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5-Nights Local Living Iceland— Bakkagerdi - Local Living from $1,759
G Adventures
OFFER ID 1688189
Local Living Iceland- Bakkagerði
Settle into the slow rhythm of life in Bakkagerdi, a charming village nestled in East Iceland’s remote beauty. Over six days, you’ll get to know the land and its legends like a true local - wandering coastal trails, relaxing in steaming geothermal pools, and meeting the quirky wildlife and warm-hearted residents that make this place so special. From turf-roofed cottages and seabird spotting to Icelandic cooking classes and tales of elven queens, this trip is all about connection - to the land, the locals, and a lifestyle that’s refreshingly simple.
Highlights
Savour delicious home-cooked meals from fresh local ingredients prepared by our hosts, Walk through the village of Borgarfjörður eystri with your CEO and hear stories of Icelandic folklore, Try your hand at local cuisine in an Icelandic cooking class, Hike along scenic coastlines and peaceful meadows, Soak and unwind at the Vök Baths with hot and cold pools floating on a serene lake
Accomodation
On this trip you can expect to stay in small family-run hotels or pensions (with the exception of the start and finish hotels, which are often larger city hotels), which will vary a little in standard and facilities: some may not have elevators, air-conditioning or English-speaking staff, but most importantly all are locally-run, with some traditional character, and in excellent central locations to give you maximum time for exploring the sights. You can expect to find clean, safe, simple accommodation in convenient locations.
Note that most accommodation in Europe does not have air conditioning units in rooms. Air conditioning is not routinely installed in European homes and workplaces. However, nearly all hotels will provide a standing or desk fan for your room on hot nights. If you do not already have one in your room, please ask your CEO to organize one for you with reception.
Please be aware that single room accommodations in European hotels are often smaller, and may not be to the same service level as double-occupancy rooms.
Group Leader
This G Adventures group trip is accompanied by one of our group leaders, known as a CEO (Chief Experience Officer). The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects.
Group Size Notes
Max 16, avg 14
Meals Included
5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
What's Included
Your Foodie Moment: Icelandic Cooking Class, Bakkagerdi
Your Wellness Moment: Vök Baths Visit, Egilsstaðir.
Arrival transfer. Borgarfjörður eystri Village Walk. Borgarfjörður Valley Nature Walk. Visit to the historic Lindarbakki Turfhouse. Fish factory visit to learn about the industry. Visit to a traditional eiderdown company. Scenic birdwatching walk at a nesting cliff. Hike from Stapavík along the Selfljót river. Horse farm visit with the chance to ride. Gufufoss waterfall visit. Departure transfer. Transport to/from all included activities and between all destinations.
5 nights from $1,759 per person
G Adventures: Local Living Iceland— Bakkagerði
Day 1: Egilsstaðir/Bakkagerdi
Arrive at the Egilsstaðir airport in the morning and transfer to our local guest house, home for the next 5 nights. Visit the fishing village of Borgarfjörður eystri which offers a glimpse into daily life and enjoy lunch at a local fish soup restaurant. Settle into the accommodations and get to know your fellow travellers at a welcome meeting followed by a delicious farm-to-table dinner prepared by our host.
This centre–based trip offers a chance to connect with our local hosts in a family-run guest house. In their words, this is your home away from home and their warmth and hospitality will make it hard to leave. Here we enjoy our included breakfasts and dinners which offer a true immersion into local cuisine. Our hosts focus on fresh, local ingredients and support their neighbours; small-scale farmers and fishermen, much to the delight of our palate.While difficult to see, the "hidden people" make Borgarfjörður eystri their home and the area is thought (according to folklore) to hold a large population of elves. The elves make their home in the many interesting rock formations and they have no concern with hikers walking by, so long as you respect their homes and nature. On occasion, they are known to help humans, in particular those being bullied, so be kind to each other.
Day 2: Bakkagerdi
Set off into Borgarfjörður Valley this morning for a nature walk with your CEO. Wander through the Icelandic wilderness, taking it all in before returning to Borgarfjörður Eystri for lunch. Enjoy a free afternoon with the opportunity to visit the local microbrewery or take time for yourself and wash away the stress of travel with a spa and wellness experience. Cap off a perfect day with a home-cooked dinner of fresh and traditional flavours.
Day 3: Bakkagerdi
Today is about culture and tradition with a hands-on flair. Begin by visiting the Lindarbakki turfhouse, a historic, grass covered cottage, then continue onward to a local fish factory to learn about the industry. Join a cooking class to try your hand at creating some traditional staples, using fresh and local ingredients. Next, visit an eiderdown company to learn about one of Iceland's beloved sea birds before taking a scenic walk for the opportunity to see them in their natural habitat.
Day 4: Bakkagerdi
Stretch your legs on a hike from Stapavík, along the Selfljót river before a scenic drive back to Borgarfjörður Eystri where you'll refuel with a lunch of home-style Icelandic dishes. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to relax or choose to check out a nearby working farm - an opportunity to experience the daily life in the picturesque Icelandic community, before another delicious home-cooked dinner in the evening from our hosts.
Day 5: Bakkagerdi
Head out to a local Icelandic horse farm this morning and learn about what makes the horses so unique. Choose to take part in a ride through the countryside or take some free time to explore on foot or relax. Next, stop at the Gufufoss waterfall for incredible photo opportunities before lunch in the charming village of Seyðisfjörður. Finish up the day at Vök Baths, a geothermal spa where you can soak any lingering real life stress away before returning to our guesthouse for the evening.
Day 6: Bakkagerdi/Egilsstaðir
Enjoy one last breakfast at the guesthouse before a 6 AM transfer to the Egilsstaðir airport where the tour ends.
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
Moderate facilities have modest enhancements to amenities and décor. These hotels or resorts are dependable, comfortable and some may offer standard features, such as select business services, Continental breakfast or coffee service and may have a swimming pool or small fitness center on-site. Guestrooms are comfortable, moderately spacious, in-room telephones, televisions and limited amenities. Moderate establishments provide suitable accommodations and service for budget-minded travelers.
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
Reference this number when contacting our agency so we may better serve you. Also keeping this number handy will allow you to locate this document again quickly.
Sunrise Travel Center
2150 Route 35 Suite 250
Sea Girt, NJ 08750
USA
(732) 449-2200