CCAR

Magical Adventures of Iceland
for all adults: couples, singles, solos & beyond!
Led by Rabbi Yakar of Adventure Judaism
and Bill Cartiff of Best-Day Adventures
July 20 - 27, 2022

Tour Rates & Dates:

This package is currently unavailable. Please check back later or call Ayelet Tours, Ltd. for more information.
*Please note that all rates displayed are based on standard room double occupancy.
Upgraded room categories may be available to book later in the booking process.
If Land & Air price is displayed, the air portion includes tax and fuel surcharges, which are subject to change until ticketed.

ONE ROOM LEFT! Please email bill@bestdayadventures.com
to sign up...before it is too late!.

*Maximum group size: 30 people
*All guests will be required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against Covid-19 prior to departure.
*Single occupancy rooms are limited and available on a first-come/first-served basis. Single Supplement is $1,179.

Suggested Flight Parameters:
   Arrival options into Reykjavik (KEF; Keflavik Airport):
        Arrive on July 21, 2022 between 8:00am - 11:00am
        Arrive on July 20, 2022 and add 1 additional night on own (extra cost $299/single - $169pp/double)
   Departure options from Reykjavik (KEF; Keflavik Airport):
        Depart on July 27, 2022 after 5pm
        Depart on July 28, 2022 anytime, and add 1 additional night on own (extra cost $299/single - $169pp/double)

Tour Overview:

Download a PDF version:

Join us on a unique adventure to the Land of Fire and Ice, along a journey of discovery and awe. Iceland is chock full of ancient glaciers and explosive volcanoes, towering waterfalls and majestic mountains, all giving way to sights & sounds so immersive that no picture can do it justice – you simply must experience it for yourself!

About our Tour Leaders: A special feature of the tour will be the collaboration of Bill Cartiff of Best-Day Adventures/Ayelet Tours and Rabbi Evon Yakar of “Adventure Rabbi”. Tahoe based, Rabbi Yakar brings an enriching facet to Iceland leading us on an exploration of its natural and cultural history while instilling our time with Jewish values, helping us connect spiritually through nature and adventure. Exploring all the must-sees & dos in Iceland, our personal experiences will be enriched as we learn a little Torah on the trail, exercise using “Mussar Movement” on a volcano, join along with Jewish melodies for Shabbat and more.

Evon Yakar is an outdoorsman, skier, hiker, musician, naturalist, and reform Rabbi. As a prominent clergy of Adventure Judaism, he imparts a concept of Judaism connecting the spirits of our beliefs with the natural beauty of the world. By trekking in the woods, riding horses, exploring nature, star gazing and singing, people are empowered to have thoughtful discussions about the worldly and the spiritual.


Bill Cartiff has dedicated himself to leading travel living by the adage that “Not all who wander are lost”. For 27 years, he has led thousands of Jewish travelers to over 70 countries around the globe. “Best-Day Adventures & Beyond” trips are open to all adults – singles, solos, and couples – offering a unique brand of travel services emphasizing personalized attention, action-packed itineraries, a warm & welcoming environment, and meaningful memories meant to last a lifetime.


OUR JOURNEY INCLUDES:
  • 7 days/6 nights centrally-located deluxe accommodations
  • 12 meals; 7 breakfasts, 3 dinners and 2 lunches
  • Traveling in climate-controlled mini-buses with expert guided touring
  • Departure airport transfers on July 27 from Lava Restaurant (arrival transfer additional cost due to varied arrival times)
  • A discovery of modern progressive Jewish ideas as they relate to the outdoors and adventure.
  • An exploration of quaint small towns and the historic life of Nordic & Viking villages.
  • An immersion into a land of fire & ice where thermal activity clashes with frozen tundra.
  • A collection of adventure and serenity; bathe in geothermal hot springs and then hike upon a glacier, all in the same day!
  • The dynamic duo of tour leadership featuring Rabbi Evon Yakar of Lake Tahoe and Bill Cartiff from Best-Day Adventures / Ayelet Tours

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:
  • Roundtrip airfare (contact anjie@ayelet.com for assistance)
  • Reykjavik Airport arrival transfers (info will be provided)
  • Additional hotel nights and meals not listed in the itinerary
  • Tips to guides, drivers & dining room waiters ($20 per person, per day; pre-collected) (For more information on our tipping policies, click here)
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Any costs associated with testing or related to proof of Covid/vaccine status.
  • Travel insurance (group policy is available)

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Wednesday, July 20, 2022: DEPARTURE

• We depart for our flight to Iceland. Option to overnight in Reykjavik (separate cost) or fly overnight and arrive the next morning.

Day 2: Thursday, July 21, 2022: WELCOME TO ICELAND!

• Upon arrival, we transfer to our centrally located hotel in downtown Reykjavik, founded in 1785. This is the capital of Iceland, and the center of its cultural, economic and governmental activity.
• After some time to rest & refresh from our flight, we begin with a private guided walking tour to get acclimated to our beautiful surroundings. We visit the Parliament building, then stop to view Harpa, a concert hall and conference center. We continue to Hallgrimskirkja, Iceland’s largest church, followed by a stop at Lake Tjörnin and the City Hall.
• Our final stops include a compelling visit to the Settlement Exhibition and Saga Museum where we learn about Vikings and Iceland’s earliest settlers, and of the key moments of the country’s turbulent history.
• We gather early this evening for a group orientation followed by a delicious welcome dinner.

Overnight in Reykjavik

Day 3: Friday, July 22, 2022: SNAEFELLSNES PENINSULA

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Today, we set out for a day trip, traveling north along the Ring Road to Snaefellsnes peninsula, also known as “mini Iceland”. There is so much to see and do here! Breathtaking scenery, ice caps of the volcano, lava fields, caves, waterfalls and more will greet us in Iceland’s smallest national park.
• This morning we offer two optional experiences:
     o Choose to enjoy the adventure of trotting along some beautiful scenery on an Icelandic horse ride.
     o A scenic trek through nature along the foothills of Arnarstapi and Hellnar ending at a local café loved by the locals.
• We continue to the Búdakirkja (black church), to see this picturesque church, blessed with a stunningly beautiful background of both black and white sand beaches, waterfalls, glaciers and all that Iceland has to offer.
• We complete our day at the snowcapped Snaefellsjökull Glacier, covering a volcano and rising over 4,700 feet above sea level. This glacier was made famous in the novel “A Journey to the Center of the Earth”.
• This evening, we enjoy a delightful Shabbat dinner together, followed by a musical Kabbalat Shabbat led by Rabbi Yakar.

Overnight in Reykjavik

Day 4: Saturday, July 23, 2022: SHABBAT IN REYKJAVIK

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• This morning we offer two options:
     o Choose to get your blood flowing on a special off-road bicycle trek through the Reykjadalur Valley. Our connection with nature becomes truly enhanced as we enter the famous hot river with an opportunity to take a dip.
     o Choose to spend this time experiencing the seven-step Icelandic Sky Ritual while relaxing in the oceanside geothermal Sky Lagoon.
• We set out to explore the Perlan Museum situated atop Öskjuhlíð Hill and discover the wonders of Iceland. This architecturally unique building is composed of an immense glass dome sitting on six tanks filled with geothermal hot water. Inside, we’ll discover exhibits on the forces of nature, take part in a cinematic underwater journey and explore glaciers and ice caves.
• This evening we enjoy a special Havdalah Service under the late day sun on the “Torah Trail”. On our hike, Rabbi Yakar will share insight to our connections to the natural and cultural history of the Land of Fire and Ice. Part of our Torah learning will also provide perspective through a Jewish lens on the ecology and climate realities we get to see firsthand in Iceland.
• The remainder of our evening is at leisure and dinner is on own or choose to “follow the leader” to dinner!

Overnight in Reykjavik

Day 5: Sunday, July 24, 2022: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• We depart Reykjavik for our tour of the Golden Circle, comprised of three stunning locations.
• First, we visit Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site (the only one on mainland Iceland). Here, we will find sheer beauty in the dried magma fields, glacial springs and mountain peaks alongside the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. We will hear about the formation of the Icelandic nation and how it became independent.
• We stop at Laugarvatn to bake bread in the local geothermal sand. This town is also known for using its geothermal location to melt the ice and snow on the roads and sidewalks during the harsh Icelandic winters. Here we will enjoy an included lunch.
• From here we continue to explore the Geysir, a famed hot spring, now dormant, in the geothermal area of Haukadalur Valley. Continue to adjacent Strokkur, the most famous hot spring in the area, shooting water up to 130 feet into the air every 10 minutes! Photo opportunities abound here.
• We continue to Gullfoss (Golden Falls), one of the country’s most iconic waterfalls in the Hvita River canyon. There are two cascades approximately 36 and 69 feet dropping into the canyon and thought to have been formed by glacial outbursts.
• We stop atop Kerid Crater, a beautiful dormant volcanic crater that has filled with rainwater and created a picturesque scene.
• Then we visit the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. The contrast between the white rapids and the black sand makes it a sight to behold.
• We continue to the village of Vik, located on the southern tip of Iceland. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel and enjoy dinner together.

Overnight in Vik

Day 6: Monday, July 25, 2025: VATNAJÖKULL AND BEYOND

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• This morning we offer two options:
     o Choose to join Rabbi Evon and Rachel Yakar on a black sand beach to enjoy the motions of Mussar; an area of Jewish study focused on movement, stretching and meditation aligning with the virtues of the Middot (Jewish values and traits of the soul).
     o Choose to join Bill for a morning beach walk taking in the fresh air and endless landscape. Each of these experiences will add to our day through mind, body & soul!
• Today, we explore Vatnajökull Glacier and National Park. Vatnajökull is the largest glacier in Europe averaging about 1,640 feet in thickness. If you have never visited a glacier before, it is often described as an experience beyond words.
• Our adventure continues at the Jökulsárlon Lagoon, where we depart on an exciting Zodiac boat tour, getting up close and personal with the glacier and icebergs.
• We complete today’s journey at Diamond Beach, a strip of black sand where pieces of the icebergs from the Jökulsárlon Lagoon wash ashore. Nature lovers and photographers alike frequent this site, where seals often call the beach home and you’re among one of the best places to see orca whales from shore.
• We return to Vik for dinner on own or choose to “follow the leader” to dinner.
• After dinner, while the sun still shines, we embark on another version of the “Torah Trail” where Rabbi Yakar will share insight to our connections to the natural and cultural history of Iceland, offering perspective through a Jewish lens on ecology and climate.

Overnight in Vik

Day 7: Tuesday, July 26, 2022: CHASING WATERFALLS

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• This morning, we set out for Skógafoss waterfall, a unique waterfall coming directly from two glaciers.
• We also visit Seljalandsfoss waterfall, one of the most majestic and photographed features in Iceland. Here, we capture the strength of the waterfall by walking behind it and capturing the amazing views.
• Those with an adventurous side can choose to get a little wet with a visit inside the nearby Gljufrabui waterfall, hidden behind a concave cliff and climbable for those who wish to get some breathtaking photos.
• Iceland’s hidden world rounds out our day as we visit the Caves of Hella. Akin to the Western Wall Tunnels, access to the modern world of these ancient man-made caves is a recent discovery. Here we will connect the spirit of Judaism with Icelandic rituals and tastes.
• Upon our return to Reykjavik, we take some time to learn about the local Jewish community and how the natural beauty of Iceland’s ecology & climate is enlightened by Judaism.
• Evening at leisure.

Overnight in Reykjavik

Day 8: Wednesday, July 27, 2022: REYKJANES PENINSULA/FAREWELL

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• This morning we take a guided stroll on a Graffiti and Street Art Tour through one of Reykjavík's thriving neighborhoods where the prevalence of creativity and expression is on vivid display.
• Next, we head to the Reykjavik Port, an old harbor outside the city center with a fishing village vibe, where cruise ships and fishing boats dock.
• Our time in Iceland wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the wonders of the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa located in a lava field. The shade of blue comes from the high silica content, which forms white mud on the bottom of the lake that we use as a mud mask.
• After time to freshen up, we come together for an incredible and delicious farewell lunch at Lava Restaurant built into a lava wall on the banks of the Blue Lagoon.
• Following, we transfer to the airport for our international flight home.

THE MEMORIES LAST FOREVER!!
*Itinerary subject to change