A full tour around the circumference of Iceland. Every day Iceland's nature and landscapes will bring you an amazing adventure.
Duration: 6 days, 5 nights
Investment: Pricing starts at $1875 per person based on double occupancy
This six-day Iceland tour is a fabulous option if you want to make the most of your time in Iceland.
You will go further, explore more, straying off the beaten track. Get up close and personal with a glistening glacier, gushing geysers, majestic volcanoes and awesome waterfalls. Relax in the Nature Baths at Myvatn, watch the whales of the north, meet travelers from all over the world and craft incredible memories. And hopefully you will marvel at the Northern Lights.
Tour Highlights
Itinerary – October 25, 2021
Day 1: GOLDEN CIRCLE AND SOUTH COAST
Please be ready at your pick-up location in Reykjavík at 08:00 am. The pick up process takes up to 30 minutes, so depending on where you are located in Reykjavik you may have to wait a few minutes. The first day of this round trip is mostly focused on exploring the attractions of the famous Golden Circle.
We visit Þingvellir National Park which is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its geological and historical significance. It was here that the Icelanders founded their historic Parliament in 930 CE, Alþingið, one of the first democratic governments in the world. The Law Speaker had one of the most dramatic ‘platforms’ in the world from which to proclaim the law, the cliff of the mighty rift valley stood at his back. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge runs right through Þingvellir, the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates continue to edge apart, slowly widening the rift valley. The Geysir hot spring area will be our next destination.
Geysir is the spouting hot spring which gave its name to this phenomenon when the English word ‘geyser’ was adopted. Watch the Strokkur hot spring erupt great jets of hot water and steam every few minutes and see the bubbling fumaroles.
The mighty Gullfoss waterfall is the final Golden Circle attracted. See the dreamy golden-hued mist rising from the spray as the Hvítá (the White River) pours down from Langjökull (the Long Glacier) roaring through the rugged canyon. Gullfoss drops 32 m in two stages.
DAY 2: VÍK – SKAFTAFELL – GLACIER LAGOON – HÖFN
We explore the atmospheric Reynisfjara black sand beach with the glorious Reynisdrangar peaks and visit the basalt column cave. Then it is over to the glaciers!
We pass the great Mýrdalsjökull glacier, which houses one of the most famous and feared volcanoes beneath its ice, the capricious Katla. In good visibility, you will get a glimpse of the great fire maestro! Witness the results of previous volcanic eruptions as we drive across the Eldhraun lava field to Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park. Skaftafell is a true oasis, with green birch forests and lush vegetation, a verdant jewel in the midst of the rough black sand desert.
We will take a three-hour glacier hike, guided by our specialist glacier guide, on an outlet glacier of Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe.
Next on the agenda is the famous Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Gaze in wonder at the magical iceberg-filled lagoon and see the famous Diamond Beach, its coal-black sands peppered with the glittering crystal, blue/white icebergs which have been washed ashore. You will feel you are in a film scene, and in a way you will be – footage of James Bond and other movies has been shot here.
DAY 3: EAST FJORDS – DJÚPIVOGUR – EGILSSTAÐIR
Today we will explore the East Fjords of Iceland. We continue threading our way along the coastline, driving some narrow roads around Hvalnes, a very beautiful and remote peninsula, and the stretch around the Þvottárskriður landslides between Lóns and Álftafjarðar.
We will stop at Djúpivogur, a traditional small fishing village which is also home to a fine outdoor sculpture, Eggin í Gleðivík (meaning The Eggs of Merry Bay). There is then an invigorating hike to Hengifoss, Iceland’s second highest waterfall (128 m), we will also see the towering Litlanesfoss waterfall, the cascade is framed by giant hexagonal basalt columns. The hike takes about three hours in total. You will see a beautiful gorge where the layers from volcanic eruptions in ancient times can be seen in the colorful rock face.
Following our hike, we’ll stop for a visit at the Iceland Wilderness Center or Óbyggðasetrið. Located at the edge of Northern Europe’s biggest wilderness area, this tranquil escape offers accommodations, activities and a museum. Tour the wildness exhibit, named the ‘best museum in the whole world’ by Cosmopolitan Magazine, which showcases the history of the area’s past inhabitants.
DAY 4: DETTIFOSS – MÝVATN – GOÐAFOSS – AKUREYRI
Today we are on our way to the north of the country. From Egilsstaðir, we drive over the wilderness around Möðrudalur, the highest farm in Iceland for generations and now the highest inhabited place and restaurant, at 469 m. We will stop at Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall, the voluminous flow is truly awesome!
We then explore the mystical landscapes around the lake at Mývatn – from here it just gets more surreal – we head to the steaming lunar landscapes of the Námaskarð geothermal area. See boiling hot springs, steaming fumaroles and technicolor bubbling mud pots. The wonders continue when we visit the Hverfjall crater and the amazing Dimmuborgir formations, known as the Dark Castles!
The next stop is at Mývatn Nature Baths, in Icelandic these are called Jarðbóðin because the hot water comes straight up out of the earth. Mývatn Nature Baths, giving you the opportunity to bathe in the hot spring pools. Here you can bathe in the mineral-rich alkaline water (36 – 40 C), the entrance fee can be added when booking or paid on site. For those do not wish to bathe, there is the option to stroll around and enjoy the exceptional views or relax in the cafeteria, there is a sun terrace for fine days! The wide and dreamy crescent-shaped waterfall, Goðafoss, is the last stop of the day before we journey to Eyjafjörður, an outstandingly beautiful fjord with high mountains.
DAY 5: WHALE WATCHING IN DALVÍK – SIGLUFJÖRÐUR -TRÖLLASKAGI – LAUGARBAKKI
Occasionally there is time to make a short stop at Akureyri, the Capital of the North. We always drive through this charming town, passing through the really mesmeric scenery along Eyjafjörður (the Island Fjord) on the way to the little fishing town of Dalvík.
Your whale watching boat trip departs from the traditional working harbor. During the 3-hour boat trip, you can expect to spot humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, minke whales, and sometimes even a majestic blue whale shows up in the bay. If you are lucky, you might see one! You will also get the chance to try your luck at sea angling, and a taste of the freshest fish imaginable.
Whales are spotted on 98% of tours.
When we step ashore, we drive to Siglufjörður, a charming fishing village with a rich history, in the early 20th century there was a gold rush atmosphere when the remote community became the herring fishing capital of the Atlantic. Your journey around Tröllaskagi (the Troll Peninsula) will show you some of the best ocean scenery and skiing areas in Iceland. The characterful small villages on this peninsula will really give you a good insight into how life was/is lived in the remote Icelandic villages. Our drive will take us through some thriving agricultural areas on our way to Laugarbakki.
DAY 6: BORGARFJÖRÐUR – REYKHOLT – HRAUNFOSSAR – HVALFJÖRÐUR – REYKJAVÍK
On this, our final day, we will find ourselves in West Iceland – an area which Lonely Planet voted as one of the best destinations in 2016. Your day will begin with a short hike up to Grábrók, a volcano crater. On a clear day, there are fabulous views over the lava field and the whole area. Borgarfjörður has many splendid sights and we will focus on these today. We stop at Deildartunguhver hot spring, the legendary waterfall, Barnafoss, (the Children´s Waterfall), and the Hraunfossar cascade, the atmospheric very low and wide falls where the water emerges, literally straight out of the lava field.
Next on the agenda is the historic and picturesque site of Reykholt, home to Snorri Sturluson, the Icelandic historian, lawyer, politician, poet and the author of some Icelandic Sagas. See Snorralaug, Snorri´s pool, dabble your fingers and feel the temperature of the water in the place where Snorri is likely to have bathed! We will drive around the scenic fjord, Hvalfjörður (Whale Fjord), on our way to back Reykjavík. We expect to arrive in the city around 5 – 6 pm.
Included:
- Pick up and drop off from Reykjavik
- 5 nights accommodation
- Breakfast each morning
- English speaking guide
- All required safety equipment
- Glacier hike on Vatnajökull Glacier
- Hike at Egilsstaðir
- Whale watching in Dalvik
- Wifi on minibus
Not Included:
- Lunch and Dinner
- Pre and Post hotel nights in Reykjavik
- International flights
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance (required)
What to Bring:
- Warm outdoor clothing
- A waterproof jacket and pants
- Headwear and gloves
- Good hiking boots are recommended
- Refillable water bottle
NOTE: Please DO NOT bring large suitcases. Luggage storage is minimal on the minibus. If your luggage is too large you will have to store it in Reykjavik. Please pack in a backpack or carry on size luggage.
Pricing:
$1875 per person based on double occupancy. Solo travelers will be matched with same gender roommates.
If you want your own room the price is $250 extra.
Pricing includes an upgraded whale watching boat, entrance to Myvatn Nature Baths.
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