun totality is reached and an eerie darkness covers the land. We will be looking and listening for what effect this has on the wildlife, too. 

Day 4: Thursday 13 August 
We plan to visit several coastal sites along the south side of the Reykjanes peninsula where we have a good chance of encountering Harlequin Duck and where we will be able to do some land-based whale watching. The area is famous for its recent volcanic eruptions and we expect to be able to visit some of the new lava flows that have appeared in recent years. We will be looking out for Gyrfalcon as we travel and expect to find Snow Bunting and Great Northern Diver, too. Later in the day we will visit the dramatic waterfall of Gullfoss (there’s a good chance of merlin in this area) and the world famous geothermal area of Geysir.

Day 5: Friday 14 August 
We leave today and begin our journey back to Keflavík, via Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík before the afternoon return flight to the UK. Of course, there will be opportunities for birding as we travel and we finish the trip birdwatching at the very end of the Reykjanes peninsula.

What's included in your holiday price:

• scheduled return flights between London and Keflavik, airport taxes,
• ground transportation as outlined including all transportation in Iceland
• accommodation and all meals, including breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• all boat trips and entrance fees as specified
• Eclipse viewing glasses.
• the services of your leader.
• The Heatherlea Pre-Flight Service offers everything you need at the airport, including hotels, car parking, airport lounges, regional flights, and upgrades. Let Heatherlea take the strain! Pre-flight airport hotel and lounge included free of charge subject to terms and conditions. Read more...

What's not included in your holiday price:

• personal insurance, drinks and other personal expenses, optional tips, and any other costs not specified as 'included'.

More holiday information:

Accommodation is in a comfortable hotels/guest houses with all rooms en suite,
Food Breakfast is surprisingly good given the limited availability of local produce. Cold meats and cheese are usually offered, with ample bread and preserves. Fruit juice and tea or coffee are also usually available. Evening meals are generally local dishes, which are good but often quite simple. Chicken, fish and very lean lamb are common. Picnic lunches are included.
Walking is not strenuous. Leisurely walking, very occasionally over moderately rough terrain, is the only physical requirement.
Weather Be prepared for wet weather, but also possibly warm conditions. We will be spending time on windswept coasts; it is therefore vital to have suitable clothing and equipment. The temperature can change quickly, so layered clothing is recommended. Average temperatures in July/August around 13c
Insects biting insects (midges) are likely in a few places. Please bring a good insect repellent.
Eclipse Viewing We shall keep a close eye on the weather forecast and travel to the area which has the best chance of clear skies. We’ll be telescope projecting the eclipse onto a viewing screen and will provide participants with eclipse viewing glasses. Clear instructions on how to view the eclipse safely will be given by your guide. 
Group size is restricted to 12 clients maximum.
Flights are by scheduled airline, from London. We may be able to offer flight arrangements from another airport and/or or quote without flights so you can make your own arrangements. If you wish to add an extension either before or after your holiday, please contact us and we will be happy to arrange this for you.

Your Leader:

Andy Jones: A native of Wales though resident for many years in Iceland, Andy is perhaps better known to many as 'The Iceland Naturalist'. A leader of wildlife trips in Iceland for more than thirty years, Andy is an expert on birdlife, cetaceans, flora and geology, the perfect choice as Leader for this tour!

Andy Jones