Itinerary

A day-by-day plan to guide your journey.

• Day 1: Arrival & Sightseeing in Reykjavík

  On arrival at Keflavik Airport, you will be welcomed by a driver and transferred to your accommodation in Reykjavík. After settling in, take the opportunity to explore the vibrant city centre at you own pace. The main downtown street, Laugavegur, offers a variety of shops, galleries, restaurants, coffee houses and bars to suit all tastes—all within an easy walk.

  Spend the night in Reykjavik.

  Highlights

• Day 2: Exploring Hot Springs & Frozen Falls

  This morning you and your fellow travellers will be picked up by your guide. Then the first leg of the journey takes us around the Golden Circle, a popular route containing some of the best-known natural phenomena in Iceland. Highlights include Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and the powerful Gullfoss waterfall. We will also get to visit the geothermally-heated greenhouse at the Friðheimar tomato farm.

  Later in the evening we will head out on an excursion to search for the northern lights (weather permitting), with blankets and flashlights to help us along.*

  Spend the night in Selfoss area.

  Driving distance: 250 km / 155 mi.

  *Please note the northern lights are a natural phenomenon, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.

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• Day 3: Volcanic Wonders of the South Coast

  This is another day of winter wonder discovery! First we will start the day at the fairy tale-like Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where we can walk behind the icy cascade on a footpath. Then further along at the Volcano Visitor Centre at the Þorvaldseyri farm, we will browse the exhibit about the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption and its impact on the local residents.

  Next is a stop to the magnificent Skógafoss waterfall and the nearby Skógar folk museum that displays interesting artefacts from Iceland’s old farming and fishing days. The last stop today is at the black volcanic beach near the village of Vík í Mýrdal. Here we will be able to see the spectacular rock arch and steep cliffs of Dyrhólaey along with the Reynisdrangar basalt columns off the shore.

  Later in the evening we will head out on another northern lights excursion with blankets and flashlights in tow.

  Enjoy a group dinner (either buffet or set menu) with your fellow travellers.

  Spend the night in the Kirkjubæjarklaustur area.

  Driving distance approx. 200 km / 125 mi.  

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• Day 4: Iceland’s Largest Glacier & Floating Icebergs

  Today’s drive takes us to some of Iceland’s most photogenic attractions, starting with a visit to the beautiful Skaftafell area of Vatnajökull National Park, named for Iceland’s largest glacier. Here you will have the option to join a guided glacier hike and experience walking on ice with crampons!
  
  After lunch, the journey continues to the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, famous for its floating icebergs. You might recognize this place from postcards, online photos and maybe even some Hollywood film scenes. From there we’ll head to our final destination today, the seaside village of Höfn.

  Enjoy a group dinner (either buffet or set menu) with your fellow travellers.

  Spend the night in the Djúpivogur area.

  Driving distance approx. 297km / 185 mi

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• Day 5: Fishing Villages & Rugged East Fjords

  Today we get to experience a lesser-explored part of the island. Our drive takes us along majestic East Iceland, with gorgeous scenery that includes tranquil fishing villages, narrow fjords, rugged tundra and sweeping landscapes. Among other highlights we will stop in the small villages of Stöðvarfjörður and Fáskrúðsfjörður, the latter known for its French heritage. Our final destination of the day is the otherworldly Lake Mývatn area.      

  Spend the night in Lake Mývatn area. 

  Driving distance approx. 319 km / 198mi

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• Day 6: Winter Moonscapes & Geothermal Baths

  Today you have the option of starting the day off in the warm geothermal pools and saunas at the Mývatn Nature Baths, with a view to mountains and lava fields.

  Then we explore the unusual, moon-like landscapes of the Lake Mývatn area, including the Námaskarð pass and the Skútustaðagígar pseudo craters—sights that are even more surreal in wintertime. Next we drive to Akureyri, the largest town outside Greater Reykjavík, where you can enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Akureyri offers a variety of cosy cafés, small shops and interesting places to go for a walk such as the historical town center. One suggestion here is to walk along the streets of Hafnarstræti and Aðalstræi to view the old houses.

  After some free time, we head out to our overnight accommodation in the beautiful area of Skagafjörður.

  Enjoy a group dinner (either buffet or set menu) with your fellow travellers.

  Driving distance approx. 195 km / 121 mi. 

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• Day 7: West Iceland & return to Reykjavík

  As we head back to Reykjavík we will explore the incredible west, with stops at Deildartunguhver, the most voluminous hot spring in Europe, the beautiful Hraunfossar waterfalls and historical sites at Reykholt.

  After being dropped off at your accommodation, you can spend the evening at your leisure in the city.

  Driving distance approx. 310 km / 192 mi. 

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• Day 8: Departure from Reykjavik

  When it’s time to depart, you will be picked up from the hotel for your airport transfer by coach bus about three hours before your flight. If you’re flying in the afternoon, you have the option of visiting the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa to relax in the warm mineral waters before continuing onwards to the airport.

  Note: If you are interested in extending your stay, we can book extra nights and activities in Akureyri og Reykjavík area or even combine this tour with a visit to Greenland or other Nordic destinations.   

  Highlights Optional Activity