Day 1: Arrive in Reykjavik
The adventure begins tonight. Feel free to explore before your welcome meeting, but make sure you’re back in time to meet the group. After introductions, your tour guide will review the details of your tour. Please note that normal check-in times apply at our start hotels, but you can usually store your luggage for the day if you arrive early.
Day 2: Reykjavik - Skaftafell
Discover the beauty of Iceland’s south shore, catching views of the infamous Eyjafjallajökull volcano, whose 2010 eruptions produced massive clouds of ash that disrupted air travel throughout Europe for several days. See the stunning Seljalandsfoss waterfall, and follow a hidden path through a canyon to the secluded falls of Gljúfrabúi. Stop in Hveragerði, a hot spring village, where you will have the opportunity to taste bread baked in a hot spring. Then visit the Lava Centre for an overview of how Iceland’s volcanoes and earthquakes shaped this island.
Day 3: Skaftafell
Continue exploring the south shore, passing sandy plains and moss-covered lava fields and stopping along the way at historical and geological sites. Visit Crystal Beach, scattered with icebergs that wash up on the black sands, and see iridescent ice formations in the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon. Hike in Vatnajökull National Park to Svartifoss waterfall, framed by basaltic lava columns. Stop at the historic farmstead Hof in Öræfi, home to one of Iceland’s best-preserved turf churches.
Opt to take a boat ride around the lagoon to get closer to the floating icebergs with their seal passengers. With different options for boats— Amphibian or Zodiac— there is no shortage of ways to view the highlights of this lagoon. This activity is offered from 1 May to 30 October, and is subject to availability.
Day 4: Skaftafell - Vik
Embark on a guided walk atop a glacier in Skaftafell National Park. This preservation area in the southeast is now incorporated into the larger Vatnajökull National Park. The diverse landscape here is often compared to certain parts of the Alps but, like most of Iceland's incredible landscape, the region was created by rivers, glaciers and volcanoes.
Strap on a pair of crampons, and get up-close views of intriguing ice formations, deep sinkholes, and rugged crevasses. Later, stroll along the black sands of Reynisfjara Beach. Its black sand and ominous rock formations offshore make for stunning photos. Take some time to watch the foaming white waves crash over the black sand (but don’t get too close, the waves here can be extremely powerful), explore the shallow cave if weather and time permits, and get a photo of the basalt sea stacks.
Depending on the season and nesting habits of birdlife, we may also visit Dyrhólaey Cape. As well, it is possible to see puffins at Reynisfjara beach, Dyrhólaey Cape or near Vík in the summer months (15 May - 15 August).
Day 5: Vik - Golden Circle - Selfoss
This morning, learn about Icelandic cultural heritage at the Skôgar Folk Museum and visit the picturesque Skogafoss waterfall. Opt to climb 400 steps to the top of the falls for spectacular views. Then set out on a tour of the celebrated Golden Circle. Visit the mighty Gullfoss waterfall, and then see Geysir, the hot spring for which all other geysers are named.
Day 6: Selfoss - Snaefellsnes
Begin the day with a walk in Thingvellir National Park, the last stop on our Golden Circle tour, where you'll see the meeting point of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Continue to a traditional Icelandic farm—located in the narrow fjord of Hvalfjörður—where you’ll learn about rural Icelandic life and enjoy a traditional farm-to-table lunch. Continue to the stunning Snæfellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland.
Day 7: Snaefellsnes
Spend the day exploring the peninsula, including Snæfellsjökull National Park and its mystical glacier-topped volcano, which Jules Verne wrote about in his novel 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth'. See Búðir Church, the Lóndrangar sea stacks, Djúpalónssandur pebble beach, and the iconic peak of Kirkjufell. You’ll also visit the Eldfjallasafn Volcano Museum, founded and run by world-renowned volcanologist and National Geographic grantee Dr. Haraldur Sigurðsson.
Day 8: Snaefellsnes - Reykjavik
Continue to Borgarfjörður, setting for many Icelandic sagas. See the Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls; and step into Reykholt, the homestead of the 12th-century writer Snorri Sturluson. You’ll also visit Deildartunguhver, Europe's most powerful hot spring whose water heats most buildings in western Iceland. Stop at Krauma Spa for a relaxing soak before continuing to Reykjavík for the final evening.
Day 9: Depart Reykjavik
After breakfast, you are free to depart at any time.
