Iceland is undoubtedly a force of nature, a unique landscape -- and this year, it will be home to a total solar eclipse! To see the moon pass between the sun and the earth, blocking out the sun completely will be an awesome moment that we will indulge in together. The sky will darken and we’ll sink into a surreal space. Please note, this is not an everyday experience, this is a once in a lifetime event where people across the globe will gather and soak in the cosmic energies. 

Join a Maine-based group of adventurers to hike along waterfalls, practice yoga perched on volcanic coastal cliffs, and view the eclipse from a lava field in the Reykjanes peninsula. You'll explore the intricacies of Reykjavik too, hearing folk stories from your guide and learning about what makes the local people and culture so truly unique. And, of course, enjoy yoga practices throughout your journey. Beginners welcome! See the itinerary section for the full wondrous details. 

The founder of Maine Yoga Adventures, Holly Twining, will accompany the group and lead an optional daily morning yoga practice on each day of the trip, so you can start each day with mindfulness and clarity! We will likely get additional yoga practices in throughout the trip, especially when we find ourselves in a magical natural setting (easy to find in Iceland).

Please note: airfare is not included. Upon booking, we will recommend a direct flight from Boston to Reykjavik airport so the group can fly together. Please refrain from booking your flight until the trip is confirmed with the minimum number of participants (we'll let you know when this happens)!

●    Upon early morning arrival at Keflavík International Airport, collect your luggage, go through customs and proceed to the arrivals hall where you will meet your program guide, who will be holding an ‘AEA’ sign.

●    Transfer by private coach to Reykjavík (~45min)

*Luggage can be stored at the hotel

●    8a – 10a: Head out for a relaxed breakfast downtown (on own expense)

●    Options: Slippbarinn (cozy breakfast buffet with possibility of a private room), or Café Grey Cat, a local favorite known for its artsy atmosphere and excellent coffee

●    10a -12p: Embark on a guided walking tour through Reykjavík’s historic center with your guide (~1.5hrs)

●    Explore the charming Old Harbor area, known for its scenic waterfront views, cozy cafés, and vibrant street art; wander past the colorful corrugated-iron houses, a signature of Reykjavík’s traditional architecture

●    Visit Reykjavík Cathedral, located in the historic city center; and stroll through Austurvöllur Square, a lively public plaza surrounded by shops, restaurants, and important government buildings

●    Enjoy the views of the iconic Hallgrímskirkja Church, Reykjavík’s most famous landmark perched atop a hill with panoramic city outlooks

●    Visit the Sculpture Garden of artist Einar Jónsson, located beside Hallgrímskirkja and featuring expressive works inspired by mythology and Icelandic folklore

●    Listen to the storytelling of strong Icelandic women from the Viking past and present

●    12p – 3p: Lunch on own expense and free time to explore Reykjavík’s cafes, bakeries, craft shops, and scenic waterfront

●    3p: Check-in at hotel, time to rest and refresh before dinner

●    6p: Dinner on own expense (suggestions provided)

●    Overnight at Hotel Klettur or similar

●    Breakfast at hotel, followed by check-out

●    9a: Depart Reykjavík via private coach

●    Explore the quieter trails of Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet and slowly drift apart

●    Immerse yourself in structured time for yoga and breathing exercises (led by Holly) set in the breathtaking natural surroundings of Þingvellir National Park

●    Enjoy an easy mindful hike among the ancient birch woodland on the serene eastern side of Þingvellir

●    Discover the dramatic landscape while exploring lava formations, craters, and fissures; experience the quiet charm of Skógarkot, an abandoned 19th-century farm near Lake Þingvallavatn, offering peaceful lake and mountain views and insights into the food, clothing, and traditions of past farming communities

●    Stop for lunch (not included, pay on your own)

●    After lunch, head to Haukadalur, a historic birch forest

●    Delight in a gentle hike through wildflowers, following a peaceful trail set against the natural beauty of the surrounding valley

●    Pause at a scenic spot by a bubbling stream, nestled within a quiet forest clearing; listen to folk stories told by your guide

●    Take part in light yoga exercises and quiet time (led by Holly) to relax and meditate in nature, held in a tranquil open space surrounded by greenery

●    Optional: End the afternoon soaking in the picturesque Hrunalaug hot spring, surrounded by rolling hills and traditional turf structures, one of Iceland’s most charming hidden gems. (Entrance not included, participants must pay on the spot. Please note that pre-booking is not available. The group may need to share the facilities with other visitors. Changing rooms and toilets are available on site)

●    Check-in to hotel

●    Dinner at hotel (not included, pay on your own)

●    Overnight at Hotel Lækur or similar

●    Breakfast at hotel

●    Relaxed morning to take a walk in the countryside and enjoy a leisurely yoga session (led by Holly)

●    12p Light lunch at the hotel (not included, pay on your own)

●    1p: drive along the dramatic South Shore toward the Reykjanes Peninsula to see fresh black lava fields, remnants of recent eruptions

●    Witness craters, steaming vents, and fissures, dramatic features of the volcanic landscape

●    Admire rugged cliffs and iconic lighthouses along the coastline near Grindavík

●    Learn how recent earthquakes shaped life in the fishing town of Grindavík, tales and folk stories inspired by the seafaring community

●    Hike the lava fields of recent eruptions and witness the Total Solar Eclipse at approx. 5.48p, a once-in-a-lifetime setting: volcanic terrain, sweeping views, and (weather permitting) a spectacular celestial event (Please bring protective glasses to see the eclipse)

●    Return to Hotel Lækur after dinner in Selfoss or at the hotel; (not included, pay on your own)

●    Overnight at Hotel Lækur or similar

●    Breakfast at hotel, followed by check-out

●    After check-out, travel to the striking Knarraósviti Lighthouse, an elegant Art-Deco concrete tower built in 1939

●    Enjoy a gentle walk along the shoreline, where you can see remains of the enormous Þjórsárhraun lava flow from around 6600 BC—the largest lava flow on Earth in the last 10,000 years

●    Expect panoramic Atlantic views and charming fishing villages with preserved historical tiny fisherman houses (Allow time for reflection and ocean listening)

●    Optional: Easy Kayaking – 2 hours. Please note that this activity needs to be pre-booked and is an additional $85pp (guided group paddle, minimum 7 participants) or $65pp (individual exploration, self-guided)

●    Afterwards, try fresh seafood soup or whatever you choose at a nearby local restaurant (not included, pay on your own)

●    Head back to Reykjavík and check in to the hotel (or drop off luggage if rooms are not yet available); then transfer by coach to visit the Handknitting Association downtown; this association was founded to help mainly female knitters get their handwork marketed; a group of local women formed the association in 1977. The production of hand-knitted goods was then and still is an important supplement to the income of Icelandic families

●    Part ways with your guide and take the afternoon to explore and get dinner on your own

●    Overnight at Hotel Klettur or similar

●    Breakfast at hotel, followed by check-out

●    Free time to explore on own before transferring to airport

●    Transfer to airport via private coach for your flight home

●    Flight details TBD; airfare not included